The electric guitar is still one of the most popular instruments among musicians and learners. It draws many new players every year, and having some guitar skills can earn you respect even from people who are not that much into guitar music. You might be one of the people on the fence between not learning guitar and plunging into the learning process, so you’re trying to weigh the options and see if it’s worth it.
Learning electric guitar is worth it if you set reasonable expectations and invest enough time and effort. It’s a great way to unwind and meet new people. If you’re lucky, it may become a source of income. If you’re impatient and tend to get frustrated with a lack of success, it may not be worth it.
In this article, I’ll explain why learning electric guitar is a great choice if you’re looking for a fun new activity that can challenge you and keep you busy while providing you with lots of fun. I’ll also go through some reasons why it might not be a good idea for some, so you can make an informed decision.
Related: are guitar teachers and lessons worth it? how to decide.
Is Learning Electric Guitar Worth It?
Whether or not learning electric guitar is worth it depends on your individual interests and goals. Here are some things to consider:
- Do you enjoy listening to electric guitar music? If you love the sound of electric guitar and have always dreamed of being able to play it, then it may be worth pursuing.
- What are your goals with the guitar? Are you looking to play in a band, or just as a hobby? Do you want to write your own songs, or just play covers? Answering these questions can help you determine how much time and effort you want to invest in learning the instrument.
- How much time and effort are you willing to put in? Learning any instrument requires practice and dedication. If you’re willing to commit the time and effort needed to learn electric guitar, then it may be worth it.
- What is your budget? Electric guitars and related equipment can be expensive, so you’ll need to consider whether or not you’re willing and able to invest the necessary funds.
Overall, if you have a passion for music and the desire to learn electric guitar, then it can be worth it and be a rewarding and fulfilling experience. It may take time and effort to get there, but with dedication and practice, you can become a skilled player.
Think About Your Goals and Expectations When Determining Whether or Not To Learn Electric Guitar
It can be very hard to give a definitive answer to whether something is worth doing or not. What I think is worth doing might be a complete waste of time for you, and vice versa. That’s why the only way to figure out if something is worth doing or not is by assessing your goals and seeing if the activity you’re thinking about leads you to your goals.
The same goes for learning electric guitar or any other instrument for that matter. If you set unrealistic expectations for yourself, then it surely won’t be worth it. But if you are more reasonable with your goals, you might have an amazing journey ahead of you.
Let’s see what you might and should expect from learning how to play electric guitar.
Prepare To Learn and Work Hard
Even the simplest instruments, such as the triangle, require time and effort until you learn how to play them. Some instruments require more of this, some less. However, there is probably not a single instrument you can just pick up and start playing well immediately.
There will always be freakishly talented people who can just take an instrument and nail it right away. Most of us are not those people. Most of us have to practice hard until we get to a level where we can play confidently and pick up new songs with ease.
Many expect to progress very quickly when they pick up an instrument, get bogged down, lose their passion for playing, and give up altogether. You can’t expect that you’ll be good right away.
If you’re the type of person who gives up easily and gets discouraged if they’re not good at something immediately, then learning electric guitar might not be worth it. You’ll spend hundreds of dollars on equipment only to let it gather dust a few months later.
On the other hand, if you’re ready to accept the grind and practice regularly, it’s definitely worth it. You have to enjoy the learning process and accept that you’ll progress slowly. Therefore, if you enjoy learning new skills and your curiosity can be sparked this way, you’ll enjoy learning electric guitar.
This is not to say that the electric guitar is an excruciatingly difficult instrument. You’ll most likely be able to play some simple songs after a few months. However, you might not get anywhere without practicing regularly and making an effort, and the financial investment won’t be worth it.
Think About What You Want To Achieve
Sometimes, people learn steadily and progressively improve over time, but they quit playing after a while because their expectations are not met. This usually happens because they set expectations that are too high. Therefore, you must have reasonable expectations if you want your guitar learning to be enjoyable.
Let’s face it, the music business is tough. Many artists are fighting for recognition and their place under the sun, and only a few make it. An average person just starting out probably doesn’t have very high chances of breaking through and becoming the next big thing.
So, if you’re dreaming of becoming the next Yngwie Malmsteen and playing in arenas in front of thousands of adoring fans, I’ve got bad news for you. If your electric guitar learning is motivated mainly by dreams of success and fame, you’ll probably get disappointed and give up quickly.
The best way to approach guitar learning is by doing it for yourself. If you’re willing to learn an instrument for fun and the pleasure of learning and playing, you’ll probably stick to it and improve over time.
While you’re not very likely to become the next best thing, playing guitar will get you new friends and grant you hours of well-spent time practicing and jamming. Most hobbies lead to meeting new people, which is even more pronounced when it comes to instruments.