Guitar

Charts with a track under each one. Play along, a little every day. Guitar first, then piano.

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Guitar

Guitar lessons

Beginner series, newest day first. Tap a day to open it.

Day 7The G Chord

Guitar lesson Day 7, chart 1: The G Chord — Fingers 1 and 2 sit on the thick strings; finger 3 reaches over to the thin high E string. Pick each string to check it.

Guitar lesson Day 7, chart 2: G and D Switching Drill — Switch between G and D every bar. Look for fingers that can stay put or slide.

Tip: Practice the switch on its own: chord, lift, chord, lift, ten times, without strumming.

Day 6The D Chord

Guitar lesson Day 6, chart 1: The D Chord — Only strum the top four strings, starting from the open D string. Pick each string to check it.

Guitar lesson Day 6, chart 2: D and Em Switching Drill — Switch between D and Em every bar. Look for fingers that can stay put or slide.

Tip: Practice the switch on its own: chord, lift, chord, lift, ten times, without strumming.

Day 5Steady Down Strums

Guitar lesson Day 5, chart 1: Slow Changes: One Strum per Bar — Strum once on beat 1, then use beats 2-4 to move calmly to the next chord.

Guitar lesson Day 5, chart 2: Em–Am Groove — Two bars of each chord with four even down strums. Tap your foot to stay steady.

Tip: Count out loud. It feels silly at first, but it is the fastest way to build steady timing.

Day 4The Am Chord

Guitar lesson Day 4, chart 1: The Am Chord — Skip the thick low E string. Arch your fingers so they do not touch the open high E string.

Guitar lesson Day 4, chart 2: Em to Am, One Bar Each — Notice that fingers 2 and 3 just move over one string each. Keep them close to the strings when you switch.

Tip: Changing chords slowly and cleanly comes first. Speed comes later on its own.

Day 3Your First Chord: Em

Guitar lesson Day 3, chart 1: The Em Chord — Press with fingertips just behind the frets, then pick each string to check it rings clearly before you strum.

Guitar lesson Day 3, chart 2: Em Down Strums — Strum down once per beat while counting 1, 2, 3, 4 out loud.

Tip: If a string buzzes, press a little closer to the fret, not harder.

Day 2Tuning Up

Guitar lesson Day 2, chart 1: Tuning Reference Notes — Play each open string along with the track and turn the tuning peg slowly until the two sounds match.

Guitar lesson Day 2, chart 2: The 5th-Fret Check — Each pair should sound the same. Note the one exception: the G string uses the 4th fret to match the B string.

Tip: A clip-on tuner or a free tuner app makes this quick. Tune every time you pick up the guitar.

Day 1Meet Your Guitar

Guitar lesson Day 1, chart 1: The Six Open Strings — Say each string name out loud as the track plays it, from the thickest string to the thinnest and back.

Guitar lesson Day 1, chart 2: Your First Down Strums — Rest the guitar on your right leg, hold the pick loosely, and brush down across all six open strings on every beat.

Tip: Sit up straight and keep your shoulders loose. Five relaxed minutes beats an hour of tension.

Guitar

Daily guitar practice

A minor pentatonic around the neck: five charts a day, newest first.

Tuesday, October 27, 2026A Minor Pentatonic Shape 3 (frets 9-13)

Guitar practice 2026-10-27, chart 1: A minor pentatonic Shape 2 review (frets 7-10), roots A in red with finger numbers. — A minor pentatonic Shape 2 review (frets 7-10), roots A in red with finger numbers.

Guitar practice 2026-10-27, chart 2: A minor pentatonic Shape 3 (frets 9-13), roots A in red with finger numbers. — A minor pentatonic Shape 3 (frets 9-13), roots A in red with finger numbers.

Guitar practice 2026-10-27, chart 3: Shape 2 (purple) linking into Shape 3 (teal); split dots are shared notes. — Shape 2 (purple) linking into Shape 3 (teal); split dots are shared notes.

Guitar practice 2026-10-27, chart 4: Every D note on frets 0-12 across all six strings. — Every D note on frets 0-12 across all six strings.

Guitar practice 2026-10-27, chart 5: Strum D-D-U-U-D-U over Am-F-C-G with fretting-hand muting on the offbeats. — Strum D-D-U-U-D-U over Am-F-C-G with fretting-hand muting on the offbeats.

Monday, October 26, 2026A Minor Pentatonic Shape 2 (frets 7-10)

Guitar practice 2026-10-26, chart 1: A minor pentatonic Shape 1 review (frets 5-8), roots A in red with finger numbers; a new trip around the five shapes begins. — A minor pentatonic Shape 1 review (frets 5-8), roots A in red with finger numbers; a new trip around the five shapes begins.

Guitar practice 2026-10-26, chart 2: A minor pentatonic Shape 2 (frets 7-10), roots A in red with finger numbers. — A minor pentatonic Shape 2 (frets 7-10), roots A in red with finger numbers.

Guitar practice 2026-10-26, chart 3: Shape 1 (purple) linking into Shape 2 (teal); split dots are shared notes. — Shape 1 (purple) linking into Shape 2 (teal); split dots are shared notes.

Guitar practice 2026-10-26, chart 4: Every G note on frets 0-12 across all six strings. — Every G note on frets 0-12 across all six strings.

Guitar practice 2026-10-26, chart 5: Strum D-D-U-U-D-U over Am-F-C-G with fretting-hand muting on the offbeats. — Strum D-D-U-U-D-U over Am-F-C-G with fretting-hand muting on the offbeats.

Sunday, October 25, 2026A Minor Pentatonic Shape 1 (frets 5-8)

Guitar practice 2026-10-25, chart 1: A minor pentatonic Shape 5 review (frets 2-5), roots A in red with finger numbers. — A minor pentatonic Shape 5 review (frets 2-5), roots A in red with finger numbers.

Guitar practice 2026-10-25, chart 2: A minor pentatonic Shape 1 (frets 5-8), roots A in red with finger numbers; the full circle of five shapes is complete. — A minor pentatonic Shape 1 (frets 5-8), roots A in red with finger numbers; the full circle of five shapes is complete.

Guitar practice 2026-10-25, chart 3: Shape 5 (purple) linking into Shape 1 (teal); split dots are shared notes. — Shape 5 (purple) linking into Shape 1 (teal); split dots are shared notes.

Guitar practice 2026-10-25, chart 4: Every C note on frets 0-12 across all six strings. — Every C note on frets 0-12 across all six strings.

Guitar practice 2026-10-25, chart 5: Strum D-D-U-U-D-U over Am-F-C-G with fretting-hand muting on the offbeats. — Strum D-D-U-U-D-U over Am-F-C-G with fretting-hand muting on the offbeats.

Saturday, October 24, 2026A Minor Pentatonic Shape 5 (frets 14-17)

Guitar practice 2026-10-24, chart 1: A minor pentatonic Shape 4 review (frets 12-15), roots A in red with finger numbers. — A minor pentatonic Shape 4 review (frets 12-15), roots A in red with finger numbers.

Guitar practice 2026-10-24, chart 2: A minor pentatonic Shape 5 (frets 14-17), roots A in red with finger numbers. — A minor pentatonic Shape 5 (frets 14-17), roots A in red with finger numbers.

Guitar practice 2026-10-24, chart 3: Shape 4 (purple) linking into Shape 5 (teal); split dots are shared notes. — Shape 4 (purple) linking into Shape 5 (teal); split dots are shared notes.

Guitar practice 2026-10-24, chart 4: Every F note on frets 0-12 across all six strings. — Every F note on frets 0-12 across all six strings.

Guitar practice 2026-10-24, chart 5: Strum D-D-U-U-D-U over Am-F-C-G with fretting-hand muting on the offbeats. — Strum D-D-U-U-D-U over Am-F-C-G with fretting-hand muting on the offbeats.

Friday, October 23, 2026A Minor Pentatonic Shape 4 (frets 12-15)

Guitar practice 2026-10-23, chart 1: A minor pentatonic Shape 3 review (frets 9-13), roots A in red with finger numbers. — A minor pentatonic Shape 3 review (frets 9-13), roots A in red with finger numbers.

Guitar practice 2026-10-23, chart 2: A minor pentatonic Shape 4 (frets 12-15), roots A in red with finger numbers. — A minor pentatonic Shape 4 (frets 12-15), roots A in red with finger numbers.

Guitar practice 2026-10-23, chart 3: Shape 3 (purple) linking into Shape 4 (teal); split dots are shared notes. — Shape 3 (purple) linking into Shape 4 (teal); split dots are shared notes.

Guitar practice 2026-10-23, chart 4: Every A# (Bb) note on frets 0-12 across all six strings. — Every A# (Bb) note on frets 0-12 across all six strings.

Guitar practice 2026-10-23, chart 5: Strum D-D-U-U-D-U over Am-F-C-G with fretting-hand muting on the offbeats. — Strum D-D-U-U-D-U over Am-F-C-G with fretting-hand muting on the offbeats.

Thursday, October 22, 2026A Minor Pentatonic Shape 3 (frets 9-13)

Guitar practice 2026-10-22, chart 1: A minor pentatonic Shape 2 review (frets 7-10), roots A in red with finger numbers. — A minor pentatonic Shape 2 review (frets 7-10), roots A in red with finger numbers.

Guitar practice 2026-10-22, chart 2: A minor pentatonic Shape 3 (frets 9-13), roots A in red with finger numbers. — A minor pentatonic Shape 3 (frets 9-13), roots A in red with finger numbers.

Guitar practice 2026-10-22, chart 3: Shape 2 (purple) linking into Shape 3 (teal); split dots are shared notes. — Shape 2 (purple) linking into Shape 3 (teal); split dots are shared notes.

Guitar practice 2026-10-22, chart 4: Every D# (Eb) note on frets 0-12 across all six strings. — Every D# (Eb) note on frets 0-12 across all six strings.

Guitar practice 2026-10-22, chart 5: Strum D-D-U-U-D-U over Am-F-C-G with fretting-hand muting on the offbeats. — Strum D-D-U-U-D-U over Am-F-C-G with fretting-hand muting on the offbeats.

Wednesday, October 21, 2026A Minor Pentatonic Shape 2 (frets 7-10)

Guitar practice 2026-10-21, chart 1: A minor pentatonic Shape 1 review (frets 5-8), roots A in red with finger numbers; a new trip around the five shapes begins. — A minor pentatonic Shape 1 review (frets 5-8), roots A in red with finger numbers; a new trip around the five shapes begins.

Guitar practice 2026-10-21, chart 2: A minor pentatonic Shape 2 (frets 7-10), roots A in red with finger numbers. — A minor pentatonic Shape 2 (frets 7-10), roots A in red with finger numbers.

Guitar practice 2026-10-21, chart 3: Shape 1 (purple) linking into Shape 2 (teal); split dots are shared notes. — Shape 1 (purple) linking into Shape 2 (teal); split dots are shared notes.

Guitar practice 2026-10-21, chart 4: Every G# (Ab) note on frets 0-12 across all six strings. — Every G# (Ab) note on frets 0-12 across all six strings.

Guitar practice 2026-10-21, chart 5: Strum D-D-U-U-D-U over Am-F-C-G with fretting-hand muting on the offbeats. — Strum D-D-U-U-D-U over Am-F-C-G with fretting-hand muting on the offbeats.

Tuesday, October 20, 2026A Minor Pentatonic Shape 1 (frets 5-8)

Guitar practice 2026-10-20, chart 1: A minor pentatonic Shape 5 review (frets 2-5), roots A in red with finger numbers. — A minor pentatonic Shape 5 review (frets 2-5), roots A in red with finger numbers.

Guitar practice 2026-10-20, chart 2: A minor pentatonic Shape 1 (frets 5-8), roots A in red with finger numbers; the full circle of five shapes is complete. — A minor pentatonic Shape 1 (frets 5-8), roots A in red with finger numbers; the full circle of five shapes is complete.

Guitar practice 2026-10-20, chart 3: Shape 5 (purple) linking into Shape 1 (teal); split dots are shared notes. — Shape 5 (purple) linking into Shape 1 (teal); split dots are shared notes.

Guitar practice 2026-10-20, chart 4: Every C# (Db) note on frets 0-12 across all six strings. — Every C# (Db) note on frets 0-12 across all six strings.

Guitar practice 2026-10-20, chart 5: Strum D-D-U-U-D-U over Am-F-C-G with fretting-hand muting on the offbeats. — Strum D-D-U-U-D-U over Am-F-C-G with fretting-hand muting on the offbeats.

Piano

Piano

30-day beginner piano lessons, newest day first.

Day 30Recital day: put it all together

Piano lesson Day 30, chart 1: Recital: Ode to Joy, hands together — Play slowly and smoothly. You did it!

Piano lesson Day 30, chart 2: Recital: When the Saints, hands together — Big finish — hold the last chord.

Day 29More songs: Row Your Boat and London Bridge

Piano lesson Day 29, chart 1: Row, Row, Row Your Boat + C chord — Lilting rhythm. Left hand holds C.

Piano lesson Day 29, chart 2: London Bridge — Thumb on D. Reach back to C at the very end.

Day 28Amazing Grace with left hand

Piano lesson Day 28, chart 1: Amazing Grace + bass (line 1) — Left hand plays one low note each bar.

Piano lesson Day 28, chart 2: Amazing Grace + chords (line 2) — Chords: C, C, G (held).

Day 27Amazing Grace (3/4 time)

Piano lesson Day 27, chart 1: Amazing Grace (line 1) — 3 beats per bar. Thumb starts on low G.

Piano lesson Day 27, chart 2: Amazing Grace (line 2) — Thumb on G, then shift: 2 on C, reach 5 to high G.

Day 26Twinkle Twinkle with chords

Piano lesson Day 26, chart 1: Twinkle + chords (lines 1-2) — C, F, C, G, C... watch the chord names.

Piano lesson Day 26, chart 2: Twinkle + chords (middle) — C, G, C, G — twice.

Day 25When the Saints with chords

Piano lesson Day 25, chart 1: Saints + chords (part 1) — Hold the C chord under the long G notes.

Piano lesson Day 25, chart 2: Saints + chords (part 2) — C chord, then G chord at the end.

Day 24Ode to Joy with chords

Piano lesson Day 24, chart 1: Ode to Joy + chords (line 1) — Chords: C, G, C, G.

Piano lesson Day 24, chart 2: Ode to Joy + chords (line 2) — Chords: C, G, C, then G to C.

Day 23Mary Had a Little Lamb with chords

Piano lesson Day 23, chart 1: Mary + chords (part 1) — C chord, C chord, G chord, C chord.

Piano lesson Day 23, chart 2: Mary + chords (part 2) — C, C, G, then C to finish.

Day 22Hands together: melody plus held bass

Piano lesson Day 22, chart 1: Hot Cross Buns + held C — Left hand holds C while the right hand plays.

Piano lesson Day 22, chart 2: Mary + bass notes — Left hand plays one note per bar: C, G, C, G.

Day 21Hands together: first steps

Piano lesson Day 21, chart 1: Mirror motion — Both thumbs start near the middle; hands move apart and back.

Piano lesson Day 21, chart 2: Parallel motion — Both hands play the same letter names, an octave apart.

Day 20Chord rhythms

Piano lesson Day 20, chart 1: Two beats each — Change chord every two beats.

Piano lesson Day 20, chart 2: Broken chord pattern — Low - middle - high - middle.

Day 19A minor chord and a four-chord pattern

Piano lesson Day 19, chart 1: A minor (easy shape C-E-A) — Minor sounds softer. Only the thumb moves from G to A.

Piano lesson Day 19, chart 2: C - Am - F - G — Four chords, four beats each.

Day 18F chord and changing C to F

Piano lesson Day 18, chart 1: F chord (easy shape C-F-A) — Pinky stays on C; 2 goes to F, thumb to A.

Piano lesson Day 18, chart 2: Change: C - F - C — Pinky stays on C the whole time.

Day 17G chord and changing C to G

Piano lesson Day 17, chart 1: G chord (easy shape B-D-G) — Pinky moves down to B, finger 3 to D, thumb stays on G.

Piano lesson Day 17, chart 2: Change: C - G - C — Thumb stays on G the whole time!

Day 16Your first chord: C major

Piano lesson Day 16, chart 1: C chord, broken then together — Left hand 5-3-1 on C-E-G. Play one at a time, then all at once.

Piano lesson Day 16, chart 2: C chord, block rhythm — Press all three keys together, evenly.

Day 15Twinkle Twinkle Little Star

Piano lesson Day 15, chart 1: Twinkle Twinkle (lines 1-2) — Stretch finger 5 up to A. Finger 2 slides from E down to D.

Piano lesson Day 15, chart 2: Twinkle Twinkle (middle) — Start on G with finger 4 and walk down.

Day 14When the Saints Go Marching In

Piano lesson Day 14, chart 1: When the Saints (part 1) — C-E-F-G, then hold G a long time.

Piano lesson Day 14, chart 2: When the Saints (part 2) — Finish by holding D.

Day 13Frère Jacques

Piano lesson Day 13, chart 1: Frère Jacques (lines 1-2) — C position. Each phrase plays twice.

Piano lesson Day 13, chart 2: Frère Jacques (line 3) — Shift: thumb to D so finger 5 reaches A, thumb stretches back to C.

Day 12Ode to Joy, left hand

Piano lesson Day 12, chart 1: Ode to Joy LH (line 1) — Left hand: E is finger 3, G is the thumb.

Piano lesson Day 12, chart 2: Ode to Joy LH (line 2) — End with pinky on C.

Day 11Ode to Joy

Piano lesson Day 11, chart 1: Ode to Joy (line 1) — Start on E (finger 3). The dotted note is 1½ beats.

Piano lesson Day 11, chart 2: Ode to Joy (line 2) — Same start, but this line ends on C.

Day 10Au Clair de la Lune

Piano lesson Day 10, chart 1: Au Clair de la Lune — Gentle and smooth. Half notes get 2 beats.

Piano lesson Day 10, chart 2: Au Clair de la Lune (left hand) — Same tune with the left hand, an octave lower.

Day 9Mary Had a Little Lamb

Piano lesson Day 9, chart 1: Mary Had a Little Lamb (part 1) — Start on E with finger 3.

Piano lesson Day 9, chart 2: Mary Had a Little Lamb (part 2) — Hold the last C for 4 beats.

Day 8Steps, skips and repeats

Piano lesson Day 8, chart 1: Reading direction — Up, down, or repeat? Watch where the notes move.

Piano lesson Day 8, chart 2: Mixing steps and skips — Steps use the next finger, skips jump one finger.

Day 7First song: Hot Cross Buns

Piano lesson Day 7, chart 1: Hot Cross Buns (right hand) — Only 3 notes: E D C. Eighth notes (½ beat) go twice as fast.

Piano lesson Day 7, chart 2: Hot Cross Buns (left hand) — Same song, left hand: fingers 3-4-5 on E-D-C.

Day 6Rhythm: quarter, half and whole notes

Piano lesson Day 6, chart 1: Quarter and half notes — Quarter = 1 beat, half = 2 beats. Count out loud: 1 2 3 4.

Piano lesson Day 6, chart 2: Whole notes — A whole note lasts 4 beats. Hold it the whole time!

Day 5C position, left hand

Piano lesson Day 5, chart 1: Left hand steps — Pinky on C, walk up to the thumb and back.

Piano lesson Day 5, chart 2: Left hand skips — C-E-G with fingers 5-3-1.

Day 4C position, right hand: steps

Piano lesson Day 4, chart 1: Step up, step down — Each finger plays the next key. Keep your hand still.

Piano lesson Day 4, chart 2: Skips: C - E - G — Skip a key (and a finger). C, E, G sound bright together later!

Day 3Hand position and finger numbers

Piano lesson Day 3, chart 1: Right hand: fingers 1-2-3-4-5 — Thumb is 1, pinky is 5. Curve fingers like holding a ball.

Piano lesson Day 3, chart 2: Left hand: fingers 5-4-3-2-1 — Left pinky (5) on low C, thumb (1) on G.

Day 2Middle C and the musical alphabet

Piano lesson Day 2, chart 1: Middle C — Middle C is the C nearest the center of the piano. Play it four times, steady.

Piano lesson Day 2, chart 2: The white keys: C D E F G A B C — Seven letters repeat: A to G. Say each name as you play.

Day 1The keyboard: black-key groups and finding C

Piano lesson Day 1, chart 1: Groups of 2 and 3 black keys — Black keys come in groups of 2 and 3. Play the 2-group, then the 3-group.

Piano lesson Day 1, chart 2: Every C sits left of the 2 black keys — Find C just left of each 2-black-key group: low C, middle C, high C.