For Beginners

My definition of a beginner is someone who:

• Is learning guitar for the very first time

• Can’t strum or play rhythms properly yet

• Can’t play essential chords (basic triads, seventh chords, power chords) yet

• Can’t read the guitar fretboard yet

• Hasn’t learned basic music theory yet

 

About 90% of the people who say they are “intermediate” are actually at this level. If you’ve never taken music or guitar lessons before, that number goes up to 99%.

 

At this stage, you will learn:

 

• How to strum and fingerpick properly — right-hand technique. Rhythm always comes first when you play music.

• How to hold the guitar and play chords properly — left-hand technique.

• How the fretboard and chords are built — basic music theory.

 

Most importantly, you’ll learn as many songs as possible. This is my song-based approach.

 

If you take weekly lessons, it will take…

 

• Less than 6 months : If you’re naturally very musical, have experience playing other instruments, already know basic music theory, and practice 1–2 hours every day.

 

• About 6–9 months : If you’ve never learned music before but enjoy music and listen to it often — and practice 30 minutes to 1 hour a day, about 4–5 days a week.

 

• More than a year : If you don’t listen to music often, have no prior music experience, and barely practice at home.

 

• You may never complete this level: If you have a serious problem with rhythm — for example, if you can’t clap along with the music. I always diagnose this in the first lesson. It can be improved with my specialized training program, but I cannot guarantee results.

 

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A quick note on “musical talent”

 

As I mentioned, musical talent and practice time make a huge difference.

When I say "musical talent," I'm not talking about being born a musician. I mean:

 

• How often you listen to music

• How deeply you feel rhythm

• How much you actually enjoy music

 

That’s why I ask on the first day:

“What kind of music do you like?”

“Who is your favorite singer, guitar player, or band?”

 

For example:

 

Student A: “I love R&B! I want to be an R&B singer-songwriter someday!”

 

Student B: “Umm… I’m not sure. I just want to play in my spare time.”

 

Student A will usually improve much faster because they listen to music often and feel more motivated.

 

Every time you listen to music — walking, working, driving — it builds your musical ability.

People who rarely listen to music naturally improve more slowly.

 

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How I evaluate your musical ability

 

I can understand a student’s musical ability within a few lessons and identify strengths and weaknesses based on my 25 years of teaching experience. Almost everything can be improved through training — but the biggest factor is how much and how often you practice.

 

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The truth about improvement

 

Taking lessons alone will not make you better.

Practicing what you learn is what makes you improve.

 

I can teach you:

• the best way,

• the fastest way,

• and the most enjoyable way

to learn the guitar — but improvement only happens at home.

 

If you just show up once a week without practicing, we will repeat the same songs again and again.

There are so many fun things waiting for you to learn — remember that.

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Be patient

 

Once you finish the beginner level, I will ask you what songs you want to learn.

Before that, you may need to play songs or styles you aren’t familiar with.

At the beginner level, the number of playable songs is limited.

 

Playing music outside your comfort zone expands your musicality and makes you a better musician.

Be patient — the time will come when you can learn any song you want.

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Be positive

 

You will face challenges. Everyone does.

And everyone can overcome them.

 

With my guidance, you’ll experience the joy of overcoming those difficulties.

You are not the only one struggling — and you absolutely can do this.

 

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Practice effectively

 

Practice what you learned in the lesson.

Do not practice things you haven’t learned yet.

Reviewing and reinforcing your foundation is far more important than jumping into something new.

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During lessons

 

When I demonstrate, watch and listen carefully — my left hand, right hand, posture, and technique.

Please do not play your guitar while I demonstrate.

 

When I explain something, listen closely.

If you don’t understand, ask anytime.

Taking notes on what you learned will help you tremendously.