We've devised a method of rating the skill level of our lessons.   The skill level will be designated by *#* in front of the lesson title, like this
*3* MY ROMANCE CHORD MELODY.   

Another good way to tell the skill level of a lesson is to watch the lesson demo. It is suggested that you start with the material you want to learn at the level you are comfortable with.  Also see our suggested STUDY PLANS.

SKILL LEVEL RATINGS:

*0*  Beginner- Very little or no previous experience playing guitar.

*1*  Novice- Knows open chords, barre chord forms and how to apply them up and down the neck, learning the fretboard, can strum and switch between chords, plays chords to easy songs, learning to play simple lines with a pick.

*2*  Intermediate- Understands the fretboard, plays blues/pentatonic and major scales, plays barre and power chords, knows the notes in all major scales, knows the CAGED system, can play simple riffs. Needs to improve picking technique, build dexterity, and expand chord vocabulary.

*3*  Experienced  - Good technique, plays riffs and solo's, understands scale shapes by playing the same scale in several areas of the neck, good single string technique, knows the makeup of chords and plays fundamental jazz chords, exploring inversions, playing chord melodies, beginning fingerstyle and learning to improvise.

*4*  Advanced – Passionate about guitar, accomplished player (perhaps in another style), plays gigs, knows theory and harmonic progressions, looking for new ideas, would like to expand his jazz vocabulary, has a good grasp of improv, can play several songs in a fingerstyle or chord melody style.

*5*  Pro/Semi Pro- Teaches and/or plays regularly with a band or solo, wants to expand his repertoire, be a better improviser and knows there is always more to learn to master his instrument.