How Long Does It Take to GET GOOD at GUITAR?

[@KoreyHicksGuitar]

What is your experience learning guitar? Have you had difficulty sticking to a practice plan? If you have had success in your development, let us know how much time you spent! NOTE: I usually am off-the-cuff in my talks, but I figured this topic needed some careful wording, so I typed out the script. It's the content and clarity I was after, so I was willing to read it on camera. Hopefully my darting eyes aren't too distracting!

[@dennisrohm6372]

@KoreyHicksGuitar I've been collecting gear for a long time. Took a lesson here and there, but none of the teachers really helped. I've had no schooling at all other than the above. One youtube instructor finally made some sense to me. Then is when I started my learning scales. I'm about 5 years in. I can play improvisational lead fairly well using the whole fretboard with a light touch. Chord work is something I need to work on (most of my progressions are done in logic). I have a very nice basement recording studio with a decent guitar collection. A full drum set several synthesizers. 2012 mac pro running logic. Very good monitoring system, with everything miced and ready to record. My focus is not learning other people's songs. It's for my own original music. At my age, I probably don't have ten years to learn to play covers. So what I dont know I have to find reference material for, be it youtube tutorials, books, ect. I'm in the studio 15 to 25 hrs a week. Most of that is practicing with backing tracks.

[@gtr1963]

61 yrs old here.. ive been playing metal 41 yrs.. i started playing at age 20.. played hours on end daily for years and years to hone my skills.. now 41 yrs later.. i just pick it up a few times a week, but the speed, technique still there.. for me to get to this level, i spent endless weekends as a young man practicing every weekend as my friends were out partying.. it paid off.. while i never set out to play professionally, i did get a scolarship to college plaing guitar..been a guest soloist on several CD's and appeared on a compilation CD w members of Motley Crue, Cinderella by a label. Its a fun journey learning and still 41 yrs into it, i NEVER stop learning new things... its the journey i enjoy

[@JP-lr8rr]

I always land between 2h and 4h per day and not always is it well spent. There is just so much you can learn and master. I don't currently satisfy my own ambitions relating to practice. But I did notice that when I am goal-oriented I make much greater gains, even short-term.

[@adamschannel8685]

I’ve picked guitar up really easily. Which is good, because I am utterly useless at every other single thing I’ve ever attempted my whole entire life.

[@mikebauer6917]

Not worried about how long it takes. Enjoying the journey and tiny bit better everyday.

[@zentime8047]

I’m 54, been playing forever. Some people think I’m really, really good. I think I have a lot to learn. I think it goes that way forever

[@philipallen4230]

I'm 52, apart from our age, everything else you said is the same as me 😎

[@Rob-qr2kn]

i'm 54 and just starting. 😔

[@docsspot1953]

I’m 71 and have retired. But I’ve been playing guitar since 13. Now I’m spending 5 hour a day. Mostly learning theory. I want to learn the LANGUAGE. I’m pretty ok. And I’m not expecting much But more the way I feel.

[@masterbuilder3166]

Kory im 61 years old and over the past 3 years I’ve progressed exponentially. I gone from mediocre to doing really good and I credit most of it to KZbin videos and deep diving theory. Ive had to put a ton of hours in however. I appreciate what your dropping here brother. Thank a million 💪👍

[@KoreyHicksGuitar]

@@masterbuilder3166 you bet! I don’t know why more people don’t say it like it is here on KZbin 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@arifq123]

Nice comment. I'm 62 and I feel like I'm in the same place.

[@rodsimmons9337]

66 years old 😢 I love blues and want to start electric guitar... any advice on where to begin ?

[@MikeG691]

same place here. I'm 58 about 5 years in and getting better. Sometimes wish I had others to jam with. Not sure if I'm actually good or not

[@KoreyHicksGuitar]

@ you definitely need to find people to play with! That’s most fun part go look for musicians on forums on Facebook or craigslist even just a bass player.

[@hardlines2635]

Been playing 30 years, started off finger picking, went onto play in blues bands, now into jazz/blues, and I’ve met teenagers that are better than me.

[@KoreyHicksGuitar]

That probably means too much focus on songs and not enough time learning applied fretboard theory - it’s a common problem

[@jroc2201]

@@KoreyHicksGuitaragreed!! I wish someone could/ would try to communicate this concept to people that are trying to learn how to “” play guitar”” I’m 59 , been playing since 11 or 12 , been working hard at it for years, but only in the last few years have I been able to wrap my mind around what I’m actually trying to learn, took me almost 50 yrs to grasp what you just described

[@KoreyHicksGuitar]

@ better late than never!

[@SaymonHissa]

@@KoreyHicksGuitarwhat should i focus on as a guitar player that has been playing for a yeae

[@KoreyHicksGuitar]

@ I discuss it here: Structured Guitar Practice Regimen for SUSTAINED MUSICAL GROWTH! kzbin.info/www/bejne/gGauiamparZ2ac0

[@wagonet]

guitar is hard, this guy is 100% right. it takes time, pracitce, focus. i love the journey.

[@paulafranceschi]

I'm 77, started at 12, went electric at 18. Played every day, starting to get pretty good! Had both shoulders reverse-replaced in 2022. Scary! Feared I'd never play again, but I'm actually more solid with these high-tech joints!

[@Ottophil]

I just play every day and don’t worry about good. But usually after my gigs people say “you’re one of the best guitarists in town” so that feels nice. Not sure I agree, but ill take the compliment

[@superreality3823]

😊

[@chriskitchen4772]

Great philosophy.🤔

[@hardlines2635]

I also live in a small town 😂

[@bradbuckinghamhandsomeprin6027]

@@Ottophil one of the best musicians I know told me that people like your music because you made a connection with them and he said to never forget that.

[@Ottophil]

@@bradbuckinghamhandsomeprin6027 well i cheat. Its a cover band. So they are connecting with 3 hours of other peoples music

[@bradbuckinghamhandsomeprin6027]

I started taking lessons about 7 years ago and I practice as much as my schedule allows. After 3-4 years I got way better than I ever thought possible. Now I'm still taking lessons and improving quite a bit at more difficult music the things that have helped me the most in my opinion are: 1 taking lessons 2 buying a guitar that is super comfortable to play for hours (it's tone isn't perfect for the music I play but because I can play it better, easier and for longer periods of time it's the best choice for me right now) 3 getting a drum machine to play along with and concentrate on being in time 4 learning how to record myself properly to critique myself well 5 getting a looper that works with my drum machine so I can play along with myself and record and critique myself with visual and audible cues.

[@KoreyHicksGuitar]

Sounds like you have a great work ethic and are doing the right things!

[@gr637]

I’m enjoying my learning journey, every day. I have developed a comprehensive learning plan that I follow meticulously but I never think about when I get ‘good’; every day I get better.

[@jaxvonmay8488]

62 yo here. Began 1 year ago: a dozen lessons, then 2-3 hours a day practice (thanks YT, chordify). I suck of course, but having fun. Campfire songs but also easy jams in E or A rock/blues. What gives me a kick is the clear feeling of progression rather than the performance as such.

[@guitarpracticesessions9497]

100% agree. I’m 52, started 4 years ago and love the fact that I can play at all. Good on ya!

[@bradybuchanan1423]

Been playing for about 3 years, completely self taught. I’m at the point where I can finally feel comfortable telling people I’m a “guitarist”

[@KoreyHicksGuitar]

@@bradybuchanan1423 awesome! Have you started playing with other musicians in a band setting yet?

[@SteveJones379]

Since playing guitar is therepy to me, I'm in no hurry. Thanks for the info! ☮

[@gypsynerfherder]

Right there with ya. But my dream is to play with others and create my own. I want to spread the love of music with everyone.

[@musichomework2]

I agree. I also want to elaborate on 1:45. Korey may have been alluding to something scientists call the "Critical Period Hypothesis", where some scientists think here's an ideal age for a child when their brain are neuroplastic/flexible enough to learn new things quickly. After this critical period, the brain may not learn new languages with as much ease. I want to point out this: Scientist still debate this Hypothesis. Note the word HYOPOTHESIS, meaning it's not a THEORY, and it most certainly is not a LAW...Hypothesis is a guess that scientists have not yet empirically verified. However, most scientists agree there is a critical period for the FIRST language you learn, but there is no critical period for your SECOND language. Learning your first language causes the brain to develop reasoning and logic part of the brain. ONce you have that, learning any other language is simple. So as long as you didn't grow up in a forest devoid of human contact, then you wil lhave already learnt your First language, and picking up any other language after that is simple (provided you have the same amount of free time as a child and don't have to worry about paying the bills). This is important because music is just another language. There are many studies that show people who know more than 1 spoken language (eg. English, Chinese, Russian) can learn music much more easily, especially if the spoken languages have different tonal nuances. Multi-lingual people have learnt to recognize tones really well, and can use that to expedite learning music. For people who are good at math, science, physics, etc... you will also have an easy time learning music once you understand music theory. Music is "mathematical expression of air pressure fluctuations" that you detect with your ears. Human biology is designed to find mathematical resonance pleasant and mathematical dissonance unpleasant. If you fallback on your math background, you will be able to predict harmonic patterns and create some very expressive music! And for people who are good at physically demanding sports like MMA, karate, basketball etc.. you will find hand eye coordination and physical dexterity over your instrument very easy. You will have great body awareness and patience to know how to maximize the return on physical drills (ie. you know when you need to rest, you know when you're starting to hit a wall etc...). Learning music is easy if you have a teacher that understands your strengths and weaknesses and can "understand your learning style".

[@KoreyHicksGuitar]

Excellent, thanks for this!

[@musichomework2]

@@rustyhighlander786 Everyone is different. It can certainly be he case that for you, learning while younger is easier. For me and the people I know (again just my experience which will be differnet from yours), i'm learning new things faster as I get older. I'm almost 50 years old.

[@musichomework2]

@@rustyhighlander786 I also actually did some experiments with my nephew and niece. Who are both between ages 5 and 10. All three of us started learning music at around the same time 3 years ago. My nephew and niece put in more time learning the piano than me, but I am still able to out perform them in terms of playing and composing. The reason is because I'm old enough to know how to expedite my own education by drawing on experiences from math and sports. I found language acquisition to be the same. Because I already have English as my first language, i was abel to learna second language faster than most children trying to learn their first language. Children take almsot a decade to be proficient with their first language, but for me, I gained a second language in about 2 years, it was proficient enough to work in an office setting.

[@martyjohnstone8226]

I started playing sporadically at around 13, then playing regularly at 16. After playing regularly I progressed exponentially to the point where I was writing my own music and playing in bands with people older than me. Stopped playing regularly around 22, and by 25 I had lost the muscle memory entirely. I'm now 37, and have been struck by the urge to play again. For the last 2 months I have been playing for 1 hour a day, maybe more sometimes, and I have managed to get back some of the technique and skill I had way back The key is to not overload yourself, and to actually enjoy it. If there is no enjoyment there is simply no point in doing it

[@TheFreeman4955]

My brother was a natural drummer at the age of 8. He later picked up the guitar at 10 years old and nailed that pretty fast. I believe playing the drums really helped in playing guitar. It has a lot to do with staying in time and strumming/picking with coordination.

[@KoreyHicksGuitar]

Yes, that is a good point, those cross-trained skills would definitely be a huge advantage.

[@AndriiKachur]

Thanks for sharing your take! Knowing the timeline is really important for the long-term work!

[@KoreyHicksGuitar]

So true!

[@richardsherwin3259]

I’ve just turned 50 and have just started to learn guitar. I have played 4 string jazz banjo for a fair few years and blues harmonica but had a break for 5+ years. I’ve been playing for 3 months first using KZbin and beginner books then subscribed to Pickup music for the next two months. I’m making reasonable progress now close to completely intermediate pathway. I think it’s now time for a local instructor now too. Anyway just wanted to say I really enjoyed your video and the compassion with learning a foreign language etc was very useful. Thanks Richard

[@Kacee2]

I'm 72 and started playing when I was 21. I was terrible for years then I got in a band in the 80s. That helped a lot I've gotten better and play almost every day. However I watch KZbin 9 year old girls that blow me away. I play because I love it

[@The9thChord]

I've been stuck playing the same few things for many years. I keep spending hours on music theory, scales, and just trying to improve... but have no clue how. I've taken lessons, but feel I need to go to a conservatory at this point. This video was very eye opening. Thanks!

[@KoreyHicksGuitar]

Just make sure to apply all that stuff to real songs that you are playing! Some people isolate the theory from real music making, and that would be a mistake. Everything you already know how to play, give a name to it from what you know theoretically, and make sure that you can combine the mind, the ear, and the hand and focus on which one of those legs of the stool is too short and you will get to where you want to be. ✌🏻

[@dennisrohm6372]

I started in my late 60s. Chords were very hard, so I concentrated on scales. My playing improved very quickly. Now my chords work is still weak, but the lead is coming along nicely! I practice 15 to 20 hrs a week.

[@KoreyHicksGuitar]

It sounds like you're well on your way!

[@gt7150]

Contrary to what many might think... very low action and very light strings make chord work much easier. Helps out more than it does with single note lines.

[@flatroc1]

I dropped outta the playing in bands as a teen in the 70's after realizing we were only making beer money covering CCR songs etc. Many years later got back into it as a treatment for arthritic hands, plus I could finally afford good equipment. Was hitting many different open mic venues here and there for good fun. But since retiring after covid I find groups much more clicky. I bought a Digitech Trio Plus pedal to get into looping but the device figures out your tune, adds drums and base guitar and yer a band ! Before I knew it this pedal had turned me into a hermit, alone in my own basement. I now no longer have the contacts or confidence to play public. My message is, ya gotta stick to it. Thanks for your vid.

[@WilliamHarper-nn5rz]

Incredible story to me because I've had almost the mirror image of your experience. Nice to know I'm not the only one.

[@randykalish7558]

Please go to the open mics and bring your setlist and the trio programmed to back you so that one push of a button and strike up the band!

[@chriskitchen4772]

Wow, that was probably one of the best (if not the best) video's I've seen on getting good on guitar. Thank-you for your work.😃

[@KoreyHicksGuitar]

Thank you!!!

[@asarcadyn2414]

As a total amateur, it's become clear that no one wants to hear me bashing out technically brilliant solos. The main requirement is to play in tune, time and be in the pocket. If I can sing the song too, no matter how good or bad a vocalist I am, my other amateur musical friends are really happy to play music with me.

[@KoreyHicksGuitar]

Absolutely! And that’s a really good place to be and be realistic about your goals and manage expectations. No one has to be technically brilliant but they’re sure are a lot of players out there that wonder why they are not getting really good and I hope this sheds some light on that!

[@brendajeannewyche]

I’m so glad I came across your video on “How Long . . . “ I understood going in, that learning how to play well, would take a lot of practice hours & mentally & spiritually, I was up for it AT FIRST ~ Until reality kicked in & I was hit with the fact that, as an older person ~ I’m in my senior years ~ I would first have to build up the strength & stamina to have the ABILITY to practice for long periods of time every day. But with determination, practice, focus, depression (because I wasn’t getting it & my hands hurt & I was exhausted), 3 years later, I can finally play “Dust In The Wind” by Kansas, without hurting my hands. 🎉🎉🎉 NOW, I can finally start learning how to play guitar ~ theory, etc. I have memorized the E & A strings, so THAT’S a start. Thank you very much for explaining things. I was starting to wonder if I’m just “slow.”🤣🤣🤣❤️😁

[@KoreyHicksGuitar]

Amazing! It's inspiring to hear your dedication!!! that’s awesome that you’ve been sticking with it 😎

[@brendajeannewyche]

@@KoreyHicksGuitarThank you. YEAH! It’s my new life now. Married to the music.❤️🎸😬

[@viclucyzia]

I started around 7 years ago. I am 58 and have little time since I work, have family, dog, financial squeezes and no friends. I didn't have any parents who new any musical instrument so I am still at beginner level with 4 cheap guitars (and guitars are getting more and more expensive). For me good means you can write songs. However I never want to compose just play songs that I like and keep on discovering (there are billion of songs written more than a lifetime to listen to and learn). Therefore as long as I would be able to strum, play barre chords and some do some fingerpicking smoothly I see this as good and can entertain. People like to listen and enjoy songs they know not never heard songs. Theory is scary to me. I tried but have hard time understanding. I find mathematics easier (I was really good in math and even studied 3 years but dropped it as I didn't want to become an engineer. Math is easy but no fun to me. And music theory seems the same.

[@KoreyHicksGuitar]

Theory needs to be taken in small chunks - I wrote a textbook for 1st semester college music majors that goes over very basic music theory in just 2 weeks - reach out to me on Patreon and I'll send it to you.

[@bengreenbank]

Assuming you’re dedicated and practice efficiently then 1-2 years for intermediate, 3-5 years for advanced and 5+ years to become very advanced

[@djh6970]

That mind ear hand concept was profound. Liked and subscribed 👍

[@KoreyHicksGuitar]

@@djh6970 excellent - thank you!!!

[@MotownGuitarJoe]

43 year player and still intermediate. I think more than "time" alone is involved.

[@douglaspaterson5269]

Been (trying) to play since 1982 but still suck❗😥

[@clch31]

Excellent! Thank you

[@StanMNdirt]

I started in 1966 and am still banging around with it at 73. It’s a life long process and I’m an amateur who hasn’t played in a band since high school. I’ve got a 24 track porta studio and drum machine and still have fun with it. Even though I’ve never been in bands I get to jam with family. My son-in-law has a rock band that has had some success around Minneapolis and local festivals. Opened for touring acts, played First Avenue and that kind of thing. A friend also in his 70’s was a helluva lead player in his day and we jam as well. It can be just a fun hobby. 😊

[@KoreyHicksGuitar]

Absolutely - managing expectations is important. Some people just enjoy playing as a hobby and don't worry about how good they are - that's awesome! I'm always perplexed when students ask why they can't play (insert favorite song here) perfectly with minimal effort - I think it has to do with the 'talent' myth - and a lot of the Classic Rock era interviews with Guitar God's played into the mystique of the musicians having this innate awesomeness ('I wrote that song in a dream') or (I just picked it up one day and could play) that type of thing.

[@allengainzmma]

I go in and out of “oh I’m improving” “oh I’m doing terrible”. I have a really bad habit of reminding myself of more difficult songs or techniques than what I can do after learning something. Literally learned harmonics today and my first thought was “it’s about time” instead of being hyped that I finally got it. It’s helped me a bit but it’s definitely taken some of the fun away. I started playing a little over 2 years ago because I found a guitar in my parents shed and bet my girlfriend I’d be able to learn something within two weeks. I ended up learning fingerstyle “here comes the sun” and showed her it was possible but now it’s just very hard to impress myself or feel good about my improvements currently because right when I get something down I look at something else that seems impossible and it makes me feel like I’m back at step one. Making this comment for anyone else who may struggle with this and can share their story or what they’ve done to overcome this.

[@KoreyHicksGuitar]

@@allengainzmma my suggestion is to find simple songs or songs that are within your proficiency level and play them perfectly instead of trying to play something difficult all the time. There’s lots of fun things to play that are not virtuoso level if that makes sense. You’ll get more reward from playing something perfectly That’s within your level then getting frustrated playing more difficult things. The problem is the vast majority of Guitar repertoire is very difficult for the beginner.

[@allengainzmma]

@ You can say that again lol I’ve learned 99% of the songs I know from a channel called letsplayguitar and another called everythingguitar and you’re 100% correct. I usually bang my head against the wall until I get it but if I played something more simple I’d definitely get more done. When I hear something I like in a song I jump to “I have to learn that” even if it’s way out of my league so it would probably be smart to cut that out and take smaller steps. Thank you very much!

[@jimvandemoter6961]

I started guitar in 1961 when I was 9 years old. I'm now 72 and I still play. I studied music theory in college and taught over 30 years. In all that time I learned everyone's different. Some students do really well with books while others need to have it shown to them. Everyone learns at a different pace and in completely different ways. Knowing that, the question "how long does it take to get good at guitar" in meaningless.

[@MikeG691]

Good video man. Sequencing and layering info is how our brains learn.

[@barondavis5692]

Thanks for the real talk; not often heard on KZbin.

[@KoreyHicksGuitar]

I wonder why that is though? 🤔

[@thomasyaglowski3638]

Bought my first guitar 6 weeks ago. I am 63 years old. Never too old to learn!

[@KoreyHicksGuitar]

You are never too old, that's awesome!

[@KoreyHicksGuitar]

Thanks, getting an instructor is important - just watch out for the ones that start each lesson with "so what song you want to learn today?" big red flag.

[@thomasyaglowski3638]

@@KoreyHicksGuitar Yep, got one!

[@note4note858]

Thanks for all the great insight. I didn't really start improving at Guitar until I started a band and built out three to four hours of songs for gigs. I also chose to focus on one genre, the blues. I did this for the same reason you don't go to college and study science business and art all at the same time. I figured it's best to major in something.

[@diment0857]

"I'm finally good at guitar!" The guitar: "Hold my beer..." 😆

[@KoreyHicksGuitar]

😆

[@Jaeghound]

Im 31 and have been playing guitar on and off since 13. I initially took lessons as a kid, learned the basics and enough for the muscle memory to be pretty permanent. After a year or so never played consistently, sometimes not for years. This past year i bought myself a cheap electric, was unemployed at the time, and basically spent all day every day on and off practicing for a month or so straight. I am shocked with the improvement I've made with the hours i put in, and now i know exactly what i need to do to be really good- literally just put in the hours. Its gonna be harder if you have a ton of responsibilities, but it is the ONLY way. Also picking songs to learn and realizing music is not nearly as complex as you initially thought it was. Some of it is, but most of our fave bands and songs are not super difficult when you truly break it down and listen to it.

[@KoreyHicksGuitar]

YES! 💪

[@stevehurl298]

Nothing surprising here. This is all real, honest advice, very well presented, and Mr.Hicks' points all jibe with my 30+ years of guitar teaching experience. I would underline the advice of listening to a wide variety of music, b/c there are too many (good) budding players who pattern their skills after 1 or 2 heroes. Result: technical skill with no originality.

[@KoreyHicksGuitar]

Exactly! Good point

[@jonathanjohnson8656]

I had a double neck fusion about 5 weeks ago. Before that i couldn't play for over a year. Now i have to try once again to get back what I've lost and hopefully enjoy playing again. Like most players, ive been through ruts where i didn't play for extended periods of time but this time is really a lot like starting over. . I hope i can just get to work with fundamental issues and getting my hands to work together with good timing and habits that will help me play the guitar, rather than just playing songs.

[@KoreyHicksGuitar]

I hope you can get it back! I had a major surgery in 2017 that could have ended my playing career - I feel for you. It took me nearly 4 years to get back to 100%.

[@jonathanjohnson8656]

@KoreyHicksGuitar Thanks so much!! Glad you're still playing and making videos. I know there are no shortcuts and it takes time and effort. ( all the talent in the world is nothing without the hard work to develop it). I've long since given up on being a professional ( I live about 15 miles from muscle shoals, too many really good ones here lol). But I'll never give up playing my songs I've always played and trying to learn new-old songs lol. Keep up the great work and thanks for the inspiration.

[@decib3ls_dB]

Man I've been playing on an off since I was 6 and I'm so glad I spent those younger years developing basic mechanical skills, didn't learn much else though. I've not only developed advanced mechanical skill but also understanding of theory, ear training, learning how to improv and learning how to compose and arrange amongst other things in the past 2 years. In my experience, I'm only getting better at getting better, because I now understand the basics and I have the maturity to approach practise the right way. Plus, I've probably put in 1/3rd of my total hours in the last 2 years, about half of what I did in something like 15 years. I've reached the point where I don't believe I'll ever become "good" because my benchmark for that changes as I improve and I'm totally fine with the idea of never being "good". Unfortunately, I'm a student trying to make a career in academia, so I can't really practise more than 2 hours a day (which im doing consistently for the past 2 years) but im just happy knowing im always better than yesterday and im also getting better at a faster rate! PS: I kind of got lost with the point there but what I was tryna say was, although I'm happy to have developed basic mechanical skill in my younger days, the biggest improvement I've had directly corresponds to increased knowledge in theory and amount of consistent hours that I invest.

[@KoreyHicksGuitar]

Sounds like you’ve reached the point where you are starting to ‘speak’ the language - keep at it!

[@randykalish7558]

Station more guitars in your daily environment?

[@decib3ls_dB]

@@randykalish7558 I'm not sure I understand? I always have my guitar and bass with me but I have to spend about 8 hours a day researching so it kind of becomes almost impossible to spend more than 2 hours a day on my instruments and then also manage the rest of my life. There are months where I'm able to spend 3 hours a day sometimes but never more than that.

[@decib3ls_dB]

@@randykalish7558 I'm not sure I understand? I do have my bass and guitar with me all the time but having to spend 8 hours on research everyday doesn't leave much more than 2 hours for practise while also balancing the other aspects of my life. There are months I am able to spend 3 hours on my instruments but not much more than that. not sure how to add to this given my other commitments.

[@menschlicheswesen84]

40 now and doing 3 year's but played as teenager for 4 year's or so... Feel like time is running out to get as good as i think i could get... Chances are slim that i have more then 20-25 year's left but i have more fun then ever these times, so i practice every day... In fact i feel bad if i didn't pick up the guitar the whole day...

[@meese1214]

I started at 26 years old and have been playing for just about 3 years, its hard to have a long structured routine at this point in my life but I'd say im close to what i thought was a good player when i first started.

[@KoreyHicksGuitar]

Keep it up, I have a student that started after he got out of the Air Force in his late 20s and went on to be a semi pro player! Although just playing for fun is great too! Just saying the sky is the limit!

[@loveistheanswer8137]

I totally agree with the three to five year time period. I have taught quite a few people to play. I tell them it's a five year progression. Many quit after 6 months when they realized it was going to take a lot longer than they wanted. The ones that did make five years asked what now. I told them after five years, you are hooked for life, and it never ends. Ive been playing 44 years, but the first twenty was a busy time with kids and work. About 15 years ago I hit the wall so to speak, and started learning theory. It has totally changed my abilities. I would advise anyone to start learning theory far sooner than later. Another mistake I made was playing a crappy guitar for far too many years, but I had other priorities before an expensive guitar. Buy the best guitar you can afford. It does make a difference.

[@GaryManning-m3n]

Thanks .. telling the facts how they exist. I started Saxophone and Theory at 12. By 18 I was able to get a scholarship offer.. had I wanted I could major in music it was so easy..after all the practice playing in 2 bands at 18. Playing 3 to 4 hours a day every day for 6 years. I picked up a guitar seriously at 22. I did not practice fretboard memorizing or guitar knowledge. Just played physically till I could play enough to be an advanced begginer. Still. I know the effort to get that good and could get there . But work work career and my many many, many other loves and hobbies got in the way to the band ability guitar level. So I pick up a little bit of knowing when I can. Guitar is now very understable. Practicing n playing within my ability is great for my life. And I can figure out a lot of my favorite stuff. Theory carried over, and so did my ear.

[@ivanterrible7362]

It's been my experience that only bad guitarists are ever satisfied with their abilities.

[@KoreyHicksGuitar]

True! It always helps to have a beginner mentality

[@randykalish7558]

Fantastic!

[@jeffgerboth6101]

Thank you for posting this as it helps. I played the french horn for 8 years as a kid so I suppose that was my first language. I'm 62 and been playing everyday for 1 year and 4 months. I started out only able to practice for 30 minutes until my finger tips got tough enough to play for longer. I'm up to around 2 hours a day now and can move between all the cowboy chords in time. I'm working on finger picking now and was thinking how long will it take before I would feel comfortable performing in front of people (my definition of good). I'll take your 3 to 5 years as a challenge.

[@KoreyHicksGuitar]

Sounds like you’re making good progress! Keep at it!

[@brucemacdonald1519]

In general, there is the 10,000 hour rule. That is 10,000 hours for we mortals to REALLY excel at skill or craft. But like another writer said, enjoy the ride. Playing guitar is my therapy, friend and lover. Yes, my wife knows. She’s ok with it.

[@williammg9135]

Hello Korey, thank you very much for the candid approach in your video. I started 5 years ago at 57 and practice an hour each day 7 days a week. My goal is note for note and sometimes I can and sometimes I can't. It really depends on the tune. Some stuff, if it's just a few simple chords being strummed out like Fast as You by Dwight Yokam, I can get playing along in a few minutes. SRV and Hendrix take way way longer. I can spend weeks on a song. And lately I have been wondering how long a real guitar player needs to learn a song, so appreciate this information. It won't change anything for me, its just good to know. Thanks again for the video.

[@KoreyHicksGuitar]

@@williammg9135 thanks for stopping by! I have lots of other videos that will help you to speed up that process or you can reach out to me on Patreon, but there is a way that really works!

[@vmax4steve524]

Two years for Frank Marino to come from being a beginner drummer to being better than Hendrix helped by a heroic dose of LSD. Not that I would endorse that for everyone but there has to be something in it or it wouldn't have happened. The mind is a strange place.

[@jfar3340]

Agreed. As a physician, while I'm still quite early in my career, I've put in over 30 000 hours in residency and a few years of practice. My craft is second nature now, and sometimes so much so that I forget that it wasn't part of me from the get go; trust me it wasn't. Same thing with guitar I suppose.

[@paulafranceschi]

The "hour a day" doesn't have to be all in one go -- I play warm ups before breakfast, do difficult learning stuff mid-day, and jam along with tracks late at night.

[@chesterproudfoot9864]

I'm happy to hear someone say that music is a language. I speak 3 languages fluently, and used to teach ESL. So I know that becoming a good guitar player takes at least 2-3 years minimum to become proficient. There are no shortcuts or natural-born gifts. It takes work. After years of not playing my acoustic, I bought my first electric 2 years ago at age 61. The only advantage from a new beginner is that I know my cowboy/barre chords and can strum. Nothing fancy whatsoever. I'm definitely in the intermediate range but am finally picking up on new material much faster. Theory is clicking faster. My technique is improving all the time. ... Interesting that you use learning Life In The Fast Lane as a 'professional level. I would say that's not a bad goal or a mistake. I remember an interview that Dave Alvin gave once in which he said that another picker told him, "pick a difficult song that you love, and learn it. When you learn it, you can learn anything". So I chose Blue Sky by the Allman Brothers and now have it all under my fingers (still some minor phrasing to work out). More than playing a song that I love, learning it gave me a lot of confidence to try other songs. My teacher gave me some riffs and I said, damn that's hard. He just scolded me and told me I'd already learned a song 100x more difficult. And he was right. 🤣🤣 It's EXACTLY like learning a language. You learn verb conjugations and grammar, some vocabulary, but don't have the confidence to try speaking with a native. Well, jumping in feet first and making mistakes is how you learn. Just go for it.

[@markbrown7103]

When I was growing up, there was Creedence Clearwater Revival Eagles Beatles they were a lot of cool bands. And they inspired me. I wanted to play guitar. My dad couldn’t afford to buy me one. First things first. By get a job buy a car buy insurance have money for gas. And then maybe later on you can buy your own guitar. So I worked in 1974 I bought my first guitar I’m 71 years old and I still play today. I’ve been playing for 51 years. And hotel California is a very complicated piece of music. It’s definitely not for beginners. Neither is stairway to heaven I’m a solo instrumental finger style guitarist. I’ve been reading music since 1983. I understand music. I read music better than I read the American language ha ha and music is a beautiful thing to learn to accomplish so do yourself a favor take your time and enjoy learning. Always remember you’re the one standing behind that instrument. If you mess up, don’t get mad at the guitar and throw it out the window. After all, it’s not its fault it’s yours. Nobody can be Joel Walsh or Jimmy page overnight. It takes years and years. I know I’ve been doing it for 51 years and I’m still learning. Love your video good advice.👍👍😀😀🎵🎶🎼🎸

[@KoreyHicksGuitar]

@@markbrown7103 nice, thanks for sharing Mark!

[@Red23165]

Hello First time watching your video. I’m 66 years old. Retired almost 6 years ago. I started around 2 years ago learning the guitar. As a Hobby and a challenge. Like learning new things. With that said. I am basically learning on my own. Cost for lessons essentially today cost. It’s too expensive. So I pick up beginner books. Watch some videos on KZbin. I know I am not going to be a jimmy page or jimmy Hedrick. I grew up in the 70’s listening to AC/DC/Foghatt/ Queen you got the picture😊 I practice an hour a day at least maybe 1/2 hour all depends what I am doing. God willing my goal by end of 2025 I be better then I was in 2024. Hope y have video’s on learning rock n roll music. I do have a musical background. I played the saxophone in junior high and in high school, but I always want to learn how to play the guitar. Thank you.

[@KoreyHicksGuitar]

@@Red23165 hello, I actually am going to be putting out a guitar in a year course in a few weeks, one lesson per week for the whole year to get beginners to the intermediate level! Stay tuned!

[@Red23165]

@ sound good I be looking forward to it. A new year a new start. Thank you

[@JAL-cc8jd]

I got my first guitar at age 6 and I’m now 55. I took lessons when I was young, played in a garage band in my teens, and took a couple guitar classes in college. Then life got a bit hectic and I largely quit playing and sold what little gear I had. Occasionally , I would get the itch and would get a guitar and quickly get frustrated because I couldn’t play as well as I wanted to. Last year, after not playing for years, I decided I need a hobby to give me something to do. I was just going to have fun with it. Since changing my mindset and making it about having fun and taking the pressure off of myself to become some amazing guitarist, I am having a blast with it. My passion now is as much about collecting guitars as playing them because to me they are beautiful works of art that you just happen to be able to make music with. My collection has grown quite a bit and they are like my little babies. I play them all, take great care of them, and make certain modifications to make them the best guitars they can be, which inspires me even more to pick one up and play every day. I’m also taking lessons from a local guitar instructor and trying to learn a thing or two on KZbin. But most importantly, I’m having fun and enjoying being a part of the guitar playing family!

[@KoreyHicksGuitar]

Excellent! What’s your favorite guitar you own?

[@JAL-cc8jd]

@ My Gibson Les Paul P90 gold top, followed closely by my LP Classic and my Eastman SB59.

[@dariusdarden9670]

Thank you 🙏

[@KoreyHicksGuitar]

You’re welcome 😊

[@jonbeckel1649]

Great advice my friend.! 😉 Thank You.!

[@KoreyHicksGuitar]

My pleasure!

[@Santaheckler]

It also depends on who you are trying to “impress”…average people/non-musicians/percussionists etc probably about a year of moderate practice. Want to impress other guitarists? Eternity isn’t enough time. 😆

[@lancerains4185]

It's not a matter of how good you are but how much you enjoy what you're doing not everybody can be the superstar... So embrace the challenge of learning a new piece and enjoy Enhancing and embellishing as you go..

[@darinferreira4448]

The right teacher makes all the difference. In 1971, I was 7 yrs old. My teacher started me out learning notation. Total waste of time for a beginner. The first thing is to get them playing music they like. Let them get rewarded for their efforts otherwise, like me, burn out and quit. Many people want to be able to play guitar, but dont even listen to guitar music, they just want to "play an instrument" How many times am I asked " whats the easiest instrument to play?" which tells me they dont want to put in effort to learn. The ear is probly the most import part. You gotta be able to hear and feel the music to be able to reproduce it. jmo

[@douglaspaterson5269]

The guitar is the easiest instrument to play but the hardest to master.

[@bigdog5112]

Maybe a full beginner/intermediate practise routine video would be good

[@KoreyHicksGuitar]

@@bigdog5112 funny you should say that, it’s actually in the works!

[@raymondcorreira847]

I always heard 11,000 hrs, don’t know where it comes from but sounds about right around that number with discipline will get you there, I have always thought of it as a language so funny you said that.

[@przemyslaw1235]

its no easy way😊but i love this way.Practice ,practice,playing and i am better every day😊i am a joiner but guitar is my hobby.Guitar helps me with life is like terapy😊some people drink alcohol some takes drugs😅i play guitar.

[@jimmycrabtree-tb6jc]

Great advice!

[@KoreyHicksGuitar]

Glad it was helpful!

[@robertlee8042]

My wife has three guitars. She’s been practicing for five years. She’s now trying to move between the chords, D and G. I have never seen anything like this.

[@emcg.9655]

It's different for everyone isn't it but I reckon your looking at an absolute minimum of ten years, even if you are incredibly talented. For the rest of us it literally takes a lifetime.

[@Hobbietone]

I spent 2 years going to bed with a guitar across my body and waking up in the same condition. I didn’t think I would ever get good at it. I was in a music store one day playing different guitars. The clerk asked me what I thought and I remarked that I’m never gonna get it and he says, I’ve been listening to you play for the past 30 minute tearing it up, what more do you want man? Bottom line, how good you are is what you are satisfied with.

[@BranAndsimple]

Oh man. I’m 35 with a full time job with plenty of overtime, a kid and trying to lose weight. I’m learning guitar and just bought a bass. I’ll be good when I’m like 50! 😩😩😩

[@JRriffin]

It takes about 2 years to physically feel comfortable with the fretboard. Then the journey begins.

[@ChillyJackFrost]

I learned that you can make very little sound really good. Unfortunately, I know more than I can actually play well. This coming year is gonna be about playing the sounds I hear in my head and making them sound good.

[@KoreyHicksGuitar]

That’s a great plan, I encourage you to be really specific about your goals and write everything down and start the new year off fresh, the first year I did that I kept a journal of everything and it was so helpful in continued progress and as an accountability partner!

[@randykalish7558]

That means discovering and practicing YOUR connection with music. That cuts to the chase! Straight ahead, all else will be added.

[@beaglegod1]

I've been practicing for about two years. My first year was 4 hours per day no days off. I burnt out and it went down to about an hour a day for six months and then I put it down for 8 months noodling around every once in a while. I was thinking to just quit.....but I can't , now I'm back to practicing about 90 minutes per day (30 -lead/rhythm/theory) Sometimes I wish I didn't want to play so bad and was like people that could care less but that's not my reality so I just practice and hope one day, some day I'll know what it's like to feel like a guitarist.

[@KoreyHicksGuitar]

It sounds like you’re putting in the time, which is excellent! Go to jams, play with other musicians - no need to wait until you are 'good enough' - put a hobby band together and book some weekend gigs!

[@randykalish7558]

The greats don't know what that feels like...its what keeps them going. The skeleton driving the cart pulled by the human gets to where its going, the human driving goes nowhere.

[@jimantonino4394]

Gee, and I thought you had the magic sauce to make me an accomplished guitarist overnight. 😢. So, practice, practice, learn, and practice. 😂

[@KoreyHicksGuitar]

Yep, no secret shortcuts here!

[@FrancoM7747]

When I met Eddie Van Halen backstage at the Whiskey in 1977 he told me that he had been playing for 8 years. It depends entirely on the individual.

[@KoreyHicksGuitar]

Yes, but he also would practice 8-10 hours a day, his brother said he would leave to go to a party at 6pm and come back at 3-4 am, and Eddie would still be sitting in the same exact place on his bed, practicing. As I mentioned in the video, its more about IMMERSION and total number of hours than years. Eddie played more in those 8 years on a very specific style (he didn't do jazz or classical for example) so that is how he got so good. You can get to that level if you specialize.

[@karamzing]

Back in the day I ran into a 17-year-old who had gotten pretty good (to my ear) in 6 months practicing 4 hours every day. Also of the group of us that dabbled in guitar in our late teens, the one who took guitar lessons was clearly the best and played lead guitar in the school band. The singer still stole his girlfriend, though. I guess playing Dream Theater solos only gets you so far. I played the guitar most days for about 30-60 minutes for 15 years. The first half I played from tabs, and the latter half I mostly improvised over backing tracks using scale charts as a crutch. Now that I'm getting back to it I try to stay away from tabs and charts. I plan to memorize the fretboard, memorize the scales, and train my ear.

[@ytdevil5667]

Sir, I have been playing guitar for a year and I can play a quiet a few songs and gained some knowledge on my path about playing the major scale all over the fretboard and playing the bar chords of A, E, D, C major shapes and minor chords of d, a, e shapes all over the fretboard and also gained some music theory knowledge. But, sir now I feel struck at my guitar playing and don't know what to practice for my progression. Please give me some suggestions regarding this.

[@KoreyHicksGuitar]

Hello! You can reach out to me over on Patreon - let's discuss!

[@WichitaGuitarAcademy]

it's really interesting seeing people's personal struggles, too. I have some kids that... I ask to put down a chord shape and their fingers have to do a little dance before they put any of them down, others struggle with rhythm, etc etc etc. Anyway... *deliberate* practice is something I think gets often overlooked--are you working on your weak points, or just admiring your strong ones?

[@KoreyHicksGuitar]

@@WichitaGuitarAcademy absolutely. I often tell my students “don’t practice until you get it right - practice until you can’t get it wrong.”

[@dananthony6258]

I don’t know what little amp that is but sounds awesome.

[@KoreyHicksGuitar]

Carr Sportsman - think a tweed deluxe mixed with a Princeton reverb. About $2800 new I think?

[@dananthony6258]

@ wait , you mean that little amp ? Is it an amp sim thing ?

[@KoreyHicksGuitar]

@@dananthony6258 real point to point tube amp

[@dananthony6258]

@ I’ve just been looking into them. I never ask someone what kind of amp they’re playing and I watch guitar videos all day. That’s got to say something. I knew that thing wasn’t just a run of the mill little practice amp. I definitely want to play one now.

[@KoreyHicksGuitar]

@@dananthony6258 Carr make some of the best amps on the planet!

[@randykalish7558]

I'm just a fantastic guitar player...until I watch a handful of Tory Slusher videos. Then my gaze wanders over to a guitar fretboard and I think, someday I'd like to know how to play that thing. I see where she moves into material unique even for her, greatly validating something I was practicing prior to seeing her. A point comes where, is it the goodness of our playing or our service of music of concern? I think the identity we choose limits or enhances our advancement. For instance, if we ditch taste, all music opens to us, a fushion of experiences is possible in any genre, the woodshed becomes a spaceship, the plethora of ideas shows room for endless improvement always, where no matter how good, you're never good, just addicted.

[@dan_kay]

And tune in next week when we answer the question: "How fast can a red car go?"

[@fennahrob6934]

Great players never thinks they’re good enough. 👍🏻

[@dennisrohm6372]

When they say they don't know theory. I think it's just that they haven't had schooling. It's all from others showing or telling them.

[@KoreyHicksGuitar]

Yep, but how many people have been misled by this?

[@JJvienneau]

Play in BANDS!! Play with people that are better than you. I would say during covid my playing really improved. Started at 12 in 1988 now am 50. I feel I still have lots to learn but my Strat is part of my body now. I've played in 17 Bands!!was in 3 bands til last month.

[@KoreyHicksGuitar]

Yup, and you can save a lot of time learning all that music (and retain musical info better) by developing the theoretical side (for example, knowing by theoretical logic that 2 major chords a whole step apart are the IV and V or bVII and I7 in Mixolydian - such as F Maj and G Maj in ‘Dreams’ by Fleetwood Mac - instantly knowing you are in the key of C Major and all the melodies, riffs and lead lines in that song are just CDEFGAB in 7 patterns on the neck - and knowing that within seconds of listening - that’s where the work pays off!

[@TG-bq1kn]

A certain small percentage of people have a brain wired for music. It allows them to have direct connection between thought and motion without the clumsy steps in between. If you have it you won’t understand why others don’t. If you don’t have it you won’t understand why you can’t get better.

[@vmax4steve524]

It's about being able to compartmentalise your brain so that each compartment can deal with different things at the same time and keep them altogther as well. Ginger Baker had what he called 'time', he could play four different rythms with each separate limb at the same time and never go out of time with any of them, split his mind into four parts, each one working separately as part of an internal band. Jack Bruce said he never knew another drummer who could do what Ginger could do.

[@kh485]

We all know “good” is relative. Also, what people consider “good” is establishment cookie cutter uninspired patterns. Some people think “weird music” is good. Does “good”mean you play fast? Does “good” mean you sound like a particular artist? Does “good” mean you take in millions? It’s all sort of subjective. Don’t give yourself tendinitis.😂. Do what you like and enjoy. Don’t make something you love into something you hate.😂. Playing is just good for your mind in a different dimension and has social aspects.

[@ritupabankotoky]

this is true

[@hereweare9011]

Been practicing for two weeks and i still cant pick correctly, lol.

[@KoreyHicksGuitar]

Keep going! It takes time and dedication to develop good picking technique.

[@robertanderson1043]

I've been playing for 36 years and I'm still nowhere near good, so YMMV.

[@marco-vn8si]

Same here!

[@almendratlilkouatl]

im 35, and I play the recorder, I can play Donna Lee at 21bpm so I can call myself a pro

[@sicilianmammalian]

How long does it take you to learn the pentatonic scale?

[@KoreyHicksGuitar]

Just to be able to execute it on the fingerboard? Not too long at all, maybe a half hour, but to be able to speak with the scale, and understand what intervals and notes they are so that you can make quality choices in a improvisation or know what somebody else is playing off a record just by listening requires Hundreds of hours. See that’s a big problem with beginners, they think that because they can play something that they know it. Again, using the analogy of language if you could sound out a paragraph in Spanish, it doesn’t mean you could converse with somebody in Spanish, you know?

[@sicilianmammalian]

@KoreyHicksGuitar donde es la biblioteche? All you need to know is what you need to know and then all you have to do is get there, a beginner that knows the pentatonic well is usually a lot happier then a intermediate player trying to flood out a ton of notes to satisfy their complex. I mean I was a upright major in college so I didn't have the luxury of only needing to mostly know one scale we had to play in every genre of music in a orchestra. Scales are just the the structure of the alphabet of musical language, they are the grouping of the letters to form a word. Once you know a scale you should practice it atleast two octaves anyways and that would teach you the fingerboard, intermediate guitarists shouldn't practice anything less than 3 octave scales

[@eoinjennings519]

I don’t know playing for almost 50 years and yet to find out 😂

[@wayneanderson4259]

Accurate!!!

[@clintonkeith5333]

Good video! Check out the Elgato Teleprompter

[@KoreyHicksGuitar]

Thanks, I’ll take a look!

[@Phil-w4u]

I can answer that..life..because it's a lifelong learning endeavor. I don't care how long you've been playing. If you stop learning new things Or think you know everything..it's time to Hang it up.

[@KoreyHicksGuitar]

exactly!

[@xy4971]

i started playing guitar 3 months ago, now i can tell if the music is standard tuning or drop d or drop c or e flat, the rest i dont understand as i have not enountered it yet.

[@scoobydoo4087]

I’m 73. Started nearly five years ago. I’ve learned a lot of guitar theory but I’m a slow player. Maybe just too old to progress like a young kid. I grew up in the 60s and 70s. Every day there was a new band. And 5hey we’re all kids, like teens or in their 20s. Like all of the great bands back then, they guys excelled at guitar within a few years. That’s just not happening for me.

[@MKBplayreverend]

As long as it takes

[@blah163]

"good" means different things to different people. A teenager can learn to play derivative rock music at a very high level with 3 or 4 years of daily practice. That person can join a touring band and play live in front of crowds. But that's a long way from a professional classical or jazz player.

[@thebenefactor6744]

Oh man, you just landed a dart in the bullseye of my guilt trip.

[@KoreyHicksGuitar]

😆

[@JP-lr8rr]

we got ourselves a poet