The Complete Guide to Starting Guitar
What’s the Best Age to Learn Guitar?
Rose Park
updated 1/20/25 • 4 min read
The best age to learn guitar:
The best age to learn guitar is between the ages of 8 and 10 years old. Many guitar experts agree that students as young as 7 can start learning guitar. It’s also important to make sure the student can comfortably hold the guitar and has enough finger strength to press down the strings.
Unlike other instruments, learning the guitar doesn’t rely heavily on natural talent or the age at which you start. Whether you’re 15 or 70, if you’ve always wanted to learn, don’t hesitate to pick up a guitar and start strumming!
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Table of Contents
4 factors to consider when starting guitar lessons
Does the student show interest in music?
If your child doesn’t show a general interest in music, forcing them to take guitar lessons can do more harm than good. Besides, they won’t be motivated enough to practice guitar, which will frustrate both the child and the teacher.
Instead of pushing them to learn guitar, try to encourage your child’s interests. There are plenty of other musical activities that your child might actually love to try and learn. And if they do express interest, consider learning other instruments such as piano, drums and singing.
Can the student follow guitar instruction?
Every child is unique, so the age at which they are ready to start guitar lessons can vary. But as a general guideline, if your child is able to understand instructions and has the patience to follow them, they may be ready to start learning guitar.
Guitar instruction typically involves teaching students how to keep a good posture, read music, and practice chords and scales to develop a solid rhythmic foundation. Students will also learn various guitar techniques, such as fingerstyle, strumming, and alternate picking.
Can the student hold a guitar?
If you’re wondering whether your child is ready to start playing the guitar, a good place to start is by observing how they hold the instrument.
When your child is seated with the guitar, they should be able to reach the farthest frets (upper part of the guitar) without having to straighten their arm too much. If your child is having difficulty reaching the farthest frets, you might want to consider a smaller guitar size or even a ukulele as a starting point.
Are regular guitar lessons within your budget?
The key to making the most of your guitar lessons is consistency. The best approach is to take regular, weekly lessons. While some may think biweekly lessons are enough, be aware that progress tends to slow significantly when there’s a break of at least a week between lessons. It’s easy to lose track of measurable growth over time. This is why it’s important to plan and budget for monthly lesson expenses.
Based on our article on guitar lesson costs, the average price for a half-hour guitar lesson is $40. To find a potential guitar teacher, check out our article “How to Find an Exceptional Guitar Teacher.“
At Lesson With You, we offer half-hour guitar lessons for $35 with highly qualified teachers with degrees in guitar performance from top music schools. Learn more about our guitar lessons.
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When is my child ready to learn guitar?
1. Your child has basic finger dexterity and strength
2. Your child shows interest in playing guitar
3. Your child can concentrate for at least 15 minutes
Before starting guitar lessons, it’s important to check if your child can stay focused for at least 15 minutes during a half-hour lesson. For a 45-minute lesson, your child should be able to stay focused for about 30 minutes.
If you’re not sure whether your child can focus for that long, you can try setting aside some time for them to practice focusing on an activity they enjoy, like reading a book, making art, or doing a puzzle. It will help learning guitar more enjoyable and effective.
4. Your child has a natural sense of rhythm and melody
5. Your child is motivated to practice guitar
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Benefits of starting guitar lessons early
Learning to play guitar at a young age can be incredibly beneficial for children! Not only does it provide a sense of accomplishment and boost their confidence, but it also helps develop problem-solving skills. Through working on challenges during lessons and improving through practice, students learn to think critically and creatively.
Playing guitar can also lead to other amazing skills such as composing, arranging, and performing with a band. Guitar lessons could be the start of an exciting journey towards performing for your child.
Consistent practice is also a great part of taking guitar lessons which can help your child develop self-discipline and patience. Learning to play the guitar at a young age can be a wonderful experience and opportunity to develop a musical skill that can bring your child happiness!
How to find your ideal guitar teacher
One of the common challenges when starting guitar lessons is finding the right guitar teacher for you. In our article “How to Find an Exceptional Guitar Teacher,” we explain the mistakes many students and parents make during the beginning of guitar journey. Typical mistakes include:
- Starting with an ordinary guitar instructor and then switching to a better one later
- Failing to thoroughly review the teacher’s educational backgrounds
- Learning from a teacher who also teaches other instruments
- Taking guitar lessons that charge significantly less than the average rate
5 tips to kickstart your guitar journey
Get the right guitar within the budget
Before starting lessons, it’s important to find a guitar that’s the right size and type for your child. A beginner-friendly instrument will help them feel more confident as they learn. Acoustic guitars are a great starting point and can later lead to electric or bass guitars. For younger children, especially under 8, ukuleles are also a wonderful choice.
Budget is an important part of the decision too. For tips on pricing, guitar types, and recommended brands, check out The Complete Guide to Buying a Guitar.
You can also take your child to a music store and try out different guitars to see which size and shape fit them best. Look for a guitar that has good sound quality and is easy to play. Talk to the guitar teacher to decide which brand of guitar is the right choice for them. And don’t forget about guitar accessories like tuners, picks, and cases to keep the guitar in good condition.
Use a metronome and electric tuner
Practice scales and chords early
Practice guitar regularly
Talk about lesson experience
After your child has been taking guitar lessons for a few weeks, check in with them and see how they’re feeling about it. You want to make sure they’re not only learning how to play guitar, but also feeling happy and motivated to continue with the lessons. One way to do this is to have casual conversations about their progress during dinner. It will help them stay engaged in their guitar journey.
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How long does it take to learn guitar?
For Children
Learning guitar takes time, especially for children. In the first six months, they’ll focus on the basics, such as proper posture, notes, and beginner-level music theory. On average, it takes one to two years to confidently read and play easy pieces. Don’t expect immediate results within the first few weeks—steady progress comes from regular practice.
If your child is learning for fun, 15 minutes of daily practice is a great start. For auditions or competitions, they’ll need to commit to at least 30 minutes a day. With consistent practice, they can typically reach an intermediate level in under two years.
For Adults
Adult guitar learners usually begin to notice progress after a few months, or about 10 to 15 weekly lessons. Early on, your teacher will focus on building your foundation by correcting posture, addressing technical difficulties, and teaching you how to practice efficiently.
Beyond the basics, your growth will depend on consistent, quality practice and dedication. It generally takes about a year to reach a beginner level, where you can read simple melodies or play basic chords. If daily practice isn’t possible, aim for 20-minute sessions a few times a week to maintain steady progress.
Can I self learn guitar with online resources?
Online self-learning resources like apps and pre-recorded lessons may be cheaper than taking live lessons, but in general, having a guitar teacher is much better in the long-term.
For beginners and intermediate players, learning guitar is best done through live lessons, whether online or in-person. A good teacher can tailor their approach to your unique learning style, showing you exactly how to play and helping you avoid common mistakes. Unlike videos or apps, a real instructor provides personalized feedback, demonstrates proper techniques, and can explain music theory in a way that makes sense for you.
How long should I take guitar lessons? 3 months, 6 months or 1 year?
For beginners, it’s recommended to take guitar lessons for at least 4 months to see steady improvement. Weekly lessons are ideal, with 30 minutes per lesson for most learners. If your child wants to progress more quickly, then 45 minute lessons once a week would be a better option.
If your child enjoys the lesson and gets along with the teacher, it’s a good idea to continue taking guitar lessons for a year. Try to avoid pausing the lessons too often or too long, since it’s likely to slow down your child’s guitar progress.
Are guitar lessons worth it?
Certainly! Guitar lessons have many positive aspects, regardless of age and level. If you’re looking to take your guitar playing to the next level, guitar lessons are definitely worth it.
They offer personalized instruction that goes beyond basic tutorials, helping you master correct techniques and understand music theory in depth. An experienced instructor can pinpoint specific areas for improvement, provide motivation, and guide you through complex musical challenges that are difficult to navigate alone.
Is it ever too late to start guitar?
Age doesn’t matter when it comes to learning and playing guitar. At Lesson With You, our instructors create customized lesson plans suited to your musical needs and lifestyles. With their professional tips, anyone can elevate their guitar skills and expand their musical repertoire.
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Rose Park
Rose Park is a graduate of the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University where she studied Piano Performance and Arts Administration, receiving both Bachelor's and Master's degrees before co-founding Lesson With You. As a pianist, Rose was a prizewinner in many international piano competitions and performed at various summer programs and festivals across the United States, Italy, and Japan.