If the level of musicianship you are looking for is campfire fodder, then you don't need to know how to play the guitar. You need to learn how to play songs on the guitar. That's much easier.
For motivation, go to the "Public books" tab on Chordie, search on "beginner", and take a look through to see if there are any songs that you'd like to do. Preferably one for which you are already deeply familiar with the lyrics. Then learn the chords for that song, and the changes between the chords in that song. Start very, very slowly just playing steady down-strums on the beat of the music (to find the beat of the music, it's usually the underlying steady pattern) and go through the song one beat and one chord change at a time. It may take you two months or even three to get your first song. The second song comes easier. By the time you've played three or four beginner rock or country songs, you'll have a decent repertoir of chords and chord changes to build upon.
Further, don't push too hard. It takes six months to begin to feel competent. It takes a year to feel like playing in front of others. By the end of two years with steady work, you'll be asked to play. By the end of three years, folks will ask if you've brought your guitar when you show up.
Also, record yourself at the beginning. Play it back when you feel discouraged. I guarantee you each time you feel as if you haven't made progress it's because you've been there with yourself the whole time. It's like kids. You don't see them grow day to day, but if you don't see one for six months it's an amazement at how tall they've gotten. So record yourself and allow yourself to go back and hear how little you knew months ago and how well you're doing now.
Good luck. We've all been through it. Don't feel alone, and don't let the temporary discouragement stop you.
- Zurf
Granted B chord amnesty by King of the Mutants (Long live the king).
If it comes from the heart and you add a few beers... it'll be awesome! - Mekidsmom
When in doubt ... hats. - B.G. Dude
