Phase 1 Checkpoint: First Notes

Sessions covered: 1–6

You have completed the first six sessions of your guitar journey. Six sessions ago, you had never held a guitar. You did not know what a fret was, what EADGBE meant, or how to hold a pick. Now you can play three chords, read TAB, pick single notes on individual strings, and play the opening riff of a well-known song and a strumming study. That is remarkable progress — take a moment to appreciate it.

This checkpoint helps you confirm what you have learned and identify anything that needs more practice before moving to Phase 2.

How to use this checkpoint: Print this page, or copy the item numbers onto paper, so you can write your marks. Work through each item below. For each skill, try it right now — do not guess from memory. Play it, check it the way the item says, and mark yourself honestly. Have your tuner, your metronome and a phone that records sound beside you.

Each item says how it is checked. The checks are always of these kinds:

Tuner check: pluck each string of the chord, or each note, slowly; the tuner (in the mode that shows any note) shows the letters listed.
Click check: play with the metronome; you pass if you never stop and you finish with the click.
Count check: so many times in a row without the fault that is named.
Recording check: record the item and listen once for the one thing that is named.
Look check: a mirror or a phone photo, compared with the points listed in the item.
The change test (Session 3): Set the metronome to the tempo given; each click is one beat. Strum each chord once, with a downstroke, and let it ring. Play a new chord every 4 beats (on beat 1 of each measure) or every 2 beats (on beats 1 and 3), as the target says. Alternate the two chords until you have played 8 chords in a row: that is 7 changes. You pass when all 8 land on their click with every string that should sound ringing, twice on the same day.
The recorded card test (Session 6): used for the ear item. You made its recording after Session 6.

Items marked * are must-pass. What that means is explained under “Overall Phase Assessment” at the foot of the page.

What You Have Learned

In Phase 1 you covered:

Guitar anatomy, sitting position, and how to hold a pick
Tuning all six strings with a tuner
String names (EADGBE) and fret numbering
Three chords: Em, Am, and E major
How to read guitar TAB (string + fret numbers)
Single notes on strings 1 and 2
Alternate picking (downstroke and upstroke)
Three strumming patterns: basic downstrokes, D/U (down-up), and D D U U D U
Two pieces: the “Come As You Are” riff (Nirvana) and the Em to E major strumming study
The difference between major and minor chord sounds

Skills Checklist

For each item, mark your self-assessment:

Mastered — You pass the check written in the item
Needs Work — You can do it, but not yet to the standard of the check
Not Yet — You cannot do this yet

Guitar Basics

1*. Tune all six strings with a tuner in under 3 minutes

Mastered — Start a timer. All six strings are in tune in under 3 minutes: the tuner shows E, A, D, G, B, E from string 6 to string 1, with the needle centred each time.
Needs Work — You get all six in tune but it takes longer than 3 minutes, or you mix up string names. Review Session 1, “Tune Your Guitar”. Time your tuning at the start of each practice day for one week, then take this item again.
Not Yet — You cannot tune reliably. Return to Session 1, “Tune Your Guitar”, and follow “Tuning for the first time” in Guitar Guide step by step at the start of every practice day for one week, then take this item again.

2. Sit in correct playing position with the guitar

Mastered — Take a phone photo of yourself, or use a mirror. The waist of the guitar rests on your thigh, the neck tilts a little upward, the guitar is upright against your body (not leaning back), your back is straight and both feet are flat on the floor. When you take both hands off, the guitar stays put.
Needs Work — Your posture drifts during playing — hunched shoulders or guitar slipping. Review Session 1, “Sitting Position”. Check yourself with a photo at the start of each practice day for one week, then take this item again.
Not Yet — You are unsure of the correct position. Return to Session 1, “Sitting Position”, and Guitar Guide, “How to Hold Your Guitar”. Go through its sitting-position steps before you play on every practice day for one week, then take this item again.

3. Hold and use a pick correctly

Mastered — The pick lies on the side of the last joint of your index finger with your thumb flat on top; about 5 to 8 mm of the tip shows; a gentle tug from your other hand pulls it out. You strum Em with downstrokes for 8 measures at 60 BPM, one strum per click, without the pick turning or slipping.
Needs Work — The pick slips or turns during playing. Review Session 1, “How to Hold a Pick”, and Common Mistakes item 6: put the pick back in place, show less of the tip, and use a lighter stroke. Strum the open strings for 2 minutes on each practice day for one week, then take this item again.
Not Yet — You frequently drop the pick or cannot strum evenly. Return to Session 1, “How to Hold a Pick” and “Your First Strum — Open Strings”, 3 minutes a day for one week, then take this item again.

Chords

4*. Play the Em chord — all six strings ring clearly

Mastered — Hold Em and pluck the six strings one at a time. Every string rings, with no buzz and no dead string, three times in a row. Tuner check, string 6 to string 1: E, B, E, G, B, E. You can lift your fingers off completely and place the shape again within 3 seconds.
Needs Work — One or two strings buzz or are muted. Check finger placement: finger 2 on string 5, fret 2 and finger 3 on string 4, fret 2. If a note buzzes: (1) move the fingertip right up behind the fret wire; (2) stand the finger on its tip; (3) only then add the smallest extra pressure that clears the buzz. Review Session 2, “The Em Chord”.
Not Yet — The chord sounds unclear or you cannot form the shape. Return to Session 2, “The Em Chord”: place the shape, pluck the six strings, lift off, 10 times a day for one week, then take this item again.

5*. Play the Am chord — strings 5 through 1 ring clearly

Mastered — Hold Am and pluck strings 5 to 1 one at a time (string 6 is not played). All five ring, with no buzz and no dead string, three times in a row. Tuner check, string 5 to string 1: A, E, A, C, E.
Needs Work — Some strings buzz or sound dead. If string 1 is dead, finger 1 (on string 2, fret 1) is leaning on it: stand that finger up on its tip. Review Session 3, “The Am Chord”.
Not Yet — Cannot form the chord reliably. Return to Session 3, “The Am Chord”: place the shape, pluck strings 5 to 1, lift off, 10 times a day for one week, then take this item again.

6*. Play the E major chord — all six strings ring clearly

Mastered — Hold E major and pluck the six strings one at a time. Every string rings, with no buzz and no dead string, three times in a row. Tuner check, string 6 to string 1: E, B, E, G#, B, E.
Needs Work — Sounds muddy or some strings are muted. Review Session 5, “The E Major Chord”. Compare with Em: the only difference is finger 1 added on string 3, fret 1. Fingers 2 and 3 do not move.
Not Yet — Cannot form the chord reliably. Return to Session 5, “The E Major Chord”: place the shape, pluck the six strings, lift off, 10 times a day for one week, then take this item again.

7*. Transition between Em and Am within 2 beats at 60 BPM (the change test)

Mastered — You pass the change test for Em and Am with a new chord every 2 beats at 60 BPM: one downstroke on beat 1 and one on beat 3, 8 chords in a row, all 8 landing on their click with every string that should sound ringing, twice on the same day.
Needs Work — You can switch, but a chord lands late or a string does not ring. Review Session 3, “Em to Am — Shared Structure”. Fingers 2 and 3 keep their side-by-side shape and move together one string towards the floor, while finger 1 lands on string 2 fret 1 at the same moment. Nothing stays down. Drop to 50 BPM and climb back 5 BPM at a time.
Not Yet — Transitions are very slow or chords are unclear after switching. Return to Session 3, “Transition Drill”: 20 slow changes with no clock, placing every finger before you strum, on each practice day for one week. Then take this item again.

8*. Transition between Em and E major within 2 beats at 60 BPM (the change test)

Mastered — You pass the change test for Em and E major with a new chord every 2 beats at 60 BPM: 8 chords in a row, all 8 landing on their click with every string that should sound ringing, twice on the same day.
Needs Work — Slight hesitation, or string 3 does not ring in E major. Review Session 5, “Three-Chord Transition Practice”. To go from Em to E major, add finger 1 on string 3, fret 1; fingers 2 and 3 stay exactly where they are. Drop to 50 BPM and climb back 5 BPM at a time.
Not Yet — Cannot switch reliably. Return to Session 5, “Three-Chord Transition Practice”: Em to E major and back, 20 slow changes with no clock, on each practice day for one week. Then take this item again.

Strumming

9*. Play basic downstrokes in time with a metronome at 60 BPM, one strum per click

Mastered — Click check: 8 measures of downstrokes on Em, one on every click. You never stop and you finish with the click.
Needs Work — You drift off the click after a few measures. Count aloud “1, 2, 3, 4” while strumming. Review Session 2, “Em Groove”, and play it with the metronome on each practice day for one week, then take this item again.
Not Yet — Cannot stay with the click. Return to Session 1, “Open String Rhythm Exercise”, with the metronome at 50 BPM, 3 minutes a day for one week, then take this item again.

10. Play the D/U (down-up) strumming pattern at 60 BPM, strumming D/U (down on the click, up between clicks)

Mastered — Click check: 8 measures on Em. Every downstroke lands on a click and every upstroke falls between clicks; you never stop and you finish with the click.
Needs Work — Upstrokes are uneven or you lose the pattern. Review Session 5, “D/U Strumming Pattern”. Keep your strumming hand moving down and up all the time.
Not Yet — Cannot keep the pattern going. Return to Session 5, “Practice the D/U Pattern”, on Em only, 3 minutes a day for one week, then take this item again.

11. Play the D D U U D U pattern at 65 BPM

Strum:  D     D  U     U  D  U
Count:  1     2  & (3) &  4  &

On beat 3 your hand still moves down, but it misses the strings: a silent downstroke. That keeps the hand swinging down on every number and up on every &.

Mastered — Click check: 8 measures on Em, Am or E at 65 BPM, D D U U D U pattern. You never stop and you finish with the click.
Needs Work — You lose the pattern after a few beats. Say the count aloud while you play: “1, 2-and, (3)-and, 4-and”. Review Session 5, “Strumming Pattern Breakdown”.
Not Yet — Cannot play this pattern. Return to Session 5, “Strumming Pattern Breakdown”, and learn it at 50 BPM first, 3 minutes a day for one week, then take this item again.

Picking and Melody

12*. Play single notes on strings 1 and 2 using alternate picking (down-up)

Mastered — Play the Session 4 exercise on strings 1 and 2 (“Walking Up and Down”) at 60 BPM, one note per click, with alternate picking. Count check: three times in a row with every note ringing, no wrong string, and no two downstrokes in a row.
Needs Work — You sometimes pick two downstrokes in a row or hit a neighbouring string. Review Session 4, “Alternate Picking”. Practise on one string at a time.
Not Yet — Cannot alternate pick reliably. Return to Session 4, “Downstroke Picking Exercise”, then “Alternate Picking”, 3 minutes a day for one week, then take this item again.

13. Read and play a TAB passage you have not seen before

The three passages below are not in any session. Each one is unseen only once, so do not practise them beforehand. Use Passage 1 and Passage 2 today. Keep Passage 3 covered: it is for a second attempt, if you need one.

For each passage: cover the Notes row. Study the passage for 15 seconds. Play it at 50 BPM, one note per click. Record yourself. Afterwards uncover the Notes row and check any note you were unsure of with your tuner.

Passage 1
e|----------------------|---0---1---3---0---|
B|------0---1---3---1---|-------------------|
G|----------------------|-------------------|
D|----------------------|-------------------|
A|----------------------|-------------------|
E|----------------------|-------------------|
Count:  1   2   3   4       1   2   3   4
Notes:  B   C   D   C       E   F   G   E

Passage 2
e|------3---1---0-------|-------------------|
B|------------------3---|---1---0---1---3---|
G|----------------------|-------------------|
D|----------------------|-------------------|
A|----------------------|-------------------|
E|----------------------|-------------------|
Count:  1   2   3   4       1   2   3   4
Notes:  G   F   E   D       C   B   C   D

Passage 3
e|------0---3---1---0---|-------------------|
B|----------------------|---3---1---0---1---|
G|----------------------|-------------------|
D|----------------------|-------------------|
A|----------------------|-------------------|
E|----------------------|-------------------|
Count:  1   2   3   4       1   2   3   4
Notes:  E   G   F   E       D   C   B   C

Mastered — In Passage 1 and in Passage 2: no more than one wrong note and no stop.
Needs Work — More than one wrong note in a passage, or a stop. Review Session 4, “Reading Melody TAB”, and Reading Tab. On each practice day for one week, read the Session 4 exercise from the page, saying the string and fret of each note before you play it. Then take this item again with Passage 3: it must have no more than one wrong note and no stop.
Not Yet — TAB notation is confusing. Return to Session 2, “Reading Guitar TAB”, and Session 4, “Reading Melody TAB”, 3 minutes a day for one week. Then take this item again with Passage 3: it must have no more than one wrong note and no stop.

Songs

14*. Play the “Come As You Are” riff (Nirvana) at 60 BPM: two measures, four times through

Mastered — You play the three pick-up notes once, then the two-measure riff four times through, at 60 BPM, two notes per click (eighth notes), without stopping. Every note is the right string and fret, the two held notes last their full beat, and you finish with the click.
Needs Work — Some notes buzz or you lose the rhythm partway through. Review Session 4, “How to Learn This Riff”. Practise measure 1 and measure 2 separately, then join them.
Not Yet — Cannot play the riff through. Return to Session 4, “How to Learn This Riff”, and relearn it slowly from the start of its tempo ladder, 5 minutes a day for one week, then take this item again.

15. Play the Em to E major strumming study at 65 BPM

Mastered — Two measures of Em and two measures of E major, played twice through (8 measures) at 65 BPM, D D U U D U pattern. Click check: the pattern stays steady, there is no pause at the chord change, you never stop and you finish with the click.
Needs Work — The chord change is late or the strumming pattern breaks down. Review Session 5, “How to Learn This”. Drill the Em–E change separately, then play the study at 55 BPM.
Not Yet — Cannot play the study. Return to Session 5, “The Study” and “How to Learn This”, 5 minutes a day for one week, then take this item again.

Ear Skills

16*. Tell major chords from minor chords by ear (the recorded card test)

This item is marked from the recording you made after Session 6: the recorded card test, Test 1, with ten slips (Em, Em, Em, Am, Am, Am, E, E, E, E) and one down-strum for each slip. Play the recording once through and write “major” or “minor” for each number. Then turn the slips over in order and mark your answers. If you have already marked that recording on an earlier practice day, use that mark. If you have not made the recording, make it today and mark this item tomorrow. If someone else can play the ten chords for you where you cannot see their hands, that works equally well.

Mastered — At least 8 of your 10 answers are right.
Needs Work — 6 or 7 are right. Repeat the “minor, major, minor” listening drill from Session 6, “Major vs Minor — Ear Training”, on each practice day for one week. Then shuffle the slips, make a new recording, and take this item again the day after.
Not Yet — 5 or fewer are right. This develops with time. Return to Session 5, “Em vs E — Hear the Difference”, and Session 6, “Major vs Minor — Ear Training”. Do both listening drills on each practice day for one week. Then shuffle the slips, make a new recording, and take this item again the day after.

Overall Phase Assessment

Count your “Mastered” items: _____ out of 16

Are all ten must-pass items (1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12, 14 and 16) Mastered? Yes / No

Result	What It Means
Every * item Mastered, and 13 or more of the 16 items Mastered	Go on to Phase 2.
Anything less	Practise the items that are not yet Mastered for one more week, using the advice under each, and take those items again. After that second week, go on to Phase 2 in any case and keep the unfinished items in your warm-up.

Checkpoints are not exams, but they do decide when you move on. Items marked * are must-pass. If every * item is Mastered and at least four in every five items are Mastered, go on to the next phase. If not, practise the items that are not yet Mastered for one more week, using the advice under each, and take those items again. After that second week, go on in any case and keep the unfinished items in your warm-up.

Encouragement

You picked up a guitar and made music. You learned three chords, played a real riff and a strumming study, and started reading a musical language (TAB) that you had never seen before. Your fingertips were probably tender during the first few sessions — and you kept going. That takes determination.

Phase 2 brings new chords (D, A, G, C), power chords, the 12-bar blues, and short arrangements from three different musical traditions. Everything you learned in Phase 1 is the foundation for all of it.