5 Misconceptions About Learning Guitar: Guitar Expectations Vs Reality

Okay, let me clarify something first – the degree of expectation varies from person to person. This is also true for someone who has taken up a guitar and is resolute to achieve a certain “level” of expertise on this instrument that they would be content with. However, the “Expectations vs. Reality” comparison occurs when a learner wrongfully assumes some aspects of the learning method or the time frame required to reach their personal goal. To be honest, this happens universally to everyone who attempts to learn guitar or any other instrument. 

In this article, we will look at five things that a beginning, an intermediate, or even a seasoned guitarist “expects” to happen while learning guitar, but the “reality” cannot be more different than it.

Expectation-1: You Will Put the Guitar on Your Lap and Get Comfy With It in No Time

You watch other guitarists or even your friends playing the guitar effortlessly and think you just have to take some lessons and you will be good to go. Nice and easy. 

Reality

In reality, it is not as easy as it seems. You will find it hard to be comfortable enough with a guitar on your lap to perform your finger gymnastics efficiently. Soon, you will realize that this lack of comfort is one of the reasons that kills your progress. But, with “enough” practice, you will get used to mastering proper body and guitar position.

Beginning and intermediate guitarists often need to pay more attention to this crucial thing that with proper position, it is possible to execute most of the techniques for guitar. By the time they realize this, it is too late, as they have already taught their body the bad habits that are not easy to eliminate. Therefore, pay particular attention to this and other fundamentals of playing guitar as soon as you start playing.

Expectation-2: You Would Do What Your Idols Do In No Time

While listening or watching your favorite artists create magic with the guitar, you get awestruck and picture yourself doing the same thing in front of your peers. I’m not going to lie; this scenario feels ecstatic. But.…

Reality

All those musicians have dedicated much of their life to mastering their craft. And you will have to do the same. With some effort and decent enough skill, you can somewhat “play” your favorite songs. However, it would not sound as profound as it does when your idols play them. That’s because you have yet to learn the nuances a guitar can create. Being able to control and manipulate these nuances is what makes all the difference.

Learn vibrato, bending, rubato, and dynamics- these are the things that evoke emotion and transform scales and chords into music. This comes with practice and experience, which take time to master.

Expectation-3: You Will Practice For Hours and Get Good.

Well, this is a big one. With enough self-confidence, you might think of a perfect plan to achieve your goal. “I will practice until I have perfected it.” sounds like a good strategy, right?

Reality

Your fingers and mind will give up way sooner than you anticipated. Remember that it takes quite an effort to take your guitar up and practice the same things that you have been practicing for weeks. Sometimes, it would take months to notice any progress in your playing.

At this stage, it is common for someone to procrastinate with their practice sessions or even stop altogether. These are the moments where you need to show your patience, which is the only way to move forward.

Expectation-4: Learning Techniques Is The Key

Who doesn’t love flashy techniques? You do as well. So, it is not uncommon for you to think that techniques are all that make a guitarist amazing. And, following that train of thought, you decide to learn as many techniques as possible and use them all when you are playing for yourself or an audience.

Reality

Fast forward, you learn many techniques, and you can play them easily. But, here’s a new problem in front of you. For some reason, anything you play sounds exactly like everything you have been for the last couple of months or even years.

Hear me out. and this has to do with your approach to applying techniques in making or playing music. You loved flashy techniques because they sounded great as well. It is not the visual aesthetics of the techniques but the emotion they conveyed that fascinated you.

To get around this issue, you have to utilize the techniques for the sake of music, not the techniques themselves. Be mindful of what you want to pass down to your audiences, and choose techniques from your palette accordingly, and you will be good to go.

Expectation-5: You Would Love Every Moment of It

Whenever you picture yourself playing something you like, it does make your chest flutter with brimming emotions, and you enjoy every bit of it. You want to feel that in real-time, and it motivates you to play your guitar however you like and bathe in euphoric sensations throughout your whole body. And obviously, what is the point of playing the guitar if you don’t enjoy it all the time?

Reality

Trust me, you will enjoy playing your guitar and crave more. This will push you through your practice sessions and negative thoughts regarding your improvement.

But, it is too good to be true that you will enjoy every moment of your journey in mastering this instrument. You will have those days pretty often when you feel everything you are playing is trash. You will be convinced that you will never be better than you already are. Bear in mind that it is normal for guitarists to feel this way. Even your idols have bad days after all these years of playing for thousands of people.

So, to resolve this issue, try to practice or play when you are in good shape or mood. Eventually, you will be seasoned enough not to let dire moments slow you down.

Final Words

This concludes my list of five pitfalls that come with “innocent” expectations and the “harsh” reality that transpires. Learning guitar is a tough job, but it is equally fulfilling to see yourself improving your skills, getting appreciated by others, and, most importantly, by yourself. On that note, keep enjoying the moments of euphoria and carry yourself through the hardship that comes with your resolve to get good at playing guitar.