Here's what a buddy of mine tells his students:
Once you start playing, you're going to suck. You're going to want to quite because you'll think playing chords without buzzes and mutes is impossible.
After six months of playing, you're still going to suck but you might not buzz or mute as much. You'll feel like you've had some progress.
After a year, you're going to start getting better. While you'll want to play for others, they won't want to hear you.
After two years, you're going to sound OK. Some folks may ask if you know a particular song. You probably won't.
After five years, they're going to send you back home to get your guitar if you forgot it.
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Six months and still working on chord forms and changes to play songs - no worries. No worries at all. You're right on target.
I've been at it about a year now. I can do pretty good on open chords. I'm just beginning to play simple barre chords - but they're slow and painful and sound poor. I know a couple of strum patterns and a couple fingerpick patterns. I usually use the wrong ones with inconsistent timing. With that poor playing, my buddy the instructor thinks I'm progressing very quickly and well. I'll take his word on it. I've only twice played with friends. The first time they voted as to whether my singing or my playing was worse and they couldn't decide. The second time everyone was drunk and they sang along and couldn't give a rat's patootie how I sounded. I mean, how can you go wrong playing Take Me Home Country Roads when sitting on a campground between a country road and a river in West Virginia while pasing around a mason jar? Can't. Carefully selected song.
- 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