So I’m 63 & brand new to guitar. I’m doing beginner grade one. I’ve read it should take 6-8 weeks to complete. I am probably 10 weeks in now. I still struggle with 30 cord changes, especially D minor to C. I also know Justin suggests memorizing 5 songs before moving on to second grade … I don’t think I have even 1 song memorized. I do have the first 8 cords down. So I’m curious…am I progressing to slow? I’m I normal? Not sure what to think.
Overall I love the lessons, I just don’t know if I am progressing like I should be.
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Hi Michael!
Don’t sweat it, it takes as long as it takes, a journey rather than a destination.
Welcome to the forum
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Michael,
Slow down, take your time. Remember? 
Think of it as an investment. The time you can invest now practicing well, will give you a good foundation which will pay off and is likely to speed up learning at later stages of your journey.
Taking time pressure now, will potentially mean that you have to revisit certain things later… and that might feel more frustrating than giving yourself enough time now.
I wonder where the average completion time of six to eight weeks stems from? I don’t find it mentioned anywhere?
Perhaps it’s also better to count in hours rather than in weeks, as some people can only invest some minutes or per day, while others can invest several hours per day.
Questions about Grade 1 completion time are asked quite frequently in the forum. Here is a link to a thread where @Richard_close2u gives an estimation how long it will realistically take to complete Grade 1, if you can invest half an hour (and later on 60 min) per day.
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Hi Michael
Brand new and 10 weeks in ,you are doing grade 1 and this 
You are doing perfectly 
just play along with one 3 chord song with a Justin video measure by measure, verse by verse
1 strum a barr .
And keep having fun 
Greetings,Rogier
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Hi Michael, there is one simple rule and that is -
Do not compare your rate of progress to others. Everyone is different. The main difference is practise time. Some can devote several hours per day. Others a lot less. Better to pick up your guitar for a short time every day rather than a few hours at the weekend.
Sorry, there is actually a second rule -
Keep it fun and enjoy.
Good luck with it all.
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I looked up his post…good stuff & really helped give perspective. Very encouraging. Thank you so much for sharing.
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Thank you & I am definitely having fun!!!
Thank You 
Michael, each journey is unique, so right off the bat I’d say “yes, you’re normal” 
If it helps compare, I’m 50 and started with Justinguitar a little over 2 years ago with no prior formal experience, and very little experience at all; I’m taking it slowly and I’m still on grade 2, module 13.
You can see the evolution in the few audio/video posts I’ve made over these months, and I think “slow and steady” is working, if I can say that.
My advice then: don’t worry about beating any externally-imposed schedule. Take it at your own pace, but do keep track of your progress: write a journal, record yourself every now and then (even if you don’t share it, it’s excellent for you to look back at the journey), and just keep practicing, with a focus on improving/mastering, rather than checking a box and moving on.
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I started at the beginning of May and bought a guitar as an early 50th birthday present to myself. I have just progressed onto grade 2 (module 8) so I spent around 17 weeks on grade 1. The first 2 weeks I followed the lessons via the website, but then I invested in the app and it’s been great, so highly recommend.
Although I have progressed on with the lessons in grade 2, I am still practising all the chords from grade 1 and doing the one minute changes, concentrating more on those that need a bit more work, but still covering them all during the week.
The C chord was, and to some extent still is my nemesis and changing to that during a song would put me off my stride, especially the faster tempo songs. The good thing about the app is being able to slow the tempo on songs to help with chord changes, and then incrementally increase the tempo as the fingers get faster.
The one thing I like about module 8 is doing perfect changes after doing the fast changes. I find it helps to focus the mind (and the fingers) to slow everything down and get those changes perfect. Something I wish was included in grade 1.
I have always said to myself it takes as long as it takes to progress and although it may seem like you spend a long time consolidating grade 1. I felt it was worth the wait, especially when you get those ‘little wins’ along the way.
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Thank you all soooo much for your input and encouragement!!! Your wonderful comments & suggestions have really taken my self imposed stress off. I absolutely love the lessons and progress, I just didn’t know where my progression stood. I love reading all of your comments!!!
Thank You All Again Soooo Much.
I love this journey
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Great stuff Michael. Choose the pace you want and find what keeps you coming back to play. For me, it was learning my first song and being able to play it all the way through. From that point there was no turning back. The pace seems slow at first but soon you’ll forget that pain. The great thing about the guitar is once you pay your initial dues, the rewards are great. I started playing when I was 53 and the first few months were seemingly hard work. So very worth it.
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Hey Michael, I was 63 when I started 20 months ago, also brand new to guitar. I spent 6 months on Grade including consolidation. You’re doing just fine.
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Hello Michael & Welcome!!!
I heartily agree with the comments from our fellow guitarists above… by the way, you can call yourself a guitarist now!!! 
It’s really good that a lot of “Old Dogs” here are putting in the time & effort to learn a new skill… it’s a journey that will take a while but it’s not a race - how to put this…
Have you ever taken a long drive just for the sake of the drive? No defined destinations, just enjoying the scenery, maybe making new friends & learning new things as you go?
For me (many others I’m guessing) guitar is a fun way to relieve stress & spend a few hours here & there… I have no desire to perform or use my new skills to make money. I’m very happy with making music instead!
The most important ingredient is FUN!!! Keep the Happy Quotient high & you’ll never put the guitar down!!!
Tod
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Spot on Tod!!! Thank you!!! 
Hi Michael (@WoodstockOKC),
I am 68 years old and also am working my way through beginner grade one. I too have invested more than 6 to 8 weeks at this point. Like others have said, we are laying the foundation for the upper grades. As with any structure, the foundation must be rock solid for the rest of the levels to be sustainable. @JustinGuitar is the architect and we are implementing the process to achieve a successful investment as @JokuMuu stated above. We have to be confident that the foundation will support the grades yet to come. Like @RobDickinson said, this is a journey rather than a destination. Let’s continue working on the foundation so that the coming grades will be achievable. My best to you along the way.
Pastor Dave (@Wheelin_Rev)
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It is always interesting to hear how people progress, what they think of it and all. Over some years it is a common question without any set answer. Certainly no correct answer.
I venture that we all need to assess ourselves and pace ourselves such that we adequately manage the basics, but don’t feel bogged down or discouraged. It can be a fine line.
Choosing a few songs you enjoy , of which some are well inside your wheelhouse and maybe one that is just a stretch helps a ton to keep the fun in it.
I don’t really remember how long the early grades “took” (parts of them are still works in progress). I think measured in months though. Then I went back to them a few times, to do better with things I had glossed over a bit.
Now, at coming on 4 years, I choose my lessons based on what I need or want. Some of that still includes reviewing lessons from grades 1-3. Good stuff in there.
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Love this! I was (was) feeling a bit discouraged, but reading these comments made me realize I was putting pressure on my self. I look back to just 2 months ago when I first started not knowing anything. Definitely progress has been made. Sometimes it’s hard to remember this is a journey and remember to enjoy the ride.
Thank you.
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This is not my first attempt at learning guitar and I think the mindset you mention of focusing on how for you’ve come rather than how high the mountain is ahead is definitely a big factor why I’m succeeding this time around.
With regards to your original post, do you have songs that require Dm to C or are you learning it just because? I’ve tended to focus on the chord changes that I’ve needed for songs. All of the permutations of A, D and E come up often but some other combinations are less common.
Once I’d got those basic chords down to some degree I then started learning songs and focused on the transitions that I needed for those songs. I’ve never really returned to the lessons in truth because I’m enjoying playing songs. I’m not saying don’t do the lessons but don’t let grades and levels get in the way of enjoyment
I think learning songs is difficult at first (I mean not needing to read the chords/notes off a screen). I think your brain has so much else to process, 2 hands doing different things and keeping in rhythm. As you progress these things become more automatic and there’s more capacity for remembering what’s next. Or that’s my take on it
Keep with it, it will get better
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Seriously, and please don’t get me wrong, OP, it’s not against you, but when are people gonna stop measuring learning success in the amount of time it takes instead of the level of the skills they have? Or when are some “experts” stop implying that a certain skill “should” be learned in x number of hours? (I’m not talking about recommendations but more like “rules” given to students.)
The opening page of the website maybe should have banners saying “take it as slow as you need” and “everybody learns at a different pace”.
I’m sorry, but this kind of “question” comes up every few weeks.
To OP: don’t sweat it, it takes as long as it takes. You’re learning for your own enjoyment. Keep at it and you’ll be rewarded.
/rant
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