If you have spent much time in Colorado, you have probably walked into a bar and seen a bunch of musicians sitting around in a circle playing bluegrass music. If you said to yourself, I’d love to play like that but I am too old to learn, well then read on. Starting a to play a bluegrass instrument as an older adult might sound daunting, but the bluegrass community has a unique spirit that welcomes musicians of all ages and levels. Learning how to play an instrument can enhance your well-being, bring joy, and connect you to a vibrant musical community full of lifelong friends. Here’s some thoughts on how to get started, focusing on the key elements of tone, taste, and timing.
Why Start Now?
Bluegrass is a genre built on musical tradition and playing music in community, with an open and welcoming invitation for all to join. For older adults, picking up an instrument is a chance to connect socially and enjoy the mental and physical benefits of music. Playing music is proven to boost memory, improve coordination, and foster a sense of accomplishment. Plus, the Colorado bluegrass community is known for its encouragement and support, especially for beginners. You can do this.
Choosing the Right Instrument
The guitar, mandolin, banjo, fiddle, Dobro and bass are popular choices in bluegrass. Each has its unique appeal, and it’s worth choosing one that feels comfortable to play. Consider the instrument’s size and weight, especially for mobility and hand comfort. A lightweight guitar or mandolin can be ideal for someone seeking versatility with less physical strain, while the banjo’s distinctive tone may capture the heart of someone with a bit more dexterity and willingness to carry the weight (they’re heavier than you might think!)
Building a Practice Routine
The "10,000-hour rule" was popularized by journalist Malcolm Gladwell in his book Outliers: The Story of Success (2008). Gladwell based the concept on a study by psychologist Anders Ericsson, who researched the role of deliberate practice in achieving expertise. Ericsson’s study examined violinists and found that those who had accumulated around 10,000 hours of practice tended to reach elite levels of performance. However, Ericsson himself later clarified that the "10,000-hour rule" oversimplifies his findings. He emphasized that quality of practice, not just the quantity of hours, is critical for mastering a skill.
Now most of us don’t have 10,000 hours to devote to music practice, so how can we become proficient? Consistency is key. Start with short, daily practice sessions, even 10 to 20 minutes, to gradually build finger strength, dexterity, and flexibility. Avoid long sessions that might cause strain; it’s better to practice for short periods consistently than in lengthy, infrequent bursts. Focus first on foundational skills—basic chords, simple scales, and basic picking or bowing techniques. Practice with a good posture and hand alignment to reduce the risk of strain. Use simple warm-up exercises to help develop your finger strength over time.
Working with a music instructor can be beneficial for older beginners, a good teacher provides personalized guidance, helps prevent bad habits, and can make learning feel less overwhelming and more fun. Instructors can also keep students accountable and motivated by offering clear feedback and structured learning paths. When choosing an instructor, look for someone experienced in teaching adults and who has a patient, encouraging style. Ideally, they should be knowledgeable about bluegrass specifically, with a focus on foundational skills like timing and tone, as these are crucial in group jam settings.
Developing Core Skills: Tone, Taste, and Timing
Tone Tone is what gives your music richness and clarity. In bluegrass, tone is often shaped by picking techniques, such as proper finger pressure and control. Aim to produce a clear, resonant sound rather than worrying about speed. For beginners, this means focusing on steady, even picking, either with a flatpick or your fingers. Practicing with deliberate finger placement will create the warm, clear tone so prized in bluegrass. Speed will come with time and practice.
Taste Playing with “taste” means knowing when to play and, equally, when not to play. Bluegrass emphasizes blending with other instruments, and tasteful playing is about contributing to, and not distracting from, the overall sound. Listen to experienced players and observe how they play in a way that enhances the group. Start simple: choose notes carefully, and avoid overplaying. Over time, you’re phrasing and note choices will become a natural expression of your musical personality.
Timing Solid timing is a cornerstone of bluegrass music, where rhythm drives the energy and keeps everyone in sync. Practice with a metronome or backing track to develop a strong sense of rhythm. Focus on consistent timing rather than rushing through the easy parts and slowing down on the hard parts of a song. This is really key for successfully playing with others. One simple but effective exercise is to play along with slowed down versions of recordings (see recommendations at the end of the article), listening carefully to your timing relative to the band. As you grow more comfortable, joining in live jams will also help you refine your timing.
Playing with Others
Bluegrass is best enjoyed in a group setting. Jam sessions provide a welcoming space to practice, meet others, and gain confidence. Check out local jams or beginner-friendly open mics, where you can join in or play along quietly until you’re ready to take a turn. In bluegrass jams, etiquette is simple: listen, watch, and learn. Take a bluegrass jam class from a Wernick method instructor. This learning method is designed to make jamming accessible and fun for players of all skill levels, especially beginners, by teaching them the core skills they need to join in jam sessions confidently. A Wernick class will help you learn the unspoken rules of taking turns and supporting others in a jam. As you improve, you’ll start to notice the joy of playing music in community. This communal spirit keeps many people coming back to bluegrass again and again. A great place to get started jamming is the Colorado Bluegrass Music Society (CBMS) Beginner Jam held on the 2nd Monday of each month (see resource section below). This is a slow tempo, beginner focused jam hosted by CBMS members and is a safe and encouraging space to start playing with others. What makes this jam extra special is that advanced and intermediate players frequently attend and they are there just to support and encourage new members of the music community. As you venture further out into the jam scene, don’t hesitate to contact the jam leader, ask the protocol for beginners joining the jam, and when you arrive introduce yourself and join in. If you are planning on leading a song, make sure you know the key you are playing the song in and the chord structure so you can explain it to the group. It is always best to keep it simple and sing two or three chord bluegrass favorites for your first few jams.
Staying Motivated
Learning a new instrument is a journey, so set small, achievable goals and celebrate your progress. Each chord learned or song played through is a step toward greater skill and enjoyment. Surround yourself with inspiring friends on the same path. Listen to music including classic bluegrass albums, live performances, and attend bluegrass festivals where you can immerse yourself in the energy and excitement of live bluegrass. As mentioned before, seek guidance from a teacher or online course to keep learning fun and structured. A number of resources are listed at the bottom of this article to help build your skills. Some festivals also offer extended music academies and free beginner workshops where you can get guidance in a group setting and meet others at a similar musical level.
My Story Learning Music Late in Life
I was gifted my first banjo when I turned 50. I am just north of my mid-sixties now and I would classify myself as an advanced intermediate to early advanced player. For the first few years, I fussed around with my banjo without getting serious. I had seen people playing at bluegrass jams but was having a hard time connecting the dots between where I was with the instrument and were I wanted to be, in particular playing well with others. My musical journey can best be described using a model the Four Stages of Competence model that describes musical initial unawareness to complete mastery. Step 1 is Unconscious Incompetence where I didn’t know what I didn’t know; I was completely unaware of the skills or knowledge that I lacked. To get past this stage I found a great instructor and signed up for a couple of Pete Wernick’s classes to learn bluegrass jamming skills. With my instructor I was able to hone in on exactly what I needed to learn and precisely what I wanted to learn. I also met some of my most cherished friends in Pete’s classes and these are folks that I still play with to this day.
After working with a few instructors, attending a couple of bluegrass academies, and a lot of playing out in public, I moved to Step 2 called Conscious Incompetence; in other words, I knew what I didn’t know. I had enough musical knowledge at this point to know there were fundamental gaps in my musical knowledge and skills and I was motivated to fill those gaps and starting to connect the dots. To be honest, this was a pretty uncomfortable time because there were so many places to improve and I was constantly comparing my playing against those whose playing I admired. However, I was really motivated to get better and I focused on patience with myself, study, practice, playing with people better than me, and getting honest feedback from instructors and friends. I feel like I am currently in Step 3, the Conscious Competence phase where I know what I know, but it takes effort to put it all together. I feel like I have gained a lot of skill and knowledge, but applying it still requires work, focus, and conscious effort. I have had glimpses of Step 4, called Unconscious Competence, where you don’t know what you know because it’s just second nature. There have been times where my fingers move and my banjo plays something clean and tasteful and in time without me even thinking about it. I am definitely looking forward to spending more time in Step 4!
That is my story and the time you spend in the various steps will depend on many factors including your musical goals, prior experience, the time you put into practicing, and how effective your learning methods are. What is clear is that practice, motivation, quality feedback, and playing often with others will accelerate your progress.
Conclusion: The Rewards of Learning
For older adults, learning an instrument generally isn’t about virtuosity; it’s about creating a rewarding and fun experience. Bluegrass offers a relaxed, social environment where musicians of any age can find joy in playing and connecting. Embrace the process, focus on the fundamentals of tone, taste, and timing, and don’t be afraid to join others in the unique musical journey of bluegrass.
Essential Practice Tools and Instructional Resources for Adult Musicians Starting Out
Essential Practice Tools
Strum Machine – A music practice app for bluegrass players with customizable backing tracks to help practice timing.
Amazing Slow Downer – A tool for adjusting the speed of songs without changing pitch, useful for practicing complex passages.
Instructional Resources - In addition to many high-quality instructors in Colorado, some on-line instruction includes: Banjo
Tony Trischka, Allison Brown, Noam Pikelny and Allison de Groot (clawhammer) (ArtistWorks), Bill Evens Banjo (Peghead Nation) and Chris Elliot’s Banjo School
Guitar
Bluegrass Guitar with Bryan Sutton or Chris Eldridge (ArtistWorks) and Scott Nygaard’s Roots and Bluegrass Rhythm Guitar on Peghead Nation
Fiddle
Fiddle with Darol Anger or Brittany Haas (ArtistWorks)
Mandolin
Mandolin with Mike Marshall or Sierra Hull (ArtistWorks) and Mandolin Lessons with Banjo Ben Clark
Bass
· Bluegrass Bass with Missy Raines (ArtistWorks) and The Bass Course with Zoe Guigueno on Peghead Nation
Jamming skills
Pete Wernick’s Wernick Method Jam Classes
Beginner friendly Jams
Colorado Bluegrass Music Society Beginner Jam hosted by Amy Martin and John Pierce held 6:30 - 8:30 pm on the 2nd Monday of each month at the American Music School, 1180 S Van Gordon Ct, Lakewood, CO 80228.