Your age is not a limit to learning to play the guitar. Believe it or not, it's even easier for an adult to learn to play the guitar, since you decide everything for yourself. Adults already know what kind of music they love and know how to work hard and reach their goals.

So if you’ve always dreamed of playing guitar or ukulele, this guide will help you get started, stay motivated, and keep going, even when you hit your first roadblock.

Who Can Learn to Play the Guitar?

I truly believe anyone can learn to play the guitar! It doesn't matter your age, gender, or musical experience to learn guitar chords, but the real keys are motivation and practice. Even if you’ve never picked up a guitar before, you can become a skilled player with time and practice.

Tips for Beginners

Here are some tips to make it easier:

  • Get a guitar and tune it up. I recommend starting with a ukulele or an acoustic guitar, but you can also go straight for the electric guitar.
  • Learn about notes, timing, rhythm, and chords. Start with the basics: learn how to hold the guitar correctly, guitar tablature, chord diagrams, and how to use your fingers to strum the strings. Just after that, you can move on to practicing simple riffs.
  • Set realistic goals and timeline: “I want to play three songs confidently in two months.”
  • Practice regularly. Make it a habit. Short sessions each day are way more effective than long ones once a week. You need to practice, work, and improve.
  • Use resources to learn. Here are loads of ways to learn online. On YouTube, you will find channels explaining absolutely all terms and demonstrations, and some videos show you how to play second by second. On the App Store, you’ll find loads of apps designed to teach guitar, ukulele, and more. Some use AI to guide your progress, like having a virtual teacher in your pocket.
  • Find a good teacher. Especially if you hit a wall. Look for someone who has experience teaching adult beginners. They will know how to adapt the tempo and key to your needs. At Everest Music, we run the Everest School of Music. Our tutors work one-on-one with both kids and adults. We offer lessons in guitar, ukulele, violin, and more.
  • Track your progress. A little checklist or note on your phone can keep you going. It’s a great way to see how far you’ve come
  • Celebrate everything. Every chord you play, every song you learn, every breakthrough you make.

How to Hold the Guitar Correctly?

  1. Hip position. First of all, you need to sit on a chair with a straight back. Place the guitar on your right hip (for right-handed players) or left hip (for left-handed players) with the top of the guitar pointing up.
  2. Arm and elbow. Raise the guitar so that your hand can be comfortably placed on the guitar body. Make sure your elbow is in a comfortable position and not too high or too low.
  3. Hand position. Your left hand should be holding the neck of the guitar. Your fingers should be holding the strings so that they sound clear when you play chords or notes.

Apps to Learn to Play Guitar

GuitarTuna – an application that will help you Tune any guitar, both acoustic and electric, and even bass.

Yousician – in this application, you can play any song, learn to play, and track your progress.

TrueFire – is an application with a set of video tutorials on music categories. Suitable for those who have initial experience in guitar skills.

Justin Guitar – an application resembling a traditional guitar self-teacher.

Coach Guitar – an interactive self-teacher, including levels from basic to professional;

Perfect Ear – a lot of exercises for rhythm and tone training;

SmartChord – a universal application for learning chords, riffs, etc., at all levels.

What Adults Should Know About Learning Guitar

  • Stay consistent and disciplined.

I recommend daily 30-minute or 1-hour practice, but even 10-minute sessions are better than skipping days.

  • Self-learning vs. teacher guidance.

At Everest School of Music, I often meet students who start on their own and later come in for structured help. You can learn on your own, thanks to all the great free content out there. However, if you feel stuck, a good teacher can speed things up.

  • Progress takes time.

Whether you're a child, teenager, or adult, you can successfully learn to play the guitar with the right motivation and effort. Keep your motivation high, practice often, and you’ll see results.

Final Thoughts

You will need only 10 hours to learn to play the guitar on your own.

  • 0-10 minutes to read our tips and tricks.
  • 10-120 minutes to learn the basic chords and learn how to play them without looking at your fingers on the strings while you play. After that, you can then experiment with new sounds that you can create on your own or imitate your favorite artists.
  • 120-600—Remember that you need to learn to play the guitar with your fingers. You need to train your muscle memory, and then you will be able to play with your head held high without looking at your hands, strings, or fretboard. Thus, you should set aside at least 30 minutes each day for 20 days of practice.

I hope that I have assured you that learning the guitar is possible with a bit of practice and hard work.