How Long Does It Take to Learn Electric Guitar? Is It Easy?
I'm already musically talented, I play flute and alto sax. I'm now considering electric guitar. I already have a band to join, if I want, and it seems fun. I used to play guitar when I was 4 and 5 but I don't remember anything. That was an acoustic guitar by the way. Should I relearn acoustic or can I go straight to electric? They wanna play stuff metal and hard rock which I listen to on my Ipod. So I'm used to it.
I've been considering it for 3 mo. now and now that Ive been invited to join a band, I'm totally looking forward to it.
Here's the guitar: http://www.guitarcenter.com/Epiphone-Goth-Les-Paul-Studio-Electric-Guitar-and-All-Access-Amp-Pack-876014-i1448567.gc
So, really, all I would like to know is on average, how long does it take to learn electric guitar and is it somewhat easy?
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US $19.95
Q: How long does it take to learn to play an instrument properly? And more specifically, how long to learn guitar?
A: My pat-ready answer is ‘not very long’. If you want a more detailed one, it depends on what you mean by ‘properly’. There are a few stages of guitar learning that everyone goes through and each one of these relate to different levels of skill and technique. Some stuff you’ll learn quickly while others will take longer. For example, if your ultimate desire is the ability to strum sing-a-long songs on the beach or around the campfire, you’ll reach your goal much faster than the guy who wants to play blinding metal solo’s.
Here’s a breakdown of the stages of guitar learning and the approximate time it might take you to get there.
- Playing Basic Chords – This is usually the first benchmark most new players reach: the ability to strum and switch between the basic guitar chords. At this point you don’t necessarily have the chords memorized and aren’t able to play many songs, but you’re managing to fret and strum them. This level can be reached within one week.
- Playing easy songs – You’ve mastered more guitar chords and have been practicing them enough that you’ve got most of them memorized and are able to strum and switch between them without too much hassle, and without looking at the fretboard when you do. This means you can play songs! This level can be reached in two to three weeks of daily practice, though for many it might be longer.
- Playing Barre and Power Chords – We’re moving right along and you’re advancing to a level where most self-taught guitarists never go. Barre Chords are much more difficult than open chords and learning these takes extra practice and a whole new set of strength in your fretting hand. It’s possible to play most barre chords in two months, quicker for some who practice a lot.
- Fingerpicking – The ability to pluck individual strings and play simple riffs (short solo pieces on individual strings) is a new skill your strumming hand needs to learn. This can usually be achieved in two to three months if you start to learn and play easy guitar tabs.
- Lead Guitar – A Lead guitarist is the guy or girl who’s got the audience at his/her beckoning. Playing solo’s and using techniques like slurring, vibrato and palm muting is a whole new set of rules and I’d give it three to four months. This might be way off depending on what kind of music we’re talking about – playing acoustic solo’s might take less time, but playing rock or metal solo’s will probably take longer.
- The improviser – A guitarist that can improvise riffs and solos on the spot (and in the middle of a song), have moved from the realm of amateurship to being a pro or semi-pro. Depending on how much talent you have and what you’re musical background is, this might take anything from six months to a year.
Please note that these time lengths are given as a very broad estimate and aimed at people with little musical experience. If it takes you longer than a week to learn the basic chords, don’t get upset. These times are not set in stone and you have to learn and develop at a pace that’s natural and comfortable for you!
http://www.pluckandplayguitar.com/how-long-to-learn-guitar.html
The neck of an electric guitar is longer and thinner than an acoustic guitar. The action (space between string and top of fretboard) is generally lower on an electric guitar also. As a result, less strength is required to push the strings down onto the fretboard, thus making it easier to play.
http://ezinearticles.com/?Whats-Easier–Electric-Or-Acoustic-Guitar?&id=605330
So, it’s a waste of time relearning acoustic. Dive into electric right away.
Based on these estimates and given that you’re already musically talented, and would probably not be learning completely alone if you’ve been invited to join a band, and assuming daily practice which is crucial for familiarity, I’d say you’d be good in six months and just about perfect in a year, a year and a half max.