What to Learn on Guitar in Order (Complete Roadmap)

Summary

This video outlines a comprehensive 10-level roadmap for learning guitar, addressing common challenges faced by self-taught players. Starting with the basics of guitar parts and tuning, it progresses through essential concepts like chords, scales, and improvisation, culminating in advanced topics such as harmonic minor scales and the CAGED system. Each level builds on the previous one, with song recommendations to practice skills at every stage. The presenter emphasizes the importance of developing both technical proficiency and musical understanding, encouraging viewers to specialize in genres they enjoy as they advance their skills.

Takeaways

• 😀 Direction is crucial for guitar learners; the internet offers a wealth of resources, but structuring your learning is essential.
• 🎸 Level 1 focuses on the basics, including guitar parts, holding techniques, strumming, and tuning.
• 🎶 In Level 2, learners should master seven open chords and basic rhythm, while also starting to play simple songs.
• 🔑 Level 3 introduces scales, specifically the minor pentatonic scale, and teaches alternate picking techniques.
• 🪕 Level 4 emphasizes bar chords and improvisation, encouraging learners to start creating their own solos.
• 📈 By Level 5, students should learn all five positions of the pentatonic scale and start exploring music theory concepts.
• 🌟 Level 6 focuses on harmonizing the major scale and understanding functional harmony and common chord progressions.
• 🎤 Level 7 dives into seventh chords and their relationship to the major scale, expanding the chord vocabulary.
• 🎼 Level 8 introduces diatonic modes and ear training to help learners recognize melodies and solos by ear.
• 🎤 Level 9 explores the CAGED system and arpeggios, enhancing the ability to play melodies that complement chords.
• 🏁 Level 10 covers advanced concepts like chord extensions and minor scales, paving the way for specialization in genres.

Q & A

What is the primary challenge guitar players face when learning?

The biggest problem is not having direction, as the internet is saturated with great guitar instruction, making it hard for self-taught players to organize their learning effectively.

What does the video outline regarding the guitar learning roadmap?

The video presents a complete guitar learning roadmap consisting of 10 levels, each focusing on different skills and concepts to help players improve systematically.

What should a beginner focus on in Level 1?

In Level 1, beginners should learn the parts of the guitar, how to hold it and the pick, basic strumming mechanics, fretting notes, and how to tune the guitar.

What are the first seven chords a player should learn in Level 2?

The first seven chords are E major, E minor, A major, A minor, G major, C major, and D major, which are all open chords.

What skill is emphasized in Level 3?

Level 3 emphasizes learning scales, starting with the minor pentatonic scale, and introduces alternate picking and note identification on the fretboard.

What additional concepts are introduced in Level 4?

In Level 4, players learn the second position major pentatonic scale, bar chords, triads, and begin to improvise guitar solos using backing tracks.

What does Level 5 focus on regarding pentatonic scales?

Level 5 covers all five positions of the pentatonic scale and introduces the major and minor diatonic scales, alongside advanced techniques like hammer-ons and pull-offs.

What is the key concept of Level 6?

Level 6 focuses on harmonizing the major scale, learning the Nashville number system, and understanding functional harmony to identify different chord functions.

What does Level 8 entail?

In Level 8, players learn all seven diatonic modes, scale intervals, and work on ear training to recognize melodies and solos by ear.

What should a player focus on in Level 10?

Level 10 involves understanding chord extensions beyond the seventh, learning the harmonic and melodic minor scales, and exploring more complex scales and improvisational techniques.