Advanced Guitar Course

Lesson 1 • Tuning Systems and Ear Training

Master standard and alternate tunings using electronic and relative methods. Accurate tuning underpins every musical concept in the course.

Lesson 2 • Proper Posture and Hand Position

Develop injury-free sitting and standing posture with correct fretting and picking hand angles. Prevents long-term strain and enables speed.

Lesson 3 • Guitar Setup and Maintenance

Adjust action, intonation, and truss rod for optimal playability. A well-set guitar directly improves tone and technique accuracy.

Lesson 1 • Chord Theory and Harmony

Construct triads and seventh chords from scale degrees and understand diatonic harmony. Enables intentional chord selection in any key.

Lesson 2 • Keys, Modes, and Modulation

Identify key signatures, derive the seven modes, and recognise modulation in songs. Expands harmonic vocabulary beyond single-key thinking.

Lesson 3 • Notes, Intervals, and the Fretboard

Map all 12 notes across the fretboard and understand interval relationships. Creates the mental grid for all scale and chord work.

Lesson 4 • Major and Minor Scale Construction

Derive major and natural minor scales from interval formulas and locate them in multiple positions. Scales become the foundation for melody and improvisation.

Lesson 1 • Fingerpicking Patterns and Travis Picking

Develop independent thumb-and-finger coordination for fingerstyle patterns. Expands rhythmic texture beyond strumming.

Lesson 2 • Groove, Feel, and Pocket Playing

Understand the difference between metronomic accuracy and musical groove. Learners learn to push, pull, and sit in the pocket intentionally.

Lesson 3 • Metronome Mastery and Subdivision

Train with a metronome at multiple subdivision levels to internalise steady pulse. Consistent timing is the single most important professional skill.

Lesson 1 • Legato: Hammer-ons and Pull-offs

Build smooth, connected lines using hammer-ons, pull-offs, and slides. Legato technique creates fluid phrasing distinct from picked lines.

Lesson 2 • Picking Technique and Efficiency

Develop alternate, economy, and hybrid picking for speed and accuracy. Efficient picking mechanics reduce fatigue and increase note clarity.

Lesson 3 • Bending and Vibrato

Execute accurate pitch bends and expressive vibrato with consistent intonation. These techniques define personal voice on the instrument.

Lesson 4 • Phrasing and Musical Expression

Shape single-note lines with dynamics, space, and melodic contour for musical impact. Technique without phrasing produces mechanical, unmusical results.

Lesson 1 • Extended Chords: 9ths, 11ths, 13ths

Construct and voice extended chords by adding colour tones above the seventh. Expands harmonic palette for jazz, funk, and R&B contexts.

Lesson 2 • Chord Melody and Solo Guitar

Arrange melody and harmony simultaneously on one guitar for solo performance. Integrates all chord knowledge into a complete musical statement.

Lesson 3 • Altered and Suspended Chords

Apply alterations (b9, #9, b5, #5) and suspensions to create tension and resolution. Essential for jazz and modern harmonic sophistication.

Lesson 1 • Pentatonic and Blues Scale Mastery

Command all five pentatonic positions and integrate the blues scale for expressive soloing. The pentatonic is the most versatile improvisational tool.

Lesson 2 • Arpeggios and Chord-Tone Soloing

Use arpeggio shapes to target chord tones and outline harmony while soloing. Chord-tone soloing produces melodically intentional, harmonically strong lines.

Lesson 3 • Outside Playing and Chromaticism

Introduce chromatic passing tones and intentional outside notes for tension and colour. Expands improvisation beyond diatonic comfort zones.

Lesson 4 • Modal Improvisation in Context

Apply Dorian, Mixolydian, Phrygian, and Lydian modes over appropriate chord vamps. Modes become practical tools, not just theoretical constructs.

Lesson 1 • Rock Guitar: Riffs, Power, and Tone

Develop power chord riffs, pentatonic soloing, and rock tone shaping. Rock technique emphasises aggression, sustain, and rhythmic drive.

Lesson 2 • Jazz Guitar: Comping and Lines

Apply jazz chord voicings, walking bass lines, and bebop-influenced single-note lines. Jazz demands harmonic sophistication and rhythmic subtlety.

Lesson 3 • Fingerstyle and Classical Influences

Apply classical right-hand technique and fingerstyle arrangements to modern contexts. Expands tonal and textural range beyond pick-based playing.

Lesson 4 • Blues Guitar: Tradition and Technique

Master shuffle rhythms, call-and-response phrasing, and expressive bending in blues style. Blues is the root language of most Western popular guitar.

Lesson 1 • Building and Performing a Set

Structure a performance set with pacing, key variety, and audience engagement in mind. A well-designed set maximises musical and emotional impact.

Lesson 2 • Practice Systems and Long-Term Growth

Design deliberate practice routines that target weaknesses and sustain motivation. Structured practice accelerates mastery more than unguided repetition.

Lesson 3 • Developing Artistic Identity

Define a personal musical voice through influences, composition, and stylistic choices. Artistry distinguishes a professional musician from a technician.

Lesson 4 • Tone Shaping and Signal Chain

Optimise guitar tone through amp settings, pedal order, and EQ choices. Tone is a core component of musical identity and genre authenticity.