How long does it take to learn the Guitar? It is a genuine question when someone wants to learn to play guitar. Here, you will find a satisfactory answer. So, let’s get through the information given below.

1. How Long Does it Take To Learn the Guitar?

You may have seen someone playing the guitar. Though, it looks cool when somebody plays it. So, you may want to use it as a hobby. And now you are thinking of how long does it take to learn the guitar?

If you are thinking of this question, you are in the right place. Learning guitar is not an easy task. It takes determination to learn thoroughly. Also, if you think you will just practice for 1-2 hours a week, then it won’t ever be enough.

For faster and desired results, learning guitar requires months of practice. You must practice it daily for a minimum of 20 – 30 minutes. So, let’s take a brief of how long it takes to learn the guitar.

1.1. How Long Does It Take To Learn The Guitar In Months?

There are different levels based on months of practice. Given below are the different levels of practicing from the first month to the thirty-six months.

1.1.1. 1 – 2 Months

The period of 1 – 2 months is referred to as a beginner level. You learn several popular pick-up chords at this stage. Afterward, you begin to get a feel of basic strum patterns. When you think you are comfortable with the chords and strings, you can go further.

Now, you can try some experiments with yourself. Begin with simple and common chords and practice them for a couple of months. From now onwards, you can begin playing some easy songs on your guitar.

1.1.2. 3 – 6 Months

The period of 3 – 6 months is an intermediate level. Here, you will be learning new techniques and apply them. You can start learning music theory from here onwards. Also, you will be able to learn more interesting strum patterns.

Further, you can try more complex plucking and hammer-ons. At this level, you should begin with reading guitar tabs. However, you will get a more realistic feel of the music on the guitar at this stage. Practice is always worth your effort. If you don’t practice, there will be no worth of your learning efforts.

1.1.3. 12 – 18 Months

Giving your skills a sufficient period is a good strategy. The period of 12 – 18 months is referred to as intermediate-advanced level. When you will reach this level, you might already get used to the back chords and more than the basics.

Now, this is the time when you should switch toward the advanced chords. These advanced chords are like complex barre chords. You need to learn how to move your fingers back and forth according to fingering combinations.

You must have been comfortable now with the techniques of beginner-intermediate techniques. Afterward, you should start learning new and exceptional techniques now. It will help you advance your skills.

When you will be at this stage after 12 to 18 months, you have already become better. Now, you can try on learning advanced chords of difficult songs. This stage is to become a new professional guitarist. Though, you are not an expert yet. So, you still need to go a long way to become an expert with more practice and effort.    

1.1.4. 18 – 36 Months

When you are done practicing for more than eighteen months, it can be said, you are on an advanced level. With the practice of 18-36 months, you can become an expert. However, learning does not stop, it is a lifetime procedure.

But, practice is a must for learning anything. At this level, your strategy is almost to the point on guitar now. After practicing this much, you can almost play the chords of any song. Now, you can swiftly pick up on any song.

Also, you can improvise the chords and make your tone. However, it still takes a lot of time and practice to become an expert. And becoming an expert requires a lot of practice with passionate effort. Lastly, it is a time-consuming process as well.

1.2. How Long Does It Take To Learn The Guitar on Average Calculations?

For becoming a world-class and top-notch guitarist, you need to put in a lot of effort. Malcolm Gladwell once said in his book named Outliers about the 10,000 hours rule. In his rule he stated, “Any expert in their field put in at least 10,000 hours into honing, perfecting, and mastering their craft to get to where they’re at”.

Meanwhile, the above statement is true for mastering any craft. But, it is a long time to put in. Also, everybody is not looking for becoming a top-class guitarist.

So, if you put in 30 minutes a day for four days a week regularly for 36 months.

Then, it will take 312 hours to learn. But, it is not a bit close to 10,000 hours. However, you do not need to put in 10,000 hours but it does need practice.

If somebody still wants to apply the 10,000 hours rule, you need to practice 1.5 hours every day. Practice for 1.5 hours each day without skipping any day until 20 years. It is a true determination that everybody can’t achieve. Besides, everybody does not also need to achieve it just for learning as a hobby.

Whether you are learning as your hobby or for some other purpose, you still need to make an effort. But, one day your effort will be worth it. If you also want to go to an expert level just follow the 30 minutes every day. Also, if you can’t practice every day, try giving it  4-5 days a week.

Practice always goes on, it entirely depends on you with how much dedication you are putting in.

2. How Quickly Can You Learn To Play A Song On Guitar?

Learning quickly is not very hard. It is just that you need to be determined and consistent to learn. You just need to be accurate and flawless in whatever you are doing. With the consistency of practicing regularly, you can easily get it done faster.

Given below are the steps you must follow for learning guitar quickly:

• Practice for accuracy not for making it faster. Try to get each chord accurately without making any mistakes. Take it slow at this level because accuracy is a must.
• When you get a good catch on the chords and strings of the guitar, move to the rhythm phase. Make your rhythm accurate and know the strum patterns. Meanwhile, you have to practice rhythm until it comes naturally.
• Only if you have already mastered the above two points, then come to this. If not, go back to the above points and make them clear first.
• Here, you need to practice to improve your speed. Practice each section over and over again. This is how your speed and accuracy will match.

Meanwhile, you won’t be an expert without investing enough time. But, this is the way to learn guitar as swiftly as possible. However, focus and determination are prominent. Your practice will make you shine and nourish your skills. So, you must focus on practicing as much as you can for becoming a pro.

3. Can I Learn Guitar By Myself? – How Long Does It Take To Learn The Guitar

Learning by yourself does not mean you do not need any mentor. There is always something as your mentor. However, it can be anything like online tutorials, books, a course, or a YouTube video.

Because if you learn by yourself, you won’t know the correct techniques and right strategies to learn. This will make you lag without even starting. So, for learning the correct methods you need a mentor as mentioned above. Whether these are books or online tutorials, doesn’t matter.

Firstly, you must need a mentor. Go for online courses or YouTube videos to learn. Also, you can find an experienced person if possible. It will help you follow the correct path.

Meanwhile, do not just randomly choose YouTube videos. Only go for professional tutorial videos with the target. Also, you are not a machine, so you can feed everything in yourself at once. So, do not try to learn and master everything at once.

Secondly, it entirely depends on the factors given below that either you can learn by yourself or not:

• Be determined and dedicated to learning.
• Must have a positive learning attitude and start with fundamentals.
• Be consistent and maintain regularity. Whether you give less or more time, just be regular in learning.
• Try to get motivation to learn. Motivation helps you to stick with your regularity and goal.
• Practice is a must. Without practicing all the effort will go in vain. And you will end up disappointing yourself.

Lastly, start with basics and do not go for advanced level courses as you are still a beginner.

4. How Many Hours You Must Dedicate – Brief Calculation

Here is the information based on the hours you practice. Also, your practice time per day will decide your level of learning guitar. It is classified into five levels based on the number of hours of practice. These levels are Newbie, Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced, and World-class level.

4.1. Newbie Level – How Long Does it Take to Learn the Guitar

The Newbie level is decided with the practice for entirely 40 hours. Even a newbie has to practice this many hours to exceed this level.

• Here, if you practice for 0.5 hours a day, it will take 2.5 months to clear this level.
• If you practice for 1 hour every day, it will take 1.3 months to finish your target.
• Furthermore, 2 hours of practice each day will take 3 weeks to accomplish it.
• Lastly, if you contribute 4 hours per day, you can achieve it in just two weeks.

4.2. Beginner Level – How Long Does Take to Learn the Guitar

How long does it take to learn the guitar at beginner’s level?  Beginner level requires a practice of 300 hours. At this stage, you are not a newbie now, but a decent beginner.

• Here, if you practice for 0.5 hours a day, it will take 20 months to clear this level.
• If you practice 1 hour every day, it will take 10 months to finish your target.
• Furthermore, 2 hours of practice each day will take 5 months to accomplish it.
• Lastly, if you contribute 4 hours per day, you can achieve it in just 2.5 months.

4.3. Intermediate Level – How Long Does it Take to Learn the Guitar

The intermediate level requires 1,500 hours of practicing the guitar.

• Here, if you practice for 0.5 hours a day, it will take 8.2 years to clear this level.
• If you practice for 1 hour every day, it will take 4.1 years to finish your target.
• Furthermore, 2 hours of practice each day will take 2.1 years to accomplish it.
• Lastly, if you contribute 4 hours per day, you can achieve it in just 1 year.

4.4. Advanced Level – How Long Does it Take to Learn the Guitar

The Advanced Level is based on 5,000 hours of practicing the guitar. It is already a huge contribution to your passion.

• Here, if you practice for 0.5 hours a day, it will take 27.4 years to clear this level.
• If you practice for 1 hour every day, it will take 13.7 years to finish your target.
• Furthermore, 2 hours of practice each day will take 6.8 years to accomplish it.
• Lastly, if you contribute 4 hours per day, you can achieve it in just 3.4 years.

4.5. World-class Level

The World-Class level follows the 10,000 hours rule of learning. So, you need to practice it for 10,000 hours to become a pro and world-class guitarist.

• Here, if you practice for 0.5 hours a day, it will take 54.8 years to clear this level.
• If you practice for 1 hour every day, it will take 27.4 years to finish your target.
• Furthermore, 2 hours of practice each day will take 13.7 years to accomplish it.
• Lastly, if you contribute 4 hours per day, you can achieve it in just 6.8 years.

5. Conclusion

How long does it take to learn the guitar?Becoming a professional guitarist is not an easy task. However, it is not as tough as people might think. You just need to follow the right strategies and correct methods to learn. Playing a flawless guitar takes a lot of practice for years. After knowing all of it, you must have gotten a satisfactory answer for how long it takes to learn the guitar.

Yet you may not be an expert after practicing for years. The best possible way to learn guitar easily and quickly is, to begin with the basics. Gradually, move on to the intermediate level skills. Afterward, go for advanced level skills and start playing chords of different songs on the guitar.

Moreover, if you have read this far, then keep on learning and practicing and practicing and practicing!how long does it take to learn the guitar?  Answer lies within you. 

For more details, click here.

Last Updated on August 21, 2023 by ditz1010