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What No One Tells Beginners:
How to Play Guitar?
Greetings, everyone! Rodrigo here again.
If you’ve been following my blog, you probably know me for my advanced guitar content and my guitar method Music with No Shortcuts. But today’s topic is a bit different from what I usually write about. Lately, I’ve received many requests to cover beginner-friendly material. So instead of focusing on how to refine your skills as a proficient guitarist, this article is dedicated to absolute beginners—whether you’re picking up a guitar for the first time or you’ve tried before but struggled. Even if you’re a more experienced player, I still encourage you to read through, as we’ll discuss common technique mistakes that can slow your progress or prevent you from reaching the level of proficiency you’re aiming for.
In today’s article, I’ll answer one of the most common questions aspiring guitarists ask: “How long does it take to learn guitar?” I’ll also highlight some of the biggest mistakes beginners make—mistakes that lead to frustration and prevent them from developing efficient technique.
To my returning readers, thank you for your continued support! Because of you, some of my articles—such as Drop-2 Chords, Drop-3 Chords, and Compound Intervals—have ranked on Google’s first page. Plus, my article on Greek Modes recently became the top search result for “Greek Modes Guitar.” This growing recognition has brought more visitors to my website, and that keeps me motivated to create even more content for you.
Thanks for everything!
Rodrigo Moreira
What No One Tells Beginners:
Cheap Guitars: The Hidden Cost of Poor Wood & High Action
Luckily, this hasn’t been an issue for me in a while. Most students who seek my lessons today are more committed than the average (perhaps thanks to this blog). But back when I was teaching at music schools in NY and NJ, I frequently came across two types of students:
The hesitant parent – Parents who don’t want to invest in a quality instrument because they’re unsure if their child will actually enjoy and stick with lessons.
The doubtful adult – Adults who aren’t sure if they have the "talent" to learn guitar and want to spend the least amount of time and money to determine if they can or can’t play.
Both perspectives are understandable. Nobody wants to throw money away. But in reality, this approach ends up being more costly—both in terms of time and money—than simply investing in a decent instrument from the start. Let me explain why.
The Real Cost of a Cheap Guitar
Have you ever checked the price of guitar strings? A good set of six strings costs anywhere from $7 to $15. Now, think about this: If a single set of strings costs that much, how does it make sense for an entire guitar—body, neck, frets, tuning keys, bridge, pickups, electronics, and everything else—to cost only $100?
The answer is simple: To make a guitar that cheap, manufacturers use the lowest-quality materials available. And of all the subpar components, the worst offender is the wood.
Why Cheap Wood Ruins Your Playing Experience
Guitar strings exert significant tension on the neck, and a well-built guitar is designed to counterbalance that force. However, cheap wood often fails to hold up, leading to serious issues:
Neck Warping: Inferior wood bends over time, making the neck curve forward.
Sensitivity to Temperature: Cheap wood reacts poorly to humidity and temperature changes, worsening the bending issue.
High Action: As the neck bends, the distance between the strings and the fretboard (known as "action") increases, making the guitar significantly harder to play.
Even if sound quality isn’t your top priority when choosing a beginner guitar, comfort should be. If playing feels like a struggle from the start, frustration sets in fast—especially for beginners.
The Resale Myth: Why Cheap Guitars Are a Bad Investment
Some people justify buying a cheap guitar by thinking, If it doesn’t work out, I can always sell it. Here’s the problem: Nobody wants to buy a bad guitar.
A phrase I’ve heard countless times from students:
“I bought this guitar 10 years ago…”
“My parents had this guitar at home, so I decided to learn.”
Recognize the pattern? People hold onto good instruments, and when they’re ready to sell, someone else is happy to buy. But if you purchase a cheap guitar, no one will want it when they can get a brand-new one for just a little more.
How a Cheap Guitar Can Kill Motivation
For parents, buying a low-quality guitar means spending more on lessons only to discover that your child is frustrated—not because they lack talent, but because the instrument is working against them.
For adults, it’s easy to blame lack of talent, time, or money when progress is slow. But in reality, 100% of the time, the issue is commitment. If you’re taking guitar lessons, give yourself at least a year before making any judgments about your abilities (or your teacher’s). And that commitment includes:
Practicing a little every day
Investing in a playable instrument
Finding a good teacher
Talent? Forget About It.
Let me save you some time: Talent doesn’t matter. If you’re reading this, chances are you’re not aiming to be the next Eddie Van Halen, Steve Vai, or Allan Holdsworth. You just want to play well, and guess what? Anybody can do that.
Every single person can learn to:
✔ Play chords
✔ Play riffs and solos
✔ Develop good rhythm
✔ Learn songs by ear
✔ Read music
Two Simple Tips for Buying a Guitar:
Get a decent instrument. Aim for something in the $300–$600 range for both acoustic and electric guitars.
Take it to a repair shop or luthier. Ask them to adjust the guitar and lower the action—don’t assume a new guitar is perfectly set up. Most mass-produced guitars need adjustments.
Bottom line: If you're serious about learning, set yourself up for success from day one. A well-built, properly adjusted guitar isn’t just an expense—it’s an investment in your progress, confidence, and enjoyment.
Neglecting Tuning
This is a common issue among guitar students. Many underestimate the importance of tuning their instrument regularly. Like all stringed instruments, guitars go out of tune easily. There's a well-known saying among guitarists: "We spend half our time playing and the other half tuning." While humorous, this reflects a real challenge that even professionals face. That’s why experienced players always have a tuner in their pedalboard, allowing them to tune quickly between songs. Some of the most popular options include the BOSS TU-3 Chromatic Tuner Pedal and the TC Electronic PolyTune 3 Mini.
Many students struggle with their playing, not realizing that poor tuning is the culprit. Some can’t even discern whether their instrument is in tune, which hinders the development of ear training skills over time. Additionally, lower-quality guitars often suffer from poor tension compensation, making thicker strings—especially the low E and A—consistently out of tune.
Here’s what you should do:
Tune your guitar every day—before every practice session, even if you're just playing for fun.
Use a tuner—you don’t need a high-end pedal. Clip-on tuners cost between $20–$40, and there are free tuner apps available for smartphones. Just search for "guitar tuner"—most work well.
By making tuning a habit, you'll develop better pitch awareness and ensure your playing always sounds its best.
Sitting Position
This is one of the most overlooked topics by both guitar students and teachers. The truth is, the more tension you carry in your body, the harder it becomes to play your instrument efficiently. If you're a beginner, excess tension will slow down your progress. If you're an experienced player struggling to play faster, the issue isn’t your technique—it’s that you’re trying too hard. You should feel just as relaxed when playing fast as you do when playing slow.
It might not seem obvious at first, but the body functions as a whole. Any tension in your feet, lower back, upper back, neck, shoulders, elbows, or wrists forces your fingers to work harder to compensate. This unnecessary strain can significantly limit your playing ability.
This is a deep topic that deserves its own dedicated article, but here’s an important tip: The most ergonomic sitting position for playing guitar is one where your hip joints are higher than your knee joints. This position allows your feet to rest naturally on the floor, helping you balance the weight of your head and shoulders over your sit bones, while keeping your pelvis slightly tilted forward. This prevents the common mistake of collapsing your body over the guitar, which leads to tension and inefficiency.
Whenever I explain this to students, they often mention famous guitarists who don’t follow these guidelines. And they’re right—many legendary players have unconventional postures. However, I can guarantee two things:
Those players likely took longer to develop their technique than they would have under proper guidance.
They wouldn’t be able to shred as effortlessly as players like Eddie Van Halen, Steve Vai, or Allan Holdsworth, who mastered relaxed and efficient playing.
If you want to improve your technique and play with less effort, start by paying attention to your posture. It will make a bigger difference than you might think.
Poor Technique (Guitar Position, Neck Angle, Finger Curvature, Elbow Rotation, Mid-Range)
Guitar Position in Relation to the Body
Most players naturally find the correct guitar position while standing because their body instinctively balances the guitar’s weight. The heaviest part—the body of the guitar—rests against the torso, whether it's an acoustic or electric guitar.
However, when sitting, many players ignore this natural balance and instead rest the guitar on one thigh. This forces the body to curl forward, leading to poor posture. Even if you cross your legs to raise the guitar slightly, curling over the instrument causes your shoulders to collapse, creating tension in your lower back, neck, and shoulders. This tension will ultimately transfer to your fingers, making playing more difficult.
To maintain proper posture, position the guitar's body directly in front of your torso, just as you would when standing. If this feels unnatural or difficult, use a strap, a cushion, or a guitar support to help keep the guitar in place.
Guitar Neck Angle
The guitar neck should be angled slightly upward, allowing you to reach both the first and last frets without having to push your elbow forward. The movement should come from your lower arm, moving up, down, and sideways, rather than from the elbow extending forward.
Finger Curvature
Your fingers should maintain their natural curvature. If you relax your arms at your sides, you’ll notice that your fingers are neither completely flat nor fully curled. They have a natural resting shape, which should be preserved while playing.
If you’re seated correctly, with the guitar's body aligned to your torso, move your hand to the guitar’s neck. You should be able to access the entire fretboard—from the first fret to the last—without moving your elbow forward, only by lifting your lower arm and shifting it sideways.
To achieve this, adjust the guitar’s neck angle. If the neck is too high, you’ll feel tension in your shoulder. If it’s too low, you’ll instinctively bend your wrist forward, which should be avoided. Keeping your wrist flat ensures your fingers retain their natural curvature.
Maintaining this curvature not only improves your technique but also helps prevent unwanted string muting—a common issue for beginners.
Additionally, there should always be a small gap between your palm and the guitar’s neck. If your guitar is positioned correctly, this gap will occur naturally.
Elbow Rotation
Many guitarists mistakenly believe their hand should remain static while playing, with movement limited to the fingers. This misconception leads to unnecessary tension and excessive stretching.
Instead, efficient technique involves slight elbow rotation. Observe the position of your knuckles as you move from one finger to another. The least efficient way is to keep your knuckles static, forcing your fingers to stretch. The best approach is to allow a natural shift in knuckle angle as you transition from index to middle, then to ring, then to pinky.
The key to an effortless and efficient technique is distributing movement throughout the entire body, rather than overloading any single area.
While blisters on the fingertips are normal at first, you should never feel pain in your back, neck, elbow, shoulder, or especially your wrist.
Mid-Range Movement
When students first hear about proper posture, they often assume they must remain rigid while playing. This is a misunderstanding. Playing music is dynamic, and your body will naturally move with the rhythm—that's completely fine.
Think of your "perfect posture" as a central position, or "position zero." It's okay to move in different directions, as long as you return to this balanced position. The real danger is when improper posture becomes habitual—when your body adapts to tension and starts treating it as its default state. This can lead to injuries and will undoubtedly slow your progress.
"Mid-range" refers to the small, natural movements made while playing, within a comfortable zone. For example, if you slowly curl or extend your fingers, you’ll notice a point where tension begins. The range before that tension is your "safe zone," which should not be exceeded.
By understanding and applying these principles, you’ll develop a more relaxed, efficient technique that minimizes strain and maximizes control.
How to Play Guitar?
Instructions: (YouTube, Online Courses, Private Instructor)
YouTube
Let’s be direct—many methods work. You probably know someone who learned to play guitar just by watching YouTube videos. That’s not about talent; some people naturally develop better posture simply by being mindful of their body, which makes the learning process smoother. Trust me, this is more important than you think. When your body functions well, it’s easier to understand and replicate movements—whether in music or sports.
But before we go further, let’s clarify what “playing guitar” really means. Most people who learn from YouTube pick up basic chords, strumming patterns, and songs using tablature. And for many, that’s enough. Some just want to strum along while singing at a party, and that’s completely fine. However, this approach often lacks key elements: ear training, proper rhythm development, and sight-reading skills. Without feedback from a professional, mistakes can go unnoticed.
YouTube is great for learning songs, but it’s rare to find a structured, step-by-step playlist that takes you from a complete beginner to an advanced player.
Online Courses
Online courses address one major issue with YouTube—they follow a structured program to ensure you cover all the necessary steps. Platforms like Guitar Tricks offer extensive lesson plans and song libraries, which is why they tend to have a higher success rate compared to YouTube.
That said, online courses come with their own challenges. Many students struggle with discipline, as learning guitar requires consistent practice—at least five days a week. Additionally, online courses lack personalized 1-on-1 support. With thousands of students, direct interaction with an instructor isn’t feasible. But despite these drawbacks, online courses can still be highly effective for self-motivated learners.
Private Lessons
It’s no secret—a private instructor is the best way to learn guitar. We all want to save money by choosing cheaper alternatives, and that’s understandable. But as I mentioned earlier, self-teaching often leads to wasted time and effort, with many learners incorrectly blaming their struggles on a “lack of talent.”
Online courses can be great, but the key difference between an online course and private lessons is this: every student will hit roadblocks. It happens to everyone. A private instructor’s job is to break down those struggles into manageable steps, guiding you through them until you can move forward. That level of personalized instruction is something only an experienced teacher can provide. In the next section ("First Chords"), I’ll show an example of how this process works.
Choosing the Right Instructor
One last point—being a great musician doesn’t necessarily mean being a great teacher. Teaching requires experience, patience, and a deep understanding of common mistakes beginners make. Good instructors don’t just follow a method—they experiment, test, and adapt their approach to fit each student’s needs.
Over the years, experienced teachers recognize recurring mistakes and build a toolbox of solutions. When choosing an instructor, look for someone with a strong teaching background. Trust reputable music schools, or if you find a private teacher (like me), take time to read their website, ask about their experience, student success stories, and teaching methods.
First Chords: From Easy to Complex Sequences
Learning your first chords on the guitar can be an exciting yet challenging journey. One of the biggest struggles beginners face in their first months is the time it takes before they can actually play songs. This often leads to frustration and, unfortunately, discourages many from continuing. On the other hand, inexperienced instructors sometimes rush students through chord learning, introducing difficult shapes—like barre chords—before they’re ready. This approach creates unnecessary frustration and leaves gaps in a student's development.
If you’re reading this, chances are it’s your first time visiting my website. I also wrote an article on Triads, explaining how chords are built. Here’s a key takeaway: most chords only require three different notes played together. That means you don’t have to strum all six strings at once to play a proper chord.
Over the years, I’ve developed a method that simplifies chord learning for beginners, allowing them to play songs much sooner. The secret? You can play any chord using just one, two, three, or finally, all four fingers. Below, you’ll find images demonstrating various finger combinations to play a C major chord.
Smart Chord Sequences
There’s a smarter way to learn chord progressions—one that makes transitioning between chords feel natural instead of overwhelming. Many chords share similar finger placements, and recognizing these patterns can speed up the learning process.
Take this essential progression: A minor → C major → F major → G major.
Moving from A minor to C major requires only one small adjustment—shifting your ring finger while keeping the other two fingers in place.
Moving from C major to F major is just as simple: slide your middle finger one string lower and add your pinky under your ring finger. This shape, known as the movable F major shape, is a game-changer—it can be shifted anywhere on the neck to play different major chords.
Transitioning from F major to G major is even easier. Keep your fingers in position and simply shift your hand two frets toward the guitar’s body.
By following this sequence, students:
✅ Memorize chord shapes faster
✅ Improve tempo and chord transitions
✅ Stay motivated by playing actual music sooner
This method is the result of 15 years of teaching experience, refining the most effective techniques to help students progress smoothly.
Want to learn more? You can book a trial lesson (online or in-person in NJ) by clicking here. Or, sign up for my email list to stay updated on my upcoming beginner online course, which will have a limited number of spots to ensure individual support.
To sign up, just send an email to info@guitartheorylessons.com with the subject "Beginner Online Course". No need to write anything else.
How Long Does It Take to Learn Guitar? (Morgan, Nicole, Ronald, & The Average Student)
When people ask, “How long does it take to learn guitar?” the answer depends on several factors:
✔ The quality of your instrument
✔ Your body awareness and technique
✔ The quality of instruction you receive
✔ Your personal goals (What does “playing guitar” mean to you?)
✔ The effort and consistency you’re willing to put in
To give you a clearer picture, I’ll share the journeys of three students—Morgan, Nicole, and Ronald—each with different learning styles, challenges, and progress timelines. These examples will help you understand the real learning process and what to expect.
Morgan – 11 years old (Online Lessons Only)
Morgan is a perfect example of a model student. Her mom reached out to me when she was 11, looking for a structured hobby since she was already excelling in school. She studied with me for three to four years, and her approach to learning was what made her progress so effectively.
What made Morgan different?
✅ She didn’t set unrealistic goals—she treated guitar like a school subject, taking it one lesson at a time.
✅ She practiced consistently, starting with 15 minutes a day, eventually increasing to 45–60 minutes about five days a week.
✅ She didn’t rush or jump ahead—she trusted the process.
One surprising aspect of Morgan’s learning style was that she rarely asked questions—only when absolutely necessary. This might seem like a downside, but many students struggle because they become impatient, constantly comparing themselves to others, or trying to learn things beyond their skill level through YouTube videos. This leads to frustration and slows their progress. Trust your instructor—they see things you don’t.
Morgan’s Progress
📌 5–6 months: Learned all basic and barre chords, read music, recognized strumming patterns by ear, and learned songs independently from books or YouTube.
📌 3–4 years: Played advanced songs like Bohemian Rhapsody—all through our online lessons.
Morgan was not an average student—she was exceptional.
Nicole – 12 years old (Online Lessons Only)
Nicole is one of my favorite students, but she is Morgan’s complete opposite. She’s now been taking lessons for 3–4 years, but from the very beginning, she:
🔹 Hated practicing
🔹 Spent most of the lesson talking about school
🔹 Complained about nearly every song/exercise I assigned her
Nicole has a natural artist’s spirit—she’s hilarious and full of personality. I wouldn’t be surprised if she ends up in comedy. I believe the reason she never quit is because we built a healthy student-teacher relationship.
At first, Nicole took 30-minute lessons once a week, but since she never practiced, she wasn’t improving. After talking with her mom, we extended her lessons to an hour, spending half the time learning and the other half repeating exercises over and over.
Nicole’s Progress
📌 4 years later: She reached the same level that Morgan did in 6 months.
📌 She can’t play fast solos, but she can play chords, strumming patterns, riffs, and most importantly, learn songs on her own.
Nicole isn’t an average student either—most students can progress faster than this. But she’s proof that even if you don’t practice much, you can still make progress over time.
Ronald – 65 years old (In-Person Lessons)
Ronald recently retired and decided to start learning guitar—something many older students hesitate to do. Many adult students spend a quarter of their lesson time saying things like:
🔹 “I should’ve started earlier.”
🔹 “I learn slower now.”
🔹 “Younger people pick things up faster.”
Here’s the truth: I hear the same thing from my 30-year-old students. But ask yourself—are you trying to become the next Mozart? Probably not. Everyone can learn an instrument. Ronald told me he wanted to play John Prine songs, and after our first session, I introduced him to Morgan’s mindset—trusting the process and practicing consistently. He took it seriously.
Ronald’s Progress (In Just 7 Lessons!)
📌 Showed up one day—without saying a word—and played Clay Pigeons by John Prine while singing.
📌 Practices several hours a day, fully enjoying his retirement.
📌 Learned all basic open chords (C, D, Dm, E, Em, G, A, Am).
📌 Knows how to use a capo to adapt any song to the chords he knows.
📌 Can recognize strumming patterns by ear but still struggles a bit with keeping tempo.
He hasn’t learned barre chords yet, but that’s our next step. Once he does, he won’t need the capo anymore.
Ronald is proof that age is not a barrier—progress is all about effort.
The Average Student
So, what’s “normal” when learning guitar? Based on my experience and discussions with other instructors:
🎸 1.5 to 2 years – The average student learns chords, strumming patterns, how to read music. play several songs and guitar riffs.
🎸 4 years – Can start working on more complex solos.
🎸 6+ years – Begins improvising and arranging songs.
But here’s the reality—this timeline doesn’t mean absolutely anything. You could learn faster, or it might take longer. What matters is consistency.
👉 Respect your own learning process. Everyone’s journey is different, but everyone can learn guitar.
For those of you who made it to the end, I wish you the best of luck on your musical journey! Feel free to reach out with any topics you'd like to see covered in future blog posts or any other inquiries.
All the best,
Rodrigo Moreira
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