How Long Does It Take To Learn Guitar?

From Zero to Hero in Just 3 Months

Ever wondered how long it really takes to learn guitar? Or maybe you’re wondering how long would it take to learn the guitar if you started today? Maybe you’ve tried a few chords but have become overwhelmed with the amount of information available online, and don’t know where to start. You might start wondering, “Do I have what it takes?”. Maybe you’ve decided you want to play but haven’t started yet. You're inspired by your favorite bands or videos you’ve seen online and would love to learn your favorite songs, riffs, solos, and maybe even jam with friends. The truth is: learning guitar is not as far off as you think. With the right mindset and an organized regular practice routine, you could make some real progress, reaching a proficient level in just a few months. Playing guitar has many benefits, but above all, it’s fun!

In this article, we’ll explore what’s possible in just 3 months of guitar playing, and we’ll give you a practical, flexible roadmap to help you get there. Think of it as your Pick It Up and Play plan – a 3-month beginner guitar journey. You can choose to follow the plan by yourself, or download the Gibson App which follows the same structure outlined here. Whether you're holding a guitar for the first time or returning after years away, this is for you! If you’ve ever asked yourself how long to learn guitar, this plan will give you the clarity and structure to find out.

Pick It Up and Play: A 3-Month Beginner Guitar Journey

Let’s now take a look at a realistic practice/progress timeline designed to fit around day-to-day life, taking into consideration your other commitments such as school, college, work, family, and free time activities. Here's a simple, beginner-friendly practice framework:

• Duration: 15–20 minutes per day
• Frequency: 3 days a week, daily if possible
• Focus: Quality over quantity. Shorter, regular sessions are more effective than occasional long ones.

Every minute playing guitar counts. If you’re pressed for time, even picking up the guitar for a few minutes is better than skipping entirely. When sitting down to practice, try to find a quiet place out of the way of others so you can play with confidence and without interruptions. You may feel a little self-conscious when you first start, and that’s okay – it will pass. Having some privacy is important; remember, you’re learning, and that takes time and dedication.

Another benefit of shorter, regular practice sessions is that your fingers may experience some discomfort in the beginning. Since pressing your fingers on the strings can make them sore at first, easing into the physical side of playing is key.

In the following section, we’ve outlined a full 3-month practice routine designed to take you from your first notes to performing your first songs. The routine presents a series of easy-to-digest tasks based on sections of the curriculum within the Gibson App, divided by month.

• In Month 1, you’ll get to know your guitar, how to hold it, pick notes, and start using your fingers to play simple riffs and melodies.
• In Month 2, you’ll begin combining melodies with simplified chords, develop finger strength and memory, and learn to switch between strings and frets.
• By Month 3, you’ll be ready to choose your path. If you love the feel of playing full songs with open chords and strumming along, the Strummer route is for you. If you’re more into riffs, power chords and the heavier sound of rock rhythm guitar, go with the Riffer path. Both tracks build on what you’ve learned – just with different vibes.

This plan is built from the way that countless people have learned to play guitar in the Gibson App – a virtual guitar coach, with easy-to-follow interactive tabs. The Gibson App actually listens to you, providing real-time feedback as you perform. With the help of AI, the app gives you personalized insights into your strengths and areas of improvement – just like a real guitar teacher. But above all, it’s an inspiring platform to learn with: you’ll be jamming to a backing track in your very first lesson!

The Gibson App also lets you decide the type of player you wish to become, as well as the style of music you want to play. Different practice genres help you become a more versatile player.

A Realistic 3-Month Practice Plan

Month 1 – Chords and Melodies

Week 1

• How to hold the guitar
• How to hold the pick
• String names and how to tune the guitar
• Picking the open thinnest string (E string)
• Fretting with index finger on the E string

Week 2

• Playing 2 frets with the index finger
• Playing 3 frets with index finger
• Play "Born To Be Wild" (simplified)

Week 3

• Adding the B string (second thinnest string)
• Practice melody on the B and E string
• Practice "Whisky In The Jar" adding the middle finger

Week 4

• Learn the E minor chord
• Learn the G major chord (simplified)
• Play "Paranoid" including the E minor chord

Month 2 – Chords and Melodies

Week 1

• Play "Ironic" adding the ring finger combining with index finger
• Play "Sweet Child O' Mine" combining all 3 fingers
• Play "Smoke On The Water" practice memorizing melody

Week 2

• Play "American Girl" with melody on the G string
• Play "Yellow" including multiple string melody
• Higher frets: Practice finding frets on the G, B and E strings

Week 3

• Play "Let It Be" melody
• Play "White Rabbit" working on finger muscle memory
• Play "Brown Eyed Girl" including the G major chord (simplified)

Week 4

• Play "Silent Night" additional melody practice
• Memorizing melodies: play "Ode To Joy"
• Practice changing between E minor and G major (simplified)

Month 3

Strummer

Week 1

• Learn the D major chord
• Practice strumming
• Play "Sweet Child O' Mine" simplified version with the D major chord

Week 2

• Learn the C major chord
• Practice changing between all the chords learned so far
• Play "Every Rose Has Its Thorn"

Week 3

• Learn the A minor chord
• Play "Ain't No Sunshine" combining chords
• Learn the E major chord

Week 4

• Learn the A major chord
• Play "I Can't Explain" combining chords
• Learn the D minor chord

Riffer

Week 1

• Learn the A5 power chord (E string root)
• How to move a power chord shape to form new power chords
• Play "Breaking The Law"

Week 2

• Learn the A string power chord shape
• Move the A string power chord shape to form more chords
• Play "Paranoid"

Week 3

• Practice changing between E and A root power chords
• Additional E power chord practice: play "Breakdown"
• Practice muting when strumming power chords

Week 4

• Additional A power chord practice: play "Wishing Well"
• Play "We're Not Gonna Take It" combining E and A power chords
• Riff basic: learn a one-string riff

Why Guitar? The Most Accessible Instrument You Can Learn

For many people looking to pick up an instrument, guitar remains one of the most popular choices – and for good reason. It boasts a relatively fast learning curve for beginners. You can play your first riff on day one, and with a few chords, you’ll be strumming many recognizable songs, making it both incredibly motivating and personally rewarding.

Guitar is an incredibly versatile instrument found in genres including Rock, Metal, Pop, Folk, Blues, Jazz, Classical, as well as World Music like Flamenco and Latin. It’s affordable, portable, and can be played solo or in a group – making it a great social activity.

The Guitar’s Deeper Meaning

The guitar is a cultural icon, symbolizing freedom, creativity, and individualism. It was central to the birth of Rock n’ Roll and the counterculture movements of the 1950s–70s. The very shape of the guitar signifies rebellion, independence, cultural diversity, and personal identity.

But beyond its history and cultural impact, the guitar remains an engaging, recreational, and rewarding pursuit. It’s a form of self-expression, discipline, therapy, and connection. Let’s face it – playing guitar is cool.

The Most Common Beginner Questions

When starting the guitar, most beginners share similar doubts:

• Is learning guitar hard?
• How long does it take to learn the guitar?
• How long does it take to learn acoustic guitar?
• How long does it take to learn electric guitar?
• How long does it take to learn all the chords?
• How long and how often should I practice?

We’ll cover all of these and more. This guide is here to help you set realistic, motivating expectations for learning guitar – and give you a real answer to how long does learning guitar take.

The Truth About Progress: It's Personal (and That’s Okay)

Learning guitar takes time. It’s not a race – and those first days, weeks, and months are crucial. Some people pick it up quickly, while others take more time, and that’s totally normal. If it takes longer for you, don’t be discouraged. One of the best pieces of advice? Don’t put pressure on yourself. A relaxed, enjoyable pace leads to better, longer-lasting results.

You need regular, consistent practice. Like any skill, learning guitar takes discipline, patience, and time. Consistency beats intensity. Even 15 focused minutes a day can make a difference. The more you practice, the better you get. The better you get, the more fun it becomes. Progress builds naturally if you let it.

Another tip: always play something new. A new chord, melody, or riff keeps you curious and motivated. Next time you reach for your phone, try picking up your guitar instead! Just a few chords can give you that “Wow, this actually sounds pretty good!” feeling that many instruments don’t offer so quickly. Remember: every great guitarist was once a beginner. There’s no such thing as “too slow” – only forward.

Getting the Most from Your Practice Routine

Let’s revisit some of the common beginner questions and show how the Gibson App and the 3-month plan can help:

Is learning guitar hard?

It can be, depending on how you approach it. Jumping straight into full chords can be frustrating – especially switching between shapes and strumming at the same time. This is where some people give up. A better way? Start with single-string melodies. They’re easier to play and sound great even on your first day. The Gibson App helps here: your first lesson includes a simple melody with a full-band backing track, making the experience inspiring and fun. So, in the words of Radiohead: “Anyone Can Play Guitar!”

How long does it take to learn acoustic guitar?

It depends on your expectations and how regularly you practice. Mastery can take years, but within 3 months, you’ll likely be playing recognizable riffs and strumming basic songs. In 6–12 months of regular practice, you’ll be able to confidently perform a wide variety of songs and start developing your own style.

How long does it take to learn electric guitar?

To become a shredding virtuoso might take years, but basic riffs? Just weeks. Power chords – core to rock – are quick to learn, and once you understand how to move shapes around the neck, your riff library will grow fast. Add in some basic scales, like the minor pentatonic, and you’re on your way. A realistic timeline:

• 3 months: playing simple songs with power chords and basic riffs
• 6 months: starting to learn scales and improve technique
• 1 year: confidently tackling full solos and more advanced material

How long does it take to learn all the chords?

Understanding chord theory is deep and takes years, but learning basic major and minor chords happens relatively quickly. With just a few open chords, you can play countless songs. Moving on to 7th chords and barre chords takes more time, but it’s doable within 6 months of focused practice. With barre chords, you can play in every key using one shape!

How long and how often should I practice?

There are no shortcuts – practice makes progress. You don’t need marathon sessions. Play for 15–20 minutes, 3–5 times per week. Daily is even better. What matters most is routine and consistency. Short, focused sessions beat infrequent long ones. Find a regular time and space, and protect it. Consistency is the key to growth.

How does the 3-month plan help me learn guitar?

The 3-month routine is based on the Gibson App curriculum, offering around three tasks per week. You'll start with mechanics – holding the guitar, basic picking – and gradually layer on more complexity with riffs and chords in real songs. The App provides structure, backing tracks, and real-time feedback, helping you stay motivated and inspired. As you progress, it listens to your playing and gives smart feedback and suggestions. Following this path gives you a clear sense of progression, and prepares you for any style or direction you want to take.

Final Words

There is no time limit on learning. Learning guitar should be fun. There’s no such thing as too slow – there’s only forward. What’s motivating is that with just a handful of chords, you can already play a song. You strum a few chords and suddenly it’s like: Wow, this actually sounds pretty good!

Not many instruments give you that kind of reward so early on. So keep going. Every minute playing is progress. And remember – every great guitarist was once a beginner.

So next time you’re asking yourself how long does it take to learn guitar, just remember: the more you enjoy the journey, the faster progress will come.