Michelle is on the right track (ex guitar teacher here.)  The SRS advice above is nice, but a lot of guitar playing is simply well-developed muscle memory. I got good because the guitar was always on the couch by the TV. I'd pick it up every time I sat down and just play scales or random chords. I watched a LOT of TV at the time and I had a teacher to keep me from developing bad habits.<p>My students who watched a lot of TV and were allowed to play in the living room got better, faster than those who didn't.