Welcome to the forum. You're never past your prime to start playing the guitar. I've seen a number of players with "shortish thickish fingers" play exceptionally well, didn't seem to bother them ? A downloaded course can sometimes be tricky, especially if you're starting from scratch, technique development from the beginning is pretty important, you can pick up bad habits that are going to be difficult to correct later. Try and find a tutor in your area that can help you.
Other than that, any questions, ask away, plenty of guys around here that give great advice. I don't know anything about the Fender which you have, but it's probably far better than the average Cash Crusaders special that a lot of beginners start off with, and eventually lose interest in because the guitar just sounds so bad.

FfirstMlast wrote: Hi all,

I recently decided to do something I've always wanted to, but never gotten around to. I hope I haven't left it too late, but decided to learn the acoustic guitar. I am not in the least bit musicaly inclined (at least not that I know of), definitely can't read music and have never played a single note. Oh, have I mentioned that I'm past my "prime", have shortish, thickish fingers that don't bend well and that I am planning to do this by means of a downloaded course?

Don't worry about the age thing or the fingers thing. There is no reason why you can't start learning guitar later on in life.

Downloaded course. That certainly can work but..... personally I think it's nice to get some feedback. Does that course give you that? It's a not invalid option, but think about some "real world" lessons.

Either way, it can be done.

Any thoughts on a Fender CD-60? Made in Indonesia, not the one made in China. Got one to start on, so hopefully it is not too bad, or I'm stuffed!

Well it's clearly too late now ?

I second the comments that Sean made, that this is hardly likely to be a truly bad guitar. A lot of beginners don't know much about guitars (for obvious reasons) and end up with a guitar that is more difficult to play than it need be. They struggle and they conclude that it's them that's the problem when it's the guitar that is the villain of the piece.

This is another area where a real world teacher is valuable. They can help you as regards your choice of instrument and also identify problems with it. Said problems are not necessarily the end of the world as there are adjustments that can be made that will make it easier to play, stay in tune better and so on.

Where do you live? Which guitar stores are close by?

Welcome to the forum. You're starting with a plan and that's good.

Welcome... have fun.

Welcome! No shortage of opinions and feedback here ? that said, a live teacher or friend that plays will be invaluable on your AWESOME journey!

Welcome Mate

You will get lots of inspiration here ?

Welcome, from a fellow newbie.

I started playing on-and-off about 30 years ago. Never really got along until a few weeks ago. I am also busy with a course that I bought at kalehari.net. But I have to concur with Sean; nothing beats guidance from someone in the know. I learned more from Sean in the last few weeks, than I have learned from the books. Thank buddy ? Having said that, with the guidance, the stuff in the book now makes a lot of sense. Even the theory is starting to make sense.

By the way, I am only 8 years from retiring and love to play.

Robbie

Morning!

Thanks for the replies and encouragement guys!

Yup, thought the online course will most likely be inadequite and I get that a real teacher will be so much better. Will start searching around for one while I see how this course goes.

I am situated in Mossel Bay, so no real music shops around, exept for RD Percussion where I bought the guitar, unless you wanna count Cash Crusaders! Not much of a selection to choose from at all. The Fender seemed to be the better of the Cheaper guitars (R1700) and the only better ones they had were Ibanez starting from around R3300. I'm sure it will do for starters though.

Thanks again, looking forward to being on here often.

Cheers

Nobody said you had to be the youngest kid on the street in order to start to learn to play the guitar!
(though it might have helped ? )

But welcome, im sure you're going to enjoy your stay!

Nothing wrong with that Fender, it will serve you well as your first fiddle.

(My first axe was a Cash Crusaders cheapie strat, took some work to get it halfway decent but I actually enjoy using it)

Hello and welcome. I dont know how old you are but I am quite old. I'm very old. I'm older then Bob! I'm old! So about 2 yrs back I also decided to start playing guitar. And I was full of complexes and I'm still full of complexes but dont let that put you off because it's in my nature. Why do you want to play guitar? For me it is just to entertain myself but I still have these dreams of shaking it up on a stage in my mauve ski pants and a purple boa and platforms but that is still gonna take a while.

If you can find a teacher then do it. There must be some in Mossel or surrounds. Be careful though. The first one I found just wanted to teach me to strum along stuff that I could do in a few weeks anyway. The next one relocated to another town and I've still got complexes about that - I dunno what I did. So, apart from two lessons I've been going it alone and having fun. If you are like me then there is another thing to be careful of and that is acquiring too much material. I'll tell you, I've got books here that I could open a little library with. And I dont think they are bad but gee I am lazy to grind myself. And I havent even worked thru the first lesson of a single one of them.

Ray wrote: For me it is just to entertain myself but I still have these dreams of shaking it up on a stage in my mauve ski pants and a purple boa and platforms but that is still gonna take a while.

You also saw Glenda?

Oh yeah, forgot to mention this forum is mostly old fogeys ?


Who just happen to shred with the best of them! ?
So dont let your age put you off!!

Norman86 wrote: Oh yeah, forgot to mention this forum is mostly old fogeys ?


Who just happen to shred with the best of them! ?
So dont let your age put you off!!

Age has nothing to do with old fogey ?

I am refusing to be an old fogey, but cant help getting older

Squonk wrote:

Ray wrote: For me it is just to entertain myself but I still have these dreams of shaking it up on a stage in my mauve ski pants and a purple boa and platforms but that is still gonna take a while.

You also saw Glenda?

I was thinking Mark Bolan.

X-rated Bob wrote:
I was thinking Mark Bolan.

? Strange thing Bob, that also popped into my mind along with Bernie Millar who used to front Circus, a great SA band from the 70's

An old fogey and a geezer are six of one and a half dozen of the other - and to be a geezer takes a LOT of accumulation, ie beers, night clubs, guitar acquisitions, and various other unmentionables. You are never too old to start playin' the geetar. Have fun, 'cos that's what it's all about.