In this blog, we’ll discuss how long it takes to learn guitar and what to expect along the way. I’ll also go over three learning tricks that will help you learn more quickly and have more fun!
You’ve probably heard a cool guitar solo on YouTube or are looking for a new interest, and you’ve decided to dive into the world of music.
With all of our years of experience teaching, we’ve discovered that there is a broad timeframe for what you can expect as you grow.
How Long Does It Take To Learn Acoustic Guitar?
This is the question being asked most of the time. So, let’s discuss it thoroughly!
Keep in mind that this is a schedule for practising for 1-2 hours per week. You can expect faster outcomes if you practice more, and if you practice less, you can extend this timescale.
Making practice enjoyable for our pupils is critical to their development. Choose tracks and genres of music that you enjoy listening to.
TIP OF THE DAY: Only practice songs you enjoy. (This is a significant difference.)
You practice more when you appreciate what you’re learning. You eagerly anticipate practice. You’re looking forward to practising!
That will help you get through the difficult periods when you have to repeat particular sections to get them perfectly.
How long does it take to learn guitar: Your first 1 to 3 months
We’ll break down what you should keep in mind when it comes to a growth timeline now that we’ve explored the necessity of goal setting, how to locate your beginning guitar, and what to keep in mind when you first start playing the guitar.
Concentrate on basic open chords for the first three months, such as Em, A, Am, E, Dsus2, Cmaj7, and G.
Stepping stone chords allow guitar students to quickly begin learning chords. As you quickly work your way through a large number of chords and feel a feeling of progression, you will gain confidence.
- One thing you should know as a beginner is that there are many different methods to play different chords. There are easier and more difficult methods to learn, and you should try to learn both.
- You’ll also gain a sense of rhythm and strumming throughout the first three months. This may be a learning curve for you if you have never played music before on any instrument or even with something electronic like Guitar Hero.
If you have a basic sense of rhythm or use a tempo-keeper, such as a metronome, this will be a simple matter of refinement.
It’s not simple to consistently strum and strike the appropriate strings, but with enough practice throughout the first three months, you’ll be able to master it.
How long does it take to learn guitar: Your first 3 to 6 months
People who want to learn the guitar will be weeded out from those who just thought it looked great but aren’t fully committed during the three to six-month term.
It’s easy to become excited at first and believe you’ll learn everything in a handful of weeks. You’ve figured out your strengths and weaknesses at this point. The calluses on your fingers have formed, and you’re starting to grasp the fundamentals.
You should be able to play more open chords like C, D, and E at this point.
These chords can be found in a variety of tunes, allowing you to expand your repertoire beyond the few songs and chords you already know.
How long does it take to learn guitar: Your first 6 to 18 months
After six months, you should feel at ease and have a good understanding of how to play the guitar. You may not be able to play fantastic solos just yet, but you’ve grasped the fundamental chords and are at ease on the instrument.
You should have a good handle on the chords already mentioned, as well as the more challenging open chords like F, Dm, and Bb.
This is an excellent time to start learning scales and playing lead guitar. They’re a fantastic match for your chord work.
How long does it take to learn guitar: Your first 2+ years
You should be able to play barre chords after two years. This is the most difficult obstacle a guitar student will face, yet the payoff is enormous. You have access to the entire fretboard!
You’ll be able to quickly learn new songs, compose your own if you like, and play any chord.
An exciting possibility
Depending on how much time you choose to devote to practising throughout the week, you can learn all of these skills in 6 months.
How to learn guitar faster: How to speed up everything and learn faster
While we’ve covered the most important aspects of success, such as choosing the proper instrument and setting goals, there are a few pointers that could speed up the process even more.
The most important suggestion for quick success is to practice ‘small and often.’
It’s best to do it early and often, just like studying for a big test, rather than attempting to cram it all in during one long day.
This also keeps practice light and enjoyable. It’s the last thing you want your guitar playing to seem like a chore. NO! That isn’t the point of this discussion. Doing something you enjoy, connecting with music, connecting with your spiritual side, and expressing yourself is all-important.
You should think of learning to play the guitar as a pleasant and lasting adventure. It isn’t a chore. And it’s not something you should speed through.
Tune-up every time, even if you don’t think the guitar needs it
You may be sure that the guitar will sound its finest if you tune it before each play.
Why does this matter?
Why you won’t have a developed musical ear in the early days, therefore you won’t be able to recognize when the guitar is slightly out of tune.
So, gradually and increasingly, the guitar becomes out of tune, and you begin to sound terrible when you play. That’s deflating.
Tune-up every time!
How long does it take you to learn how to play the guitar? The guitar you choose can make a huge difference.
Any guitar store will likely have a large number of guitars looking back at you. While you may believe it is preferable, to begin with, the most expensive, this may not be the greatest option for you.
Every guitar is different they are not the same.
Guitar specialists will be on hand at your local music store to assist you to discover the ideal guitar for your size, hand shape, playability, and style of music you wish to study.
While some guitars may appear to be more expensive, choosing one that is a better fit will make learning much easier.
There are many different types of guitars, but as a starter guitar, we always recommend a steel-stringed acoustic guitar.
There are several reasons why it’s the best one to learn first, but we can’t stop you if you’re set on learning solely electric guitar. You can learn on any instrument, but a steel-stringed acoustic guitar with extra light gauge strings is the easiest to learn on.
However, you can learn on any guitar, so even if you were given a gift or a hand-me-down from a friend or relative and it doesn’t fit perfectly, you can still learn. Whatever type of guitar you choose, having it readily available will be one of the most important factors in learning guitar rapidly.
Determination and dedicated practice will triumph over someone who owns the most expensive guitar on the globe but never practices!
Keeping things concealed or stowed away creates barriers to practice, which will only decrease your chances of success. It will be easier to play it when you have some spare time, even if it is only for a few minutes if it is out and quick to grab.
Keep your guitar out of its case and in plain sight so you can see it and pick it up effortlessly. (If you do this, you’ll be able to play a lot more.)
Know your goals
Why do you want to learn how to play the guitar? There is no right or wrong answer, but understanding what you want to achieve will help you track your progress.
Measurable goals can help you keep track of your progress and recognize how far you’ve come. It’s the same concept as if you were walking somewhere but didn’t have a specific destination in mind. You’d have no idea if you were getting any closer to your destination, and you’d quickly run out of steam.
Some potential goals include
- Mastering all of the basic open chords.
- The ability to compose your music.
- One day, I’d like to be in a band.
- Performing ‘Famous Song X’ in front of your pals
The more detailed you can be about why you want to study guitar when setting goals, the easier it will be to track your progress.
Choose your guitar objectives with consideration. Do only one thing.
- Don’t cram too many difficult chords, scales, or progressions in a short amount of time. That’s a surefire way to get discouraged.
- When it comes to studying guitar, setting goals that are both challenging and realistic is crucial.
Don’t be scared to alter your guitar objectives as you progress. It’s fine if you just want to learn a few popular songs and then decide to start writing your songs later. Your musical adventure is long and full of exciting twists and turns.
Once you’ve determined your guitar goals, proceed backwards from the most difficult step to the simplest. Most songs, for example, have a similar structure: intro, verse, pre-chorus, chorus, verse, pre-chorus, chorus, verse, pre-chorus, chorus, bridge, verse, chorus, and outro.
You could divide it down into sections and learn one at a time if you knew this.
Your focus would shift from learning the entire song to learning a part at a time. ‘This week, I shall master the verse of ‘Song X’,’ for example.
This helps you maintain momentum and allows you to see where you are on your path.
How to get better at playing the guitar
Continue to push yourself. While it may be tempting to learn a few songs and then move on, stretching your limits will improve your talents.
Conclusion
It’s not difficult to learn the guitar, and you don’t need any prior musical experience to get started. You’ll face some challenges at first, which might be discouraging at times, but keep in mind that every new beginning is difficult.
Don’t worry about your age – the guitar is suitable for all ages. All you need is the drive to get started and the commitment to keep practising regularly.
Playing the guitar has long-term benefits. With one more talent, you’ll be wealthy, and your health will improve. You can also earn money as a guitarist in a variety of ways.
Stick with the guitar and reap the rewards. Consider how far you’ve come, and don’t allow anything to get in the way of that wonderful adventure.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How long does it take to learn acoustic guitar?
It takes about 1-2 months to confidently play beginner guitar songs and about 3-6 months to confidently play intermediate and slightly more difficult songs with technical components for someone who practices for 30 minutes a day, 3-5 days a week, with medium intensity.
Is it hard to learn acoustic guitar?
The guitar is not the easiest instrument to learn and maybe fairly difficult at times, especially at first. You will, however, be able to master it with enough practice. The speed at which you progress is determined by several things.
How hard is it to learn guitar by yourself?
If you follow bad advice, learning guitar on your own is difficult. Learning guitar on your own can be made easier with the correct combination of YouTube videos, articles, and online courses. It is feasible to study guitar on your own, and it isn’t difficult if you follow the appropriate guidelines.
What should I learn first on guitar?
Tuning/opening strings just a quick note before we get started. Fundamental chords. A chord is a broad term for anything that consists of two or more notes. Basic Melodies and Riffs, as well as Basic Scales.
Is acoustic guitar good for beginners?
For most beginner guitarists, acoustic guitars are the weapon of choice. They’re the most well-balanced guitar in terms of tone and playability, and they take the shortest amount of time to master the fundamentals of playing.
Why is learning guitar so hard?
To put it another way, a guitar has a LOT of frets. With 22 or 24 frets and 6 strings on a conventional guitar, there are 144 distinct notes to play. And, when you’re initially learning the guitar, it can feel like they’re in completely random order with no rhyme or reason, which can make learning the instrument difficult.
