I got proficient at the scrape method after about a week. Generally, this method involves more luck than skill and can take anywhere from 30 seconds to 15 mins to pick a lock. The pin-at-a-time method is much more difficult. I'm still not super good at that approach, but I don't practice as regularly as I should. They've got these clear plastic training sets you can purchase so you can see the tumblers move up and down. I never bought one, but I can see how they'd be useful: http://www.lockpickshop.com/PSTNX.html