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Recent Writing

Guitar Learning Plan

3 min read

Related: Guitar Theory for theory basics, Music Rhythm for rhythm practice, Learning Plan for other learning paths

📅 Weeks 1–2: The Absolute Basics

Guitar Skills

  • Learn guitar anatomy (frets, strings, tuning pegs, pickups if electric).
  • Memorize the string names (E–A–D–G–B–E).
  • Practice tuning (with an app or tuner).
  • Learn basic open chords: C, G, D, A, E.
  • Start simple strumming in 4/4 time (downstrokes only, then add upstrokes).

Theory

  • Learn the musical alphabet (A–G + sharps/flats).
  • Understand whole step / half step.
  • Learn why B–C and E–F have no sharps.

📅 Weeks 3–4: First Songs & Keys

Guitar Skills

  • Add minor chords: Am, Dm, Em.
  • Practice chord changes slowly (use a metronome at 60–70 bpm).
  • Learn 2–3 simple songs with open chords (lots of folk/pop songs use C–G–Am–F).

Theory

  • Learn the C major scale (C–D–E–F–G–A–B).
  • Formula of a major scale: W–W–H–W–W–W–H.
  • Understand chords = 1st + 3rd + 5th from the scale.
  • Build your first triads (C major, D minor, E minor, etc.).

📅 Weeks 5–6: Rhythm & Progressions

Guitar Skills

  • Practice new chords: F (barre or simplified), Bm.

  • Learn chord progressions:

    • I–IV–V (C–F–G)

    • I–V–vi–IV (C–G–Am–F, super common in pop).

  • Practice basic strumming patterns (down–down–up–up–down).

Theory

  • Learn what I, IV, V, vi mean (Roman numerals for scale degrees).

  • Understand major vs minor chord feel (happy vs sad).

  • Intro to time signatures (4/4, 3/4).

📅 Weeks 7–8: Expanding Knowledge

Guitar Skills

  • Learn power chords (root + 5th) on 6th and 5th strings.

  • Start learning pentatonic scale (minor pentatonic in A).

  • Basic picking exercises (alternate picking).

Theory

  • Learn the minor scale and compare with major.

  • Learn the pentatonic scale formula (1, ♭3, 4, 5, ♭7).

  • Understand how pentatonic fits over chords (e.g., A minor pentatonic works over Am, C, G).

📅 Weeks 9–10: Putting It Together

Guitar Skills

  • Play simple riffs using the pentatonic scale.

  • Learn 2–3 songs that mix chords and riffs.

  • Practice chord changes with a metronome at faster tempos.

Theory

  • Intro to seventh chords (maj7, m7, dom7).

  • Understand slash chords (like C/G, B♭maj7/F).

  • Recognize how bass notes change the flavor.

📅 Weeks 11–12: Jamming & Creativity

Guitar Skills

  • Learn how to play along with a backing track (loop a simple progression).

  • Try improvising using the pentatonic scale.

  • Practice clean chord transitions with dynamics (soft vs loud).

Theory

  • Intro to keys: what it means when a song is “in C major.”

  • Circle of Fifths (basic version: how keys relate).

  • Understand modulation (changing keys in a song, just conceptually).

✅ By the end of 12 weeks:

  • You’ll know the basic open chords, some barres, and power chords.

  • You’ll understand major & minor scales, triads, and 7th chords.

  • You’ll be able to play simple songs, jam with backing tracks, and even start writing your own progressions.

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