Learn How To Play Guitar & Guitar Accessories

Question: How long does it take to learn the guitar?

(Posted by: Robert Paulson on 2010-02-10 19:23:50)

I know this is a really vague question, but when I say learn the guitar, I'm talking about to play it at the least basic level. Basically playing a few chords here and there and can play something that sort of resembles a tune. I'm trying to pick it up, I got a ton of time after school and am devoting myself to learn it. So yeah, any tips and advice also would be appreciated. Thanks!

Posted by: "G" (27-24) on 2010-02-10, 19:29:22

It can take anywhere from 1 week - 1 century. Depending on how inclined you are to music.

Posted by: Zacky Vs Sister (RIP The Rev) on 2010-02-10, 19:31:50

As you said, there's not really a definition of "learning " guitar. To get a solid beginner level, where you can easily switch chords, etc, I would give it a couple months to a year. If you're really practicing a lot, you'll probably be able to play chords and switch from chord to chord easily in this amount of time.

Posted by: hexv on 2010-02-10, 22:24:18

Here's a breakdown of the stages of guitar learning and the approximate time it might take you to get there. - Playing Basic Chords - This is usually the first benchmark most new players reach: The ability to strum and switch between the basic guitar chords. At this point you don't necessarily have the chords memorized and aren't able to play many songs, but you're managing to fret and strum them. This level can be reached within one week. - Playing easy songs - You've mastered more guitar chords and have been practicing them enough that you've got most of them memorized and are able to strum and switch between them without too much hassle, and without looking at the fretboard when you do. This means you can play songs! This level can be reached in two to three weeks of daily practice, though for many it might be longer. - Playing Barre and Power Chords - We're moving right along and you're advancing to a level where most self-taught guitarists never go. Barre Chords are much more difficult than open chords and learning these takes extra practice and a whole new set of strength in your fretting hand. It's possible to play most barre chords in two months, quicker for some who practice a lot. - Fingerpicking - The ability to pluck individual strings and play simple riffs (short solo pieces on individual strings) is a new skill your strumming hand needs to learn. This can usually be achieved in two to three months if you start to learn and play easy guitar tabs. - Lead Guitar - A Lead guitarist is the guy or girl who's got the audience at his/ her beckoning. Playing solo's and using techniques like slurring, vibrato and palm muting is a whole new set of rules and I'd give it three to four months. This might be way off depending on what kind of music we're talking about - playing acoustic solo's might take less time, but playing rock or metal solo's will probably take longer. - The improviser - A guitarist that can improvise riffs and solos on the spot (and in the middle of a song), have moved from the realm of amateurship to being a pro or semi-pro. Depending on how much talent you have and what you're musical background is, this might take anything from six months to a year. Please note that these time lengths are given as a very broad estimate and aimed at people with little musical experience. If it takes you longer than a week to learn the basic chords, don't get upset. These times are not set in stone and you have to learn and develop at a pace that's natural and comfortable for you! pluckandplayguitar.com/ how-long-to-learn-guitar.html

Posted by: Rachel on 2010-02-11, 04:21:17

It depends on how motivated you are, and how much time you have. If you practice every day for like an hour, you'll be able to learn chords pretty fast. Learning basic open chords might take like a month or two. But don't expect to learn much fast. Guitar's an instrument that takes up a lot of your patience. PS: If you're really serious about learning the guitar, you should buy this course called Learn & Master Guitar. I purchased it a couple of months ago, and can now already play many many songs. It comes with 20 DVDs where a teacher explains you everything in detail. Also comes with a book and stuff. It's expensive, but damn well worth it.

Posted by: ddrum on 2010-02-11, 08:13:58

I'd say you can get to that level in a couple months if you practice an hour a day. You could make chords in the first few days but it will take a couple months for most folks to make basic open chords sound good without accidentally muting strings, etc. hexv gave a very insightful answer. 10 points to him!!