Weekly Practice Plans: Phases 1 and 2

This guide tells you exactly what to practise each day between sessions. Each “week” corresponds to one session — after you complete Session 1, follow the Week 1 plan until your next session. After Session 2, follow Week 2, and so on.

The plans assume you practise daily. If you miss a day, pick up where you left off — do not try to cram two days into one session. Consistency matters more than duration.

How to read each plan: Every day has a specific focus. The time in parentheses is a guide, not a rule. If your fingers hurt (especially in Weeks 1–4), stop early and come back tomorrow. See How To Practice for the full practice methodology and finger pain management rules.

Phase 1 — First Notes (Weeks 1–6)

Practice duration: 15–20 minutes per day in Weeks 1–3 (fingertips are building calluses). Build to 20–25 minutes from Week 4 onward.

Steel-string finger management: Your Saga SF-600C-BK has steel strings that will make your fingertips sore. This is normal. Follow the duration limits below strictly — pushing through pain does not build calluses faster. Short, daily sessions do.

Week 1 — After Session 1: Guitar Basics

You learned: guitar anatomy, posture, pick holding, string names (EADGBE), open string strumming at 60 BPM.

Day	Focus	Activity	Time
Day 1	String names	Say each string name aloud as you pluck it: E-A-D-G-B-E, low to high. Then high to low. 5 times each direction. Then strum all six strings with downstrokes at 60 BPM — 4 bars, rest, 4 bars.	10 min
Day 2	Pick technique	Hold the pick correctly (review Session 1 pick-holding instructions). Strum each open string individually with a downstroke, 4 times per string. Then strum all strings at 60 BPM for 8 bars. Focus on even volume across strings.	12 min
Day 3	Posture check	Sit with the guitar. Check: feet flat, back straight, guitar body on right thigh, neck angled slightly upward. Strum open strings at 60 BPM for 2 minutes. Then try 65 BPM.	12 min
Day 4	String names quiz	Without looking, name each string as you pluck it randomly. Get all six correct three times in a row. Then strum open strings with downstrokes at 65 BPM, 8 bars.	12 min
Day 5	Tuning practice	Tune all six strings with your tuner. Then de-tune string 1 slightly and re-tune it. Repeat for strings 2 and 3. Finish with open string strumming at 60 BPM, 8 bars.	15 min
Day 6	Consolidation	Tune. Name all strings from memory. Strum open strings at 65 BPM for 3 minutes continuously. Rest if fingers sting.	15 min

End-of-week check: Can you name all six strings without hesitation? Can you strum steadily at 60 BPM? If yes, you are ready for Session 2.

Week 2 — After Session 2: Your First Chord (Em)

You learned: Em chord, basic TAB reading, finger numbering, “Em Groove” exercise at 70 BPM.

Day	Focus	Activity	Time
Day 1	Em chord formation	Place fingers for Em (finger 2 on string 5 fret 2, finger 3 on string 4 fret 2). Strum. Lift all fingers off. Place again. Strum. Repeat 20 times. Every string must ring clearly.	12 min
Day 2	Em + rhythm	Play Em with downstrokes at 60 BPM for 4 bars. Rest. Repeat 4 times. Focus on consistent strum volume.	12 min
Day 3	TAB reading	Review the TAB reading section from Session 2. Play the single-string TAB exercise on string 1 (frets 0-1-3) at a slow tempo. Then play “Em Groove” at 60 BPM.	15 min
Day 4	Em Groove	Play “Em Groove” at 60 BPM, 3 repetitions. Then try 65 BPM. If it falls apart at 65, stay at 60 for another 3 reps.	15 min
Day 5	Em speed test	How many times can you form the Em chord cleanly in 60 seconds? (Strum, lift, form, strum = one rep.) Write the number down. Then play “Em Groove” at 65 BPM.	15 min
Day 6	Consolidation	Tune. Em chord × 10 (check every string rings). “Em Groove” at 65–70 BPM, 4 repetitions. End with 1 minute of free strumming on Em — any rhythm you like.	18 min

End-of-week check: Does your Em chord ring cleanly on all six strings? Can you play “Em Groove” at 65 BPM? If yes, you are ready for Session 3.

Week 3 — After Session 3: Two Chords (Em and Am)

You learned: Am chord, Em-to-Am transitions, “Two-Chord Rock” at 60 BPM.

Day	Focus	Activity	Time
Day 1	Am chord formation	Place Am chord (finger 1 on string 2 fret 1, finger 2 on string 4 fret 2, finger 3 on string 3 fret 2). Strum. Lift. Repeat 20 times. Check: string 1 open must ring, no buzzing.	12 min
Day 2	Em ↔ Am transition	Set metronome to 40 BPM. Strum Em on beat 1, Am on beat 3. One chord every 2 beats. 10 cycles. If clean, increase to 50 BPM.	15 min
Day 3	Transition speed	Em to Am at 50 BPM, one chord per beat. 4 bars of Em, 4 bars of Am. Repeat 3 times. Count aloud: “1-2-3-4” with each strum.	15 min
Day 4	Two-Chord Rock	Play “Two-Chord Rock” at 50 BPM. 3 repetitions. Focus on changing chords on beat 1 without pausing.	15 min
Day 5	Speed building	”Two-Chord Rock” at 55 BPM, then 60 BPM. If 60 BPM is messy, drop back to 55. 2 reps at each tempo.	18 min
Day 6	Consolidation	Tune. Em × 5, Am × 5 (clean checks). “Two-Chord Rock” at 60 BPM, 3 full reps. End with “Em Groove” once — keep old material alive.	18 min

End-of-week check: Can you switch between Em and Am on the beat at 60 BPM? Does your Am ring on all five strings? If yes, you are ready for Session 4.

Finger check: By now your fingertips should feel firmer. If you are still in significant pain after 10 minutes, keep sessions to 15 minutes and add one minute per day.

Week 4 — After Session 4: Single-Note Picking

You learned: alternate picking, single-note picking on individual strings, “Come As You Are” riff at 60 BPM.

Day	Focus	Activity	Time
Day 1	Alternate picking	Pick string 1 open: Down-Up-Down-Up at 60 BPM. 4 bars. Then string 2. Then string 3. Even tone, even volume.	15 min
Day 2	Come As You Are — first half	Learn the first 4 bars of the “Come As You Are” riff from TAB. Play at 40 BPM until the finger movements are memorised. Increase to 50 BPM if comfortable.	18 min
Day 3	Come As You Are — full riff	Play the complete riff at 50 BPM. 5 repetitions. Focus on clean note separation — each note should ring individually.	18 min
Day 4	Speed building	”Come As You Are” at 55 BPM, then 60 BPM. The target is 60 BPM by Session 5. If 55 is your limit today, that is fine.	18 min
Day 5	Mixed practice	Alternate picking exercise (all 6 strings, 4 picks each) at 65 BPM. Then “Come As You Are” at your best clean tempo. Then Em → Am transitions × 10 at 60 BPM.	20 min
Day 6	Consolidation	Tune. “Come As You Are” at 55–60 BPM, 3 reps. “Two-Chord Rock” at 60 BPM, 2 reps. End with 2 min of free strumming on Em.	20 min

End-of-week check: Can you pick individual notes cleanly with alternate picking? Can you play “Come As You Are” at 55+ BPM? If yes, you are ready for Session 5.

Week 5 — After Session 5: E Major and Strumming Patterns

You learned: E major chord, upstrokes, D/U pattern, D D U U D U pattern, “N.I.B.” riff at 65 BPM.

Day	Focus	Activity	Time
Day 1	E major chord	Form E major (finger 1 on string 3 fret 1, finger 2 on string 5 fret 2, finger 3 on string 4 fret 2). Strum 20 times. Check all 6 strings ring. Then practise Em ↔ E transitions — 10 reps slowly.	18 min
Day 2	D/U strumming	Play E major with Down-Up strumming at 60 BPM. 4 bars. Then switch to Em for 4 bars. Then Am for 4 bars. Keep the D/U pattern steady.	18 min
Day 3	D D U U D U pattern	Play the D D U U D U pattern on Em at 55 BPM. Count: “1, 2-and, (3)-and, 4-and” — strums land on 1, 2, +of2, +of3, 4, +of4. See Strumming Mechanics for the full beat map. 4 bars. Then on Am. Then on E. Repeat the cycle twice.	20 min
Day 4	N.I.B. riff	Play the “N.I.B.” riff from TAB at 50 BPM. 5 reps. Focus on the single-note line, then the chord stabs. Increase to 55 BPM if clean.	20 min
Day 5	Putting it together	D D U U D U pattern: Em (4 bars) → Am (4 bars) → E (4 bars) at 60 BPM. Then “N.I.B.” riff at 55–60 BPM. Then “Come As You Are” once.	22 min
Day 6	Consolidation	Tune. All three chords: Em, Am, E — strum each once, check for clean sound. D D U U D U on all three chords at 60 BPM. “N.I.B.” at 60–65 BPM. “Two-Chord Rock” once for review.	22 min

End-of-week check: Can you play E major clearly? Can you do D D U U D U at 60 BPM? Can you play “N.I.B.” at 60 BPM? If yes, you are ready for Session 6.

Week 6 — After Session 6: Phase 1 Showcase

You performed: the Phase 1 medley combining Em, Am, E, riff playing, and strumming patterns at 65 BPM.

This week consolidates everything from Phase 1 before you move to Phase 2. No new material — just strengthening what you have.

Day	Focus	Activity	Time
Day 1	Chord review	Em × 5, Am × 5, E × 5 — each clean. Then cycle: Em → Am → E → Em, one strum each, at 60 BPM. 10 cycles.	18 min
Day 2	Riff review	”Come As You Are” at 60 BPM, 3 reps. “N.I.B.” at 65 BPM, 3 reps. Focus on alternate picking accuracy.	18 min
Day 3	Strumming patterns	D/U on Em for 8 bars at 70 BPM. D D U U D U on Am for 8 bars at 65 BPM. Alternate between the two patterns every 4 bars.	20 min
Day 4	Phase 1 medley	Play the Session 6 medley from memory at 60 BPM. If any section breaks down, isolate it and play 5 times at half tempo. Then run the full medley again.	22 min
Day 5	Speed push	Take your weakest skill (chord transitions? alternate picking? D D U U D U?) and dedicate 10 minutes to drilling it 5 BPM faster than your current comfort level. Then play the medley once.	22 min
Day 6	Record yourself	Play the Phase 1 medley at your best tempo. Record it on your phone. Listen back. Write down one thing that sounded good and one to improve. Complete the Phase 1 Milestone Checklist in Progress Tracking.	22 min

Phase 1 complete. You have three chords (Em, Am, E), two riffs (“Come As You Are,” “N.I.B.”), two strumming patterns, and the foundation of alternate picking. Your calluses should be well on their way. You are ready for Phase 2.

Phase 2 — Open Chord Foundation (Weeks 7–12)

Practice duration: 20–25 minutes per day. Your calluses are forming and you can play longer. If you have 30 minutes, add a Review block at the end where you play a favourite from Phase 1.

Week 7 — After Session 7: D Chord and 3/4 Time

You learned: D chord, 3/4 waltz time, “Scarborough Fair” at 70 BPM.

Day	Focus	Activity	Time
Day 1	D chord formation	Form D chord (finger 1 on string 3 fret 2, finger 2 on string 1 fret 2, finger 3 on string 2 fret 3). Strum strings 1–4 only. 20 reps. Check: string 4 open must ring, not buzz.	15 min
Day 2	D ↔ Em transitions	Set metronome to 50 BPM. Strum D for 1 bar, Em for 1 bar. In 3/4 time: “1-2-3, 1-2-3.” 10 cycles. Then D ↔ Am, same drill.	18 min
Day 3	Waltz strumming	3/4 time pattern on D: Down-Down-Down, 3 strums per bar at 60 BPM. Then try D (bass)-down-down pattern. 8 bars each. Then on Em, then on Am.	20 min
Day 4	Scarborough Fair	Play “Scarborough Fair” at 55 BPM. Focus on the chord changes and the 3/4 feel. If the Em → D transition is rough, isolate it for 10 reps at 40 BPM.	22 min
Day 5	Speed building	”Scarborough Fair” at 60 BPM, 2 reps. Then 65 BPM. Then try 70 BPM. Stay at whatever tempo is clean. Finish with D D U U D U on E major, 4 bars at 70 BPM (Phase 1 review).	22 min
Day 6	Consolidation	Tune. All chords so far: Em, Am, E, D — one strum each, clean check. “Scarborough Fair” at your best tempo, 2 reps. “Come As You Are” once.	22 min

End-of-week check: Can you play D without buzzing? Can you feel 3/4 time naturally? Can you play “Scarborough Fair” at 65+ BPM?

Week 8 — After Session 8: A Chord and 12-Bar Blues

You learned: A chord, A-D-E chord progression, 12-bar blues structure, “12-Bar in A” at 75 BPM.

Day	Focus	Activity	Time
Day 1	A chord formation	Form A chord (fingers 1-2-3 on strings 4-3-2 at fret 2). Strum strings 1–5. 20 reps. All strings must ring clearly. Then A ↔ D transitions, 10 reps at 50 BPM.	18 min
Day 2	A-D-E progression	Play A (4 beats) → D (4 beats) → E (4 beats) → A (4 beats) at 55 BPM. Focus on landing each chord right on beat 1. 5 cycles.	20 min
Day 3	12-bar blues structure	Play the full 12-bar blues in A at 60 BPM with downstrokes. Memorise the chord sequence: A-A-A-A, D-D-A-A, E-D-A-E. 3 complete choruses.	22 min
Day 4	D D U U D U on the blues	Play “12-Bar in A” with the D D U U D U pattern at 60 BPM. This combines your strumming pattern skill with the new chord sequence. 2 choruses.	22 min
Day 5	Speed building	”12-Bar in A” at 65 BPM, then 70 BPM. Target is 75 BPM by Session 9. Then play “Scarborough Fair” once (keep last week’s material fresh).	25 min
Day 6	Consolidation	Tune. All five chords: Em, Am, E, D, A — random order, one strum each, 10 cycles. “12-Bar in A” at your best tempo. “N.I.B.” riff once.	25 min

End-of-week check: Can you play the A chord clearly? Do you know the 12-bar blues structure from memory? Can you play “12-Bar in A” at 70+ BPM?

Week 9 — After Session 9: Power Chords and Palm Muting

You learned: E5 and A5 power chords, palm muting technique, “Iron Man” riff at 70 BPM.

Day	Focus	Activity	Time
Day 1	Power chord shapes	Play E5 (string 6 open + string 5 fret 2). Then A5 (string 5 open + string 4 fret 2). 10 strums each. Only the power chord strings should sound — mute the rest.	18 min
Day 2	Palm muting	Rest the edge of your picking hand on the strings near the bridge. Strum E5 — the sound should be short and chunky (“chug”), not ringing. Practise palm-muted E5 at 60 BPM, 8 bars. Then A5.	20 min
Day 3	Iron Man — first half	Learn the first section of the “Iron Man” riff from TAB at 50 BPM. Focus on the power chord shapes and palm muting. 5 reps.	22 min
Day 4	Iron Man — full riff	Play the complete “Iron Man” riff at 55 BPM. 4 reps. Then try 60 BPM. The palm muting should be consistent — no accidentally ringing notes.	22 min
Day 5	Speed building + review	”Iron Man” at 60–65 BPM. Then play “12-Bar in A” once at 70 BPM. Then chord cycle: Em → Am → E → D → A, D D U U D U at 65 BPM.	25 min
Day 6	Consolidation	Tune. Power chord check: E5 and A5 clean, palm-muted and open. “Iron Man” at your best tempo. “Scarborough Fair” once. Record “Iron Man” — compare to your Week 2 Em recording if you have one.	25 min

End-of-week check: Can you play E5 and A5 cleanly? Can you palm-mute consistently? Can you play “Iron Man” at 65+ BPM?

Week 10 — After Session 10: G Chord and Two New Songs

You learned: G chord, “About a Girl” at 75 BPM, “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door” at 70 BPM.

Day	Focus	Activity	Time
Day 1	G chord formation	Form G chord (finger 2 on string 6 fret 3, finger 1 on string 5 fret 2, finger 3 on string 1 fret 3). Strum all 6 strings. 20 reps. Then G ↔ Em transitions at 50 BPM, 10 reps.	18 min
Day 2	About a Girl	Play “About a Girl” (Em → G pattern) at 60 BPM. The Em ↔ G transition is the key challenge. Isolate it: Em (2 beats) → G (2 beats), 20 reps. Then play the full song.	22 min
Day 3	Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door	Play “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door” (G → D → Am → Am, then G → D → C → C) at 55 BPM. Note: the C chord is introduced next session — use Am as a substitute if needed. 3 reps.	22 min
Day 4	Two-song day	”About a Girl” at 65 BPM, 2 reps. “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door” at 60 BPM, 2 reps. Focus on smooth transitions in each.	25 min
Day 5	G chord in context	Chord progression: G → Em → D → A at 60 BPM, D D U U D U pattern. 4 repetitions. This cycles through all your open chords with G. Then play “Iron Man” once (power chord review).	25 min
Day 6	Consolidation	Tune. All six chords: Em, Am, E, D, A, G — random order drill, 10 reps. Play your favourite song from the course so far, 2 reps at best tempo.	25 min

End-of-week check: Can you play G clearly? Can you transition between G and Em within 2 beats? Can you play “About a Girl” at 70+ BPM?

Week 11 — After Session 11: C Chord and Hindi Film Songs

You learned: C chord, G-Em-C-D pop progression, “Ye Shaam Mastani,” “Pal Pal Dil Ke Paas.”

Day	Focus	Activity	Time
Day 1	C chord formation	Form C chord (finger 1 on string 2 fret 1, finger 2 on string 4 fret 2, finger 3 on string 5 fret 3). Strum strings 1–5. 20 reps. String 1 open must ring. Then C ↔ Am transitions at 50 BPM.	18 min
Day 2	Pop progression	Play G → Em → C → D at 55 BPM, D D U U D U pattern. 4-bar cycles (one chord per bar). 4 reps. The G ↔ C transition is the hardest — if it breaks down, isolate it for 10 slow reps.	22 min
Day 3	Ye Shaam Mastani	Play “Ye Shaam Mastani” chord progression at 55 BPM. Focus on the Am and D sections. Hum the melody if you know it. 3 reps.	22 min
Day 4	Pal Pal Dil Ke Paas	Play “Pal Pal Dil Ke Paas” chord progression at 55 BPM. Then play “Ye Shaam Mastani” once. Alternate between the two songs — this is what real practice looks like.	25 min
Day 5	All-chord workout	Cycle through every open chord you know: Em → Am → E → D → A → G → C, one strum per chord at 60 BPM. 5 cycles. Then play “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door” with the real C chord (replacing the Am substitute).	25 min
Day 6	Consolidation	Tune. Full chord inventory: Em, Am, E, D, A, G, C — play each, check for clean sound. Play your favourite Hindi film song and your favourite rock song. One rep each.	25 min

End-of-week check: Can you play C clearly? Can you play the G-Em-C-D progression without stopping? Can you play at least one Hindi film song with chords?

Week 12 — After Session 12: Phase 2 Showcase

You performed: the Phase 2 medley combining all seven open chords, power chords, and songs from rock, blues, folk, and Hindi film traditions.

This week consolidates all of Phase 2. Focus on strengthening weak spots and building confidence.

Day	Focus	Activity	Time
Day 1	Chord transitions drill	Set metronome to 70 BPM. Random chord pairs: G → D, C → Am, E → G, Am → D, G → C. 4 beats on each chord, 10 pairs. Note which transitions are slowest.	20 min
Day 2	Weakest transitions	Take the two slowest transitions from Day 1. Isolate them. Play at 50 BPM, 20 reps each. Then at 60 BPM. Then at 70 BPM. Finish with the Phase 2 medley at 60 BPM.	25 min
Day 3	Repertoire run	Play three songs back-to-back: “About a Girl” → “12-Bar in A” → “Ye Shaam Mastani.” No stopping between songs. This builds performance stamina.	25 min
Day 4	Power chord + open chord mix	”Iron Man” at 70 BPM, 2 reps. Then G → Em → C → D progression at 70 BPM, 4 reps. Switching between power chord technique and open chord technique in one session.	25 min
Day 5	Phase 2 medley polish	Play the Session 12 medley at your best tempo. Record it. Listen back. Identify the weakest 4-bar section. Drill that section 10 times at half tempo. Run the medley once more.	25 min
Day 6	Phase 2 completion	Final run of the Phase 2 medley. Record it. Complete the Phase 2 Milestone Checklist in Progress Tracking. Compare this recording to your Week 6 Phase 1 recording. Celebrate.	25 min

Phase 2 complete. You now have seven open chords (Em, Am, E, D, A, G, C), power chords (E5, A5), palm muting, two strumming patterns, 3/4 time, the 12-bar blues, and songs from four genres. Your calluses are solid. You are ready for Phase 3, where the real variety begins — scales, fingerpicking, hammer-ons, and a barre chord.

Tips for Making These Plans Work

Do the warm-up. Tune your guitar and do finger stretches before every session. See Daily Warmup.
Use a metronome from Week 3 onward. Every tempo listed assumes a metronome. Practising without one builds unsteady rhythm habits that are hard to fix later.
Record once a week. Use your phone. Even audio only. Your Week 12 recording compared to your Week 1 recording will be the best motivation you have ever had. Track recordings in Progress Tracking.
Stop when your fingers hurt in Weeks 1–4. The duration limits exist for a reason. Pushing through pain leads to blisters and missed practice days. Short daily sessions build calluses faster than one long painful session.
Keep old songs alive. Each week includes at least one activity from a previous week. If you only practise the newest material, old skills fade. A quick run-through of a favourite song keeps everything connected.
Consolidation day is not optional. Day 6 of each week is for reviewing everything. This is when your brain connects the pieces. Do not skip it.
If you fall behind, spend an extra day or two on the current week’s plan before moving to the next session. There is no deadline. Mastery at your own pace beats rushing through material with shaky foundations.