Getting Started

Welcome to Intermediate Guitar! Each lesson presents a skill that unlocks more of the fretboard and more styles of playing. These lessons are designed to be studied here in Music Buddy, where you can read through the content, practice with the musical examples, and watch curated YouTube videos embedded to illustrate the ideas.

You should be comfortable with open chords (C, G, D, Em, Am, and friends), basic strumming, and reading tab in Music Buddy before diving in. If any of that feels shaky, revisit the Beginning Guitar series first—it will save you frustration later.

How to Use These Lessons

Each lesson includes:

Musical examples in standard notation and tab — Every example is playable in Music Buddy; use the Tab toggle to see fretboard positions under the staff
Theory explanations — Understand the "why" behind the techniques, not just the finger positions
Practice tips — Guidance on how to effectively practice each concept
Curated videos — YouTube videos selected to illustrate key concepts, embedded right in the lesson so you can watch without leaving Music Buddy

Tips for Success

Practice regularly — Consistency beats marathon sessions. Even 15–20 minutes daily will move you forward.
Set weekly goals — Use Music Buddy's Practice Goals feature to set weekly targets—such as minutes of practice or lessons to complete—and track your progress throughout the week.
Play along with the examples — All the examples are designed to be playable on guitar. Try playing along, then experiment with variations.
Slow down first — Barre chords and new techniques need patience. Use a metronome and increase speed only when the motion feels relaxed.
Connect lessons to songs — When you learn a power-chord riff or a Travis picking pattern, find a song that uses it. Context makes everything stick.
Take notes — Music Buddy allows you to create your own lessons. Jot down shapes, songs, or breakthroughs as you go.
Be patient with barre chords — They are the biggest hurdle in this series for most players. Short, focused practice beats grinding until your hand cramps.

The lessons progress from chord shapes and rhythm tools toward fretboard literacy and a taste of lead guitar. Take your time with each lesson before moving on to the next one.

Now, on to barre chords!