How long will it take me to learn to play the guitar?
There are many things to consider in setting goals for yourself. A teacher observes and watches; I’m always amazed and inspired by the first attempts of a student to play a chord or a melody line. The question of how long will it take may mean different things to different players. I suggest using the following outline to help in this area.
Step 1:
Ask yourself what do you want to be able to do? Do you want to play a particular style of music, strum chords, read music, etc. This is the very reason I like to interview students before they start taking lessons. If you prefer to be able to accompany yourself on the guitar while singing, your goals are going to be very different than, for instance, learning classical pieces.
Which brings in the point that some things you can start accomplishing right away. Everyone can play a simple chord. This one little experience can be very satisfying. It inspires the student on to great things. Little accomplishments build on one another and become big triumphs.
Step 2:
Now that the goals are set, commit to practice six days a week. Why not seven? Because everyone and thing must rest. Nature’s cycle includes rest. Rest includes renewing physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. Even if you decide not to pursue learning an instrument, follow this one principle. You’ll definitely benefit from it.
Set a reasonable amount of time each day. If you’re extra busy or under a lot of stress, a practice session of 10 minutes per day can be more rewarding than waiting to practice several hours toward the end of the week. Little positive actions usually have better long-term affects than spirts of long practice sessions.
Your instructor can help you set reasonable goals as well. It’s a good idea to journal your progress. You’ll be amazed at your accomplishments if you can remember and ponder those mile stones.