I’ve taught guitar for over 30 years, and I’ve heard every version of “I can’t” there is:
“I’m too old to start.”
“I don’t have musical talent.”
“I tried once and wasn’t any good.”
“I’ll probably embarrass myself.”
And here’s what I’ve learned:
The people who say these things aren’t lacking ability. They’re just scared.
Which is completely normal.
But here’s the problem: Fear doesn’t just make you hesitant. It makes you wait. And wait. And wait for some perfect moment that never comes.
Meanwhile, people who were “worse” than you—less coordinated, less musical, older, busier—started anyway.
And now they’re playing.
Let me tell you what I’ve seen happen when people push through that fear—and what happens when they don’t.
The Real Cost of Waiting
Here’s what “waiting until you’re ready” actually looks like:
– You watch YouTube videos for months without picking up the guitar
– You tell yourself you’ll start “after things calm down at work”
– You buy a guitar but leave it in the case because you “need to learn some basics first”
– You convince yourself that if it was meant to be, it would feel easier
And a month goes by. Then two. Then five.
I’ve met people in their 60s who said, “I wish I’d started when I was 50.” I’ve met people in their 50s who said, “I wish I’d started when I was 40.”
You know what I’ve never heard?
“I wish I’d waited longer to start.”
What Actually Happens When You Just Start
Let me tell you about Josh.
Josh is in his 40s and cuts down trees for a living. When he started lessons, his hands hurt from the physical work. His neck was messed up. Some days he’d struggle just to hold the pick properly.
And he was, honestly, the worst one in the room.
But here’s the thing about Josh: He never let that stop him.
No excuses. No apologies. He just showed up. Every week.
He didn’t have the luxury of “perfect conditions.” His body was working against him. But he didn’t wait for his hands to stop hurting or his neck to heal or for life to get easier.
He just kept playing.
And you know where Josh is now?
He hosts an open mic night. He performs with confidence. And he helps other students who are just starting out.
The guy who couldn’t hold a pick some days is now the one encouraging nervous beginners at his open mic night.
That’s what happens when you don’t let fear—or pain, or doubt, or anything else—hold you back.
Josh didn’t have a fear problem. He had a clarity problem that he solved: He knew what he wanted, and he decided nothing was going to stop him from getting there.
Not his schedule. Not his aching hands. Not being the least experienced person in the room.
He just started. And he never stopped.
Fear Lies to You (Here's What It Says)
Fear tells you very convincing stories:
“You’re too old.” But I’ve taught people in their 70s who became solid players. Your brain doesn’t stop learning at 25—it just needs patience and practice.
“You don’t have natural talent.” Talent is overrated. The students who improve fastest aren’t the “naturals”—they’re the ones who show up consistently and ask questions when they’re confused.
“You’ll look stupid.” To who? Everyone learning something new feels awkward. That’s not stupidity—that’s growth. And honestly, most people are too focused on their own struggles to judge yours.
“It’s too late.” It’s only too late if you never start. You could be a year better at guitar (or anything else) 365 days from now. Or you could still be thinking about it.
Here's What Fear Doesn't Tell You
Fear doesn’t tell you about the momentum that builds once you start.
It doesn’t tell you how good it feels to play something that seemed impossible three months ago.
It doesn’t tell you that “being bad at something” is temporary, but “never trying” is permanent.
It doesn’t tell you that the discomfort of being a beginner lasts weeks—but the regret of not starting lasts years.
The Two Types of People I've Taught
Over three decades, I’ve noticed something:
Type 1: People who overthink it. They research. They plan. They wait for the perfect time, the perfect motivation. Sometimes they eventually start. Often they don’t.
Type 2: People who just show up. They’re nervous, sure. They might not practice as much as they “should.” But they keep coming back. They ask questions. They make mistakes. And slowly, steadily, they get better.
Guess which type actually learns to play?
You don’t need confidence to start. You gain confidence by starting.
What to Do With Your Fear (Because It's Not Going Away)
Here’s the truth: Fear doesn’t disappear. Even experienced players feel nervous before performing or trying a new technique.
But you can act anyway.
In The War of Art, Steven Pressfield calls this “resistance”—that voice that tells you not to do the thing you know you should do. And his advice?
Do it anyway. Feel the fear and do it anyway.
Because fear isn’t a stop sign. It’s a sign you’re about to grow
So Are Guitar Lessons Actually Right For You?
If you’ve read this far, you already know the answer. You’re not here because you don’t want to play guitar. You’re here because something is holding you back. That’s exactly the kind of person who does well in lessons — someone who wants it but hasn’t had the right push, the right plan, or the right person in their corner yet.
Final Thought: What Would Future You Say?
Think about yourself one year from now.
If you start today—awkwardly, imperfectly—what will you be able to do a year from now?
If you don’t start, you’ll be exactly where you are now. Still thinking about it. Still afraid.
Which version of yourself do you want to be?
Don’t let fear rob you of something you actually want to do.
Start badly. Start scared. Start anyway.
That’s where everything good begins.
About The Author
Brian Fish is a professional guitarist who has been dedicated to helping other guitar players in Northeast Ohio pursue their musical dreams since 1994. He’s passionate about guiding others on their musical journey! He is the Guitar Playing Transformation Specialist, instructor, mentor, trainer, and coach at
Guitar Lessons Geauga.
Brian has also assisted people from around the globe in developing a solid sense of timing and enhancing their creativity through the fantastic rhythm course, “Ultimate Rhythm Mastery,” available at MusicTheoryForGuitar.com.
If you live in Geauga County / North East Ohio, Guitar Lessons Geauga can help you become the player you’ve always wanted to be.