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Six String Strummin' · Beginner · Unit 3 · Lesson 4

Lesson 4: Three-Chord Groove

Putting Em, Am, and D to work with the band ·

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN

  • I can play a full progression with Em, Am, and D.
  • I can keep strumming through every change.
  • I can play 'Campfire Groove' with the band backing.

🕸Stretch & Press3 min

  1. Spread your fretting fingers gently, then relax them — three times.
  2. Press all four fingertips onto one fret each, then lift together.
  3. Roll your wrist loose. Chords need a relaxed hand more than a strong one.

✋Changing Without Stopping5 min

  1. The beat is the boss: better to strum a sloppy chord on time than a perfect one late.
  2. Use beat 4 to begin moving your fingers.
  3. Try the '🎸 Play with the Band' button on the song — drums and bass will carry you.

🥁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 Leave a Gap Strum 1-2-3, rest on 4 — use the silence to move your hand.
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Tempo 75 bpm Count‑in Metronome 🎸 Band (drums + bass) 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 Round the Horn Em-Am-D-Am, quarters throughout — the full circuit.
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Tempo 75 bpm Count‑in Metronome 🎸 Band (drums + bass) Loop
3 Quick Returns D and Em trade off — the trickiest change gets extra reps.
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Tempo 75 bpm Count‑in Metronome 🎸 Band (drums + bass) Loop

🎵Campfire Groove7 min

  1. Play 'Campfire Groove' solo first, then with the band backing.
  2. One strum per bar is a fine starting version — build up to quarters.
4 Campfire Groove Eight bars, three chords, one groove — bring the band in when you're ready.
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Tempo 75 bpm Count‑in Metronome 🎸 Band (drums + bass) 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
Campfire Groovewith the band, once
Em→Am→D circuitno stopping
D→Em change10 clean swaps
Strum through mistakesbeat comes first

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

🍎Teacher Guide

PREP

  • Three-Chord Groove: Putting Em, Am, and D to work with the band

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

  • Em, Am, D — you can now accompany yourself on a real song. This is the campfire skill.

✅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 3 · Lesson 4 · v1.0 · generated from lesson data

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