Week 2: What to Achieve in Your Second Week of Learning Guitar

By Ben Makes Music

Congratulations! You’ve made it through your first week of learning guitar. By now, you’re likely getting comfortable with your instrument and perhaps even starting to form some basic chords. Week 2 is all about building on those foundations and starting to make progress towards more practical skills. As a beginner guitarist, you’ll focus on improving technique, developing rhythm, and expanding your chord vocabulary. By the end of this week, you’ll be well on your way to playing your first song!

Focus on Technique

In your second week, it’s important to start paying attention to your technique. Bad habits can quickly develop, so focusing on how you play the guitar is essential. This will make your playing sound cleaner and help prevent injuries down the line. Here’s what to focus on:

1. Proper Finger Placement – Ensure your fingers are pressing down on the strings properly. Your fingertips should press the strings firmly but not so hard that the notes sound out of tune. Keep your fingers as close to the fret as possible (without touching it) for clearer notes.

2. Strumming Hand Technique – Make sure your strumming hand is relaxed, with your wrist doing most of the work. Whether you’re using a pick or your fingers, keeping your hand loose will help create a smoother strumming motion.

3. Learning Alternate Picking – If you’re ready, start practising alternate picking (down-up-down-up) with your pick. This will help you play faster and more efficiently over time.

Master Basic Chords and Transitions

By now, you should have started learning a few basic open chords. Week 2 is about getting more comfortable with these and learning how to smoothly transition between them. Common beginner chords to focus on include:

• C Major

• G Major

• D Major

• A Major

• E Minor

Practise switching between these chords without pausing. At first, the transitions may feel awkward, but with time, your fingers will start to find their way naturally.

Pro Tip:

To speed up your chord changes, try counting out loud: “1, 2, 3, 4” as you switch chords. This will help your brain and fingers work together, improving your speed and timing.

Learn Simple Songs

Learning simple songs can be one of the most rewarding parts of the guitar journey. In week 2, it’s time to put those chords into action and start playing a real song! Choose a simple tune that uses the chords you’ve already learned. Popular beginner songs include:

• “Horse with No Name” by America (uses just two chords: Em and D6add9/F#)

• “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door” by Bob Dylan (uses G, D, Am, and C)

These songs will help you practice chord transitions, rhythm, and strumming patterns. By playing actual songs, you’ll also stay motivated and see tangible progress!

Improve Your Rhythm

Rhythm is a crucial part of guitar playing, and week 2 is a great time to start developing this skill. Here’s how:

1. Use a Metronome – A metronome is a tool that helps you keep time while playing. You can find free metronome apps for your phone (such as Metronome Plus) or buy a physical metronome. Start slow, making sure you can play along with the beat before speeding up.

2. Strumming Patterns – As you get more comfortable with basic chords, experiment with different strumming patterns. Start with simple downstrokes, then add upstrokes as you get more confident. You could try patterns like “down, down, up, up, down” for a relaxed rhythm.

3. Practice Counting – Always count out loud when practising strumming. This will help keep your rhythm steady and avoid rushing.

Tuning Your Guitar Regularly

A big part of playing guitar is learning how to tune your instrument. By week 2, you should be comfortable using a tuner to make sure your guitar is in tune before each practice session. If you’re using a guitar tuner app, you can make tuning quick and easy. Apps like GuitarTuna and Fender Tune are user-friendly and great for beginners.

Avoiding Common Problems

As you continue your learning journey, you might encounter a few challenges. Here are some common issues and how to solve them:

• String Buzzing – This occurs when your fingers aren’t pressing down on the strings firmly enough, or the strings are too high from the fretboard. To fix this, press harder on the strings or check the action of your guitar (if the problem persists, it might be time for a setup from a professional).

• Sore Fingers – Your fingers may still feel sore as you build up strength. Keep playing through it, but don’t overdo it. If your fingers get too sore, take short breaks to avoid injury.

• Tuning Issues – If you’re struggling to tune your guitar, check that the tuning pegs are tight and secure. A loose peg can cause your guitar to go out of tune quickly.

Using Technology to Enhance Your Practice

There are many apps and online tools available to help you get the most out of your second week. Here are some of the best:

1. GuitarTuna (Free) – Great for tuning and a few basic lessons.

2. Yousician (Premium) – An interactive app that provides structured lessons, real-time feedback, and practice challenges.

3. Ultimate Guitar (Free and Paid) – This app provides a huge library of guitar tabs and chords to learn your favourite songs.

These tools will help make your learning process more fun and structured while ensuring you get the most out of each practice session.

Consistency is Key

As with any skill, consistency is key when learning guitar. Make sure to practice every day, even if it’s just for 20 minutes. The more you play, the faster you’ll improve. As you progress, you’ll start feeling more comfortable and confident in your playing.

Final Thoughts for Week 2

By the end of your second week, you should have a solid understanding of basic chords, rhythm, and strumming patterns. You’ll also be on your way to playing simple songs, which is an exciting milestone for any beginner guitarist. Keep practising, stay patient, and remember that progress takes time. If you encounter challenges, don’t give up! Every guitarist goes through these hurdles, and overcoming them will make you a better player.

FAQs About Guitar Lessons with Ben Makes Music

What is Ben Makes Music?
Ben Makes Music provides guitar lessons for all levels across Essex, including Rayleigh, Hockley, Hullbridge, and surrounding areas.

What types of guitar lessons are available?
Lessons cover a range of styles, including rock, blues, classical, and more. Whether you’re a beginner or advanced player, there’s a lesson for you!

How do I book a lesson?
Booking a lesson is simple! Contact us online or by phone to arrange your guitar lessons in Essex, including Rayleigh, Hockley, Hullbridge, and beyond.

Are online lessons available?
Yes! High-quality online guitar lessons are available for students in Essex and beyond.

Are the lessons suitable for beginners?
Absolutely! Whether you're in Hockley, Leigh-on-Sea, or elsewhere, step-by-step guidance is provided to help you get started on your guitar journey.

Where can I take lessons?
Guitar lessons are available in the following locations across Essex:

Guitar Lessons in Rayleigh

Guitar Lessons in Hockley

Guitar Lessons in Hullbridge

Guitar Lessons in Wickford

Guitar Lessons in South Woodham Ferrers

Guitar Lessons in Leigh-on-Sea

Guitar Lessons in Eastwood

Guitar Lessons in Benfleet

Guitar Lessons in Basildon

Guitar Lessons in Thundersley

Guitar Lessons in Rochford

Why choose Ben Makes Music?
Each lesson is personalised to meet your goals, ensuring fast progress and a fun, engaging learning experience.

Are guitar lessons worth it?
Definitely! Personalised feedback helps you progress faster than relying on free resources.

Can I try a lesson first?
Yes! Book a trial lesson to see if the approach works for you before committing.

Let’s get started on your guitar journey!