10,000 hours.

The 10,000 hour rule, was popularized by Malcolm Gladwell’s blockbuster book “Outliers.” As Gladwell tells it, the rule goes like this: it takes 10,000 hours of intensive practice to achieve mastery of complex skills and materials, like playing the guitar.

Gladwell describes one central study in particular, about which he writes: “their research suggests that once a musician has enough ability (talent) to get into a top music school, the thing that distinguishes one performer from another is how hard he or she works. That’s it.”

More research was then done which adds complexity to the rule. i.e. Practice is important, but what to focus on will accelerate improvement. In other words having a good course or teacher to direct your practice.

Or you can learn 5 chords in a week and then play thousands of songs and be happy.