Quick Answer
Learning to play guitar can be challenging, but it’s not an insurmountable task. With consistent practice and dedication, anyone can learn to play guitar at any level. The difficulty level may vary depending on factors such as the individual’s natural talent, learning style, and musical goals.
With a good learning plan, proper technique, and plenty of patience, it’s possible to develop basic proficiency in a matter of weeks or months.
Let’s get into it! (Click here for a YouTube video guide)
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How hard is it to learn guitar?
Deciding to learn a new instrument is a big undertaking, as it requires putting in a lot of time and effort. However, it can also be incredibly rewarding and you shouldn’t let the hours spent learning an instrument put you off. It can be a lot of fun!
Below, I’ll answer the question of how hard it is to learn the guitar as well as answer some other questions you may have… or may not have even thought of!
The truth is, the guitar is hard to learn at first but it will get easier the more you practice. That makes sense, right? Unfortunately, so many people quit guitar at the very beginning because it feels so difficult.
This initial difficulty makes people think they’re not good enough, but this isn’t true. The only way to overcome that difficult beginning is to keep practicing.
If you want to learn guitar, keep in mind that it will be hard at first, and remind yourself of that when you get frustrated or you feel like you’re not good enough. After the first six months, you will definitely notice it becoming easier.
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Can I teach myself how to play guitar?
Yes, you can! While it is more difficult to learn without a guitar teacher, there are plenty of great online resources out there you can use to teach yourself.
However, there are a few things to keep in mind if you want to teach yourself how to play guitar:
It’s hard to find reputable online resources: While there are a lot of websites and YouTube channels dedicated to teaching you how to play guitar, they definitely vary in quality.
Some sites and videos are invaluable and will teach you different skills and topics. However, some are of poor quality and will leave you with a lack of understanding of certain topics and may teach you bad habits.
It takes a lot of self-discipline: A part of a guitar teacher’s job is to motivate and guide you. While teaching yourself the guitar means you can pick your guitar up whenever you want, it does also require a lot of discipline to practice regularly.
You may find yourself getting bored or frustrated, but if you really want to learn guitar you will need to push through it.
It takes longer: Learning guitar by yourself definitely takes a lot longer than being taught by a teacher. A guitar teacher can suggest what you should practice, and create a plan to help you reach your goals.
When you’re teaching yourself, you need to figure it all out on your own which means a longer learning process. If you want to learn quickly, I recommend having some guitar lessons with a teacher first, at least initially.
Acoustic Guitar vs Electric Guitars: What should I learn first?
This all depends on what type of music you want to play. If you want to play music that is meant for an electric guitar, you should learn on an electric guitar.
Meanwhile, if you want to play acoustic music you should learn on an acoustic guitar.
After all, if you want to rip into some heavy metal with a cranked amp, then what’s the point of learning on a classical guitar?
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What is the first thing to learn when playing guitar?
The first thing to learn is how to hold the guitar correctly and play single notes. Learning single notes is a great foundation for all the other skills.
Before you try to learn chords or riffs, you should definitely work on playing a single note. After all, you can’t play a chord until you play one note. When you first start learning guitar, focus on playing single notes as cleanly as possible before you move on.
Start with easy finger exercises and use them to practice single notes.
Related Article: 7 Tips On How To Learn Fingerstyle Guitar To Play Like A Virtuoso! (2023)
Sore fingers from playing guitar
One of the most common complaints that beginner guitar players have is that their fingers become sore when they first start playing. This is because pressing down on the strings with your fingertips can cause discomfort and even pain, especially if you are not used to it.
However, this is a normal part of the learning process, and it usually takes some time for your fingers to adjust.
As you continue to practice playing guitar, your fingertips will start to develop small calluses, which are layers of hardened skin that form over the fingertips.
These calluses help to protect your fingers from the pressure of the strings, making them less painful to play. It’s important to note that developing calluses can take some time, so it’s essential to keep practicing even if your fingers are sore.
The more you play, the faster your fingers will adapt and develop calluses.
In the meantime, there are a few things you can do to alleviate the pain and soreness. Taking short breaks during practice sessions can help, as well as stretching your fingers and doing hand exercises to improve dexterity.
Also, using lighter gauge strings or adjusting the action of your guitar can also help to reduce the pressure on your fingers. There are also fingertip protectors to help you get started.
Also, using lighter gauge strings or adjusting the action of your guitar can also help to reduce the pressure on your fingers.
There are also fingertip protectors to help you get started.
YouTube Video: Fingers hurt from playing guitar? Try this!
Guitar vs Piano: What’s harder to learn?
These are two completely different instruments, so it’s hard to compare them. If you’re trying to decide between learning guitar and piano, then comparing their difficulty is the wrong way to look at it.
Instead, consider which one you’re really interested in learning.
Work on the basis that both of them will be equally hard to learn and both will require the same amount of time and effort to practice, then decide what instrument you’re willing to put the time and effort into.
You’ll unlikely get anywhere trying to pick between two instruments based on how difficult they are, but you will get somewhere if you pick the instrument that interests you the most.
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The benefits of learning guitar
If you ask the guitar players you know, I’m sure they’ll each have their own unique list of benefits that playing guitar has given them. But below, I’ll take a look at a few common ones.
Improves coordination: Unfortunately, nobody is born a natural guitar player. But with practice, you’ll develop very strong coordination between your hands that is useful in other areas of your life.
Improves concentration: You need to concentrate when playing guitar, and your concentration will improve each time you practice. In fact, it’s been thought that schoolchildren who learn guitar also improve in other subjects, because learning guitar has improved their ability to concentrate.
It’s a fun hobby: There are few things more enjoyable than just being able to pick up a musical instrument and play it, and playing guitar is no different. After a long, hard day, picking up your guitar and playing music can have great mental health benefits.
Writing your own music is also fun and rewarding, as is performing in front of a crowd. Plus, jamming with your friends is super fun too!
It gives you a deeper appreciation of music: If you’re someone who already enjoys listening to music, then playing an instrument such as a guitar can enhance that enjoyment and appreciation.
You’ll start to notice details in your favorite music that you may have never noticed before.
With all those amazing benefits in mind, it’s not hard to see why people play guitar for years!
FAQs
Can I learn to play guitar quickly?
Yes, it’s possible to learn basic guitar skills in a matter of weeks or months. However, becoming proficient and comfortable playing more complex music can take several years of consistent practice and dedication.
Is it necessary to practice every day to learn guitar?
Consistent practice is key to mastering any skill, including guitar. However, the amount of practice required varies from person to person.
It’s recommended to practice at least 30 minutes to an hour each day, but practicing for longer periods can lead to quicker progress.
How much time does it take to learn guitar?
The amount of time you dedicate to learning guitar each week will depend on your schedule and goals. If you want to make faster progress, it’s recommended to practice for at least an hour every day. However, even practicing for 30 minutes a few times a week can lead to significant improvement over time.
Can I learn guitar on my own, or should I take lessons?
It’s possible to learn guitar on your own with the help of online resources and instructional books. However, taking lessons with a qualified teacher can be beneficial in many ways, including personalized feedback, motivation, and accountability.
Can natural talent speed up the process of learning guitar?
Natural talent can certainly help, but it’s not necessary to become proficient at playing guitar. With consistent practice and dedication, anyone can learn to play guitar at any level.
YouTube Video: How hard is learning to play guitar?
Happy Learning!
