What’s the Best Age to Learn Guitar?
A practical guide to choosing the right time for your first guitar lessons
Rose Park
updated 9/20/25 • 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 Things That Make Starting Guitar Lessons Easier
Does the student show interest in music?
If your child doesn’t naturally show interest in music, pushing them into guitar lessons can do more harm than good. Without genuine curiosity, they’ll struggle to stay motivated, and practice will quickly become frustrating for both them and the teacher.
The same applies to adults. If you’re only half-interested in learning guitar, it can feel like a chore instead of something exciting. It’s always better to start when you feel inspired and have time to practice.
Instead of forcing it, encourage your child (or yourself) to explore music in a way that feels fun. This might mean trying guitar later, or beginning with something else like piano, drums, or even singing. When the interest is real, the learning experience becomes much more rewarding.
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.
For adults, readiness is less about age and more about mindset — having the motivation to practice regularly and the interest to stay engaged makes all the difference when starting guitar.
Can the student hold a guitar?
If you’re wondering whether your child is ready to start playing the guitar, a good place to begin is by watching how they hold the instrument. When seated with the guitar, they should be able to reach the farthest frets (the upper part of the neck) without needing to fully straighten their arm. If it’s a struggle, you may want to consider a smaller guitar size or even a ukulele as a starting point.
For adults, the same principle applies — comfort matters. If a full-size guitar feels bulky or difficult to play at first, a smaller-scale guitar or even starting with a classical guitar (which has softer nylon strings) can make learning much easier and more enjoyable.
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.
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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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Why Early Guitar Lessons Help Kids Succeed In Music
Learning to play guitar at a young age can be really beneficial for kids. It gives them a sense of accomplishment, builds their confidence, and helps them develop problem solving skills. As they work through challenges in lessons and improve with practice, they start learning how to think in more creative and critical ways.
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.
Sticking with regular practice is one of the biggest keys to making progress on the guitar. It not only helps your child build self discipline and patience, but also keeps them excited about their growth. Starting guitar at a young age can turn into a really fun and rewarding experience, and it’s a skill that can bring happiness for years to come.
Why Adults Benefit From Guitar Lessons Too
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 at the beginning of their guitar journey.
Typical mistakes include:
- Starting with a cheaper guitar instructor and then switching to a better one later
- Failing to thoroughly review the teacher’s educational background
- Learning from a teacher who also teaches other instruments
- Taking guitar lessons that charge significantly less than the average rate
5 Tips To Get The Most Out Of Guitar Lessons
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 Does It Take To Learn Guitar?
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.
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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.