As an older player also, I agree with Danny Fisher’s comment above, rule 7 should probably be rule 1. I took lessons for several years from a very accomplished guitar player who also taught banjo, mandolin and ukulele. I did learn a lot from him but I just don’t feel like I have the basics down to where they should be and Mike’s lessons bear that out. I will be starting the process over, concentrating on learning the basics correctly.