Nothing in this world is easy to learn. But when you’ve got the determination and desire, nothing will stop you.
It used to be that learning was all done in a classroom. Of course, things have changed with the introduction of the internet and e-learning, and most recently, the coronavirus pandemic.
Today, you can learn on a myriad of devices, whether it’s your smartphone, tablet, laptop computer, desktop computer or even smart TV.
So, that makes learning easy and convenient, even during times like these.
We know there are plenty of you looking to learn guitar, because Google Trend’s statistics show that online education market of guitar has been growing day by day.
But what are your options? Let’s get into it.
Learning Guitar Online? How is That Possible?
There are plenty of skilled, knowledgeable and experienced teachers willing to share their talents with the world.
Content and support is available in every format imaginable, whether it’s emails, blog posts, forums, audio/podcasts, video or otherwise. And, oftentimes you can interact directly with the teacher or content creator.
If you want to learn guitar online, you’ve got plenty of options.
How Long Does it Take to Learn Guitar?
Many beginners wonder about this. And, the answer depends on a few factors:
Your Goals
If you want to learn to strum a few chords or play along with a punk rock song, it shouldn’t take too long.
But if you’re looking to perform in front of an audience, you’re likely going to want to spend significantly more time practicing and upgrading your skills.
Your Natural Talent
Everybody learns things at a difference pace. Some people struggle to pick up the guitar. Others find it relatively easy.
But this doesn’t mean the greats are those who found it easy. Extreme virtuoso Nuno Bettencourt said he was the worst player among his brothers. But because he kept at it, he became the best.
The only thing natural talent affects is how long it takes to pick up the instrument at the level that’s right for you. It doesn’t dictate how well you’ll one day be able to play.
How Much Time You Allot to Practice
It doesn’t matter whether you’re a beginner or a pro. Everyone needs to practice.
Beginners might want to give their calluses some time to develop and therefore keep practice sessions short (somewhere in the 10 to 20 minute range).
But as you become more comfortable on the instrument, and as your fingers start hurting less, you’ll want to dedicate an increasing amount of time on the guitar. Some of the best players practice for three hours per day if not more.
What You Practice
If you just walk into your jam room and noodle around on your instrument for a few minutes, you’re not going to improve all that rapidly.
If, on the other hand, you plan out your practice routine, prioritize new material and techniques, and make good use of your time, you will improve faster.
How Old do I Need to be to Begin/Is it Too Late?
Just because you’re 40+ doesn’t mean you can’t learn to play the guitar.
Similarly, some five-year-olds can begin picking up the instrument at a decent pace.
There is such a thing as too young, as it can take a while for a child’s cognitive functions to develop. Some kids find it difficult to focus for longer stretches of time, so they might benefit taking lessons later.
But there isn’t such a thing as being too old, unless your fingers don’t work anymore.
3 Tips for Beginners Learning to Play the Guitar
Your progress will be determined by the amount of time and effort you put into your instrument.
Nevertheless, here are a few tips to help you achieve what you want to achieve on the guitar more rapidly.
Motivate Yourself
It doesn’t matter whether you’ve chosen to learn on your own, with a teacher or with online lessons. You are ultimately responsible for your own progress.
So, it’s important to stay motivated.
Watching YouTube videos, reading magazines and interacting with other guitarists is a good way to stoke the fire of your passion.
Also, you could try your own hand at songwriting and composition. It can be a lot of fun writing your own songs.
Set Goals
Think in terms of how much time you will be practicing and set goals around that.
It’s hard to know exactly when you’ll reach a certain level of playing or be able to play a specific technique, but one thing you can easily track and measure is how much time you’re practicing.
Follow the Plan
Online lessons and classes often include preset plans you can follow. These are extremely helpful, as it can be difficult for beginners to figure out what their next steps are or how fast they should be progressing.
So, if the online guitar course or program you’re following comes with a plan, we’d encourage you to take advantage of it.
Online Guitar Lessons Conclusion
In closing, yes, it is possible to learn guitar online. How long it takes is highly individual and depends a great deal on the amount of time and effort you’re able to dedicate to it. You can start guitar at just about any age, but we do caution against starting too young.
Also, we went through several tips to help you make the most of your online guitar lessons, classes or courses.
We wish you all the best on this journey. Happy trails!
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