So You Want to Learn Classical Guitar Fast

Ever hear the old joke: a guy in New York stops a local on the sidewalk. "How do you get to Carnegie Hall?", The local replies, "practice". The implications are obvious if you want to learn guitar: what you get out of it depends largely on what you put into it.

learn classical guitar fast

There are no quick methods of learning classical guitar (unless, maybe, you're Neo and they hook you up to that brain thingy from The Matrix, but I hate needles, so…). However, that's not to say that you can't learn classical guitar fast—at least, you can get a quick jump on a lot of the basics that will put you in a position to learn and progress as quickly as your desire, ambition, and determination will take you.

To Learn Fast, Learn Right the First Time

Here's a twist on a famous adage: "Practice doesn't make perfect; practice makes perfect." In other words, if you learn to do the fundamentals correctly, and then discipline yourself to do them that way every time, you'll build a solid foundation that will make for faster progress.

So, if you want to learn classical guitar fast—especially if you're just starting out—it's very important to pay attention to forming good habits at the very beginning, especially in areas like posture, arm, hand, wrist, and finger position, correct plucking and strumming technique, and other basics.

A good teacher or a good online site with lots of video can give you the ideas you need to form those all-important good first habits that can set you up for fast classical guitar learning and a lifetime of making great music.

To Learn Fast, Find Your Best Method

With the Internet, it's never been easier to expose yourself to a variety of different teaching philosophies, methods, and forms of delivery.

There are sites that mainly feature written content for you to study and master. Other sites have tons of audio and video, so you can hear and see the concepts being demonstrated, then try to make your performance match what you've just observed. There are sites with interactive games to teach you music theory.

There are sites with tons of free music for you to download and practice. But you've got to find the mix of approaches that works best for your learning style. And then, most important of all, you've got to practice, practice, practice… even it you aren't trying to get to Carnegie Hall. If you want to learn classical guitar fast, that's the only way.