- Fretboard: E and A strings cold β these unlock everything
- Scales: Minor pentatonic positions 1 & 2
- Theory: Intervals and the major scale formula (W W H W W W H)
- Song: Track you know well β nail every detail
- Speed: Metronome at zero-mistake tempo, +2 BPM when clean Γ3
- Fretboard: D and G strings, start connecting across strings
- Scales: Add natural minor, link positions 1 β 2
- Theory: Triads and IβIVβVβvi in pop context
- Improv: Target chord tones over a chord loop in one key
- Song: Something slightly harder than your comfort zone
- Fretboard: Full neck β random note-finding quizzes
- Scales: Connect all 5 pentatonic positions loosely
- Theory: Dorian & Mixolydian modes (essential for pop/indie)
- Transcribe: 4 bars by ear β compounds everything
- Song: A track that genuinely stretches you
| Week | Focus | Method |
|---|---|---|
| 1β2 | E & A strings | Say note name aloud as you play each fret |
| 3β4 | D & G strings | Use octave shapes from E/A to find D/G notes fast |
| 5β6 | B & e strings | Notice B string is same as low E, 2 frets down |
| 7β8 | Cross-string linking | Find every C, every G across all 6 strings |
| 9β10 | CAGED root shapes | Every chord has 5 positions β map your root notes |
| 11β12 | Random quiz mode | Point to random fret β name it in under 2 seconds |
Major Scale Formula
Built from whole and half steps. Every key follows the same pattern β learn the formula once, apply it everywhere.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
In C: C D E F G A B C
In G: G A B C D E F# G
Minor Pentatonic
Your most used scale for lead pop/indie. 5 notes, 5 positions. Start with position 1 and play it in context over chords.
In Am: A C D E G
In Em: E G A B D
Blues: add β5 (blue note)
IβIVβVβvi
The foundation of the majority of pop and indie songs. In any major key, these four chords cover enormous ground.
I=G IV=C V=D vi=Em
Key of C:
I=C IV=F V=G vi=Am
Dorian Mode
Natural minor with a raised 6th. Used constantly in pop/indie for a slightly brighter minor sound. Think Arctic Monkeys.
A Dorian: A B C D E F# G
D Dorian: D E F G A B C
Feels: minor but open/hopeful
Mixolydian Mode
Major scale with a flat 7th. Huge in rock, indie, and pop. Gives a dominant, slightly unresolved feel.
G Mixolydian: G A B C D E F
D Mixolydian: D E F# G A B C
Feels: major but edgy/open
Chord Tones
When soloing, landing on notes that are IN the chord you're playing over makes everything sound intentional and musical.
Minor chord = 1 β3 5
Dom 7th = 1 3 5 β7
β Target these on beat 1
Intervals
The distance between two notes. Understanding intervals lets you build anything β chords, scales, melodies β in any key.
Minor 2nd = 1 Maj 2nd = 2
Minor 3rd = 3 Maj 3rd = 4
Perfect 4th = 5
Tritone = 6 (tension!)
Perfect 5th = 7
Relative Minor
Every major key shares all its notes with a natural minor key. A major β F# minor. C major β A minor. Same notes, different home base.
C major β A minor
G major β E minor
D major β B minor
F major β D minor