How To Learn The Guitar Fast

Many people want to know how to learn the guitar fast. Most students can learn the basics of this instrument in a matter of a few months. You will need a clear understanding of the style of music you wish to play, and its key technical features. You will then need to decide upon a program of study, as well as familiarize yourself with the style's music as much as possible.
The best method in how to learn the guitar fast requires an understanding of which genre you wish to master. Music played on the guitar can fall into one of several main styles: folk, rock, jazz, and classical. Within these large categories are many sub-genres. Most these styles will lend itself either to electric or acoustic guitar, while many can be played on either. From a pure theoretical point of view, how to learn the guitar fast is the same whether you use an acoustic or electric guitar. Nevertheless, death metal is not quite the same on a classical guitar as it is on an Ibanez. Some genres like Gypsy music even have their own special type of guitar.
Key technical features of a particular style or genre will include the types of chords you need to learn, and whether you will need to be able to improvise solos, all of which will affect your quest in how to learn the guitar fast. For example, folk music tends to use open position chords, with a few barre chords. Players are primarily accompanying singers or other melody instrumentalists. You may never need to or be expected to take a solo ever. Rock guitar, on the other hand, uses a lot of fifth chords, also known as power chords, and soloing is a big part of the playing style. If you are interested in jazz, expect to learn a lot of different chords built out of extended harmonies, along with complementary scales used for creating solos.
Other defining features of a particular style include its rhythms. Jazz players, for example, need to be familiar with both Swing and Latin types of accompaniment patterns. Metal is usually played with straight eighths, but uses complex time signatures to create rhythmic interest.
Most styles also have a set of standard chord progressions making it simple in how to learn the guitar fast. Classic rock players need to understand the blues chord progression plus a few other simple three and four chord patterns. A standard trick of classic rock bar bands is to make a medley out of Wild Thing and Louie Louie simply because they can be played with the same three chords.
Listening to a lot of music in the style you are interested in will also help you in your quest in how to learn the guitar fast. When you are listening to recordings, try to focus in on the guitar player, teasing out their role in the band. Learn the chords to not just your favorite songs, but to the ones that are the most famous. Even though they might sound a little stale, it is these famous ones that often define the characteristics of a particular style.