Lesson 1: The Change Gym
Systematic speed — training the five-chord network ·
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN
- I can measure and improve my changes-per-minute.
- I can change between any two of G, C, D, Em, Am.
- I can play 'Round Trip'.
🕸One-Minute Changes3 min
- Pick one chord pair (say G↔C). Set a one-minute timer.
- Count how many clean changes you make — write the number down.
- Beat your own number tomorrow. That's the whole game.
✋Practicing Changes Like an Adult5 min
- Isolate ONE pair, do slow perfect reps, count them, log them.
- Ten focused minutes on your weakest change beats an hour of noodling.
- Common finger paths: G→C (walk the staircase), C→D (pivot on nothing — practice the jump).
🥁Count It3 min
- Count the rhythm out loud before you play.
- Turn on Counts or the metronome and lock in with it.
- Loop it slowly first; speed comes on its own.
📖Play It7 min
- Read it slowly and cleanly the first time through.
- Drag-select any tricky spot and loop it.
- Use the tempo slider — move up only when it's clean.
🎵Round Trip7 min
- Play 'Round Trip' — every change in the network appears once.
- Note which change wobbles; that's tomorrow's one-minute drill.
👂Train Your Ear2 min
- Press play on any line above, look away, and listen once through.
- Hum the first bar back, then find it on the guitar by ear.
✨Make It Yours3 min
- Take one idea from this lesson and bend it — change a rhythm, reorder the chords.
- Play your version twice so it sticks.
MY ENDING (write or describe it):
⭐Practice Tracker
| Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 |
|---|
| Round Triponce through, daily | | | | | |
| The Change Gymclean & 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 Change Gym: Systematic speed — training the five-chord network
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
- Fluency isn't talent, it's reps. A month of one-minute drills makes every song easier.
✅Assessment
Tap one level per skill — saved on this device.
AccuracyPlays the right notes and chords.
TimingKeeps a steady beat.
ToneNotes and strums ring clean and clear.