In this video
Andy Guitar Beginners Course eBook 2016 - 2nd Edition
Click the button below to find my song tutorials for this level of the course.
Practice Routine for Level 7 (50 minutes most days)
I’m going to split this into 2 x 25 minute sessions, part 1 for chord strumming and part 2 for single note playing. This can be done on alternate days. For best progress however, 50 minutes of guitar fun a day will maximise your returns!
I like to spend the first 5 or 10 minutes playing whatever comes to mind. It clears my head and warms my fingers up for the more focused practice to come.
Part 1 - Chords and strumming (25 minutes)
Chord practice (Strum, Pick, Strum)
Lots of new chords at this final level. B7 and Fmaj7 should be prioritised highest, but E7, A7, D7, G7 and C7 need to be covered
Rhythm practice
Triplet strumming and a blues shuffle (Level 7 Lesson 3)
8th strumming with a tie (Level 6 Lesson 3)
8ths all down strumming with an accent and an up (Level 5 Lesson 3)
Chord sequences
Chord sequences in Level 7 Lesson 6
You need to really nail a G to B7 and E to B7 changes at this level
Song practice
Practice songs that use the two strumming patterns listed in the rhythm practice section - it is the be all and end all of this level. I’d like you to also be aware what key you think the songs you know are in.
Finally, make sure you can still play at least 2 guitar riffs by now! 'Can’t Explain', 'Free Fallin' ' and 'Highway to Hell' or similar should still be in your repertoire!
Part 2- Single Note playing (25 minutes)
E minor pentatonic scale at 12th fret (Cycled 4 times)
For added benefit, this should be done to a metronome set between 60 and 100 bpm and playing on every tick
G major scale
This should be played 4 times through in a cycle. When it’s sounding good, try and improve your speed. Track your speed by playing along to a metronome!
Riffs
Learn a mix of single note and chord based riffs. Aim for around 5, and try 2 of these along to the record, aiming eventually to have them all along to the record
When you're ready, move on to the next course - Andy's Improver Course