Week 3: What to Achieve in Your Third Week of Learning Guitar
By Ben Makes Music
By the time week 3 comes around, you should be starting to feel more comfortable with the guitar. The basics like chord shapes and strumming are becoming second nature, and it’s time to expand your skills further. In this post, we’ll cover what to focus on this week to continue making progress. Week 3 is all about refining your technique, learning new chord shapes, and exploring strumming patterns to make your playing more dynamic.
Refining Chord Transitions
At this stage, being able to switch between basic chords smoothly is a key skill. In week 3, focus on refining how you move between chords, as this is essential for playing songs seamlessly. The more efficiently you can switch between chords, the more confident you’ll feel when playing songs.
How to improve chord transitions:
• Slow Down: Begin by practising transitions slowly to ensure that every movement is intentional. Speed up only when the transitions feel more natural.
• Minimise Finger Movement: Keep your fingers as close to the fretboard as possible when moving between chords. Less finger movement equals quicker transitions.
• Practice with a Metronome: A metronome will help you keep a steady rhythm while working on chord changes. Start at a slower tempo and gradually increase the speed as you improve.
Expanding Your Chord Knowledge
In week 3, it’s a great time to learn some new chord shapes. Adding barre chords and 7th chords to your repertoire will open up more musical possibilities and allow you to play more complex songs.
Focus on learning:
• Barre Chords: Start with the F major and B minor barre chords. While these may take a bit of time to get used to, regular practice will help you build finger strength and confidence.
• 7th Chords: Adding chords like C7, G7, and A7 to your chord library will give you a richer sound and will be useful in many genres, such as blues, jazz, and rock.
Tip: If full barre chords feel difficult, begin by practising smaller versions and gradually work up to the full shapes as your hand gets stronger.
Practising Strumming Patterns
Strumming is an important part of rhythm guitar. In week 3, it’s time to build on the basic downstrokes you’ve been using and start adding more varied strumming patterns.
Try these strumming patterns:
• Down, Down, Up, Up, Down (D, D, U, U, D): This simple yet effective pattern works for many songs.
• Down, Up, Down, Up (D, U, D, U): A basic pattern that helps develop even strumming and improves control.
• Down, Down, Down, Up, Up, Down (D, D, D, U, U, D): This pattern adds variety and complexity to your rhythm.
Tip: Start slowly and use a metronome to stay in time. Once the pattern feels comfortable, increase the speed gradually to build your confidence.
Learning to Play Simple Songs
Now that you’re adding new chords and strumming patterns to your practice routine, it’s time to start playing complete songs. Learning songs that incorporate these new chords will help you see how everything fits together.
Songs to try:
• “Stand By Me” (Ben E. King): This classic song uses some easy-to-learn barre and 7th chords, making it perfect for this stage of learning.
• “Wish You Were Here” (Pink Floyd): This song incorporates some fundamental chords and is ideal for practising chord transitions and strumming patterns.
Developing Your Ear for Music
Another important skill to focus on is developing your ear. Being able to identify and play songs by ear can be very rewarding. Start by trying to figure out simple songs by listening to them and matching the chords you play to what you hear.
Apps like Ultimate Guitar and Chordify are great for helping to identify chords in songs and improve your ear.
Overcoming Challenges
Learning guitar can come with challenges, and in week 3, you may encounter some obstacles. Here’s how to overcome a few common ones:
• Timing: If staying in time with your strumming patterns feels tricky, slow things down and use a metronome to improve your timing. Once you’re comfortable at a slower tempo, gradually increase the speed.
• Struggling with Chords: If some chords, like barre chords, feel difficult, don’t worry. It takes time to build the necessary finger strength and dexterity. Break the chords down and practise smaller sections at a time until they feel more comfortable.
Using Apps to Track Progress
Technology can be a great aid in your learning. There are many apps and tools available that can help speed up your progress and keep you motivated.
1. GuitarTuna (Free): A popular tuning app that also includes basic lessons for beginners.
2. Yousician (Premium): This app provides structured lessons and feedback on your playing, making it a helpful tool for improving technique.
3. Ultimate Guitar (Free and Paid): This app has a large collection of guitar tabs, so you can learn songs at your own pace.
Consistent Practice is Key
As always, consistent practice is vital for making progress. Aim to practice for 20-30 minutes each day, breaking up your time into smaller, focused segments. For example, spend 10 minutes on chord transitions, 10 minutes on strumming patterns, and 10 minutes learning a song. Regular, focused practice will lead to steady improvement.
Final Thoughts for Week 3
Week 3 is all about building on the foundation you’ve set so far. By focusing on refining chord transitions, learning new chords, and improving your strumming, you’re setting yourself up for continued success. Don’t rush the process—take your time, practice regularly, and enjoy the journey of learning the guitar.
With each new skill you master, you’ll feel more confident in your playing. Keep challenging yourself, and you’ll continue to make great strides in your guitar learning journey.
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
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Guitar Lessons in Wickford
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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!
