My sister and I have been wanting to learn guitar for a year now…but we don’t know the best way to learn nor do we know how long it will take (because we both have testy patience). So my main question is if we stay dedicated to it, how long will it take to fully learn?
Edit: I didn’t mean fully learn 
It depends on how much you want to learn. You can learn a few chords in 1 lesson but it took me a little under a year to sound good enough to be in a band
March 9th, 2010 at 4:47 pm
There’s no such thing as fully learn as there is always something to learn, thats what makes guitar so interesting, but if your dedicated you should be playing basic chords in a few weeks, and progress from there.
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March 9th, 2010 at 5:10 pm
I’ve been teaching myself for a couple months now…I can play..ok I guess. The best bet would be to get a good teacher so that you can learn the proper techniques.
You are
not
going
to
learn
overnight
I would suggest learning how to hold the guitar, and the pick etc. Then learn basic open chords, you can search online for chord tutorials etc. Learn ones like A Am C D E Em G, they will be used a lot in songs. Read more about those…I can’t explain them very well. If you really like rock music then you should learn power chords…but learn a handful of regular open chords first…power chords tend to make you think ‘why learn regular chords? I like rock music, and it uses a lot of power chords’. Find easy songs to play…learning chords is easier when you can actually use them
Practice a little bit each day…your fingers wont let you practice non stop (believe me…your finger tips have to toughen up before you can play nonstop).
Learn some stretches to do before playing to help prevent injury.
Look up how to play the guitar online, ask friends who know how to play get a teacher if you can etc.
Practice is key
sorry if this is confusing
~sasm
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beginner guitar player who is doing all of the above mentioned things
March 9th, 2010 at 5:50 pm
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!
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March 9th, 2010 at 5:55 pm
Most people that are really dedicated to learning and practice an hour or more a day can get pretty darn good in a year.
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March 9th, 2010 at 6:05 pm
It can take a lifetime to master the instrument. Most people can play pretty well within a year or two depending on how long you practice per day. I would say your best bet is to take guitar lessons with a teacher who has already made the journey and can make it even easier for you.
Find teachers in your area on this site:
http://www.findguitarteachers.com
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March 9th, 2010 at 6:48 pm
It depends on how much you want to learn. You can learn a few chords in 1 lesson but it took me a little under a year to sound good enough to be in a band
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March 9th, 2010 at 7:21 pm
when i tried to learn it on my own, it took me over 6 months to learn a song lol. but now i’m using a guitar course from learn and master and it is really helpful. there are other courses: http://www.toptenservices.net/2009/08/19/top-ten-guitar-learning-courses/
but learn and master is doing good for me. the jam along cds are really helpful in learning, very easy to follow.
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