For Beginner Guitarists
Learn to play guitar over 7 core modules with 55 in-depth video lessons including PDFs with tabs, downloadable backing tracks and more
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Course enrollment comes with lifetime access to all course materials, plus you’ll be protected by a 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee
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One payment of $199
or
Three monthly payments of $79
Important question for novice guitarists feeling stuck and frustrated at their lack of progress…
What's the main difference between a guitarist who can jam out, improvise, and express themselves with creative confidence and freedom...
And the “eternal newbie” who never gets better, even after months or years of playing?
You might think it's...
- how many hours you practice each week
- the size and shape of your hands
- how much you spend on your guitar and gear
- or how many “learn guitar” books you’ve read.
However, it's actually none of these. Instead:
The key difference between a skilled, confident guitarist
and the eternal newbie comes down to...
Knowing how to practice.
And the truth is…
Most beginners are practicing guitar the wrong way.
Let me know if this sounds familiar:
You started trying to learn guitar with all the motivation in the world.
You knew who you wanted to play like, what songs you were going to learn, and maybe even had plans for recording your own music.
You bought your first guitar and dove in... learning basic notes, a few simple chords, and trying to figure out how to push down on the strings so they don’t buzz.
Very quickly, you realized just how hard it is to move your hands across the fretboard and make the guitar sound the way you want it to.
But you kept on trying. Just the thrill of feeling like a guitar player was enough to keep you going.
Coasting on a wave of excitement, you’d practice every day, blocking out an hour or two to watch videos, search out chord charts, and maybe even try to play along with your favorite songs.
You figured at that rate, it’d only be a few months before things would start to click and you’d really “get” the guitar and be able to translate the music in your mind to the sound you were aiming for…
To the point where it felt like a natural extension of your mind, and the music you create would become a perfect expression of how you felt inside.
But things haven’t quite worked out that way
Months into your journey, your repertoire has barely expanded.
Your hands still feel uncomfortable reaching for an F chord (or any other barre chord for that matter).
And your knowledge of music theory – you know, the stuff that allows you to understand the “why” behind the music and create your own licks and progressions – might as well be nonexistent.
Little by little, your commitment to practice guitar with total devotion has become a “maaaaybe a couple times a week, if I can find the time” type of commitment.
And when you do carve out the odd hour to sit down and play, it only serves to remind you that you’re no further along than you were 3 months ago.
So the big question: Where did things go wrong?
Most likely it started the very moment you picked up the guitar.
Because chances are, you began without a solid roadmap for what to practice and when to practice it.
And as a beginner, practicing the wrong way can be worse than not practicing at all.
So if you’re stuck in a rut and unhappy with your lack of progress, it could have a lot to do with the training materials you’ve been using up until now.
Because a lot of the books and courses out there go on and on about things that, in the beginning, aren't really relevant.
At the other end of the spectrum, lots of guitar enthusiasts spend all of their time just playing along to their top three favorite songs, or looking for songs to play that only use the few chords they know well, without ever really progressing.
No wonder so many beginners get frustrated within a couple months of picking up the instrument.
But you might be happy to hear that:
Having the right training materials makes learning guitar so much simpler
Despite Past Struggles You Can Get Good At Guitar
Guitar can be a source of pleasure, an always-available outlet for expression that fills you with deep joy and satisfaction… and with the right approach you can experience that too.
You can make steady, consistent improvement every time you sit down to practice, to the point where you can hear and feel the changes and experience that blissful flow state where everything just works.
And it’s possible to acquire the skills, confidence, and musical know-how to share your talents with others – whether that means starting a SoundCloud channel, playing live for friends and family, or even starting a band.
In a moment, I’m going to show you how you can experience all these things.
But before we dive in, I first want to talk about…
The 3 Guitar Myths That Hold Back Beginners
I saw these same issues over and over with my students… and if you believe them, they’re going to keep you from achieving the success you desire.
Myth #1: Your hands are just not cut out for guitar
There’s one excuse I’ve heard more than any other for why beginners think they are not cut out to play guitar. It comes in many different variations: my hands are too small, my fingers are too fat, my index finger is a little crooked, my thumb isn’t flexible, I can’t spread my fingers.
And to be honest, I can fully understand where this belief comes from.
When you’re first learning guitar it can be frustrating. Your fingers feel slow and clumsy on the fretboard, and playing even the most simple chords can be difficult… not to mention more advanced barre chords or progressions!
So a lot of students think it’s the shape and form of their hands that prevent them from becoming great at the guitar…
They believe nature declared them unfit to play guitar… and no matter how much you stretch or exercise, you’ll be doomed to a lifetime of mediocre playing because of the shape and form of your hands.
And while I can understand it and I still sometimes feel like this myself...
We have to ask… what about Django Reinhardt?
No matter the size and shape of your hands, you CAN become great at playing guitar.
He’s considered one of the greatest guitarists of all time… and he could only use two fingers and his thumb on his fretting hand!
He reached amazing heights on the guitar and plays stuff others can only dream about!
All this is to say, the size of your hands should in no way hold you back from being great at guitar.
Instead, if you’re struggling with chords and fretting, it’s not the shape or size of your hands, but instead, it’s all about the strength and dexterity of your fingers.
And over time, each individual finger will get stronger and gain increased range of motion, allowing you to fret over much wider distances. Which means you’re guaranteed to get better at it as long as you keep practicing.
Myth #2: To get good at guitar, you need to practice at least an hour (or more) per day
Practice is absolutely essential to master the guitar. There’s no way around it… if you want to get good, you have to put in the time.
But how much time is actually required?
Listen, if you’re practicing for an hour, two hours, three hours every single day – and you’re practicing the right things in the right order – you’re going to progress by leaps and bounds.
But outside of a small minority of professionals and college students majoring in music, that kind of schedule isn’t realistic.
Life gets in the way. Work, school, and maintaining a healthy social life all compete for your time.
And after more than a decade of teaching private guitar lessons, I’ve come to realize consistency of practice trumps total hours of practice, every single time.
Across the board, the students who practiced a little bit every day made faster, more consistent progress than students who “loaded up” and practiced several hours at a time, once or twice a week.
The trend was so clear, I was able to advise busy students to structure their practice time around what I like to call the “Minimum Viable Practice Session.”
And in a moment, I’m going to show you how to put this idea to work for you, so you can make consistent progress even in the midst of a busy schedule.
Myth #3: The Best Way to Learn Guitar is to “Just Play Songs”
One of the most common mistakes people make is they believe they can learn the guitar simply by following the advice to “just play songs.” They assume all you need to do to learn guitar is play a song and then try again and again until it finally clicks.
To make progress as a guitarist, you must have a clear 'roadmap' for practice.
If you were born a prodigy, this approach might work... but for most people it's not a very good recipe for improvement.
When you’re just mimicking other people and just playing along to songs, you’ll never understand the structure behind the music… not to mention, bouncing from song to song means you’ll waste countless hours going sideways, without a clear path forward.
What you need is a step-by-step system that builds upon itself and challenges you just enough at each point along the way… not another entertaining video that might include some great tips and tricks but doesn’t have any clear direction and larger plan behind it.
The Good News Is,
There Is a Proven Roadmap For Learning Guitar
At this point, you already know that consistent practice is the key to becoming a great guitarist.
And by using the training system I’m about to share, you’ll also:
Have the ability to make rapid, consistent, predictable progress in as little as 15 minutes per day
Understand the theory behind the songs you’re playing so you’re free to unleash your inner musician and rock your own riffs and progressions
Actually look forward to practicing because you’ll be having fun and enjoying the satisfaction of seeing your hard work pay off
You can experience all these things, whether you’re a total beginner or coming back to guitar after a few years...
… but they DO depend on using a specific, step-by-step “practice roadmap” to get you there.
One that uses only proven, effective teaching methods and never feels boring, outdated, or overly-theoretical.
One that’s been my secret weapon for helping my in-person students make consistent progress in both technical skill and musical knowledge week after week.
And…
One you’ll excitedly point back to a couple months from now when you’re absolutely nailing songs, riffs, and progressions you thought were WAY beyond your ability.
Hi, my name is Paul Davids.
I first picked up the guitar when I was 12 years old. I was a kid with a red Squier and dreams of playing like Green Day, Metallica, and a local band called “de Heideroosjes.”
These days, I really enjoy teaching guitar and helping other people experience the same creative joy that’s brought me so much pleasure over the years.
It’s why I started my personal channel on YouTube, which has grown into a pretty popular guitar channel with more than three million subscribers from all over the world!
On the channel I share all things that interest me, based on what I’ve learned from over two decades of playing, songwriting and producing.
I also got my music degree with a minor in teaching the guitar from Rotterdam Conservatory.
For 11 years, I taught private lessons to hundreds of students of all different skill levels in private, 1-on-1 sessions.
And what I’ve learned over that decade of teaching guitar is that in order to make consistent progress, you must have a well-crafted roadmap for both learning and practicing.
So with many months of work, I put together a program that is exactly that.
I’m incredibly excited to introduce you to…
A system for learning guitar that gives you a clear, progressive, step-by-step roadmap for exactly what you need to practice and when...
Guaranteeing you’ll practice guitar more consistently, with more focus, and most importantly, with far more enjoyment than you have ever experienced before.
Learn, Practice, Play is based on the 4-Step Practice Framework I’ve developed over 11 years of teaching in-person guitar lessons…
A system that makes learning guitar faster, easier, and incredibly FUN.
The 4-Step Framework In Action
With Learn, Practice, Play, we’ll practice...
- The right lesson at the right time
- With a clear outcome in mind
- Then apply it immediately, in a musical context
- And do it consistently until it sticks
With the 4-Step system working in your favor, you’ll make consistent and rewarding progress as you move through the course.
In just a matter of weeks, you’ll develop a solid foundation in the core fundamentals of guitar, including:
- Fretting, Strumming, and Fingerpicking
- Melody and Key
- Chords and Scales
- Timing
- Improvisation, Riffs, Licks, Soloing, and more
HERE’S WHAT YOU’LL LEARN INSIDE LEARN, PRACTICE, PLAY
With Learn, Practice, Play you’ll be playing the guitar from the very start… not just learning about it, but using it, playing it, and getting comfortable with it.
In Module 1 You’ll Learn:
- Hand position, strumming, frets, and fingering
- A beautiful melody you can play two different ways
- How to combine chords into great-sounding progressions
- The E minor pentatonic scale and the chromatic scale
- And an easy-to-learn lick that’s soulful and bluesy
And in Module 2, You’ll Learn:
- The 12-bar blues progression (the foundation for countless jazz, blues, and rock n’ roll songs)
- The concept of Key
- Playing major scales on a single string
- How to play with a shuffle or swing feel
- And a simple, beautiful folk melody
In Module 3 You’ll Play:
- A light, lovely melody, played with both fretted & open strings
- Power chords, and learn how to change between them rapidly and fluidly
- Hammer-ons and pull-offs
- The E minor blues scale and a rockin’ blues lick
- And a taste of basic music theory
In Module 4 We’ll Dive Into:
- A beautiful new melody, played fingerstyle
- Chord embellishment
- Triads and functions
- A progression using suspended chords
- Some great country and bluegrass licks
In Module 5 You’ll Learn:
- Phrasing, soloing and improvisation
- Playing the minor scale
- Different ways to play a blues progression in the key of E
- A lovely folk melody, played fingerstyle
- And concepts like ghost strumming, pickup notes, and the turnaround
In Module 6 You’ll Learn:
- How to combine melodies and chords
- A new strumming technique, using palm mute and accented notes
- How chords are derived from the scale of a major key (and how to know which chords will sound good together)
- A riff played with a “gallop” rhythm
- And how to play slash chords
And in Module 7 You’ll Learn:
- How to improvise (and have it sound amazing), just by knowing the first or last chord of a song
- How to do double stops, bends, and muted notes
- Barre chords and two great-sounding progressions that use them
- Four advanced licks
- And more complex strumming patterns (e.g. only hitting one or two strings when strumming)
What’s more, when you join Learn, Practice, Play you get access to:
Three Bonuses
Bonus #1: Private Learn, Practice, Play Facebook Group
Bonus #1: Private Learn, Practice, Play Facebook Group
In Learn, Practice, Play, nobody plays alone! When you join, you’ll get to hang out with hundreds of your fellow guitarists inside the private Facebook community and exchange feedback, encouragement, and tips and tactics to improve your musical skills.
- Connect with your fellow guitar enthusiasts, share your progress, and post videos of your latest musical creations.
- Get instant feedback on your technique from others in the community, so you can improve even faster.
- Make friends with people just like you… enthusiastic students of guitar, dead-set on becoming as great as they can be.
Share tips and progress with your fellow guitarists.
Bonus #2: The Practice Fundamentals Pack
Get a solid guitar foundation to build your skills on.
Bonus #2: The Practice Fundamentals Pack
Need to brush up on the basics? With the Practice Fundamentals Pack, you get detailed videos covering key concepts every guitarist MUST know before they can master the basics of the instrument.
Inside the Practice Fundamentals Pack, we’ll go in-depth on:
- How to properly tune your guitar
- Warming up
- How to read tabs
- How to read chord diagrams
- Playing with a pick versus playing with fingers
- How to practice with a metronome
- And more
Bonus #3: Guitar Care Basics
Bonus #3: Guitar Care Basics
To make sure your guitar looks and sounds its best, it’s important to care for your instrument properly.
In this training, I teach you my top tips for guitar maintenance that every guitarist should know. When you use the techniques I share, your guitar will reward you with many years of faithful service.
Keep your guitar happy, healthy and shiny!
A Great Value for Guitar Students
If you wanted to learn everything inside Learn, Practice, Play as a private, 1-on-1 student, the price tag would easily surpass $1,000...
And I’ve seen music school courses that charge $1,500 or more for online programs with similar material.
But I want to make Learn, Practice, Play more affordable.
When you join Learn, Practice, Play you will get lifetime access to all course materials and bonuses.
What’s included:
- The 7 core modules with 55 in-depth video lessons
- Lesson PDFs with tabs and standard notation
- Downloadable backing tracks
- Bonus #1: Membership in the official Learn, Practice, Play Facebook Group
- Bonus #2: The Practice Fundamentals Video Pack
- Bonus #3: The Guide to Guitar Care
- Plus extras like advanced exercises with videos for experienced students, chord charts, a music glossary, and a printable practice schedule
To join, select one of the following options:
Pay Upfront 1 Payment of
$199
OR
Pay Monthly 3 Payments of
$79
Plus, you’ll be backed by…
MY 30-DAY MONEY BACK GUARANTEE
I want to give you the opportunity to put Learn, Practice, Play into action and experience how easy it can be to learn guitar when you have the right “training roadmap” in place.
That’s why I’m giving you an entire month to go through the first modules of the course, implement the training, and rock out with your new guitar skills.
If you don’t absolutely love the course, simply email my team (team@learnpracticeplay.com) within 30 days and I’ll refund your entire purchase, no questions asked.
Plus, you’ll be backed by…
MY 30-DAY MONEY BACK GUARANTEE
Watch a short compilation of reviews from
Learn, Practice, Play students…
Since the opening of the course, thousands of guitarists have gotten started…
Some of them were brand new to the guitar, while others were hoping to fill in existing gaps in fundamental guitar knowledge.
Regardless of the student’s background, I was overwhelmed by the positive feedback the course received.
Here’s a fun little compilation of video reviews from a variety of course students:
In addition, dozens of members also left really lovely written reviews. You can read some of them below.
What students say about the course:
In the small window since I paid for the course I’ve drastically improved – especially when it comes to improvisation of scales. Thanks to the course my guitar skills and technique have improved massively and I don’t know how to repay Paul besides share my gratitude. My biggest success was definitely being able to write my own tabs for a song I’d written – this was something I feel like I could never have achieved without the course. - Dan Marche
The best thing about this course is that it gives you all the tools to eventually figure everything out on your own. I was an intermediate guitar player before this course. I could play along to my favorite songs and learn some solos note-by-note but there was something missing. I didn’t understand what I was playing but with this course I was able to fill in those blanks. Additionally, I finally learned the ever-so-daunting fingerpicking. I now feel so much more connected with my guitar. - Thomas Alberding
This is the best step-by-step online guitar course! I was trying to get better at guitar for a while but this is the first time I actually feel I'm better, quicker, and more precise. I’m able to recognize the different keys and play more chords. With the daily exercise sessions, I was not only able to progress in the different techniques but also to start differentiating my left hand from the right one. My left hand started to move unconsciously and the sounds I played together were so cool! I really experienced something new and that’s what motivates me to continue practicing every day. - David Gits
My skills before were between beginner and intermediate and I couldn’t seem to get better. The course really helped me polish important core skills that helped me get out of that rut. I'm now able to play more naturally and it has boosted my confidence when playing in front of others! I would definitely recommend the course to all guitarists out there; new or even at the level of skill I was stuck at. - Serafin Tinoco
I was an intermediate player with minimal to no theory knowledge. Since doing the course I’m playing scales, I’ve put together a ton of my own theory cheat sheets, and I’m finally practicing the right things to make me a better player. I would absolutely recommend the course to anybody who wants to get rid of bad habits and learn the right way of doing things. - Jason Cole
I finally got back my desire to play. Before, I felt stale and stiff with no direction on how to regain my chops and skills from not playing for a while. Now I feel like I am on my way to higher skills and increased finger skills. The course was fantastic! - Michael Batson
Answers to questions you might be wondering about before you join:
What’s the difference between Learn, Practice, Play and your YouTube videos?
Great question! Compared to my YouTube videos, Learn, Practice, Play is absolutely massive. In total the course contains more than 5 ½ hours of video content... which means we get to go super deep into the material and cover the small but important details I can’t always squeeze into my YouTube recordings.
Learn, Practice, Play’s core modules alone contain more than 55 in-depth video lessons. In the videos I first explain the lesson, then play the chord, progression, or melody for you, so you can hear what it sounds like and see the correct finger positioning. Then you try playing it yourself with an optional backing track.
The lessons are progressive, so each module builds on the last. The course is structured so you’ll never feel stuck or lost and won’t ever wonder what you need to work on next.
What if I’m a total beginner, will Learn, Practice, Play work for me?
Absolutely. In fact, I designed Learn, Practice, Play with beginner guitarists in mind. Even if you’ve never picked up a guitar before, you won’t feel lost or overwhelmed.
That’s why we start with the core fundamentals, like fretting, strumming, and basic chords, before moving onto more intermediate topics. And I made sure to explain all key concepts in easy-to-understand detail, so the lessons are simple to grasp and put into practice.
Plus, when you sign up today, you’ll get access to the Practice Fundamentals Pack, in which I go over basic questions like how to choose a guitar, how to tune your guitar, reading tabs, reading chord diagrams, and more.
How about intermediate guitarists?
Something I’ve learned after 20+ years of playing guitar is that if you want to get really good at guitar, mastering the fundamentals is absolutely key.
If you have any gaps in your knowledge, especially around things like music theory, keys, intervals, time signatures, or the use of scales – you won’t go as far as you could have with the right training.
Learn, Practice, Play covers all of the fundamentals, and will round out any potential gaps in your knowledge for good. Going through it, you can be certain in your rock-solid foundation.
Additionally, I've included a number of “advanced exercises” – optional tracks for those who like a challenge.
This is a beginner’s course, so if you feel like you have that foundation and are comfortable playing barre chords, scales and music theory, fingerpicking, fretting, strumming, improvisation, riffs, licks, and solos, chances are the course is not the right fit for you.
But if you might benefit from a solid “tune-up,” and would like to make sure you’ve really got things covered from the ground up, you’re going to get huge value from the course.
For more information, you can watch my video where I discuss how to know which of my courses is right for you.
If you’re still not sure what “level” you’re at, that’s OK; feel free to join the course and get started on it, and if it isn’t a good fit, you can get a refund within the first 14 days (or exchange it for my intermediate course, Next Level Playing, within the first 30 days).
Who is Learn Practice Play not for?
If you’re proficient at playing barre chords, know your scales backwards and forwards, have extensive practice finger picking, and are knowledgeable about music theory, this course will be too basic for you.
If that sounds like you, I invite you to check out my intermediate course, Next Level Playing.
How long before I start seeing awesome results with Learn, Practice, Play?
If you’re following the lessons and practicing at least 15 minutes each day, you’re going to see progress very quickly – most likely by the end of the first module. And if you commit to completing all 7 modules, I guarantee you’re going to make significant advancements in both technical skill and ability to understand the music you’re playing.
How long do I have access to the course?
When you join Learn, Practice, Play, you get lifetime access to all modules and course materials. That includes:
- The 7 core modules with 55 in-depth video lessons
- Bonus #1: Membership in the official Learn, Practice, Play Facebook Group
- Bonus #2: The Practice Fundamentals Video Pack
- Bonus #3: The Guide to Guitar Care
- Plus extras like lesson PDFs with tabs and standard notation, downloadable backing tracks, advanced exercises with videos for experienced students, chord charts, a music glossary, and a printable practice schedule
Once you have enrolled, you’ll be able to enjoy all the videos and bonuses forever.
What if I don’t like the course? Is there a guarantee?
Absolutely! You have 30 full days to try Learn, Practice, Play and decide if it’s right for you. My “Try it, Test It, Play It” guarantee states:
If you're not completely satisfied with Learn, Practice, Play, simply email me within 30 days and I’ll refund the entire purchase price, no questions asked.
Still Undecided?
You’ll know Learn, Practice, Play is right for you if…
- You’re a beginner who’s serious about getting good at guitar and you’re ready to “go all in” and commit to a proven training program.
- You want to be great, but don’t have a lot of time to practice… you’ve got work, school, and a social life, which makes playing for hours at a time unrealistic... but you’re confident you can find 15 minutes each day to get better.
- You’ve been playing on and off for months (or even years) without a solid roadmap in place and want a clear plan for progression… or you’re an intermediate player who wants a refresher on the fundamentals so you can take your technique to the next level.
- You look forward to the idea of building a solid foundation for playing guitar and having the ability to create and play incredible-sounding music.
If any of those points resonate with you, this course will be a good fit.
Join Learn, Practice, Play
When you enroll in the course, you get lifetime access to all course materials.
What’s included:
- The 7 core modules with 55 in-depth video lessons
- Lesson PDFs with tabs and standard notation
- Downloadable backing tracks
- Bonus #1: Membership in the official Learn, Practice, Play Facebook Group
- Bonus #2: The Practice Fundamentals Video Pack
- Bonus #3: The Guide to Guitar Care
- Plus extras like advanced exercises with videos for experienced students, chord charts, a music glossary, and a printable practice schedule
To join, select one of the following options:
Pay Upfront 1 Payment of
$199
OR
Pay Monthly 3 Payments of
$79
If you’re still here…
let’s wrap up with these closing thoughts
The most crucial ingredient for success in music is what happens in the practice room.
Listen… everyone wishes they were born knowing how to play guitar.
...To be able to wow our friends and family, to get on stage, or record publish-worthy music.
But to get to that level of skill, we need to take stock of where we are today and resolve to take the actions that will get us to where we need to go.
Otherwise, we form bad habits and stagnate for another year. And, wouldn’t it be great to look back in 6 or 12 months from now at how far you’ve gone toward being able to express the music that’s inside you?
With Learn, Practice, Play you have the opportunity to:
- build a solid foundation for lifelong musical enjoyment.
- be able to channel the music that’s in your mind into notes and chords…
- and to feel yourself getting better, each and every time you sit down to play.
Imagine, not too far from now, finally being able to nail that song that always seemed beyond your grasp.
Imagine having the confidence to share your music with others and publish original songs on SoundCloud.
And imagine being good enough to play your first live show... seeing the faces of your friends and family in the crowd, and feeling the rush of exhilaration as they look at you with big, happy smiles.
There’s no feeling like it in the world.
So, if you want to set yourself up for a lifetime of creative expression, joy, and fulfillment playing guitar I’d be excited to welcome you inside Learn, Practice, Play.
If you’re ready, I’ll be your “virtual mentor” and get you started on your guitar journey over the next 14 weeks.
– Paul Davids
Check out my other courses Next Level Playing | Acoustic Adventure | Loop School
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