Learn Guitar as an Adult: How to Start

At a glance

Age: Any age works, at 35 just as at 70.
Guitar: Your own, with nylon or steel strings.
Device: Guitar runs on iPhone and iPad with iOS 15 or later.
First song: Ten minutes in, you play one or two notes and a band plays the rest of a real song.

Why adults learn guitar well

You know the songs. Campfire songs, your favorite band, a song from your twenties: you already know how the music should sound, and you hear when your version gets close.
Chords travel with you. A handful of chords turns up in song after song, so each new chord you learn opens the door to many songs at once.
A full-size guitar fits. Children often start on smaller guitars; most adults play a full-size one from day one.

What you need to start

A guitar that plays easily. When the strings ride high over the frets, every chord needs extra force; a guitar shop can lower them.
A tuner. A clip-on tuner on the headstock works even in a noisy room.
A spot for your device where you can see the screen while you play, such as a music stand.
An iPhone or iPad with iOS 15 or later, tonestro and an internet connection.

How it starts

Your first song
On day one, a band plays a real song and you add one or two notes. That takes ten minutes; the full tempo comes later.
Your Beginner course
After that, the Beginner course takes over: built by music teachers for your first months on the guitar, one small step at a time.
Advanced when you're ready
If you have played before, start in the Advanced course. You can switch between the two courses whenever you like.

Good to know

Tips for everyday practice

Give it a place. A wall hanger or stand next to your chair: a guitar you can see is a guitar you pick up.
Tune first, then play. Strings drift with warmth, cold and playing, and new strings keep stretching for days. A quick tune-up keeps your chords sounding the way they should.
Keep your fretting-hand nails short. Long nails on your fretting hand, the left one if you play right-handed, stop your fingertips from pressing the strings down cleanly.

Questions adults ask

Am I too old to learn guitar at 50 or 60?

No. Your fingers, your ear and your sense of rhythm can all be trained at 50, 60 and beyond. More in Am I too old to learn an instrument?

Classical or acoustic guitar: which suits an adult beginner?

Both work. Nylon strings on a classical guitar are softer on your fingertips but sit on a wider neck; steel strings on an acoustic guitar sound brighter and need a little more pressure.

I played guitar as a teenager. Will it come back?

Often faster than you think: chord shapes tend to stay in your memory, while your fingertips need a few weeks to toughen up again. Start with songs you used to play.

Can I learn guitar as an adult without lessons?

Yes. After every note and chord, tonestro shows you whether you hit it and stayed in time; check your posture in a mirror. How to practice on your own: Teach yourself guitar.

How fast will I make progress?

Mostly by how often you play. Rough guidelines: How long does it take to learn guitar?

Updated: October 14, 2026

Learn guitar as an adult