How Long Does It Take to Learn Guitar? - Expert Advice for Beginner Guitarists

Learning guitar can be an exciting and creatively rewarding journey full of anticipation, challenges, and, most importantly, artistic satisfaction if you persist with the process and journey. 

For beginners, it’s a world of discovery - mastering chords, strumming patterns, and building finger strength. At the Angeles Academy of Music, we’ve had the privilege of guiding countless students through their guitar learning journey. 

Over the years, we’ve seen students of all ages and backgrounds take their first steps into the world of music, grow their skills, and gain the confidence to play with ease. Our experience has shown that while every learner is unique, the right guidance and practice can make the learning process enjoyable and achievable.

The timeline for learning guitar can vary from person to person and depends on various factors like the time you dedicate, the level you want to achieve, and the guidance you get, but we will try to give you a good context by which you can understand how long it can take you to learn the instrument.

Factors That Influence How Long It Takes to Learn Guitar

We have seen many guitarists who are so passionate and dedicated about their instrument that it takes them no time to learn the basics. On the other hand, others take forever to just get the basics right. Let’s discuss what sets these two apart. 

Your Goals as a Guitarist

If your goal is simply to strum a few basic chords and play along with your favorite songs, you might reach that milestone within weeks or months of regular practice. 

However, if you’re aiming to master advanced techniques like intricate fingerpicking, soloing, or composing your own music, the journey will naturally take longer. By identifying your goals early on, you can tailor your learning approach and set realistic expectations for your progress.

Age and Physical Dexterity

Age plays a role in how quickly you might learn the guitar, but it’s not a limiting factor. Younger students often pick up physical skills like chord changes and strumming faster because of their adaptability and quicker muscle memory development. 

Adults, on the other hand, bring focus and discipline to their practice, which can balance out any challenges in finger dexterity. Regardless of your age, developing hand strength and finger flexibility through regular practice is key to overcoming physical hurdles.

For example, we had a student who was over 40 years old but had never touched a musical instrument before. Despite initial doubts about their ability to learn, they embraced a consistent practice routine and followed a structured lesson plan with one of our experienced instructors.

Within just a few months, they were confidently performing their favorite songs publicly to their friends and family and even experimenting with fingerpicking techniques.

Practice Habits

Have you seen those guitarists from whom it’s impossible to separate their instruments? It’s like their instrument is an extension of their bodies, and they simply play it all the time, whether consciously or not. 

These are the types of guitarists who learn the skill the fastest. If you’re not the routine type, we understand! You’re literally supposed to “play” the instrument, so having a fixed routine may kill the pleasure, but it’s important to be consistent. 

If you’re someone who can dedicate a routine to the skill, there’s nothing like it. Consistency is more important than marathon sessions—spending just 20 to 30 focused minutes a day can yield better results than practicing sporadically. 

Structured practice sessions that target specific skills, such as transitioning between chords or mastering a strumming pattern, will help you build a strong foundation. Remember, it’s not just about the quantity of practice but also the quality.

Your Learning Style

Everyone approaches learning differently, and understanding your personal style can make the process smoother. If you’re a visual learner, chord diagrams, videos, and tablature might resonate most.

Auditory learners, on the other hand, may progress faster by playing along with recordings or focusing on ear training. If you thrive in structured settings, lessons with a skilled instructor or a step-by-step method book could be the ideal fit. By embracing your learning style, you can make steady, enjoyable progress.

Access to Quality Instruction

Having a skilled instructor can significantly accelerate your progress and help you avoid common beginner mistakes. At Angeles School of Music, we’ve seen firsthand how personalized lessons make all the difference. 

Our instructors tailor their approach to each student’s level, goals, and challenges, ensuring that your learning is both efficient and enjoyable.

Angeles Academy Music is Los Angeles’ top choice for guitar lessons. With a team of 74 expert instructors and over 1,200 students joining us weekly, we’ve earned our reputation for excellence. Sign up today! Don’t miss this chance to kickstart your musical journey with the best in the business!

Natural Musical Aptitude

While some people seem to have an innate knack for music, natural talent isn’t a prerequisite for success. A good ear for music or faster finger coordination might give some learners a head start, but determination and consistent practice matter far more. 

In fact, many of the most accomplished guitarists attribute their success to perseverance rather than natural ability. So, if you don’t have that “natural” musical aptitude, we have experienced that it’s somewhat of a skill that can be learned. 

Company and Environment

The people you surround yourself with and the environment in which you practice play a significant role in your progress as a guitarist. Being in a supportive and motivating setting can keep you inspired and focused, making your learning experience more enjoyable and productive. 

For instance, practicing alongside friends, being a part of a band, or joining a group class can foster a sense of camaraderie and accountability that drives consistent improvement.

If you're a parent or guardian, we suggest you affirm and encourage your child's efforts throughout their guitar learning journey. Positive reinforcement goes a long way in building their confidence and keeping them motivated, especially when they encounter challenges. Celebrate their progress, whether it’s mastering their first chord or performing a simple song.

Now, let’s get to the main questions. 

How quickly can you learn guitar?

If your aim is to play a few basic songs using simple chords and strumming patterns, you might reach that milestone within one to three months of consistent practice. However, developing intermediate skills like barre chords, fingerpicking, or soloing may take six months to a year. 

For advanced techniques, such as intricate solos, improvisation, or composing original music, the timeline could stretch to several years, depending on your commitment and practice habits.

For more details, here’s a table that outlines estimated learning timelines based on different goals and milestones:

Can I learn guitar in 3 months?

Yes, you can learn guitar in three months, especially if your goal is to play simple songs using basic chords and strumming patterns. While you won’t become a master guitarist in this timeframe, it’s entirely possible to build a solid foundation and confidently play the music you enjoy.

Example Timeline for 3 Months

What You Can Achieve in 3 Months

You can learn common open chords such as G, C, D, E, A, Am, and Em. While transitioning between chords may feel slow initially, regular practice will help you achieve smoother transitions over time.

Strumming patterns are another area you could develop during this period. Once you learn enough strumming patterns and a few basic chords, you’ll be able to play 90% of the popular songs that people love at parties and campfires, such as “Let It Be” by The Beatles or “Horse with No Name” by America. 

This practice will help you build confidence as you play popular 3- or 4-chord songs.

Can I Learn Guitar in 30 days?

Yes, you can learn basic guitar skills in 30 days with consistent effort. Within this timeframe, you can master common open chords (e.g., G, C, D, E) and simple strumming patterns. You may also learn a few beginner-friendly songs with easy chord progressions. 

Try dedicating at least 20–30 minutes daily to focused practice and use beginner resources like tutorials or lessons.

Can I Learn Guitar in 7 days?

In 7 days, you can learn the very basics of guitar. You might familiarize yourself with holding the guitar, tuning it, and playing a few simple chords. With focused practice, you could play a short, basic song with minimal chord changes.

We suggest you practice the following songs if you want to learn guitar fast. 

How many Lessons Does it Take to Learn Guitar?

For basic skills like chords and strumming, 5–10 lessons with regular self-practice in between may be sufficient. For intermediate skills like barre chords or fingerpicking, 15–20 lessons are common.

Advanced skills can require months or even years of lessons, depending on your commitment and desired proficiency level. You must have heard many professional guitars saying how they’re still learning their instrument even after years or decades of playing it. 

Is 30 minutes of guitar lessons enough?

Yes, 30 minutes of guitar lessons can be effective, especially for beginners. A focused 30-minute session with an instructor can cover essential topics like chords, techniques, or troubleshooting problems. Combine lessons with at least 20 minutes of daily self-practice to maximize progress.

If you’re aiming for advanced levels, no amount of practice is sufficient. Find every chance to play the instrument because the journey of mastering the guitar is a continuous process. To excel, immerse yourself in the instrument as much as possible—play every day, explore diverse genres, and challenge yourself with increasingly complex techniques.

Final Thoughts

Now that we have discussed all timelines, our suggestion would be not to rush the process. Ask yourself why you’re learning the guitar! The guitar is one of the most versatile and beautiful sounding instruments, which can give you deep satisfaction and fulfillment learning and playing it. 

The more faith and focus you put on the process and journey rather than the final goal, the better relationship you can build with the instrument and the more enjoyable your progress will be. Treat learning guitar as an ongoing adventure rather than a race to reach a specific milestone. 

The instrument rewards patience, creativity, and consistency, offering new challenges and opportunities to grow at every stage of your journey. In a world that has conditioned us to focus on the ‘goals’ or the ‘results,’ it’s very tempting to want to learn the instrument as soon as possible, but the joy of guitar lies not only in the music you create but also in the personal connection you build with the instrument over time.

It’s a way of expressing yourself, bonding with others, or simply having a creative outlet. Hope this article was helpful. If you want to start with your guitar journey or become a better guitarist, feel free to sign up at the Angeles Academy of Music. We offer guitar lessons in Los Angeles and have our schools in Brentwood, Westwood Village, and Tarzana.