They practice an awful lot and are self motivated.

My son is 16 and started playing live gigs at 14 and is now getting reasonably good. Plays a little jazz, some acoustic stuff, composes a lot of his own music, mostly plays rock (progressive rock rather than heavy metal if such a thing exists) in the Steve Vai/Satriani genre. Decent improvisational skills and wide musical interests and a decent intuitive grasp of theory and harmony. Good grade 8 standard his teacher reckons (dropped 3 marks on his grade 6 which he took as he needed a formal grade to get into college in the future). Spends 2 or 3 hours a day playing but mostly practicing or writing music.

Started playing at about 10. Has a weekly lesson currently with a local teacher mostly concentrating on technique. Goes to Bath in the summer for the IGF workshops for a week and learns and plays with good players. Saved all his money for years to buy his Ibanez Jem 7W. Intends to try and make a career of it and good luck to him.

A measure of dedication - motivated by an underlying love of music and the pleasure of playing - needed.