How long does it take to learn the Guitar – If you are an aspiring musician, a question might have come to your mind: how long does it take to learn guitar?. If yes, then stay tuned as well will cover everything about learning guitar and will guide you with full authenticity about the topic “How long does it take to learn Guitar?”. It is expected that this query will arrive in your mind. Learning guitar is a long process, not a short-term gratification. It is a marathon, not a sprint. Learning guitar will depend on your goals, your daily habits, routine, understanding of the instrument, and more. Some learn early, and for some it can take a long time. Let’s break all the confusion and address the exact time that one can take to learn the guitar.
Understanding the meaning of learning the guitar
We are all curious to know how much time it will take to learn the Guitar, but before we talk about that, it is important to understand what learning the guitar means. It decides what your goal is.
- Are you a person who wants to learn guitar just for fun, so they can learn 1-2 songs?
- Is your goal to form a band and then play in it, or do you jam with your friends?
- Do you want to learn music and also want to learn it completely?
- Want to excel in the guitar field or become the best guitar player?
- A teacher or a professional musician.
What your goal is will decide how long it will take for you to learn guitar.
What are the different stages of the Guitar learning process?
The first is the beginner stage
- If you have just decided to learn the guitar, your first task is to buy the guitar and then learn how to hold it correctly.
- Once you have learned about it, you should have a theoretical understanding of the guitar, and then learn how to tune the strings.
- Start playing each string individually and get used to it.
- Start learning the finger picking exercises, shifting exercises, dexterity exercises, and learn the basic concepts like the shifting of cords, how to shift from one cord to another.
- If you follow all the lessons consistently for 1-2 hours daily for at least 4 months, you will become a good beginner guitar player who knows about the cord shifting, can play 2-3 songs, and can entertain a small group of music enthusiasts.
Let’s talk about the intermediate level
- Now that you have successfully done the beginner part for 4-5 months, the next step is to take one step further.
- Start learning more advanced concepts like the barre chords, power chords, and practice daily for 1-2 hours.
- You should also start learning finger picking, which is considered one of the toughest concepts in guitar.
- You can practice the songs which playing in the background. This will develop your sense of music, and you will make you understand music more easily.
- This will help you to improvise or customize the music on your own. This cna only happen if you have experience and have developed a sense of the music.
- Do these for at least 1 year so that it becomes your second nature. This will help you to reach the intermediate level.
The next stage is the advanced
- This is a stage where you have learned the skill and now want to excel in the new, more complex fingerpicking patterns, chords, and arpeggios.
- Learn the more complex skills and practice them daily to develop them.
- Record your music and perform it live or release it in the form of albums.
- Can perform in local areas and restaurants, or do your shows.
- Do it for 2-3 years and you will become a very good guitar player.
Master level
After the advanced stage comes the mastery. After 5 years of being at the beginner, intermediate, and then advanced level, now is the time to move one step further and start your journey towards greatness. You can start learning more advanced concepts, can improvise the music, and learn other skills that will make you a master of guitar playing. Those who are professionals and have been playing the guitar for 5+ years still practice daily to become the best at it.
What are the different factors that will affect your guitar learning process?
- Practicing daily is more beneficial than doing a long practice session once a week. Start practicing daily for 30 minutes, and you will learn more quickly.
- Doing a focused practice will help you learn faster than doing it unconsciously or with focus.
- The learning resource will also matter. Learn from a professional teacher and monitor your daily progress.
- If you have a sense of music and have learned any other instrument, you can easily learn the new one.
- Start early if you want to learn guitar. Start in your teens or in your twenties to learn faster. Although you can learn guitar at any age but it is still better to start early.
- Choose the guitar that suits you. You can start with an acoustic or an electric guitar.
How can we improve or speed up the guitar learning process?
- Make sure you set clear goals so that you do not get confused in between. It can be anything, doing an open mic, playing songs, recording a YouTube video, or any other thing.
- Make sure you break your daily routine into small steps. Divide equal time for the lessons you have learned.
- Tracking your progress is crucial as it will help you understand where you have reached in the learning process and what you can improve.
- Jamming with other guitar players or singers will also speed up your learning journey.
Conclusion
It’s important to remember that we all have a unique path to take. What is truly important, though, is having the right mindset, the passion, and the dedication to work, improve, and grow. If you work on your guitar playing with the right mindset and practice mindset, you will not only learn guitar, but you will start to love the process. Whether you are interested in playing in a band, writing your songs, or simply jamming in your room, the guitar will be a fulfilling partner for life.
Frequently asked questions
How much time will it take me to play my first song?
For the songs that are simple and do not have many complicated steps, you can learn them in 1 month, depending on your practice. For tough songs, it can take 3-4 months.
Do I need a teacher, or can I learn it on my own?
You can learn it on your own by looking at the videos or through the courses. When you hire a personal teacher, they can teach you effectively and can completely monitor your progress.
How much should I practice daily?
For the beginner, start by practicing 30-45 minutes daily. Increase your practice timing slowly upto 1-2 hours.
Which is the best guitar for beginners?
For beginners, the best guitar is the acoustic guitar. To buy the guitar, you can buy it from Amrit Music, who are the most experienced guitar makes with 50 years of experience.
How to be always consistent and motivated in guitar playing?
To stay motivated, you should always set small, achievable goals. Also, play guitar in front of someone and you will be appreciated. This will motivate you to learn further and will make you a better guitar player.