How long does it take to learn to play guitar?

[winelover23]

As in acoustic guitar? I want to learn to play a song. Just one song. How long will that take?

 

[joflier]

Depends on how hard the song is. If it''s just chords, that''s easier. Also depends on how quick of a learner you are. If your musically talented, it wouldn''t be too hard.

 

[winelover23]

The song is Anyone Else But You from the movie Juno.

http://www.e-chords.com/guitartab.asp?idmusica=117380

 

[radiantquest]

Yes, it depends on a lot of factors. I think no matter what song you are learning you still have to learn the basics. Do you have any string intrument experience? That would help. Well, any musical background will help so that you know notes.

You could ask my DH. He saw the informercial on TV for Estebans guitar teaching. He ordered the guitar and the DVDs that teach you. The guitar is currently in the closet and he doesn''t know anything. He got discouraged learning the boring stuff. I guess he thought that Esteban would just teach him the songs he wanted to know and that was it, but he tought chords, strumming and all that so he lost interest. So, if you ask DH it takes several years. For you, much less.

 

[Bia]

I think it depends on your natural ability/skill AND your desire to learn. Some people are better at hearing music (chords/ranges/melodies). Others are better at handling the instrument - guitars aren't the easiest instrument to learn...easy to fiddle with but not easy to play.

eta: I am not a musician WL lol but my FI is and he taught himself to play guitar and drums. He says drums are much easier but his great love is the guitar (electric and acoustic).

 

[winelover23]

Well frig. I can''t read music but I can play piano just by ear. I want to play/sing this song as a surprise to FI at our wedding.

 

[radiantquest]

Date: 12/16/2009 2:08:23 PM
Author: winelover23
Well frig. I can''t read music but I can play piano just by ear. I want to play/sing this song as a surprise to FI at our wedding.

That is so cute. Do you already have the guitar? Fiddle around and see what you can figure out yourself since you have that skill with the piano and go from there. Since you can hear music like that you may be able to learn it in no time.

 

[Bia]

Date: 12/16/2009 2:08:23 PM
Author: winelover23
Well frig. I can''t read music but I can play piano just by ear. I want to play/sing this song as a surprise to FI at our wedding.

Don''t get discouraged. It might come easier to you if you can play by ear...in fact, it probably will.

 

[D&T]

I took some lessons, then learned on my own, DH did the same although he is more musical than me. I think if you have a friend who knows how to play the guitar well, that could help you play your song, I think it might work. Sometimes its easier to play by sight when someone is showing you how. There were a couple of songs I tried to learn on my own, but once my friend showed me what it was suppose to sound like it clicked.

 

[winelover23]

Thanks guys! I''m going to try and find someone to give me lessons I think. I don''t have a guitar so I suppose I need to purchase one.

 

[joflier]

I tried looking it up, but the site is blocked for me, here at work. In any case, try to find a guitar, or a friend that may have one for you to borrow for awhile, and someone that could teach you. That''s super cute! If you can play piano by ear, then you probably have a little music in your blood! Good luck!!!!

 

[Squirrly]

Date: 12/16/2009 2:15:24 PM
Author: winelover23
Thanks guys! I''m going to try and find someone to give me lessons I think. I don''t have a guitar so I suppose I need to purchase one.

i think that''s the best plan, that way you''ll start off with good hand position and technique which should make it easier and if you decide you love it and keep playing it''ll reduce the risk of potential injuries.

i do have one question, are your left fingers calloused? if not they will get so fairly quickly but the higher strings may hurt a little at first

 

[winelover23]

Date: 12/16/2009 2:23:13 PM
Author: Squirrly

Date: 12/16/2009 2:15:24 PM
Author: winelover23
Thanks guys! I'm going to try and find someone to give me lessons I think. I don't have a guitar so I suppose I need to purchase one.

i think that's the best plan, that way you'll start off with good hand position and technique which should make it easier and if you decide you love it and keep playing it'll reduce the risk of potential injuries.

i do have one question, are your left fingers calloused? if not they will get so fairly quickly but the higher strings may hurt a little at first

I don't think so. I have normal fingers. Well they are super long but not calloused. Should I start sanding them?

ETA: Squirrly do you play?

 

[kenny]

C and G are relatively easy chords to play.

B is harder.
It is a bar chord.
That means you have to use the whole length of your index finger to press down 5 strings at once then the other 3 fingers have to bunch up in an awkaward straight line.

One trick (this will sound almost as good) is to use your index finger to play that 5th string but not the 1st string.
But you must allow the flesh of your index finger to mute the first string so it makes no sound, because if that first string sounds without out a finger on it the note it make will be E and E is not in a B chord.

Another trick (this may be easier depending on your anatomy or dexterity) is to NOT press down all 5 strings with your index finger.
Rather just press down the 5th and 1st string and don't worry how hard that finger presses on strings 2, 3 and 4 since your other fingers are taking care of those three strings.

 

[vespergirl]

It depends - if you can read music, it should only take a week or so. But, even if you don''t, a lot of guitar sheet music has chord diagrams that show you where to put your fingers on the frets. If you are totally new to musical instruments, I think getting an instructor for a couple of lessons is a good idea.