How Long Does It Take to Learn Guitar?

Every potential guitarist would want to know how long does it take to learn guitar as we want to see results fast. I have seen guitar players who are able to perform gigs after a few months of learning while others take about a year or so.

The rate of progress is different for everyone. Some of us may learn guitar faster than others. Hence, do not feel disheartened if you hear that your friend has been learning guitar for a year and still unable to play a whole song.

So how long does it really take to learn guitar? 4 key elements that will determine the rate of your guitar learning progress:

1. Motivation
   
   Why do you want to learn guitar? Play your first gig, impress your loved one,jam with your friends or simply for pleasure?
   
   Whatever your goal is, the time it takes to learn guitar will be shorter if you have the passion and motivation. You will be enjoying the learning process and eager to learn more each day. Some people give up the idea to learn guitar when they find out that they have to put in time and effort.
   
   
2. The Easiest Way to Learn Guitar
   
   How you want to learn the guitar will determine the rate of your progress. Some people learn better with guidance and supervision from a tutor while independent learners prefer to teach themselves guitar at their own pace. With the abundance of self-help resources available, you can easily teach yourself how to play guitar by books, DVDs or software.
   
   Whether you choose to engage a tutor or teach yourself guitar, you have to find the method that works best for you. We all have different learning styles. Find out what's the easiest way for you to learn guitar as it will speed up your learning progress.
   
   
3. The Right Lesson Content
   
   The amount of time it takes to learn guitar depends greatly on the type of teaching materials that you are using. The right lesson content should cover all the fundamental skills from the basics (like sitting, standing and hand position, holding the pick and tuning) to reading tabs, forming chords, fingering and any advanced techniques.
   
   You need a high quality and well-planned course of guitar lessons that you can follow through with perfect understanding. Hence, it is important to get the right course so as not to spend time seeking for short lessons with no relation. A professional teach yourself guitar course will take you from an absolute beginner level to becoming a competent guitar player.
   
   
4. Practice
   
   The fourth key element that determines how long it takes to learn guitar is the amount of practice. If you are not disciplined and neglect your guitar, it will definitely slow down your guitar learning progress. We all know of the initial discomfort or pain you will feel with your fingers. For a start, practice about 15 to 20 minutes daily then increase the amount of practice when the discomfort wears off.

There isn't a definite answer to the question "How long does it take to learn guitar". Not everyone learns at the same rate depending on their motivation, method and materials used, and the amount of practice they put in. As for everything, we need the drive and passion to continue learning new guitar techniques and songs.

Easiest Way to Learn Guitar

Besides taking private lessons, what's the easiest way to learn guitar? Which method works best for most people?

There are many ways you can teach yourself how to play guitar. As there are plenty of resources available, it is tough and time-consuming to find your easiest way to learn guitar.

Four Possible Ways to Teach Yourself How to Play Guitar:

1. Learn to Play Guitar Software
   
   Learn to play guitar software has been recognized as the best and easiest way to learn guitar. Technology gives us the ability to purchase eCourses that allow you to learn guitar at your own pace in the comfort of your home.
   
   These software make learning fun as they are interactive and engaging. The lessons are professionally structured and easy to follow. Most of the learn to play guitar software provide support at every step of your guitar learning process. It's like having your personal guitar tutor. Simply ask whenever you are stuck on any lesson and you will get your answers within 24 hours.
   
   
2. How to Play Guitar Book
   
   You can find many how to play guitar books in book stores and online stores. A good guitar instruction book is one that is informative and easy to understand with clear illustrations. It usually begins with the brief history and general basics of guitar. Follows by reading music and notes, playing and practice exercises.
   
   Teaching yourself guitar by book is definitely not the easiest way as not all books provide audio and video tutorials. You will not be listening to the way it sounds. Hence, you may not know if you are playing the note correctly.
   
   
3. How to Play Guitar DVD
   
   Teaching yourself guitar by DVD has also been regarded as the easiest way to learn guitar. The video lessons are professionally recorded and much easier to follow than guitar instruction books. The multiple camera angles show you clearly where to place your fingers and strum the strings at the same time. You can
   always return to the section that you are uncertain of and practice before you move on to the next lesson.
   
   However, How to Play Guitar DVD can be more expensive than software and books due to production and shipping cost. The lessons are not updated as learn to play guitar software.
   
   
4. Learn How to Play Guitar for Free
   
   There are two ways that you can teach yourself guitar for free. First is to find someone whom you know is a good guitarist. He or she must be willing and patient to teach you all the basic essentials for free.
   
   The second way is to find free guitar lessons offered online. You can choose freeware that is suited for you whether you are at the beginner, advanced or intermediate level. It is very important to select the right freeware so that you learn the right stuff in teaching yourself guitar.
   
   Just like for many things, you get what you pay for. Freeware usually will not take you far and you probably won't learn what you actually want to. Most freeware may not guide you through from absolute beginner to advanced guitar playing. You will have to search for the next guitar lesson offered by another person which will not pick up where your previous lesson had left off.

If you want to teach yourself guitar, it is important to find the easiest way you want to learn and play the guitar. We all learn differently. The method that works for your friend may not work best for you.