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Six String Strummin' · Beginner · Unit 1 · Lesson 3

Lesson 3: The Fretting Hand

Your first fretted notes: F and G on the thin E string ·

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN

  • I can press F (fret 1) and G (fret 3) cleanly on string 1.
  • I can move between E, F, and G without stopping the beat.
  • I can play 'First Steps'.

🕸Settle In3 min

  1. Sit comfortably, guitar resting on your right leg, back relaxed.
  2. Let your strumming arm hang loose from the shoulder — no gripping.
  3. Play any open string a few times and just listen to it ring.

✋Fingertips, Not Pads5 min

  1. Press with the very tip of the finger, right behind the fret wire.
  2. Thumb rests on the back of the neck, roughly opposite your fingers.
  3. If it buzzes: closer to the fret. If it's muted: more tip, more curve.

🥁Count It3 min

  1. Count the rhythm out loud before you play.
  2. Turn on Counts or the metronome and lock in with it.
  3. Loop it slowly first; speed comes on its own.
1 Press and Hold Half, two quarters, then a whole note on F — keep it ringing.
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Tempo 75 bpm Count‑in Metronome Drums Loop

📖Play It7 min

  1. Read it slowly and cleanly the first time through.
  2. Drag-select any tricky spot and loop it.
  3. Use the tempo slider — move up only when it's clean.
2 E and F Open E, then F at fret 1 — press just behind the fret.
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Tempo 75 bpm Count‑in Metronome Drums Loop
3 Add the G E-F-G and back down — ring finger takes fret 3.
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Tempo 75 bpm Count‑in Metronome Drums Loop

🎵First Steps7 min

  1. Play 'First Steps' slowly — every note clean before you speed up.
  2. Sore fingertips are normal this week; short sessions, more often.
4 First Steps Three notes, one string — your first real melody.
Loading notation…
Tempo 75 bpm Count‑in Metronome Drums Loop

👂Train Your Ear2 min

  1. Press play on any line above, look away, and listen once through.
  2. Hum the first bar back, then find it on the guitar by ear.

✨Make It Yours3 min

  1. Take one idea from this lesson and bend it — change a rhythm, reorder the chords.
  2. Play your version twice so it sticks.

MY ENDING (write or describe it):

🏠This Week at Home

⭐Practice Tracker

Day 1Day 2Day 3Day 4Day 5
First Stepsonce through, daily
The Fretting Handclean & steady
Metronome onat least one exercise
My own variationmake one up

★ Check off each day you play — ten focused minutes counts. Consistency beats marathon sessions.

🍎Teacher Guide

PREP

  • The Fretting Hand: Your first fretted notes: F and G on the thin E string

COMMON MISTAKES & FIXES

  • Rushing ahead of the beat. → Fix: Turn the metronome on and drop the tempo until it feels easy.
  • Buzzing or muted notes. → Fix: Press just behind the fret with the fingertip, thumb relaxed behind the neck.

IF STRUGGLING

  • Drop the tempo well below comfortable and loop one bar.
  • Play just the chord changes (or just the rhythm) before combining.

IF ADVANCED

  • Bring it to full tempo with the metronome.
  • Add your own variation — a different rhythm, an extra chord.

EXTENSIONS

  • Apply tonight's skill to a song you already love.

TALKING POINTS

  • Calluses form in about two weeks of light daily playing — then the soreness is gone for good.

✅Assessment

Tap one level per skill — saved on this device.

Accuracy
Plays the right notes and chords.
Timing
Keeps a steady beat.
Tone
Notes and strums ring clean and clear.

★ BrightNote · Six String Strummin' · Beginner · Unit 1 · Lesson 3 · v1.0 · generated from lesson data

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