Many of you that subscribe to our newsletter have asked me how long it should take to learn to play guitar.  My answer usually varies because, to tell you the truth, there is no set time limit.  And of course, how do you determine when you think you have actually learned to play guitar?

While some think having learned guitar only includes being able to play a few simple songs.  Others are speaking of being able to play professionally.  Also, the amount of time it takes to learn to play the guitar varies depending on your learning style and the amount of time and dedication that you intend to commit to practice and the process of learning.

But thinking in general terms and speaking of the average person with the ability to pick things up at a moderate pace and commit to a good level of practice time, I would say someone might be able to pick up the basics in a month or two.  In the matter of a few more months, approximately 4 months total, I would expect to see significant progress in finger dexterity and you should be branching off and exploring various styles of music that you enjoy.

So my advice to the beginning guitarist is to not stop with the few free lessons you find on this site or any other and to not give up after only a couple of weeks.  Learning anything takes time and playing guitar is a skill based not only in head knowledge but in that connection between your brain and your fingers that are actually handling the guitar.

If you are truly serious and want to learn to play guitar then you will need to either find a local instructor that can work one on one with you or opt for purchasing a course/online lesson subscription.  I personally prefer online subscription sites because with an online subscription site you will have the ability to learn at your own pace and on your own time.  Also, it keeps the excitement of learning going since the good sites are constantly adding new lessons that teach various techniques and popular songs.

I still have a  subscription over at JamPlay myself because I love music so much that I never want to stop learning.  Yes, I am way past the basics, but I still have a long way to go in acquiring every skill there is to be had on the guitar.  Plus, I am constantly learning new songs from the song lessons there.

Guitar mastery can take a lifetime but don’t worry because in a few months you can be playing at a level that you might have never imagined when you were starting  to learn to play guitar.  And hopefully you will begin to realize that not only do you have a lot more to learn, but that the process of learning becomes a lot of fun!