Here's something important that most guitarists never hear—and something that the internet consistently gets wrong about guitar playing. It’s something that can make us feel inadequate or behind, especially as we get older.

But first, let me ask you a quick question:

In the year 1990, what was the average age of a millionaire in the United States? Take a guess...

The answer? 57 years old.

Now, let’s jump forward between 1992 and 2022. Considering what we see daily on YouTube and Instagram—30-year-old millionaires, 25-year-olds flying private jets, young real estate moguls—it’s logical to assume the average age has dropped significantly, right?

Actually, the average age of a millionaire has risen—from 57 to 61.

Here's the truth: what we see online represents extreme outliers, the 0.01% of success. While we easily rationalize this when it comes to wealth or relationships (who among us was perfect at 19?), we strangely assume that great guitarists must have been prodigies or at least fantastic from a young age.

I'm here to tell you that’s simply not true.

Social media rarely shows us the guitarists who hit their stride in their late 30s or even 40s—those who struggled, improved slowly, and finally found their voice later in life. Yet, in the real world, many incredible guitarists will openly admit they didn’t truly find their identity as musicians until much later.

Late-bloomer guitarists are real, and I count myself among them.

I’m 33 years old, and although I’ve played guitar since age 12 and studied music academically (undergraduate, two master's degrees, and a PhD), I feel like I’m just approaching the point where I can fully express myself musically—maybe in the next two to three years.

Remember, what you see online is often misleading. Your guitar journey is personal and unique. If you haven’t hit your peak yet, that's completely okay. There's nothing wrong with taking a bit longer to reach your musical goals.

So cut yourself some slack, enjoy the process, and embrace patience. I'm a late bloomer—and if you are too, you’re in great company.

As always, I'm here if you need support or are interested in the program. Until next time, keep playing and keep growing.

Andre Fludd