text: how do you play the guitar?   1. get a half decent guitar. don't learn on a cardboard box, it will put you off.  2. get a decent teacher. it's definitely worth the money. you can't learn any instrument properly from a video or book, no matter what it says on the cover. how's a book or video going to tell you that you haven't got it quite right?  3. practise regularly, daily if possible, for a decent length of time. 10 minutes twice a week will not make you a guitarist. having said that, don't go mad and try to do 3 or 4 hours every time you practise, your brain stops absorbing new stuff after a while. 30 minutes is a good starting point, build it up from there.  4. expect it to take some time. you won't be out-playing brian may in 6 months. it takes years of work and dedication.  5. it's worth the time! playing an instrument is one of the most rewarding things you can learn.