On AVERAGE, if you practiced playing folk guitar 5 hours a week, how long would it take to play like a pro?

On average now, I realise everyone has different levels of talent. The typical person I'm talking about here. How long would it take for the typical person who practices on average an hour every week day (=5 hours a week), to master the accoustic guitar well enough where they could play the instrument by way of finger picking blues and folk ballads on stag with relative ease.

Folk guitar isn't terribly complicated. Listen to some old Woody Guthrie songs...a lot of them are two or three chords. Generally, the medium uses only major and minor chords (no diminished or sustained chords, etc.). As a result, folk guitar can be picked up fairly quickly (6 to 10 months). The end of a year, you should be able to play a wide variety of songs...assuming you practice regularly, about 4-7 hours a week (about 30-45 minutes a day). There is always room for more development, as you start to pick up slide, finger picking, Carter picking, muted rhythms, etc. in the coming years. But by the end of 8-10 months, you should be able to handle just about anything Guthrie, Leadbelly, or Dylan can throw at you.

5 hours a day and you're talking. 5 hours a week? forget it.

ex guitar player
ps You need real talent too which few have.

I would say a good year. After a good year you'll be able to play songs to please yourself and other people.

You'll NEVER *master* the instrument. In a lifetime you will never feel as if you've mastered the intrument.

By the way, it is best to do an hour each day - or even just a half hour each day than five hours all at once just once a week.

A little bit each day does the trick

I've been playing various styles for 42 years.. I don't practice much anymore.. but I do teach.. When I was a kid. I'd practice 3 hrs. a day.. Up until about 3 years ago.. I was still practicing.. Especially sight-reading and chord melodies. My first guitar was a folk guitar until I moved to Ca in 64'. David Cohen from Country Joe and the Fish had a good instructional book on folk guitar that was simple for beginners. No sight reading required.. Just tab.. but to become a pro.. it takes more than just practice.. Some pro's are not great guitarists,but good singers with great backup guitarists.. enjoy yourself.. and continue playing.. It's a life long endeavor

about 5-7 years . Its not as easy as pros make it out to be If thy said how much work it really was then Fender or Gibson would not sell as many guitars as they do .
I can tell you this because I don't have a contract with any of the major guitar manufactures yet. And even If I were to I still wouldn't mislead anyone
I have worked my a ss of to get a contract with a major publisher and to get the level of success I have attained It anint easy it takes time , practice , passion and desire to become a pro

keep practicing and don't give up you have a long road ahead of you and if you keep on trying then you will achieve your Goals

It would take you forever. To be done correctly you would be playing more than 8hrs. a day BECAUSE YOU LOVE IT not because you want to learn to play it. Playing is almost a nonstop thing. It's not like going to work from 9 to 5, this is something you can't help but doing it's as addictive as a frug. Good luck with your way though.

Ok, 5 hours a week? You aren't gonna go anywhere real fast with tha practice regiment.

Believe me, I have been playing rythm guitar for about 13 years and I have been playing folk guitar for about 6 years when I discovered Dylan. You've gotta learn a LOT of songs, a LOT of chords and a lot of different strumming and picking patterns.

If you practiced two hours a NIGHT you'd be really good in about 2 years. 5 Hours a week though. You'll get frustrated and give up fast