Beginner training plan
Your first lessonLesson 1 – Getting to Know the Guitar
• Focus: Introduction & Foundations
• Parts of the guitar (headstock, tuners, nut, frets, fretboard, body, bridge, etc.)
• String names (E–A–D–G–B–E, low to high)
• Proper posture & how to hold the guitar (sitting and standing)
• How to hold a pick
• How to tune using a tuner (and by ear, basic)
• Practice: Memorize string names, practice tuning, hold the guitar comfortably for 10 minutes a day.
Lesson 11+Lessons 11–15 – Speed, Songs & Soloing
Focus: Applying everything learned to real music and creative expression.
• Speed Development
• Continue metronome practice with scales, string skipping, and picking exercises.
• Gradually raise tempos to build accuracy and control at higher speeds.
• Second Song
• Learn a second song of the student’s choice (preferably a different style than the first).
• Break it into sections and practice to tempo with the metronome.
• Introduction to Soloing
• Review major, minor, and pentatonic scales.
• Learn how scales fit over chord progressions.
• Explore phrasing, bends, slides, hammer-ons, and pull-offs.
• Writing Their First Solo
• Use scales to create simple licks.
• Build a solo over a chord progression (example: Am–G–D or G–C–D).
• Emphasize melody and timing over speed.
• Refine solo with phrasing and rhythmic precision.
• Final Showcase
• Perform both student-chosen songs from start to finish.
• Play their original solo.
• Wrap up with feedback on technique, expression, and next steps.
Homework Throughout
• Daily metronome practice with scales and exercises.
• Consistent song practice, section by section, then full playthrough.
• Continue refining solo, polishing phrasing, and playing at different tempos.
Lesson 4-10Lesson 4–6 – Expanding Chords, Keys & Scales
Focus: Building music theory and fretboard vocabulary.
• Learn the remaining natural open chords (C major, A minor, F major, etc.).
• What is a key? – Understanding how chords and notes belong to a key.
• Introduction to sharps and flats.
• Learn the Major Scale (Ionian) and Minor Scale (Aeolian).
• Introduction to the Pentatonic Major and Pentatonic Minor scales.
• Incorporate string-skipping exercises for accuracy and dexterity.
Homework:
• Daily practice of chord transitions between all natural chords.
• Run through major, minor, and pentatonic scales slowly and cleanly.
• Practice string skipping with alternate picking.
Lesson 7–9 – Rhythm, Speed & Timing
Focus: Building precision and time control.
• Introduction to the metronome – how to use it effectively.
• What is a time signature? (Focus on 4/4).
• Apply scales, chords, and strumming patterns to the metronome.
• Speed-building exercises:
• Gradually increase tempo on scales (major, minor, pentatonic).
• Chromatic runs (1-2-3-4, 4-3-2-1).
• Alternate picking drills with tempo tracking.
Homework:
• Practice all scales to a metronome, starting slow and increasing tempo gradually.
• Strum chord progressions in both 4/4 time.
• Log daily metronome speeds to track progress.
Lesson 10 – First Full Song
Focus: Application of everything learned.
• Choose a song of the student’s choice (within their skill level).
• Break down the song into sections (intro, verse, chorus, bridge).
• Apply chord knowledge, scales, strumming, and timing.
• Play the full song start to finish with proper technique and timing.
Homework:
• Continue refining the chosen song until they can perform it cleanly.
• Keep practicing scales, metronome drills, and chord progressions alongside.
