Here are some suggestions:
- You can learn any song that you like
- You can shred solos on guitar with little effort
- You can write your songs for the guitar
- Ability to play chord progressions
- Simply being able and able to play the instrument and sounding good
- Music theory is a subject that requires a good grasp.
- Learning all the styles and techniques of guitar
This list could go on. But instead of letting it happen, let us try to define the skill level.
- For Beginners
- Intermediate
- Advance
- Guitar God
Many people are just beginning to learn how to play the guitar.
Even if you’re still at the beginner level, this is possible.
The Intermediate skill level is what you should aim for.
Beginner Level Guitarist
The beginner level is where anyone learning to play the guitar will find themselves. This stage is the most important and difficult.
“Early Beginning Stage”
You might have limited experience with guitars and don’t know where to start.
This is where most people give up.
-We are learning an instrument from scratch. -Our fingers hurt when we press down on the strings.
We sound awkward when we try to play our first songs as guitar players.
-You may feel discouraged by the slow pace of progress.
“Intermediate Beginner”
You are getting better at it. You’re beginning to feel more confident playing your guitar and are starting to realize your full potential.
Songs are beginning to sound more like songs.
You can still quit learning the guitar if you don’t get the results you want.
“Advanced Beginner guitarist”
You should be proud that you have reached this point.
You are becoming the guitarist you have always hoped to be.
You are beginning to hear good songs and build the muscle memory you need as a guitarist.
You’re gaining a deep understanding of the various guitar techniques you’ve learned and applying them to your playing style.
Intermediate Level Guitarist
What is an intermediate guitarist?
Intermediate guitarists have a solid foundation and can understand many techniques.
These are the skills that you need to be an intermediate guitarist:
- You are familiar with the names of all the notes on your guitar’s neck (At a minimum, the two thickest strings: A and E).
- You can seamlessly transition between chords.
- Learns and uses different techniques for playing the guitar (Hammer-ons and pull-offs) and proper use of picks.
- Ability to use bar chords (Both Major and Minor)
- Ability to determine the strumming pattern of a song
- Understanding of music theory (Key signatures and time signatures), scales and chords
- Confidence
Why intermediate level is important
You could probably do fine at the advanced beginner because at that level, and the guitar should sound good to many people.
To reach this intermediate level, you need to keep at it. This is because you will gain a better understanding of the guitar.
You Can Make Your Guitar More Serious
After becoming an intermediate guitarist, you can start taking your guitar more seriously.
You’ve surpassed the initial stage of learning to play the guitar and are now seeing all the possibilities that exist with your skills.
These are some examples of potential new opportunities:
- You feel confident enough to play the guitar in front of people.
- There is the possibility to join or form a band.
- Invitations to perform at gigs (Finally getting a living playing guitar).
- You may find it easier to master advanced techniques on the guitar.
- Becoming a songwriter (Lyrics or instrumentals).
There are so many possibilities that were not possible while you were still a beginner.
Perform the guitar in front of people
Now you are confident enough to put your skills to work with your guitars. It is an amazing experience for any musician to perform live, but it is also a skill.
You will have more opportunities to perform live and gain more experience that will allow you to grow as a musician and improve your stage performance.
Forming or joining a band:
You are being taken more seriously by people as a guitarist. You might get invited to join local bands in your area.
You might know other musicians who are in search of a guitarist. They may be inviting you to join their band and perform some gigs.
You might be able to join a band or start creating original music.
Learning Advanced Guitar Techniques
Intermediate level: You should understand and build a solid foundation in multiple techniques and music theory.
This knowledge will allow you to move forward and learn advanced techniques for your guitar.
You can speed up the process by doing these things:
- Look for a “good” teacher of guitar
- Play the guitar as often as possible
- Play the guitar with intermediate-level or higher level players
- Between your lessons on the guitar, you can self-study
- Do not be afraid to try new songs and techniques.
- To build your confidence, get as much practice as possible playing the guitar
- Continue to improve your knowledge of chords, tabs, and the fretboard.
- Concentrate on improving your guitar technique, form, strumming patterns and rhythm.
- Stay motivated to learn.
Keep in mind, however, that everyone learns at their own pace. You might find it easy to master a technique after just one lesson, while others need to practice it constantly.
Do not be discouraged if your intermediate level is not reached when you desire. Keep practising and learning.
Last Thoughts
There you have it. If you work hard, it should take around 1 year to learn guitar.
Remember that everyone has their idea of what it means for a guitar player to learn.
You can learn the chords to the songs you love if you’re a singer and want to learn how to play the guitar.