For guitar players

[green iguana]

How long did it take you until you could start playing half way decent, where you could move pretty fast and have confidence playing?

 

[Flah]

It all depends. I know it took me two years of non stop playing to get where I felt comfortable playing most solos. If you have perfect pitch it won't take you that long to figure stuff out and it's wise to take some lessons to learn some theory.

However, don't stop or you'll lose a lot of skill. I can barely knock out chords now that I hardly play.

 

[hanselthecaretaker]

I've been playing a few months, acoustic, though not as much as I want to, with school. I can play a few pop songs, mainly Beck, Petty, anything along that line. I'm trying to learn more fast finger techniques now, but overall I really haven't played that much. I'd say a total of 100-150 hours, it sounds like a lot but it all ads up fast.
When you start, keep it up!! Otherwise like Flah said you lose some of it. I notice even after 3-4 days without playing my fingers aren't as conditioned. It's worth starting though no matter what.
Get a guitar and go here: http://www.guitarists.net

 

[green iguana]

Thanks for the answers so far and the link.

 

[c-sharp minor]

It really depends on the the amount of effort you put in to learning your intstrument.

I surpassed the people I had been playing with (when I originally started playing), merely due to the fact I played 6-12 hours per day, everyday.

The more you play, the quicker you will be able to play fluidly.

 

[green iguana]

I wish I could put in that much time a day but I cant. Can you play any metallica at all?