How long does it take to learn acoustic guitar?

How long would it take for me to learn the acoustic guitar?

• I want to MASTER the electric guitar because I plan on being in the music industry when I grow up. So I need to learn to play the acoustic guitar first. How long would it take? Also, if I learn to play acoustic is it basically the same thing for the electric? (I know electric is easier)

• Answer:

  Actually, acoustic and electric guitar is really pretty much the same, so if you want to play electric guitar, there is really nothing wrong with starting there. That said, acoustic guitar sounds a lot better unaccompanied (meaning without other instruments) than electric so it is a good place to start. I have played for about ten years and am able to play just about anything besides complex jazz and classical stuff, and I wish I would have done the following things when I started.... -Don't get down on yourself if you don't pick up technique right away, practice, practice, practice. Play everyday, but don't play until "your fingers bleed". Put aside a good forty five or an hour to practice at first and as you get better, you will be able to play longer and without the inevitable finger pain that you will have when starting out. -Type in "easy guitar tabs" in a Google search and look for songs you are familiar with to play. Punk and early rock n roll are easiest... -Learn "open string" chords and "power" chords...they are relatively easy and versions of just about every song can be played using these simple chords. -Look for FREE advice on technique and playing. All over the internet and, obviously, free unlike a book you would buy at guitar center. -Buy a guitar (obviously) and also get a tuner and learn how to tune to standard (EADGBE). Standard is where just about everyone starts, however, if you can learn barre chords, you can also tune your guitar to an open tuning like open G (DGDGBD) and you can play a full chord by just putting one finger across the string. This is good if you want to start playing songs right away without learning a bunch of complex chords. -Most of all, have fun man. If you decide you don't want to play the guitar, try a keyboard or drums. Or you can even just find someone who plays guitar and sing...The guitar may be the "sexy" instrument, but that doesn't mean it's the one you have to pick.