Starting with Guitar: How Long Before I Can Play Guitar?
Is Taking Guitar Lessons Really Necessary?
It all sounds so simple: you find a guitar in the attic, learn a few chords in minutes, find a drummer, bassist and singer, get discovered during your third rehearsal, and two weeks later you’re on the main stage at a major festival with a record deal. While this sounds more like a comedy movie, many people secretly have this image of playing music. They think, “If you know two chords, you can play everything, right? How hard can it be?”
Reality is very different. Why is it so hard to learn guitar – and music – quickly?
I often hear about people claiming they can learn to play guitar in two weeks through self-study. Online ads promise things like “Learn guitar in 10 days.” What they don’t mention is the painful fingers, the struggle to keep time, the lack of rhythm, and the random chord-bashing without understanding what they’re doing. These players usually miss dynamics, feel and control. They often end up playing in a cramped, inefficient way without really knowing what is going on.
How Much Should You Practice as a Beginner?
For beginners who are just starting with guitar, I recommend playing at least 5 to 15 minutes a day. Longer sessions are of course welcome. At the beginning, focus on repeating the same lesson material until you truly master it. Don’t think, “I’ll try it alone with YouTube and then, if it doesn’t work, I’ll take lessons.”
A few people succeed that way, but the vast majority who first self-teach and only later look for lessons are much harder to help. They often skip essential basics – like trying to run a marathon before learning to crawl. They quickly become demotivated when they discover they have to go back to fundamental exercises.
Why a Solid Start Matters More Than Speed
Starting correctly is crucial:
- clear, well-structured information
- the right exercises at the right time
- and a fun, motivating approach to basic music theory
Musical experience is a kind of life wisdom you cannot rush. It develops with age, practice, playing, listening, collaborating, studying and analysing.
Technically, you might be able to copy B.B. King’s licks after four or five years of focused practice – but to really play with his feel and dynamics, you’d need a lifetime of musical experience.
Take Your Guitar Playing To The Next Level!
Wouter Baustein
Music Producer, Music & Mindset Coach
If you like clear, practical guitar and music coaching instead of random YouTube tips, you need structure. My guitar books and coaching programs give you that structure, so you can finally make real progress and level up your playing.