Hello from the Central US
Good afternoon. Sorry for the long intro, but I figured it would resonate with lots of folks.
Ex-guitar player getting back in. Played a tiny bit as a teenager, then life happened. Eventually got back into it and played for a few years in church with a buddy in my 40’s. Knew a bunch of songs by memory, lots of unique chord progressions, open chords, barre chords, a very small bit of lead. Had great calluses 
. I’ve actually played until my fingers bled, haha, but eventually could play about as long as anyone wanted to. Wrote a few songs, home-recorded a couple. But that partnership ended and I had nothing pushing me forward, no reason to learn new songs, full-time+ job, etc.
After that, I played with family informally. But eventually people moved on and I had no one to play with. So I gradually fell out of playing altogether. Skill (and calluses) declined over time. At this point, I haven’t played in…maybe as long as 5 yrs. Fortunately, I do still have some of the knowledge, if not the ability.
On my path, I learned a lot, but in a sort of shallow way. I played chord progressions pretty easily at one time, but I never learned finger picking, never learned double picking, only dabbled with lead, etc. I knew the chords for lots of songs (Eagles, Mellencamp, Sheryl Crow, Casting Crowns, Third Day, lots of that kinda stuff). But for some songs I knew the verse chords but not the chorus chords or vice versa. I was pretty proud of being “a guitar player”, but I always wished I had a deeper knowledge and ability.
Anyway, you get the picture. Same story as a lot of folks here I think. I’ve been retired for a while now, have some time on my hands. So I decided to let Justin take me, as a complete beginner, from zero to “a real guitar player”. I’ve been practicing Grade 1 Module 1 for about a week now. Despite my experience, there have been some challenges in getting my chops back up. Let’s just say I’ve been humbled a bit. At least I’m no stranger to sore fingers, learning chords and progressions, strumming patterns, and to practicing. I do understand the process and the time it takes. And I understand that if you stay diligent, you do actually learn it and get good eventually.
Given my experience, I was kinda thinking a week per module through Grade 1. Maybe two months per grade, getting me through Grade 3 in six months. But that’s probably overly optimistic and there’s nothing pressuring me. I have plenty of time to invest as much as needed so it will take as long as it takes. I don’t really have a specific end goal, except to eventually not be ashamed of my playing, to not have to tell people “I used to play guitar”, and to enjoy the learning process. At this age, that seems more important than it did when I was younger.
For those who like to know about equipment: I have a couple good quality acoustics, a couple very nice electrics with a half-dozen or so pedals, a looper, a few amps, a Yamaha piano, some mics and stands. Assorted tuners, capos, etc. And sore fingers.
Everyone have a good day!
Journey!!!