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New to the vocabulary? The glossary defines every word this curriculum uses, in one sentence each.

Beginner guitar lessons, step by step.

7 stages, starting with first notes, open chords, strumming, and songs. Browse the curriculum, then continue into later stages as your playing develops.

Already know A and D? Practice A-to-D chord changes with the free routine, or build a practice session around your available time.

Every lesson requires verified lifetime access. Browse the curriculum below. Progress saves in this browser.

Search every lesson and song

By song, artist, chord or skill.

Sound Check

Guitar in tune, hands in place, one clean note you can repeat

9 lessonsLifetime accessNew to guitar

Hold, Fret, Pick

Find and repeat the six open-string pitches

Preview
  1. 1Three Points of ContactLearnPreview
  2. 2Six Open StringsPractice · Mic exercisePreview
  3. 3Checkpoint: Six Open StringsCheckpointPreview

Tune It Yourself

Tune and recheck all six strings at a comfortable pace

Preview
  1. 1What In Tune Actually MeansLearnPreview
  2. 2Tuner Target PracticePracticePreview
  3. 3Checkpoint: Six Strings in TuneCheckpointPreview

Read the Page

Identify eight of ten notated shapes and positions correctly

Preview
  1. 1Tab, Boxes, and SlashesLearnPreview
  2. 2Name the ShapePracticePreview
  3. 3Checkpoint: Eight of Ten ReadsCheckpoint · Reading checkPreview

Two Chords, First Study

Learn A and D, count your changes, and play an original two-chord study

12 lessonsLifetime accessNew to guitar

D and A

Build D and A and check their sounding strings deliberately

Preview
  1. 1D, Then ALearnPreview
  2. 2Check D, Then APracticePreview
  3. 3Checkpoint: Check Both ChordsCheckpointPreview

The Change

Practice silent anchor movement and record your own sixty-second A/D change count

Preview
  1. 1Keep One Finger in PlaceLearnPreview
  2. 2Count Your One-Minute ChangesPracticePreview
  3. 3Checkpoint: Your One-Minute CountCheckpointPreview

Down on the Beat

Play an original sixteen-bar study and check sixty-four quarter-note attacks across sixteen bars at eighty BPM

Preview
  1. 1Four Beats, One DownstrokeLearnPreview
  2. 2First Light: An Original A/D StudyPracticePreview
  3. 3Checkpoint: Sixteen Bars at EightyCheckpoint · Mic exercisePreview

First Riff

Play an original one-string riff through three consecutive passes at ninety BPM

Preview
  1. 1A Riff Is a Melody You Can HoldLearnPreview
  2. 2One String, Four NotesPractice · Mic exercisePreview
  3. 3Checkpoint: Three Complete Passes at NinetyCheckpoint · Mic exercisePreview

Drill it in the Advanced Lab: The Musical Alphabet on One String

The Open Eight

Eight open chords, a capo, and any three-chord song you like

15 lessonsLifetime accessKnow your open chords

Minor Colors

Place Em, Am, and Dm and check each deliberately by hand and ear

Preview
  1. 1Why Minor Sounds Like ThatLearnPreview
  2. 2Three Minors on CuePracticePreview
  3. 3Checkpoint: Three Minors, Self-CheckedCheckpointPreview

E, C and G

Play and self-check the full open eight, with every permitted string ringing

Preview
  1. 1The Stretch ChordsLearnPreview
  2. 2Four-Corner Turnaround: An Original StudySongPreview
  3. 3Checkpoint: Eight Open Shapes, Self-CheckedCheckpointPreview

Up and Down

Keep a counted strumming pattern through 24 bars and document recovery

Preview
  1. 1The Hand Never StopsLearnPreview
  2. 2Ghost StrumsPractice · Mic exercisePreview
  3. 3Checkpoint: Twenty-Four Bars, Self-CheckedCheckpointPreview

Capo and Keys

Play one original study in three capo positions and document the key shift

Preview
  1. 1Same Shapes, New KeyLearnPreview
  2. 2Three Keys, One Original StudyPracticePreview
  3. 3Checkpoint: One Original Study, Three CaposCheckpointPreview

Three-Four and Six-Eight

Count and play an original map through 4/4, 3/4, and 6/8 with self-checks

Preview
  1. 1Counting in ThreesLearnPreview
  2. 2Lantern Tide: An Original 6/8 StudySongPreview
  3. 3Checkpoint: Meter Switch, Self-CheckedCheckpointPreview

The First Scale

Single notes, alternate picking, and the shape every solo starts from

15 lessonsLifetime accessKnow your open chords

Box One

Play the authored minor-pentatonic box route and review pitch separately from technique

Preview
  1. 1Five Notes That Always WorkLearnPreview
  2. 2Box One, Up and DownPractice · Mic exercisePreview
  3. 3Checkpoint: Box One, Self-CheckedCheckpointPreview

Alternate Picking

Build an alternate-picking cell through a sustainable tempo ladder

Preview
  1. 1Down-Up Is Not OptionalLearnPreview
  2. 2Metronome Ladder, Sixty to One HundredPractice · Mic exercisePreview
  3. 3Checkpoint: Eighth-Note Cell, Self-CheckedCheckpointPreview

Hammer-Ons and Pull-Offs

Play three-string legato pairs and separate pitch evidence from technique

Preview
  1. 1Notes Without PickingLearnPreview
  2. 2Legato Pairs, Three StringsPractice · Mic exercisePreview
  3. 3Checkpoint: Legato Pairs, Self-CheckedCheckpointPreview

Eighths and Palm Mute

Hold a counted palm-muted eighth-note study and review mute balance

Preview
  1. 1Where the Edge of the Hand GoesLearnPreview
  2. 2Iron Road: An Original Palm-Muted StudySongPreview
  3. 3Checkpoint: Twenty-Four Bars, Self-CheckedCheckpointPreview

Fingers, Not Pick

Play an original alternating-bass map and review continuity by ear and feel

Preview
  1. 1Thumb Keeps TimeLearnPreview
  2. 2Alternating BassPractice · Mic exercisePreview
  3. 3Checkpoint: Alternating Bass, Self-CheckedCheckpointPreview

Popular Song Companions

Original practice studies for recognizable songs, with external guitar tutorials linked for the actual arrangements.

30 lessonsLifetime access

Foundations in familiar songs

Prepare four recognizable chord loops with clean counted attacks.

Preview
  1. 1Wonderwall — Oasis practice companionSong · Mic exercisePreview
  2. 2Let It Be — The Beatles practice companionSong · Mic exercisePreview
  3. 3Knockin' on Heaven's Door — Bob Dylan practice companionSong · Mic exercisePreview
  4. 4Perfect — Ed Sheeran practice companionSong · Mic exercisePreview
  5. 5Module 1 checkpoint — four song companions preparedCheckpoint · Mic exercisePreview

Dynamics and texture

Prepare muted, picked, and dynamic changes without losing the pulse.

Preview
  1. 1Enchanted — Taylor Swift practice companionSong · Mic exercisePreview
  2. 2Teardrops On My Guitar — Taylor Swift practice companionSong · Mic exercisePreview
  3. 3Photograph — Ed Sheeran practice companionSong · Mic exercisePreview
  4. 4Here Comes The Sun — The Beatles practice companionSong · Mic exercisePreview
  5. 5Module 2 checkpoint — four song companions preparedCheckpoint · Mic exercisePreview

Steady strum and groove

Prepare repeatable accompaniment patterns with deliberate accents and silence.

Preview
  1. 1Good Riddance (Time Of Your Life) — Green Day practice companionSong · Mic exercisePreview
  2. 2Stand By Me — Ben E. King practice companionSong · Mic exercisePreview
  3. 3Take It Easy — Eagles practice companionSong · Mic exercisePreview
  4. 4The Sound Of Silence — Simon & Garfunkel practice companionSong · Mic exercisePreview
  5. 5Module 3 checkpoint — four song companions preparedCheckpoint · Mic exercisePreview

Fingerstyle and melody

Prepare independent thumb, treble, and ringing-note control.

Preview
  1. 1Fast Car — Tracy Chapman practice companionSong · Mic exercisePreview
  2. 2Hallelujah — Leonard Cohen practice companionSong · Mic exercisePreview
  3. 3Blackbird — The Beatles practice companionSong · Mic exercisePreview
  4. 4Wish You Were Here — Pink Floyd practice companionSong · Mic exercisePreview
  5. 5Module 4 checkpoint — four song companions preparedCheckpoint · Mic exercisePreview

Roots and movement

Prepare classic open-chord motion, pickups, and bass awareness.

Preview
  1. 1I Walk The Line — Johnny Cash practice companionSong · Mic exercisePreview
  2. 2Take Me Home, Country Roads — John Denver practice companionSong · Mic exercisePreview
  3. 3Hey Joe — Jimi Hendrix practice companionSong · Mic exercisePreview
  4. 4Brown Eyed Girl — Van Morrison practice companionSong · Mic exercisePreview
  5. 5Module 5 checkpoint — four song companions preparedCheckpoint · Mic exercisePreview

A small singalong set

Prepare four flexible companions whose dynamics survive a room.

Preview
  1. 1Yellow Submarine — The Beatles practice companionSong · Mic exercisePreview
  2. 2Songbird — Oasis practice companionSong · Mic exercisePreview
  3. 3Heart Of Gold — Neil Young practice companionSong · Mic exercisePreview
  4. 4Ain't No Sunshine — Bill Withers practice companionSong · Mic exercisePreview
  5. 5Module 6 checkpoint — four song companions preparedCheckpoint · Mic exercisePreview

Barre Line

The chord that stops most players, the blues form, and your first solo

18 lessonsLifetime accessKnow your open chords

The F Problem

Enter and exit a clean partial F barre four times in a row

Preview
  1. 1Barre Is Leverage, Not StrengthLearnPreview
  2. 2Partial F, In and OutPracticePreview
  3. 3Checkpoint: Four Clean EntriesCheckpointPreview

Power Chords

Play a power-chord riff at one hundred and ten BPM

Preview
  1. 1Two Notes, No QualityLearnPreview
  2. 2Power-Chord Riff SongSongPreview
  3. 3Checkpoint: Riff at One Hundred and TenCheckpointPreview

Twelve Bars

Play three choruses of the twelve-bar form from memory, no chart

Preview
  1. 1The Form You Already KnowLearnPreview
  2. 2Call the ChangesPracticePreview
  3. 3Checkpoint: Three Choruses From MemoryCheckpointPreview

First Solo

Improvise four bars in key over the blues form without stopping

Preview
  1. 1Four Bars Is a SentenceLearnPreview
  2. 2One Phrase, Three AnswersPracticePreview
  3. 3Checkpoint: Four Bars, In Key, No StopCheckpointPreview

Bend and Vibrato

Bend a semitone to within twenty cents of target, three attempts of four

Preview
  1. 1Pitch You Control After the PickLearnPreview
  2. 2Bend to TargetPracticePreview
  3. 3Checkpoint: Semitone Within Twenty CentsCheckpointPreview

Triads and Chords in Keys

Name and play the one, four, five and six chords in three keys

Preview
  1. 1Triads: Three Notes, Many ShapesLearnPreview
  2. 2One, Four, Five, SixPracticePreview
  3. 3Checkpoint: Three Keys, Named and PlayedCheckpointPreview

Drill it in the Advanced Lab: Your First Movable Shape

Whole Neck

Barre shapes everywhere, the major scale in five positions, eight bars of your own

18 lessonsLifetime accessAdvanced player

Full Barre, E Shape

Play E-shape barre major and minor cleanly at five positions

Preview
  1. 1One Shape, Twelve ChordsLearnPreview
  2. 2Five Positions, CleanPracticePreview
  3. 3Checkpoint: Major and Minor at Five PositionsCheckpointPreview

Full Barre, A Shape

Play a one-four-five progression using both barre shapes

Preview
  1. 1The Second Movable ShapeLearnPreview
  2. 2Barre-Chord Song, Both ShapesSongPreview
  3. 3Checkpoint: One-Four-Five, Both ShapesCheckpointPreview

The Major Scale, Five Positions

Connect three adjacent scale positions at one hundred BPM

Preview
  1. 1The Neck Is One ScaleLearnPreview
  2. 2Connect Three PositionsPracticePreview
  3. 3Checkpoint: Three Positions at One HundredCheckpointPreview

Eight Bars

Improvise eight bars landing chord tones on the changes

Preview
  1. 1Phrasing Over the ChangesLearnPreview
  2. 2Target the ThirdPracticePreview
  3. 3Checkpoint: Eight Bars, Chord Tones LandedCheckpointPreview

Steal It By Ear

Transcribe a four-bar phrase from audio at ninety percent accuracy

Preview
  1. 1Hear It, Hum It, Find ItLearnPreview
  2. 2Four Notes From AudioPracticePreview
  3. 3Checkpoint: Four Bars TranscribedCheckpointPreview

Rhythm Vocabulary

Hold a syncopated sixteenth pattern for twenty-four bars at one hundred BPM

Preview
  1. 1Sixteenths and the Space BetweenLearnPreview
  2. 2Syncopated Groove SongSongPreview
  3. 3Checkpoint: Twenty-Four Bars at One HundredCheckpointPreview

Drill it in the Advanced Lab: Find Every C · Three Notes a String, G Major

Signature

Style, tone, and three songs you can play for anyone

18 lessonsLifetime accessAdvanced player

Funk

Hold a one-chord funk groove for thirty-two bars

Preview
  1. 1The Groove Is the MuteLearnPreview
  2. 2Sixteenth ScratchPracticePreview
  3. 3Checkpoint: Thirty-Two Bars, One ChordCheckpointPreview

Blues Beyond Box One

Improvise twelve bars moving through three scale positions

Preview
  1. 1Five Boxes, One ScaleLearnPreview
  2. 2Cross the BoxesPracticePreview
  3. 3Checkpoint: Twelve Bars, Three PositionsCheckpointPreview

Jazz Doorway

Comp a thirty-two bar standard form from memory

Preview
  1. 1Sevenths Change EverythingLearnPreview
  2. 2Two-Five-One CompingSongPreview
  3. 3Checkpoint: A Standard Form From MemoryCheckpointPreview

Extensions and Alterations

Reharmonize a progression and play it in time

Preview
  1. 1Color Beyond the SeventhLearnPreview
  2. 2Ninths and ThirteenthsPracticePreview
  3. 3Checkpoint: Reharmonized and PlayedCheckpointPreview

Tone and Effects

Switch between two tones inside one song, in time

Preview
  1. 1Gain Staging in One MinuteLearnPreview
  2. 2Clean to Dirty Inside a SongPracticePreview
  3. 3Checkpoint: Two Tones, One SongCheckpointPreview

Your Set

Play an unbroken three-song set, start to finish

Preview
  1. 1Sequencing Three SongsLearnPreview
  2. 2Set Rehearsal, Full TakesSongPreview
  3. 3Checkpoint: Three-Song Set, UnbrokenCheckpointPreview

Drill it in the Advanced Lab: Land on the Chord Tone · Syncopated Sixteenths

Need a daily routine?

Seven blocks, about 21 minutes: tune, shapes, changes and songs.

Open practice routine

Take a field guide with you

Free PDFs to keep beside the lessons. Download one, put it on the music stand, and come back to the next lesson.

See all 15 field guides