Beginner Guitar Academy

Beginner Guitar Academy
Beginner Guitar Academy

This podcast is for beginner guitarist who want to take the confusion out of learning and the pain out of practice

  1. 3 DAYS AGO

    238 - Mastering the G Chord: Shapes, Songs, Progressions, and Common Struggles

    Episode Overview:This week, Paul dives into one of the most fundamental and beloved guitar chords, the G chord! Whether you're picking up the guitar for the first time or looking to solidify your chord-changing skills, this episode covers everything you need to know about the G chord. Paul breaks down the most common G chord shapes, offers song suggestions featuring the G chord, shares practice tips, explores chord progressions in the key of G, and tackles common struggles (with solutions!) players face with the G chord. What You’ll Learn in this Episode:1. Essential G Chord Shapes Paul walks you through multiple ways to play the G chord, starting from the simplest forms to the more full-sounding variations: Open strings (D, G, B)One-finger GTwo-finger GStandard three-finger GFull four-finger G (and why it’s a great option)G5 for that classic rock sound TIP: Don’t forget to download the chord shape sheet here! 2. Songs Using the G Chord Paul highlights several beginner-friendly songs that feature the G chord and are perfect for practicing changes: “Songbird” by Oasis“Love Me Do” by The Beatles (working on the tricky G-C change)“Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door” by Bob Dylan“Brown Eyed Girl” by Van Morrison All these songs (and more) are available in the Academy’s song section! 3. Key of G – Chord Progressions and Creativity Learn how the G chord fits within its key and which chords naturally pair with it: Chords in the key of G: G, A minor, B minor, C, D, E minor (with tips for a Bm7 shape if you’re not ready for barre chords)Using these chords for basic songwriting, jam sessions, or exploring new musical ideas Paul gives practical advice on experimenting with these chords. Play around with progression ideas like G–D–Em–C or G–Em–C–D. 4. Popular Chord Progressions Featuring G Paul breaks down some of the most common and useful progressions: G – D – Em – C (classic ballad feel)G – Em – C – D (pop standard; think “Stand By Me”)G – C – D (the “I-IV-V” progression, found in blues, rock, and more) 5. Troubleshooting: Common Struggles and Solutions Paul provides practical solutions to help you: Overcome muted strings and challenging stretchesImprove clean tone by adjusting thumb/wrist positionSpeed up chord changes with “pivot” fingersPractice smarter with repetition and technique, not just rote practice Resources Mentioned:Chord Shape Sheet: Download the free PDF with G chord shapes at BGAPodcast.com/238Video Version: Prefer to watch? Check the video podcast in the show notes, on YouTube, or Facebook.Beginner Guitar Academy: Members can access song lessons and a special G chord challenge (learn 18 G chord shapes!) in the Academy's community section. Final Thoughts:Learning the G chord is a must for all beginner guitarists. It’s versatile, appears in countless songs, and is foundational for unlocking the full world of rhythm guitar. Take your time, be patient with your progress, and remember: repetition, good technique, and thoughtful practice are your best friends.

    21 min

  2. 7 JUNE

    237 - Escaping the YouTube Rabbit Hole – Why Structure Beats Random Guitar Lessons

    Episode Summary: This week, host Paul Andrews dives deep into the world of learning guitar on YouTube—exploring the pros and cons, the pitfalls of unstructured learning, and why having a step-by-step plan is the key to real progress. With May’s “Five Minutes a Day Challenge” just wrapped up, Paul offers guidance on what to do next for beginners, whether you’re considering YouTube lessons or seeking something more structured. Key Topics Covered: Beginner Guitar Academy Updates: The latest Academy Show is now available for members.Upcoming Live Q&A on June 29 (9 pm GMT / 4 pm EDT / 1 pm PDT)—submit your questions or catch the recording.June Song: "Iris" by the Goo Goo Dolls (standard tuning version drops June 19th with play-along tracks). YouTube vs. Structured Learning: Why watching guitar videos on YouTube feels productive, but often leads to half-learned songs and slow progress.The dangers of skipping fundamentals—why you need strong foundation skills like picking, chords, and strumming.Algorithms, clickbait titles, and how YouTube creators often prioritize views over teaching solid basics. The Downside of Random Learning: Feeling stuck as a “perpetual beginner”—lots of riffs and bits, but no complete songs or confidence.Mental overload from too many conflicting lessons, styles, and teaching techniques.No personalized feedback means you risk building bad habits and missing crucial skills. The Power of Structure: How a step-by-step system builds lasting skills and keeps you motivated.Tracking progress, celebrating small wins, and knowing exactly what to learn next.The value of community: learning with peers, sharing struggles and solutions, and staying accountable. Making YouTube Work for You: Use YouTube alongside a proven curriculum, not as your main teacher.Be laser-focused in your search—pick a specific skill or song, and don’t get distracted.Vet the content and creator—beginner lessons should actually be for beginners.Think of YouTube as dessert: use it for inspiration or supplement, not your main course! Options for Serious Learners: Consider platforms with structure and feedback—like Beginner Guitar Academy. Paul’s Advice: If you want serious results, find a program that offers structure, feedback, and community. Random lessons might scratch an itch, but only a guided method will truly take you from beginner to confident player. And remember: skills pay the bills! Call to Action: Interested in learning with Paul? Try Beginner Guitar Academy for just $1 (two-week trial). Get a proven curriculum, unlimited feedback, and a supportive guitar community.Visit: beginnerguitaracademy.com Next Episode: Check back next week for a fresh guitar lesson and more actionable tips! Loved the Episode? Please rate and review the podcast wherever you listen—it helps others discover the show! Connect with Us: For questions, updates, or to start your membership: www.beginnerguitaracademy.com

    27 min

  3. 29 MAY

    236 - Challenge Week Four Recap: Lead Guitar and Improvisation

    In this episode, Paul Andrews wraps up the Beginner Guitar Academy’s “Learn to Play Five Minutes a Day in May” challenge by recapping week four, focused on lead guitar skills. Paul guides listeners through key lessons from the challenge, including the importance of the minor pentatonic scale, practicing with a metronome, playing classic riffs, taking first steps into improvisation, and essential lead guitar techniques like hammer-ons, pull-offs, and slides. As the month-long challenge concludes, Paul shares tips for building a regular practice routine and explains how to continue your learning journey with Beginner Guitar Academy. Key Topics CoveredRecap of the May Challenge: Review of the “five minutes a day” approach and benefits of consistent, foundational practice. Week Four Focus: Lead Guitar Day 22: Introduction to the E minor pentatonic scale. Why it’s a must-know for guitarists, how it’s constructed, and tips for effective practice.Day 23: Playing with a metronome. Building timing skills; suggested starting speed is 60 BPM; practicing both single and double picks per click.Day 24: Learning the riff from Eric Clapton’s “Sweet Home Chicago” application of the minor pentatonic scale; breaking down the riff and its phrasing.Improvisation Basics: Demystifying improvisation using the scale, phrasing, changing direction, and leaving spaces for musicality.Step-by-step process with a backing track to get started soloing. Lead Guitar Techniques Hammer-ons: How and why to use them for smoother, faster playing.Pull-offs: The “reverse” of hammer-ons; tips for even volume and proper technique.Slides: Adding expression and fluidity to your playing; pressure technique and common sliding notes.Putting It All Together: Integrating these techniques and improvisation over a backing track. Advice on practicing in small, manageable chunks and not feeling overwhelmed. Challenge Recap & What’s Next A summary of all four weeks: picking, chords, strumming/timekeeping, and lead guitar.Encouragement to repeat the challenge for deeper mastery.How to continue with structured learning at Beginner Guitar Academy and what makes the online school unique (personalized support, community, experienced teaching). Resources MentionedBeginner Guitar Academy – Join & Try for $1Backing tracks and lesson notes are available for members.Email Paul: info@beginnerguitaracademy.com TakeawaysMaster the basics—strong foundational skills pay off at any level.Consistency (even five minutes a day) leads to noticeable progress.Don’t feel rushed; repeat and refine lessons as needed for your pace.Beginner Guitar Academy offers ongoing guidance, tailored feedback, and supportive community for your guitar journey.

    16 min

  4. 22 MAY

    235 - Challenge Week Three Recap: Mastering Strumming and Rhythm

    In this episode, Paul Andrews recaps week three of the “5 Minutes a Day in May Guitar Challenge,” focusing on strumming and rhythm, key skills for any beginner (and even more advanced) guitarists. Paul breaks down the daily lessons, shares practical tips on building solid rhythm foundations, and highlights essential strumming patterns. Plus, he shares some academy news and encourages listeners to join the challenge, reminding everyone that it's not too late to start! Key Points CoveredAcademy Updates: The recording of the recent live Q&A is now available in the academy’s live recording section. If you missed it, check your email or reach out to Paul for the link.The five-minute-a-day challenge is still open for sign-ups at bgachallenge.com. New participants can start from day one, any time. Week 3 Focus: Strumming & Rhythm Day 15: Emphasizing the importance of using a metronome for better timing and rhythm. Recommendations include free online tools (metroonline.com), apps (Pro Metronome), and standalone digital devices (like the Korg MA1 or MA2).Foot Tapping & Internalizing the Beat: Paul stresses the value of tapping your foot and nodding your head to truly feel the beat—not just hear it.Day 16: Introduction to note values: whole notes, half notes, and quarter notes, using simple strum exercises and the chord progression from “Save Your Tears” by The Weeknd.Day 17: Applying those note values to songs, starting with simple rhythms and building up to more complex patterns.Day 18: Exploring eighth notes and down/up strumming—crucial for adding energy and variety to your playing.Day 19: Paul teaches four essential strum patterns, progressing from basic to more interesting and stylistic options (including a rock-style pattern with all down-strums).Day 20: Understanding dynamics, how varying your strumming volume makes you sound more polished, expressive, and professional. Practical Tips: Always count your beats out loud (not just down/up strum directions) for a better understanding of song structure and rhythm.Don’t be afraid to start with simple strumming patterns and build up gradually.Use dynamics (playing louder or softer) to convey emotion and keep your playing engaging. Next Week TeaserWeek four will introduce improvisation, playing with backing tracks, and lead guitar techniques, so stick around and keep practicing! Links & ResourcesJoin the 5 Minutes a Day ChallengeQuestions about the challenge or the academy? Email: info@beginnerguitaracademy.comAcademy members: Check the dashboard for the live Q&A recording.

    13 min

  5. 16 MAY

    234 - Challenge Week Two Recap: Chords & Confident Changes

    Episode OverviewIn this episode, Paul Andrews recaps week two of the "Learn to Play Five Minutes a Day in May" challenge. If you're participating, congratulations—you're halfway through! Not involved yet? No worries, you can join anytime at bgachallenge.com and start from day one. What’s Covered This WeekThis week focuses on chords—a fundamental skill for every beginner guitarist. Paul introduces a range of strategies and techniques designed to make chord learning smoother and more effective. Key Points DiscussedThe Three S’s to Good Chord Playing: Shape: Learning the correct chord shape and building muscle memory.Sound: Picking each string, adjusting finger placement for a clean sound.Speed: Practicing smooth and efficient chord transitions. Chord Breakdown and Transition Techniques: E Minor, A Minor, C, and G chords: Paul walks through efficient ways to form these essential chords and their finger placements.Pivot Fingers: How keeping certain fingers in place between chord changes can speed up transitions (especially between E minor, A minor, and C).Folded Corners Technique: Placing fingers in different combinations and orders to build habit and speed, especially useful for tricky chords like C and G.Air Forming: Begin shaping the next chord in the air before your fingers reach the strings, plus keeping fingers close to the fretboard for faster chord changes. Practice Application: Song Example: "Save Your Tears" by The Weeknd is used to practice chord transitions using all techniques discussed.Learning Chord Order: Paul outlines an effective sequence for learning chords (starting with the basic eight open chords), advising against tackling more advanced chords like barre chords too soon. Additional ResourcesPodcast Episode 47: For a more in-depth look at the recommended order to learn chords, check out episode 47 at bgapodcast.com/47. Join the Challenge!Ready to build a daily practice routine? Sign up for the 5 Minutes a Day in May challenge at bgachallenge.com and get started with day one right away. Closing Thought: Keep practicing, be patient with your progress, and remember—slow, consistent repetition is the key to mastering chords! Catch you next week for another episode!

    12 min

  6. 8 MAY

    233 - Challenge Week One Recap: Master Your Picking

    Episode Overview: In this special episode, Paul Andrews recaps the first week of the “Five Minutes a Day Guitar Challenge,” which is designed to help beginner guitarists practice daily and build strong foundational skills. Whether you’re keeping up with the challenge or just tuning in, this episode is packed with techniques and exercises to improve your picking and overall guitar playing. Key Topics Covered:Introduction to the Challenge: Paul shares the inspiration behind the Five Minutes a Day Challenge, encouraging everyone to build consistent daily practice habits—even just five minutes a day can make a huge difference! Week 1 Theme – Picking Fundamentals: Essential Picking Techniques: How to properly hold the pick, avoid tension, and brace your picking hand.The 5 Essential Picking Exercises: These cover alternate, outside, inside, double down, and double up picking patterns—core skills for nearly every riff or song you’ll encounter.Isolation Practice: Focusing on one hand at a time for faster and more effective learning. Fretting Technique: Paul explains the “three F’s” for proper fretting—flat thumb, fingertip, and fret placement—to get clean, buzz-free notes. Applying Techniques with Iconic Riffs: Practice what you’ve learned with riffs such as: “Under Pressure” by Queen“Seven Nation Army” by The White Stripes“Peter Gunn Theme” (including different versions and fingerings) Spider Exercise (1-2-3-4 Exercise): This classic exercise builds finger strength, synchronization, and hand independence. Progress and Recap Structure: Each week of the challenge wraps up with a recap to consolidate your learning before moving on to topics like chords and rhythm in the following weeks. Community UpdatesAcademy Show: A new monthly recap episode is out, featuring member shout-outs, milestone celebrations (“guitarversaries”), and highlights of active community members. Live Office Hours: Paul is hosting a live Zoom Q&A for challenge participants on May 18th—bring your guitar questions and get them answered in real-time! Beginner Guitar Academy Community: Connect with guitarists from around the world, share your progress, and get direct support from Paul. Resources & Links:Join the Challenge Anytime: Sign up for the “Five Minutes a Day” challenge and start from day one at bgachallenge.com Video Version: Want to see the exercises and riffs played? Watch the accompanying video for this episode at bgapodcast.com/233 or search YouTube and socials. Become a Member: For structured learning, personal feedback, and community access, join Beginner Guitar Academy with a 2-week trial for just $1. If you enjoyed the episode, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast! Keep practicing, and stay tuned for next week’s episode.

    19 min

  7. 1 MAY

    232 - How Malte Became the First to Conquer All 5 BGA Levels

    In this inspiring episode, Paul Andrews sits down with Malte, the very first student to complete all five levels of the Beginner Guitar Academy program. Malte shares his unique guitar journey, the ups and downs of learning through structured levels, and how the academy helped him close gaps in his musical foundation, even after decades of prior experience! Highlights: - Meet Malte: Discover Malte’s musical background, including his love for Metallica and Nirvana, and how early lessons lacked the structure he later found crucial for solid progress. - The Power of Structure: Malte discusses the importance of a clear, step-by-step method (with a dash of gamification!) for staying motivated and achieving real results. - Closing the Gaps: Hear how ear training, music theory (hello, Circle of Fifths!), and learning about keys transformed Malte’s understanding of the guitar — skills he never gained from years of traditional lessons. - Facing Challenges: Malte opens up about his struggles with note reading and ear training, and how tackling these head-on became some of his most rewarding accomplishments. - Day-to-Day Practice: Get insights into Malte’s practice routine as a busy professional and family man—how just 30 minutes a day, plus mini “guitar grabs,” kept his skills sharp and progress moving. - Words of Wisdom: Malte shares top advice for beginners, emphasizing the value of mastering foundational skills, staying patient through tough beginnings, and embracing structured learning to accelerate progress. - What’s Next: Find out about Malte’s future guitar goals—from mastering Metallica’s downstroke technique to speed picking—and how the Beginner Guitar Academy laid the groundwork for advanced growth. Episode Links: - 5 Minutes a Day Challenge - Beginner Guitar Academy Mentioned in This Episode: - Metallica, Nirvana - The importance of the CAGED system (and requests for a Level 6!) - Ear training tools and resources - Motivating practice equipment (like the Boss Waza Air headphones) Listener Challenge: If you’re working your way through the BGA course, what’s the biggest gap you want to fill in your guitar knowledge? Tag us on social or write in – we’d love to hear your story! Connect With Us: - Instagram - Facebook Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with fellow guitar enthusiasts who need a boost of inspiration! Thanks for tuning in, and a special thanks to Malte for sharing his journey! Stay tuned for more student stories and expert tips on the next Beginner Guitar Academy Podcast.

    42 min

  8. 25 APR

    231 - From E Minor to Barre Chords: A Beginner’s Guide to Guitar Chords

    **Episode Summary:** Feeling overwhelmed by the sheer number of guitar chords to learn? Not sure which chords to start with, when to attempt barre chords, or how to tackle power chords and sevens? In this episode, Paul Andrews breaks down a clear, step-by-step roadmap to demystify chords for beginner guitarists. He shares which chords are essential, the logical order to learn them, and tips to avoid frustration and burnout as you build your skills. **Announcement** - Join Paul’s free “Five Minutes a Day in May Guitar Challenge” for daily, bite-sized video lessons and a printable practice tracker. Sign up at bgachallenge.com. - New song study: “Take It Easy” by the Eagles—perfect for Level 1 students inside the Academy. - Upcoming Live Q&A session (via Zoom), with a recording available afterward for members. **Main Content:** - **Overwhelm from Too Many Chord Options** How to avoid confusion from chord charts and what you really need to know as a beginner. - **The “Basic Eight” Chords** These are the essential A, C, D, E, G majors, and A, D, E minors that form the backbone of most popular music. - **Open Power Chords** Simple, great for rock styles, and a logical next step after open chords. - **Dominant 7, Major 7, and Minor 7 Chords** How and when to add sevens to your chord vocabulary. - **Four-Finger Chords** Shapes like G, Em7, Cadd9, and A7sus4—essential for Level 2. - **Half-Barre Chords** Introduction to partial barres and why they’re easier than full ones. - **Movable Power Chords** Taking chord shapes further up the neck; understanding how theory and fretboard knowledge come into play. - **The Big Bad Barre Chords** When to start, why beginners struggle, and advice for building up to them the right way. - **Importance of Order and Practice Approach** Why following a progression prevents overwhelm and keeps learning enjoyable. - **Tips & Resources:** - Follow the recommended order: don’t jump ahead to barre chords until you’ve mastered open and partial chords. - Check the resource section on Beginner Guitar Academy for chord sheets and workshops. - “Ain’t No Sunshine” and “Wish You Were Here” song tutorials for practicing seven and four-finger chords. **Resources Mentioned:** - Five Minutes a Day in May Challenge - Beginner Guitar Academy **Takeaway:** Start with a solid foundation: learn the basic eight chords, then gradually expand into power chords, sevens, and beyond. Master each step before moving forward to stay motivated and frustration-free on your guitar journey.

    17 min
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5
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About

This podcast is for beginner guitarist who want to take the confusion out of learning and the pain out of practice

Information

  • Creator
    Beginner Guitar Academy
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2025
  • Episodes
    239
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Beginner Guitar Academy
  • Show Website
    Beginner Guitar Academy

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