Updated on 8/23/2024
One of the most common questions we get is, “How long does it take to learn guitar?”
As you might expect, this question can have a few different answers based on your guitar goals.
You may just want to learn how to play one song, how to play a specific chords, or some may want to know how to play blistering solos.
The great thing about the guitar is that you can start playing within the first day!
In general, getting good at anything whether it’s playing guitar, learning a new language or anything else, requires practice.
The journey to mastering this beloved instrument is as unique as each player.
There are seven different timeframes that correlate to knowing how to play guitar at the level you dream of.
Day 1 - Having Fun
How long does it take to learn guitar?
Believe it or not, you can start playing actual songs on the guitar on your very first day.
In just one day, you can learn 1-3 chords, like G, C, and D.
With these basic chords, you’ll have the foundation to play hundreds of easy guitar songs.
Sure, your fingers might feel a bit sore, but the thrill of strumming along to your favorite tunes will keep you going.
You don't need to slog your way through scales before you can play songs.
You don't need to understand the theory behind guitar to be able to have fun.
By starting out with some simple chords you'll be able to uncover a bit of the magic of music!
You'll want to come back to go deeper.
If you've never even picked up a guitar before, you might need to start with some foundational basics:
-String note names
-Basic guitar anatomy
-How to hold a guitar
-How to hold a pick
-Basic strumming
-Rhythm and time
If you are looking for this type of instruction, check out our beginner guitar lessons to get caught up.
Bookmark this guide for when you're ready.
Six Months - Dedicated
The first six months of learning guitar are all about building your foundation.
You’ll start getting comfortable with basic chord shapes, developing those all-important fingertip calluses, and maybe even dabbling in reading music or tablature.
This is also the time when you’ll begin to form your practice habits, which are key to your progress.
The more consistent you are, the more you'll see improvement!
This is where using the best guitar practice routine will be key.
The key is to keep it fun.
Otherwise you'll get burnt out.
Make sure you include songs and chords in your routine.
Having some scale practice is great as well, since while a bit tedious, scales are a cornerstone for learning how to play guitar long-term.
We like to tell people that 10 min/day everyday will do more for you than 2 hours once a week.
Consistency will determine how long it takes you to learn guitar and achive your goals.
First Year - Serious
By now you’ll notice things clicking into place.
You'll connect concepts that were previously unconnected.
You'll know a lot of chords and be able to switch between them smoothly.
You'll start to be able to sight-read guitar tab symbols.
Now is the time to explore extended techniques like muting, slides, and barre chords.
These will add depth to your playing and open up even more song possibilities.
It’s also a great time to experiment with different types of guitars, whether that’s acoustic, electric, or even dabbling with effects pedals.
You’re not just playing the guitar anymore—you’re making music.
1-3 Years - Making Music
This timeframe in how long does it take to learn guitar is crutial.
You've played for long enough to run into roadblocks and pitfalls, then get around them.
You've earned your calluses.
You've probably even played in front of friends or family by now, at least around the campfire.
All open chords, barre chords and power chords you can play almost with your eyes closed.
Switching between them is easy.
There are still the more complex augmented chords and diminished chords, as well as extensions like 9ths and sus chords.
Taking a short pentatonic scale or Blues scale solo is starting to be fun!
But being truly expressive in your solos is still developing.
A this stage you'll understand that while you've learned a ton, there is so much more to know.
Take a moment to pat yourself on the back, you deserve congratulations!
3-5 Years - Lifetime Player
This is how long it takes to learn guitar as a lifetime skill.
At three to five years of regular practice, the guitar would be integrated into your weekly routine.
Even if you're not working towards staidum status, you'll have the skill to create music for the rest of your life.
You can play just about any song you come across, even by tabs.
The CAGED system guitar concept is very familiar to you.
Soloing is expressive!
The guitar is becoming an extension of you; not just of your physical body but your friends and family are identifying the guitar with who you are.
The guitar is a fun activity for you.
There might be some techniques that aren't completely under your fingers, but if you took the time you'll be able to master them.
You might even be considering playing in a band and gigging!
There are new challenges with being in a band, playing with others, locking in to pitch and groove.
But you're ready to take your guitar learning journey to the next level.
5+ Years - Professional
This is how long it might take to learn guitar at a professional level.
After five years and beyond of regular practice and playing you'll be comfortible in most musical situations.
You'll have tried other genres like Jazz, Bluegrass or World music.
You can take musical risks during your guitar solos.
In fact, this is the level where taking risks and making mistakes can be fun!
As long as it's in the spirit of learning new things and pushing musical boundaries.
At this point you've probably played gigs, maybe even in front of larger audiences.
No guitar technique is out of your ability.
10+ Years - Legend
How long does it take to learn guitar?
As you now understand, you can absolutely learn how to play guitar in a few days to a few months.
It entirely depends on your goals.
If you've regularly practiced for 10+ years, you'll enter into Legend status.
Look, there's only one Stevie Ray Vaughan, Eric Clapton or Jimi Hendrix.
Even if someone puts in hours of practice every day for their entire life, they might not reach the status or ability of these legendary guitarists.
It's not you, it's them!
You might only be a legend in your neighborhood, but all the kids looking to learn how to play guitar will be kocking on your door for lessons.
You may even have a career at this point through teaching, giging, recording, repairing and other avenues of the guitar and music industry.
You don't need to put in 10 years of daily practice to know how to play guitar or to even have fun with the guitar.
As anyone with 10+ years of experience will tell you, the biggest step is getting started.
So grab your guitar and start digging in today!
PRO TIP - A Word On Gear
As a new player, even as an experienced one, it can be easy to get caught up with needing to own the latest gear.
There's a common attitude that in order to sound good, you need the best gear.
This simply isn't true.
The best guitar players out there can pick up a pawn shop beater guitar and make it sound good.
Of course, you want gear that works properly.
We all like our shiny, nitro-finished babies with their Indian rosewoods and custom shop pickups.
But at the end of the day, the power is in your fingers, your consistency and your discipline.
PRO TIP - Set Small, Achievable Goals
Learning something new is all about milestones.
Set your goals correctly with what you can realistically achieve in the time you have.
Think of something you want to do on guitar, and give yourself a deadline for when you’ve mastered that technique or achieved that goal.
For example, maybe you want to learn an entire song in a week.
Well, if it turns out that the song is a bit too complicated, how about you learn only the intro part of the song in a week?
If that is still too difficult to achieve, how about you scale it back even further and simply practice playing the chord progression?
Or if you don’t know a chord in the song, how about you just focus on playing this new chord that week instead?
It can be overwhelming if you jump right into an entire song lesson and you find yourself confused by the scale or chords being used.
You want to always break things down so that they’re just a bit easier to think about.
When you do this, the goals are easier to reach.
Having some 'quick wins' by achieving small goals will help with motivation and fun, versus waiting a long time to finish a more complicated technique completely.
FAQ
How quickly can you learn guitar?
You can start playing simple songs within a few weeks if you practice regularly, but mastering the instrument takes time and dedication. It really depends on how much effort you put into it.
Can I learn guitar in 3 months?
Absolutely! In three months, you can learn the basics, play some songs, and build a solid foundation, especially if you practice consistently.
How long does it take to be a beginner guitarist?
Most people can consider themselves beginner guitarists within a few weeks to a couple of months, depending on how much they practice.
What is a realistic timeframe to learn guitar?
A realistic timeframe to become comfortable with guitar basics is around 3 to 6 months, but to get really good, it could take years of consistent practice.
Is guitar easier than piano?
It depends on the person, but many find guitar easier to start with since you can play simple songs with just a few chords. Piano, on the other hand, requires learning to coordinate both hands right from the start.
How many hours a day should I practice guitar?
Aim for at least 30 minutes to an hour of focused practice daily. The more you practice, the quicker you'll improve!
How fast can you get good at guitar?
You can start sounding pretty good within a few months if you practice regularly, but becoming "good" is a lifelong journey.
Is it hard to teach yourself to play guitar?
Teaching yourself guitar can be challenging, but it’s totally doable with the right resources like online lessons, tutorials, and lots of practice.
Should you learn scales or chords first?
Start with chords first, as they’ll allow you to play songs quickly. Scales are important too, but they’re usually tackled after you’ve got some chords down.
What 3 chords should I learn first?
Learn the G, C, and D chords first. With just these three, you can play a ton of popular songs!
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