The "quality" of your practice is more important than the amount of time you spend on it. But time does have a factor.

When I'm playing, I'll practice a minimum of 1 hour a day to keep the skills I've developed. (I'm currently not playing as the studio and other life issues have not given me the time.) Since I'm currently NOT playing, it will take a minimum of two hours a day for about a month to get back into form. If I'm learning something new, then practice is longer as well. Part of the practice is to go over what you already know, (my first hour,) and part to learn new stuff, (my second hour.)

I have been playing for a bit over 40 years, so it takes an hour to cover just the basics I know. In your shoes, it may be the same, because you probably aren't as fast.

So I guess I'm saying that an hour is better than 30 minutes, and every day is better than every other day. Any amount of practice will make you better. More should make it happen faster.

That's about how much I practice everyday, and I think I'm progressing well. I've been playing for about 4 months, and I can play my own music already. I don't practice playing other artist's music though. Just scales and chords, then all my own stuff, which is not actually written down, but committed to memory. The point is, if an hour a day is what you can do, it's good enough. Just do the best you can and keep trying, no matter how frustrated you get or how down on yourself you get for "not practicing enough".

If you want to build your speed, then work on your technique. alternate picking your scales. do it, do it, do it until you're satisfied. then do it some more. working with a metronome is helpful, but not manditory. start slowly and do it cleanly. give those finger muscles a workout! everything takes time, be patient with yourself, or else you'll be setting yourself up for frusturation. as long as you're progressing, then you're on to something. if you get burned out, take a day or two off, then get back at it again.

Welcome back MizzLizzBeck. Yeah what everyone else said. 45 minutes to an hour is great. If you have more time that's better. but as it was said before, quality over quantity. Keep having fun.

quality. not quantity....well, quantity a little bit... you know.....

Bare in mind that playing guitar is a mountain that never ends, but as you are putting in the time, the rewards will come. when I was younger I played for 9 hours a day for about 2 years. but its hard to maintain that sort of thing over a realy long period. if you practise every day it will come, some days I get 10 minutes others 6 hours, as a beginner 45 minutes + is enough if you are learning from scratch.

Good lad, your well on your way, find a teacher who can show you how to do it. you see you could spend years trying to suss things out, where a teacher can show you instantly. buy some dvds and books on your favorite bands and players and have some fun.

I would say that's a good amount of time. It all depends on what you want to do ultimately. I know Steve Vai used to practice 8 hours a day. I think if you spend more time now you'll be able to do like the others posted here and practice an hour a day to keep your chops.