Discover the hidden secrets to learning guitar faster and easier from 7 real students who have been there and done that.
Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced guitar player, we all have common worries and questions.
Have you left it too late to learn guitar? What are the biggest practice mistakes to avoid? And what one tip would help you learn to play guitar better faster?
I asked 7 of my guitar student five burning questions about their playing journey to share with you.
So, if you’re having a down day feeling unconfident or uninspired, pick yourself up by hearing from some of your fellow guitar players about how they’re finding learning guitar so far.
Dave H
- Age – 67 years young
- Time Playing – 2 years
- Ability Level – Beginner
- Acoustic or Electric – Acoustic
Q1. What inspired you to learn to play the guitar?
I had a conversation with my eldest daughter about my youth and it came out that one of my regrets was never learning to play a musical instrument.
Both of my girls had piano and violin lessons, and my wife sings in a choir and has learned to play the ukulele.
So, at 65, I was feeling a bit left out!
Daves Guitar
Guitar was my personal preference to want to learn, but I thought I was too old to start. To my surprise, my daughter bought me a course of lessons with Tiff for Christmas.
That was two years ago and it has really got under my skin. I massively look forward to my lessons, which keep me motivated to practice every day.
Q2. What are some of your long-term playing goals?
Headlining a world tour would be nice! Realistically, though, I just want to be able to competently play some of my favourite tunes just for me.
Surprisingly, I already have a number of popular songs that I can play, and the more I practise, the more I improve.
Q3. What three skills make a great guitar player?
1. Clear, precise notes.
2. Perfect chord changes.
3. Great rhythm.
Q4. How do you work on each of those three skills when you practice?
1. Clear, precise notes – daily practice of scales and chords, making sure I eliminate buzzing and that each note is clear. I always work on proper technique like alternate picking, never just down picks.
2. Perfect chord changes – getting from one chord to another cleanly takes a lot of practice. Again, this needs to be done daily using a metronome to slowly increase your speed and accuracy.
3. Great rhythm – I play along with the tracks I’m learning, slowly at first to pick up the rhythm. I’ve been taught that you need to record yourself so you can track your progress and see your improvement also.
Q5. If you could give someone considering learning guitar one tip or piece of advice that’s helped you the most, what would it be?
Get a really good guitar teacher who can show you how to play properly, who can tell you where you’re going wrong, and show you how to correct your errors.
You need someone to teach you how to play the guitar so you don’t get into bad habits – someone who can help you to use all the technique you’ve been taught into learning songs.
Mark W
- Age – 48
- Time Playing – 30 years on and off
- Ability Level – Advanced
- Acoustic or Electric – Both
Q1. What inspired you to learn to play the guitar?
I got into classic rock in my late teens through older mates where I used to work. I started going to local pub gigs and hearing bands doing covers.
One of my mates played, and he lent me his old Westfield electric to learn on. He taught me a few things; it was fun, so I bought my own Squire Silver series strat (in photo).
Marks acoustic and electric guitars
Q2. What are some of your long-term playing goals?
Just to be more accomplished on both electric and acoustic. Mainly enjoy playing music and learning new songs, techniques and theory.
Q3. What three skills make a great guitar player?
I think I just said it, sorry. Good technique, solid theory, and a good ear. There are way more than three skills though that make a guitar player sound great!
Q4. How do you work on each of those three skills when you practice?
Divide my time between them but not in each practice. Sometimes, due to being busy with work or family, I only get 15 mins practice. This is what I do.
I warm up for 5, then focus for 10 minutes on specific things such as Travis picking, scales, modes or chord shapes. I almost always finish with a song when I have a longer proper practice sesh.
Q5. If you could give someone considering learning guitar one tip or piece of advice that’s helped you the most, what would it be?
Find a good guitar teacher who puts you in the centre and helps you make the best of the limited time to “practice effectively”.
Alice R
- Age – 29
- Time Playing – 8 months
- Ability Level – Beginner
- Acoustic or Electric – Acoustic
Q1. What inspired you to learn to play the guitar?
I have always loved singing and wanted to take up an instrument so I could accompany myself nicely.
Q2. What are some of your long-term playing goals?
To be confident and good enough to play and sing at the same time in front of other people.
Alice, with her acoustic guitar
Q3. What three skills make a great guitar player?
1. Good rhythm
2. Good technique
3. A sense of musicality
Q4. How do you work on each of those three skills when you practice?
1. Rhythm – I always use a metronome to make sure I keep in time. You shouldn’t cut corners on this one I’ve been taught by my tutor!
2. Technique – Practice all the bits that I find hard until they come naturally. It doesn’t happen overnight, so I’m working on being less hard on myself.
3. Musicality – Listen to (and watch) different musicians to hear how they play and interpret the music.
Q5. If you could give someone considering learning guitar one tip or piece of advice that’s helped you the most, what would it be?
Definitely give it a go! You have nothing to lose, only so much to gain. I had no experience of playing the guitar but after learning only a few chords, I was able to play a few of my favourite songs.
Playing the guitar is also a great way to give yourself a bit of a break from the stresses of life; sitting down to practice allows you real space just to enjoy playing and forget about anything else that’s on your mind.
James S
- Age – 16
- Time Playing – 1 year approx
- Ability Level – Strong Beginner
- Acoustic or Electric – Both
Q1. What inspired you to learn to play the guitar?
The type of music I listen to such as rock, indie and jazz. I thought it would be cool to be able to play an instrument.
I think everyone should play an instrument as it’s good for you to grow and let out your creative side, isn’t it?
James’ exceedingly impressive gear
Q2. What are some of your long-term playing goals?
To be good enough to play in front of other people confidently and well, not badly LOL! Also, I want to get to the point where I can casually or even professionally play with friends.
I want to be able to freestyle and improvise well, too. Those guitarists can make up solos on the spot – it would be cool to do that.
Q3. What three skills make a great guitar player?
1. Be able to adapt, like matching different tempos.
2. Have the music theory know-how to be able to change keys and play different chord inversions and things like that.
3. Being open-minded and take in what other good players and your teacher (if you have one) say. You’re never gonna get better if you only live by your own rules. If you’ve been playing for a long time, you could get big-headed and ignore what others suggest.
Q4. How do you work on each of those three skills when you practice?
1. I use a metronome for timing.
2. I record myself practicing; the worse it sounds, the better it is for you to get better, if that makes sense?
3. I started to have lessons. I get feedback and good advice that way – I think all learner guitar players of all skills should have at least a few lessons as they’re admitting that they can improve.
Q5. If you could give someone considering learning guitar one tip or piece of advice that’s helped you the most, what would it be?
Nearly every adult I’ve met has said they wished they’d played an instrument when they were younger, so I’d say go for it if you’re on the fence. You can stop anytime if you don’t like it – but I doubt you will once you start!
Ian M
- Age – 60s!
- Time Playing – 9 years
- Ability Level – Intermediate to Advanced
- Acoustic or Electric – Both
Q1. What inspired you to learn to play the guitar?
I watched a re-run of “Neil Young in Concert at the BBC” from 1971. It was just Neil Young with an acoustic guitar and harmonica – he was awesome. It’s available to view on YouTube and it’s essential viewing.
Q2. What are some of your long-term playing goals?
Ians lovely Taylor, Faith & Epiphone Dot 335
To play confidently in public like an open mic night (I keep putting it off, though I know I shouldn’t as my tutor keeps telling me to go for it) and perhaps some slide guitar!
Q3. What three skills make a great guitar player?
1. Playing at the correct tempo, neither slowing down nor speeding up
2. Knowing all the notes on the keyboard
3. Knowing the CAGED system (and how to apply it)
Q4. How do you work on each of those three skills when you practice?
1. Use a metronome when practicing
2. Learn all the notes at the 3rd, 5th, 7th etc. fret (where the fret markers are), and the rest will fall into place using mnemonics and octave shapes
3. Try substituting a chord or two from a song you can play with CAGED barre chords
Q5. If you could give someone considering learning guitar one tip or piece of advice that’s helped you the most, what would it be?
Set aside just 20 minutes each day to practice. It sounds manageable, and those twenty minutes will soon turn into an hour + that flies by.
I AM Abundant, I AM Harmony, I AM Prosperity
Mark B
- Age – 56
- Time Playing – 1 year
- Ability Level – Beginner
- Acoustic or Electric – Acoustic
Q1. What inspired you to learn to play the guitar?
For years I’d watch in awe guitarists like Eric Clapton, Mark Knoffler, etc and I thought their ability to play was a gift they were born with.
I soon realised they weren’t born being able to play guitar- it was hard work, practice and theory based knowledge that gave them the tools to create such wonderful music.
Mark with his acoustic guitar
Q2. What are some of your long-term playing goals?
My personal goals are to be as good as I can be , and that’s to continually improve and eventually be able to put my own spin on my favourite songs.
Q3. What three skills make a great guitar player?
What makes a great guitarist is practice, practice, then practice some more. Couple that with patience, and listen to yourself constantly; Record, replay and if it sounds good to you, then it’ll sound good to everybody (as long as you have good high standards, of course).
Q4. How do you work on each of those three skills when you practice?
I practice daily, whether it’s a ten-minute run-through of scales or a song I’ve been working on with my guitar teacher – it’s all good practice.
You have to keep your practice up as it’s the only way to get better. I’ll record it, listen to it and, more often than not, find something that needs a tweak.
Q5. If you could give someone considering learning guitar one tip or piece of advice that’s helped you the most, what would it be?
If you’re considering learning how to play a guitar, I’d advise talking to a teacher. YouTube has become many people’s go-to place for information on the how-to aspect of things, but it can’t advise, correct a technique or provide a structured learning programme based on your own ability and/or aspirations.
Just go for it – my only regret is that I wish I’d started years ago…
Abi D
- Age – 14
- Time Playing – 1.5 years
- Ability Level – Beginner
- Acoustic or Electric – Electric
Q1. What inspired you to learn to play the guitar?
I’ve always wanted to be able to play a guitar, purely because it’s a valuable skill that can help with more than you’d think. It’s just something I’ve always wanted to do.
You can do so much with a guitar, which makes it a perfect choice of instrument, I think.
Q2. What are some of your long-term playing goals?
To be playing whole songs comfortably in front of friends and family. It seems like such a nice thing to do, and with every lesson, I’m getting closer and closer to that goal.
Abi’s lush Epiphone Les Paul
Q3. What three skills make a great guitar player?
I think 3 skills that make a great guitar player are patience, confidence and being willing to put in effort even when you feel like you’re annoyed at your progression.
Q4. How do you work on each of those three skills when you practice?
I try to have patience overall and a mindset that tells you to not just give up. The effort really depends on how far you get with the guitar; you get back what you put in.
The confidence is pretty much I’m trying new things and working on not being afraid of getting something wrong.
Q5. If you could give someone considering learning guitar one tip or piece of advice that’s helped you the most, what would it be?
If you’re thinking of starting guitar lessons, I can’t say much apart from just try it out. I was scared before my lesson for literally weeks in advance but as soon as I got there, it was fun,
I felt comfortable and I really enjoy learning to this day. The worst that can happen is that it might not be for you (but it will be if you have a passion for guitar), so just give it a go.
Clive J
- Age – late 20’s but there’s been some mistake and 64 years seem to have been imposed on me
- Time Playing – With any seriousness, about 7 years
- Ability Level – Strong Intermediate
- Acoustic or Electric – Both, mainly acoustic though
Q1. What inspired you to learn to play the guitar?
There’s a quick and easy answer to give you – Jimi Hendrix.
Q2. What are some of your long-term playing goals?
To continue improving and to have perhaps an album (maybe not for release)’s worth of songs to amaze friends with.
Clive’s home set-up with Taylor & Gretsch guitars
Q3. What three skills make a great guitar player?
1. Attention to detail.
2. When it comes to solo playing and improv, knowing when to be busy on the fretboard and when to shut up and leave gaps.
3. Listening hard and studying continuously.
Q4. How do you work on each of those three skills when you practice?
1. I film and record what’s needed, use software to slow tunes down, and then slowly (perhaps by 1 BPM at a time) increase the pace at which I practise the section.
2. Listen to loads of the guitar greats and play, then listen to what I’ve created. Start simple, then add in only if it’s truly wise, not for showing off top-speed shredding.
3. Practise EVERY day; set challenges just within reach; bear in mind that frustration is just a step towards improvement.
Q5. If you could give someone considering learning guitar one tip or piece of advice that’s helped you the most, what would it be?
Not very exciting, but “USE A BLOODY METRONOME!” Oh, and “Your fingers will harden up soon.”
