A little help with my guitar lessons please!!

[monkeychoo]

Im taking up guitar again, after about five years after my last lesson. When I quit I was still very much a beginner, but getting strength into my fingers and getting quite quick at chord changes and solos. Ive got 2 questions though:

1:Im actually left handed, but I learnt right handed (thats what feels more comfortable now), but could the fact that Im naturally left handed, and used to hold it that way when I was younger, be a hinderance to me. ie: my brain is more suited to learning left handed but is being slowed down by having to learn everything right handed.

2: If I was to practice for a couple of hours every day, how long, roughly, would it take for me to be competant guitarist that people wouldnt laugh at when on stage (Im thinking rock music rather than classical - that could take years!!!)

Many thanks in advance!

[j2buttonsw]

1) My friend is lefty and plays guitar right-handed. I think he would be just as rubbish with either hand. Seriously, it is what makes you comfortable. 2) I think people have an innate degree of competance which can be realised relatively quickly. If you are gifted you can be the next Joe Satriani in 6 months, if you are not you can spend the rest of your life playing and still be rubbish. Don't laugh, but I started to learn the banjo 6 months ago (you know, the duelling banjo type fast fingerpicking) I do play some guitar but not finger style and I have surprised myself with my progress. My goal was to play the ballard of jed clampett at a reasonable pace by christmas and I am well on the way. Set yourself a similar target that is achievable. I would also go to a guitar teacher as they (if they are any good) will make your progress much quicker than teaching yourself. I wish there was a banjo teacher round where I live but they are rarer than rocking horse ****. As a ball park figure I reckon it would take you 3-6 months to be as good a guitarist as Noel Gallagher and no-one laughs at him.

[jenky]

I am a lefty, but play righty. I have taught guitar for nearly 10 years, and have found that beginners seem to struggle with the chord shapes/fingering etc in a way that I didn't . If you're using your dominant hand to do this then you should find it easier. As far as doing the rythmn with your weaker hand, you've either got it or you haven't so stay as you are...

When you're thinking about performing, remember that learning to play an instrument solo, and learning to play in a group are two distinct skills. I have known impressive rock guitarists who were unable to ever gig because they couldn't interact with others, they were incapable of listening to anything but their own instrument. If all you want to do is play Freebird in your bedroom then fine but I'd advise that you get out and play with others as soon as possible - it will help you greatly and you'll soon realise that you don't have to be half as good as you think to get out and gig!

[monkeychoo]

Thanks guys, those answers really helped me out! Ive just gotta find a band now that dont mind a girl guitarist joining - its harder than you may think!!

Ill stick to right handed as that is how I learnt all the chord shapes and seems to be the most comfortable when playing - it might have been a complete mission in itself just to reverse all the chord diagrams!

Thanks again!