Lesson 2: Dm and the Seventh Chords
A moody minor and three easy sevenths ·
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN
- I can form Dm, G7, and A7.
- I can hear how sevenths pull toward their home chord.
- I can play 'Blue Porch'.
🕸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.
🎸What a Seventh Does5 min
- A 7th chord adds one note that makes the chord 'lean' toward another.
- G7 leans to C; A7 leans to Dm (or D). Play them and listen for the tug.
- Sevenths are often EASIER than the plain chord — A7 and G7 drop a finger.
🥁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.
🎵Blue Porch7 min
- Play 'Blue Porch' and notice each seventh pulling to the next bar.
- Try ending on Dm vs C — hear how the mood changes?
👂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 |
|---|
| Blue Porchonce through, daily | | | | | |
| Dm and the Seventh Chordsclean & 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
- Dm and the Seventh Chords: A moody minor and three easy sevenths
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
- You're building real technique — the same fundamentals every guitarist runs on.
✅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.