Blog Guitar · Getting started
Beginner guitar lessons: the first three months
Las Vegas Music School · · 6 min read
Short answer
In the first three months of weekly guitar lessons, most beginners learn to hold and tune the guitar, play five to eight open chords, change between them in time, strum steady rhythms and play their first complete songs. Sore fingertips in the first two or three weeks are normal and pass as calluses form.
Month one: the basics
- How to sit or stand with the guitar and hold the pick
- Tuning with a clip-on tuner or app
- First chords, usually E minor, G, C and D
- Simple down-strum patterns in steady time
Expect your fingertips to feel sore. Short practice sessions spread across the day help while calluses form.
Month two: changing chords in time
Knowing a chord and switching to it on the beat are different skills. Month two is mostly about smooth changes, adding up-strums and playing along with simple songs. This is often where a beginner hears themselves sound like music for the first time.
Month three: first full songs
- Complete songs from start to finish, often with a strumming pattern and a short riff
- Reading tab and basic rhythm notation
- An introduction to barre chords or power chords, depending on style
Why the first three months are the hardest
Most beginners who quit do it early, and for predictable reasons: sore fingers, chord changes that feel impossible, and progress that seems slow. All three improve with steady weekly lessons and short daily practice. Tell your teacher when something feels stuck. A small change to hand position or the choice of song often fixes it.
Acoustic, electric or classical?
- Electric guitars have lighter strings and are easier on beginners' fingers.
- Acoustic guitars need no amplifier and suit singer-songwriter styles.
- Classical (nylon-string) guitars are gentlest on young children's fingers.
Children under about ten often need a smaller guitar, such as a 1/2 or 3/4 size. Your instructor can check the fit at the Initial Assessment.
How much to practice
Fifteen to twenty minutes most days is plenty for the first months. Split it: a few minutes on chord changes, a few on strumming, the rest on a song you enjoy.
Questions parents ask
How long does it take to learn guitar?
Most weekly students can play simple songs within two to three months. Playing comfortably across styles usually takes a year or more of steady practice.
Do I need my own guitar for lessons?
Guitarists don't need to bring an instrument to the studio, but you'll want one at home to practice between lessons.
Do you teach adult beginners?
Yes. Adults are welcome at every level, and weekday daytime lessons are available at every studio.
Want a plan for your child, or for yourself?
Book a complimentary Initial Assessmentor call (702) 518-1081
