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People often get the wrong idea that learning a musical instrument requires that they should start young, preferably six or seven. Many parents would book their kids for Saturday guitar lessons at a music school in the hopes of raising multi-talented young adults. Yet, a student's age doesn't matter much when he or she is brimming with enthusiasm and possesses some musical talent, too. This statement is best exemplified by these two old gals who loved playing the guitar and jamming with family members and friends at every occasion. Grandma Mary Keeps On Rocking at 76 Most students begin their guitar lessons when they're in kindergarten or in grade school. But Grandma Mary started learning to pluck and strum her acoustic guitar when she was 60 years old. She was already a grandmother of seven then, but her love for the six-stringed instrument drove her to persevere with her classical guitar lessons. Despite her initial fears and physical limitations - her hands and fingers aren't as dexterous as they were in her youth - she worked hard until she built her own repertoire of songs, which she has performed on many occasions. On a personal note, Grandma Mary revealed in a blog interview that she didn't have any musical background when she started. She couldn't read notes and tabs, but she has a good ear. She knew she could play the melody. She only needed to prove that to her music tutor, Spencer, who was reluctant at first to teach her. Though her fingers bled and they had to be bandaged, she practiced for many hours each day until she could play the melody perfectly. And so, Spencer went on to teach her not only guitar, but also the drums for a few months and the organ up to Step 7 where she could read the notes and tabs on sheet music. Grandma Mary or Madame Mary Ho in real life has been featured in CBS News, Channel NewsAsia, Singapore Talking, and in several lifestyle magazines as the coolest granny in all of Singapore. More than the media hype, Mary has proven she's got the mad skills of a veteran rock guitarist who's already performed in numerous stages. In 2007, she was asked to perform at the ChildAid Charity Concert for needy kids. She's performed with her grandson, Bertrand, four times and once with her granddaughter Desiree who plays drums. There were other gigs, too, at high-profile events attended by lawyers, doctors, women's groups, and other famous musicians, but through it all Grandma Mary's lively spirit shone through in every set she played. As an acclaimed performer, Mary Ho brought the house down many times for the crowd as she played popular dance tunes from various genres, such as swing, rumba, and rock. She's also given inspirational renditions of "Samba Pa Ti" by rock legend Carlos Santana and "I Need Your Love So Bad" by Peter Green. After mastering the acoustic, she went on to learn and excel at playing a lead electric guitar with gusto. Apart from these guitars, Mary also plays the harmonica, the electone, and the drums. Since 2007, she's released several albums, which included covers of Santana's "Black Magic Woman" and "Europa" in her Latin Rock CD, and a Blues one. Wanda Huckabee Still Jams to Country at 87 One would think an octogenarian like Wanda Huckabee would prefer a humdrum life doting on her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. But this senior citizen isn't ready to lay down the pick yet. Her passion for guitar playing and jamming to a country western beat didn't cool down a bit after her aortic valve was replaced with a synthetic one in 2010. The successful procedure only made her a more enthusiastic musician who plays once a month at a music hall in Pearl, a little town an hour away from her home in Copperas Cove, Texas. Each week, Wanda also hosts a potluck party and jam sessions at her home with family and friends, who play any instrument, like a harmonica or an accordion. Take advantage of professional private tuition for electric, acoustic and classical guitar lessons at www.msom.com.au where students of all ages and levels are welcome. Each student benefits from progressive guitar lessons guided by exams and teacher feedback.
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