First 30 Days of In-Home Guitar Lessons (Kids & Adults)

Starting guitar at home should feel clear and doable—not overwhelming. This guide shows you exactly what we cover in the first month, how to practice in just 20 minutes a day, and the budget-friendly gear that makes early wins come faster. It’s written for kids and adults, whether you’re brand-new or returning after a break.

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What you’ll learn this month (at a glance)

• Proper posture, pick grip, fretting hand shape, and tuning
• First open chords (G, C, D, Em, Am) and clean chord changes
• Strum patterns you can use on hundreds of songs
• Basic note reading / TAB and play-by-ear skills
• A short, recognizable song or riff by the end of Week 4

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The 20-Minute Daily Practice Routine

Consistency beats marathon sessions. Five days a week is great; six is gold.

1. Warm-Up (3–4 min)
   Finger taps on each string (1–2–3–4), slow open-string strums, gentle stretches.

2. Skills (7–8 min)

   • Mon/Wed/Fri: chord shapes & change drills (see “Ladder” below)
   • Tue/Thu: single-note picking with a metronome

3. Song Time (6–7 min)
   Work your Week’s song at slow tempo, then one pass closer to target.

4. Wrap (1 min)
   Note one win (“G→C clean at 60 bpm”) and one tomorrow cue (“lighter pick grip”).

Chord-Change Ladder (2 minutes):
Down-up strum once per chord at 60 bpm → G→D, D→Em, Em→C, C→G (repeat). Add Am in Week 3.

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Week-by-Week Lesson Plan

Week 1 — Setup, Sound & Small Wins

• Fit & form: Seating, guitar position, pick grip, fretting hand curve, relaxed shoulders.
• Tuning: Clip-on tuner basics; we tune each string together.
• First shapes: Em and G (easy wins), muted-string strum for rhythm feel.
• Reading start: Simple TAB lines and string names; one-string riffs.
• Goal: Play a 4-bar Em–G pattern with steady down-strums.

Week 2 — Strum & Switch

• Strum patterns: Down-down-up-up-down-up (DDUUDU) at slow tempo.
• New chords: D and C (with anchor fingers where possible).
• Change drills: G↔D, Em↔C using the Ladder; metronome at 60–70 bpm.
• Ear training: Clap back a 1-bar rhythm; match 3 simple melodic fragments.
• Goal: 8 bars of G–D–Em–C with DDUUDU at a comfortable tempo.

Week 3 — Add Am & Clean Technique

• New chord: Am; review muting (don’t play strings that shouldn’t ring).
• Technique focus: Light fretting pressure, fingers just behind the fret, wrist neutral.
• Single-note lines: 5-note scale patterns for coordination.
• Musicality: Dynamics (soft vs. strong strums), even tempo with a click.
• Goal: G–D–Em–C–Am progression with fewer buzzes; one short riff clean.

Week 4 — Your First Song

• Song assembly: Choose a familiar tune using these chords; map the form (verse/chorus).
• Transitions: Practice only the 2 hardest changes in isolation (30-sec loops).
• Performance reps: Two full takes—one slow for accuracy, one at target tempo.
• Share it: Record a 30–60 second clip for family or a friend.
• Goal: A complete song section (or full song) with steady pulse and clear tone.

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Kids vs. Adults: small adjustments that help

For kids (ages ~6–12)

• Shorter bursts (15–20 minutes max) with mini-breaks.
• Use “1 chord per box” charts and color stickers on frets as needed.
• Celebrate process (clean chord once) more than perfection.

For adults

• Track micro-goals in a notes app.
• Add a second 10-minute evening session twice a week.
• Choose songs you love—motivation > everything.

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Gear that actually helps (budget friendly)

• Guitar size/fit:
  • Kids: 3/4 or 1/2-size acoustic makes frets reachable.
  • Adults: full-size steel-string acoustic or a comfortable electric; action set by a tech.
• Clip-on tuner (must-have for independence)
• Picks: medium (.60–.73 mm) to start; lighter for strum-heavy songs
• Footstool or strap for posture; music stand for eye-level charts
• Optional: headphone-friendly small amp if electric (parents love this)

We’re happy to recommend budget tiers and set everything up in your first lesson.

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Troubleshooting: fast fixes

• String buzzes: Press a hair closer to the fret; check pick attack is light and even.
• Sore fingertips: 5–10 minute sessions are fine early on; calluses form in 2–3 weeks.
• Messy chord changes: Lift fingers together, move as a shape, land together.
• Strum feels “choppy”: Keep your hand moving like a clock (even when missing strings).
• Wrist pain: Drop shoulders; keep wrist neutral; raise guitar neck slightly.

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Printable 30-Day Tracker

Day	Focus	Metronome	Win / Cue
1	Em, G + down-strums	60
2	Em→G Ladder	60
3	One-string riff	—
4	Add D	60
5	DDUUDU pattern	65
6	G–D–Em–C loop	65
7	Light review / rest	—
8	C cleanup	65
9	Riff + chords	70
10	Metronome focus	70
11	Add Am shapes	60
12	Hard changes isolate	60–70
13	Dynamics practice	—
14	Rest or fun play	—
15–30	Build your song section; two takes/day (slow + target tempo)	+5 bpm as clean

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FAQ

Do I need to read music to start?
No. We can begin with chord charts and TAB, adding standard notation later.

Acoustic or electric for beginners?
Either works. Choose the sound you love and a guitar that fits your hands. Electric can be easier on fingers early on.

How fast will I learn a song?
Most beginners can play a recognizable section in 3–4 weeks with this routine.

Can siblings learn back-to-back at home?
Yes—back-to-back scheduling is common and keeps routines simple.

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Make the first month musical—not stressful

With clear micro-goals, a 20-minute routine, and a supportive teacher, you’ll hear real progress by Week 4. We’ll tune, set up your gear, pick the right first song, and coach clean chord changes so playing feels good.