Have you always enjoyed music and have liked the idea of playing the guitar but haven’t been sure if you’re able to? If that’s the case, then you’re in the right place! Perhaps you’ve often liked the idea of being able to play the guitar but are put off by how hard it seems. After all, most top guitarists spend years getting that good, right? Even so, it might surprise you to know that there are a few things you can do to get to a good level within a reasonable amount of time. In this article, we’re going to look at a number of different factors that might affect how hard it is to learn to play the guitar.
It’s hard to give one definitive answer as to how easy or hard it is to learned o play the guitar. There are a number of different factors that make a difference. It often comes down to your own aptitude and how good you are at picking things up. However, there are a number of things you can do to make things easier. Firstly, you need to know what might affect how hard it is to learn the guitar, so let’s have a look…
What might affect how hard it is to learn the guitar?
Since there’s no one answer to how easy the guitar is to play or learn, a lot of it depends on a number of different factors. Some of these factors you won’t be able to do much about, while others you may be able to make changes to make playing the guitar easier. Firstly, let’s have a look at what these factors are:
How old you are
Picking up things will be easier when you’re younger. It’s the same with new languages. Younger people’s brains are better at learning new things, so it could make it much easier to learn to play the guitar. However, it’s not all bad if you’re older, as you will probably have a longer attention span and hopefully more dedication to practice for long hours. Younger people can get distracted, whereas older people might take learning something more seriously. There are pros and cons to both, but age can be a factor in learning the guitar and how easy it is.
What musical experience you’ve got
If you’ve already learned to play another musical instrument, then you’re starting with more of an advantage and should find it easier to learn to play the guitar. Especially if you’ve already learned on another string instrument. But even if you haven’t, the processes and learning structures are often quite similar. Just like it’s easier to learn another language if you’ve learned a different once before, your brain will be much better at picking up a new instrument if you already have some musical experience.
Even if you haven’t actually learned an instrument but have a bit of experience in and around live music, you might have a slight advantage. If you can already read music, then the next steps might be easier for you.
What type of guitar you’re learning on
There are loads of different types of guitars, from electric to acoustic and lots of different shapes and sizes. Some guitars, like basses, have fewer strings. These might be easier to learn for beginners. The type of guitar you want to learn on will make a difference to how easy it is to learn.
What type of music you’re trying to learn
Not all types of music are as easy to learn to play as others. Some types of music can be more detailed or complicated, whereas others can be simpler. While this can vary a lot from genre to genre, it can also vary from band to band or song to song. It’s important that you try and play music you actually like, as it’ll be easier to stick to. Most beginners start on some similar stuff, but make sure you pick the right music for you.
How good your teacher is
There’s a massive difference between a good teacher and a great one. The right teacher can help you learn things much faster and will help you grow as a guitarist. If you don’t think your current teacher is doing a good enough job, consider trying another one.
What other help you get
If you’ve got some software or online learning tools at your disposal, you might want to try some of these. They’ve come a long way in recent year. While you shouldn’t replace a teacher completely, they can work well alongside one.
How often you practice
Practice is one of the most important parts of learning to play any instrument, especially the guitar. So if you want to get good quickly, practice as much as you can.
How to make it easier to learn the guitar
Now you know some of the factors that might make it easier to learn the guitar, what can you do about it? Let’s have a look…
Join a music group
It’s all very well practicing by yourself, but this can get boring an monotonous. Try joining a music group. The social side is great, and you’ll be motivated by working towards group goals or a show. You’ll find other people in the same position as you and you’ll be able to have fun while learning together.
Get the right additional help
Try finding some online software or courses. These shouldn’t replace an actual teacher, but you can find some great free videos and other tools to make your learning easier.
Get a better teacher
We already touched on this. Look for a guitar teacher who’s both highly qualified and experience. And also one you get along well with. That’s important too.
Practice more
Practice, practice, practice! There’s no real shortcut to getting good on the guitar, and while some people might find it easier to pick up and play than others—practice is important for everyone.
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