Anyone here play the guitar?

[The Sultan]

I have a question. How long would it take me, a complete novice, to get to the point where I could play a reasonable rendition of "Never Going Back Again" by Lindsey Buckingham?

I have a feeling the answer is "you'll die before that happens," but I thought I would ask.

[JustinLewisFanClubPres]

Possibly never. 

The question is how much time you have to commit to learning? I have played for 30 years and am much crappier as I age because my hands don't have the dexterity they once did and my kids take up a lot of time. But I'd recommend you try. It is incredibly rewarding and is still one of my favorite things in the world to do when I can steal an hour or two away from other responsibilities.

And it's cheaper than golf (which I also suck at).

[JWags85]

I have a question. How long would it take me, a complete novice, to get to the point where I could play a reasonable rendition of "Never Going Back Again" by Lindsey Buckingham?

I have a feeling the answer is "you'll die before that happens," but I thought I would ask.

Couple variables.  Are you only a novice at guitar? Do you play any other instruments that require finger dexterity?  Also are you gonna play a few times a week or practice daily?

Also, unfortunately, learning quickly at an older age is just a bit trickier.

When I was 17, I picked up the guitar and self taught, no lessons. By the time I was 19-20 I could play basically any chord based rhythm guitar part of songs and a decent amount of picking or lead guitar riffs.

Outside of the little solos, Never Going Back Again isn't TERRIBLY hard.  I think the hardest part is learning finger picking like he does.  I remember one of my good friends in college was not as good of a player as I was, but his dad taught him finger picking and he could blow through James Taylor songs, for example, that I couldn't touch cause I didn't really know how to finger pick like that.

That style of playing, I think the "no way in hell" would be stuff like Knopfler did in Dire Straits, and even some of Buckinghams's other work, as opposed to that ston

[Jables1604]

I am a casual player. Bought my first guitar (an Ibanez acoustic) on a whim about 30 years ago. It was so long ago I legitimately bought a VHS tape on how to play the guitar. Started with 4 basic chords and went from there. Over the years the amount I've been able to actual play has varied significantly. Also have represented a few professional musicians/bands so I've picked up some great pointers along the way. Would never consider myself as a great guitar player but I still practice playing scales a few nights a week. I know it's an oxymoron but it one of the most relaxing, frustrating experiences. Good luck.

[Jockey]

If you want to play Lindsay, google 'Travis picking' and get started on some exercises. He almost exclusively is a finger picker. Just remember to start slowly.

If you just want to play some songs, there are literally thousands of YouTube videos to show you how. A good majority are simple 3-4 chord sons you can learn quickly. Almost anyone can play recognizable songs quickly - then decide from there how you want to progress.

The hardest part is learning the music 'language'. But if you start feeling comfortable playing some songs, it is something you will want to do. And, yes, it is as hard as learning a foreign language.

[MUfan12]

I have a question. How long would it take me, a complete novice, to get to the point where I could play a reasonable rendition of "Never Going Back Again" by Lindsey Buckingham?

I have a feeling the answer is "you'll die before that happens," but I thought I would ask.

Tried to pick guitar up in HS, played a little bit in college, but never had the music bug fully enough to commit. Used tabs to help me learn some basic stuff.

That said, the song isn't terribly complex and repeats a lot of patterns. As others have said, the finger picking will be a challenge to get down. You could probably pick that song up relatively quickly with regular practice.

[JWags85]

The hardest part is learning the music 'language'. But if you start feeling comfortable playing some songs, it is something you will want to do. And, yes, it is as hard as learning a foreign language.

Music theory is definitely tough.  I know how to read music from playing piano when I was younger, but I never graduated to an advanced levels from Circle of Fifths and onwards.

But many famous musicians don't know how to read music and others are pretty shoddy on actual music theory.  But the awesome thing about music theory/language is there is a sort of native speaker fluency you can develop, especially with tabs.

Lots of people can speak foreign languages from places they've lived as expats or from friends/family who were speakers, but they don't know necessarily how to read/write/"proper" grammar/etc... but they know which words and phrases go together from seeing it done.  Some with music.  I wrote plenty of songs cause I knew in which keys certain chord patterns worked from seeing them in other songs. And then you build from there

[Scoop Snoop]

I learned on steel string acoustic, but once I heard a classical guitar, I completely fell in love with the sound. Classical guitars are very challenging to play but I have never once looked back. I play pieces that are anywhere from centuries old to Ashokan Farewell and practice daily. I take Zoom lessons weekly from a teacher in his 30's whose abilities on the guitar are awe inspiring. Very importantly, he knows how to teach. This may sound silly, but there is no shortage of phenomenal guitarists who are awful teachers. 

[Jockey]

I learned on steel string acoustic, but once I heard a classical guitar, I completely fell in love with the sound. Classical guitars are very challenging to play but I have never once looked back. I play pieces that are anywhere from centuries old to Ashokan Farewell and practice daily. I take Zoom lessons weekly from a teacher in his 30's whose abilities on the guitar are awe inspiring. Very importantly, he knows how to teach. This may sound silly, but there is no shortage of phenomenal guitarists who are awful teachers.

Check out the stuff that Richie Blackmore (the great guitarist from Deep Purple) is doing now. And the assortment of classic instruments that he uses.

[Scoop Snoop]

Check out the stuff that Richie Blackmore (the great guitarist from Deep Purple) is doing now. And the assortment of classic instruments that he uses.

I'll have to do that. Classical guitarists (CGers) tend to consider anyone using a pic on a CG as an ignoramus. I love reminding them that Willie Nelson uses one on his Martin CG and wore a hole through the soundboard a long time ago. Many CGers play a variety of styles and instruments-electric, steel string. flamenco, jazz, blues, etc. Other CGers derisively call steel stringers "3 chord strummers", usually in jest, but sometimes they are being snooty. 

[Boone]

I'm self-taught — and it shows at times with some holes in my play. But I know enough theory to get by and prefer rhythm anyway.

By 'novice' do you mean this is the first song you'll ever attempt or do you already have a fundamental knowledge of chord shapes, cut your teeth on beginner-friendly songs, etc?
 
If you at least know chord shapes, then agree that getting the finger picking pattern down will likely be your biggest challenge. But good news is it seems  like it's one consistent pattern throughout.

Sounds like you have an acoustic already, right? Challenge or not, I'd go for it. It's really fun to replicate your favorite songs. Eventually, you'll add more tunes to your repertoire and have a skill that will keep you entertained and your brain sharp.

[Scoop Snoop]

Just on the off chance that a scooper might be curious about classical guitar....

you can listen to performances on this massive, international CG site: https://www.classicalguitardelcamp.com/

[JWags85]

This may sound silly, but there is no shortage of phenomenal guitarists who are awful teachers.

It's not silly at all. Musical instruments are a unique art form in the fact that there is a very technical ability aspect, as well as creative/art aspects.  And that goes into teaching IMO.

I spent a lot of time in music scenes in my late teens to early 20s and was initially shocked to find musicians, especially guitarists, who were FANTASTIC and could play basically anything...but couldn't write a great or memorable riff or song to save their life.

The most talented musician I've ever known is an absolutely obscene guitar player.  Played in a variety of bands when we were in college and was hilariously out of place at times cause he was overflowing with technical ability and talent playing alongside pedestrian musicians.  Eventually got into a band that got signed.  This guy could play anything and was one of the best soloists I've seen, but he couldn't write great riffs.  The rhythm guitar player in the band, who was very talented in his own right, wrote most of the guitar pieces and then my buddy fleshed them out with flourish/skill.  But funny enough, despite that gap, he wrote all the bands melodies and a lot of the lyrics.  It's no surprise that he is now a very successful producer and songwriter.  All over the new Kacey Musgraves album, and a bunch of other notable credits.

[4everwarriors]

Pretty sure Reako taught Les Paul how to play, hey?

[Jay Bee]

Sultan should stick to the flute

[Lennys Tap]

Sultan should stick to the flute

Anyone who spends 80 hours a week on Scoop and needs another hobby must never work or have any friends.

[wadesworld]

Anyone who spends 80 hours a week on Scoop and needs another hobby must never work or have any friends.

You're never on Scoop though.

[Hards Alumni]

Anyone who spends 80 hours a week on Scoop and needs another hobby must never work or have any friends.

Total Time Spent Online:
    369 days, 13 hours and 31 minutes.

These are your stats since you joined in 2009

You're a clown, Lenny.  Seek help.

[The Sultan]

Just my luck that my stalker is a weirdo Boomer with anger issues.

Anyway, thank you for the advice everyone. I really wish I would have stuck with music lessons back in the day and I am not sure I have the patience now to stick with it. We will see.

[Scoop Snoop]

Just my luck that my stalker is a weirdo Boomer with anger issues.

Anyway, thank you for the advice everyone. I really wish I would have stuck with music lessons back in the day and I am not sure I have the patience now to stick with it. We will see.

I hope you give it a try. The forum I listed has intros from new members as young as 16 and as old as people in their eighties. Some have played since they were kids, others took on the instrument well into their seventies. It is a very different sound than what may be of interest to you-I get that- but the basic principle of people deciding to give guitar a try at widely different ages is interesting.

[Lennys Tap]

Total Time Spent Online:
    369 days, 13 hours and 31 minutes.

These are your stats since you joined in 2009

You're a clown, Lenny.  Seek help.

Check out the latest iteration of Sultan. If he is totally inactive for the next 81 months we'll be in a virtual tie. And I'm retired.

[Lennys Tap]

Just my luck that my stalker is a weirdo Boomer with anger issues.

LOL. Says the guy who has been stalking me for years.

[Hards Alumni]

Check out the latest iteration of Sultan. If he is totally inactive for the next 81 months we'll be in a virtual tie. And I'm retired.

Oh, I know, but you're the one who made the accusation.  Just feels a lot like the pot calling the kettle black.

[Pakuni]

nvm