GUIDE
Level 0 Level 2
1. Learn how to hold the guitar 1. Learn Right Hand technique of all
alternate picking
2. Learn the different parts of the
guitar 2. First Position Pentatonic Scale ->
Minor Pentatonic Scale
3. Learn basic strumming, such as up
and down strums 3. Learn all notes of Fretboard up to
the 5th Fret
4. Learn how to pick & fret single
notes 4. Learn what syncopation is, how to
count different beat subdivisions
5. Learn the names of all six strings
5. Recommended songs to learn:
6. Learn basic guitar maintenance,
namely how to tune your guitar Sweet Home Alabama - Lynyrd
Skynyrd
7. Learn what a note is, and which
notes make up a chord Running Down a Dream - Tom
Petty & The Heartbreakers
8. Learn what a key is
House of the Rising Sun - The
9. Learn basic intervals, namely what Animals
is a half step versus a whole step
Highway to Hell - AC/DC
Hurt - Johnny Cash
Level 1
1. Play basic open chords: E, Eminor,
A, A minor, G, C, D Level 3
2. Strum in time, count, play different 1. Second Position Pentatonic Scale -
note values Major Pentatonic Scale
3. Do some very basic guitar 2. Barre Chords - F Major, B Minor-
maintenance namely how to change your Leading to playing barre chords with 5th
strings & 6th String roots
4. Recommended songs to learn: 3. Minor and Major versions of those
(basic strumming, or one-string songs) barre chords
For What Its Worth: Buffalo 4. Know all the notes on the
Springfield fretboard
Wagon Wheel: Darius Rucker 5. Start Soloing over backing tracks
(good one - “now you shred”)
Smoke on the Water: Deep Purple
Samples to solo over:
Seven Nation Army: White Stripes
Sultans of Swing - Dire Straits
Iron Man: Black Sabbath
Layla - Eric Clapton 5. Learn the functions of different
chords
Wish You Were Here - Pink Floyd
Whole Lotta Love - Led Zeppelin
Level 5
1. Learn the Modes
Level 4
2. Learn all the Intervals
1. Learn all 5 positions of the
pentatonic scale (Just 3 new ones) 3. Learn the CAGED system
2. Learn Major and Minor Diatonic 4. Learn the arpeggios within the
Scale CAGED system
3. Learn to play Seventh Chords -> 5. Learn to identify triads within the
Major, Minor, Dominant & Half- CAGED arpeggios
Diminished
6. Learn Major seventh, Minor
4. Play all seventh chords with roots seventh, Dominant seventh, Half
on the fifth & sixth strings diminished arpeggios with fifth and sixth
string roots
5. Play with Bends, Vibrato, Hammer-
ons & pull-offs 7. Add the seventh to your CAGED
arpeggios
6. Natural & Pinch harmonics
8. Learn the theory behind the Modes
7. Music Theory: How to build
Scales, Triads 9. Learn how chord tones can be
used in a solo or melody to accentuate
8. Learn how sevenths apply to
chords already in the song
Triads
10. Learn about Compound Time
9: Recommended: (people often) Get
Signatures
a Guitar Instructor at this level
Level 6
Level 4.5
1. Understand Chord Extensions
1. Learn to Harmonize the minor
beyond the seventh
scale
2. Focus on learning how to add
2. Harmonize the Major Scale - Core
ninth, eleventh & thirteenth to your
Word Scale, order of the Triads
chords -> Heavy Jazz Concept
3. Learn the Nashville Number
3. Learn the Melodic minor scale, as
System Extremely Important
well as its modes and arpeggios
4. Familiarize yourself with really
4. Learn the Harmonic minor scale,
common chord progressions
as well as its modes and arpeggios
5. Learn this one very important
mode of the harmonic minor scale: the
diminished scale
6. Lessons often stopped at this level
Daily Practice Routine This reinforces what you’ve been
working on and prepares you to
(Approx. 90 minutes) progress to the next level.
1. Warm-Up & Finger Exercises (10 6. Song Practice/Application (10
minutes) minutes)
Spend 10 minutes on finger Pick a simple beginner song (one
stretching, basic picking exercises that uses only the chords you’ve
(e.g., 1-2-3-4 exercise), and simple been practicing) and work on
chromatic runs. playing it through.
2. Technique & Basics (20 minutes) Practice the chord progression
Work on proper guitar holding, slowly, ensuring you can change
picking technique, and learn the chords without mistakes.
parts of the guitar. 7. Review & Cool Down (5 minutes)
Focus on one concept per session Reflect on what you learned and
(e.g., today: holding the guitar and note any areas you struggled with
picking technique). for review tomorrow.
3. Chords & Strumming Practice (20 Write down one thing you
minutes) mastered and one thing to
Practice basic open chords (E, A, improve.
D, G, C, etc.) and simple up/down
strumming patterns.
Weekly Check-In
Aim to transition smoothly
between 2–3 chords repeatedly for Once a Week (e.g., Sunday):
the full 20 minutes. o Spend 15 minutes reviewing
4. Short Break (5 minutes) your progress.
Step away, stretch, and relax your o Look at your notes from each
fingers. session and identify any
recurring challenges or
5. Online Lesson/Guided Practice (20 improvements.
minutes)
o Set a mini-goal for the next
Follow an online lesson that week (e.g., “Improve chord
matches your current level (Level transitions between E and
0 from your guide). This might be A”).
a dedicated online module on basic
chord changes, strumming, or
tuning.
Complete the lesson and take
notes or do the associated
exercises.
