Closed Triads & Cross Picking
Strengthen your technique with focused exercises on synchronization, triads, crosspicking, and arpeggios across multiple string sets and positions. This week’s routine builds on core concepts with fresh challenges, a no-talk playalong, and new Guitar Pro resources for flexible practice.
Minor Triads & b3 to 3 Movement
Shift between major and minor triads across E, C, and A shapes while tackling a I–vi–ii–V progression to develop smooth voice leading. You’ll also explore the expressive b3 to 3 melodic motif—an essential ingredient in bluesy phrasing and melodic improvisation.
“I Won’t Give Up On You” Pt. 1
We dive into triads through a full song form, using the “la pompe” rhythm to drive classic progressions like I–V, II–V, and gospel-style turnarounds. Each section builds harmonic awareness, helping us hear and feel how chords function across a tune.
“I Won’t Give Up On You” Pt. 2
We reshape triads into dominant 7 chords using two streamlined methods, creating rich harmonic motion without adding complexity. Applying these sounds to a song progression trains our ears and hands to hear functional movement and play with greater harmonic intent.
“I Won’t Give Up On You” Pt. 3
We build melodic strength by targeting chord tones, especially 3rds, across E, C, and A triad shapes. Through focused phrases and smooth transitions, we learn to craft solos that outline harmony with intention and clarity.
Review Session
This week we hit pause to reflect, reconnect with the material, and reassess our progress across 35 routines. Using triads from Signed, Sealed, Delivered as a musical anchor, we’re reminded that practice is about depth, not speed—and real growth comes from truly knowing, not just doing.
Major & Minor Triads
We lock in closed-voiced triads across E, C, and A shapes, shifting between major and minor to build fretboard fluency. By applying them to real progressions, we uncover how simple triads imply richer harmonies and function musically beyond their shapes.
I to IV Chord Change Pt. 1
Triads and pentatonic scales come together to illuminate the I–IV progression across multiple positions. By outlining chord changes with melodic clarity and rhythmic flair, this session builds confidence in both soloing and harmonic navigation.
I to IV Chord Change Pt. 2
This session expands the I–IV progression across keys, blending triad movement with rhythmic vamps and major pentatonic lines. By cycling through fourths and layering in extended note choices, the material pushes both fretboard fluency and expressive phrasing.
How Well Do You Know Your Dominant Sounds?
Layering triads, pentatonics, arpeggios, and mixolydian scales across positions, this session deepens your grasp of how these elements connect. With key changes and directional drills, the goal is clarity—learning to recognize patterns, not memorize shapes, and turning that understanding into real musical movement.
I to V Chord Change
This routine sharpens your grasp of I–V movement by connecting triads, pentatonics, and dominant arpeggios across familiar shapes. With a focus on targeting chord tones and hearing harmonic function clearly, the material bridges rhythm and melody in both practice and improvisation.
I to ii Chord Movement
Major triads become minor with a single note shift, and this session explores that transformation across E, C, and A shapes to unlock the I–ii progression. Through triad-based licks, arpeggios, and chord applications, melodic phrasing becomes more intentional and harmonically grounded.
Triads & Scales Workout
This lesson reconnects major triads to their surrounding scale tones using E, C, and A shapes—with a bonus look at the G shape for diagonal movement. You’ll strengthen alternate picking, reinforce fretboard fluency, and train your ear to hear harmony and melody as one.
Maj/Min/Dim Chord Scales
This workout builds mastery of major, minor, and diminished triads by connecting them into full chord scales along the neck. Through shape transitions and melodic drills, you’ll strengthen fretboard awareness and sharpen your ear for harmonic movement.
7th Chords and Modes from Triads
This routine expands triad practice into real harmonic and modal territory, using lowered roots and raised 5ths to imply 7th chords. By mapping triads to modes, you’ll start hearing deeper musical possibilities hidden inside familiar shapes.
Dorian Workout
This week’s routine puts the spotlight on Dorian, using triads and arpeggios to uncover the mode’s true sound—not just its shape. By targeting the 6th and blending it with minor harmony, you’ll train your ear to hear what makes Dorian feel distinct and musical.
Phrygian 101
This week’s routine introduces the moody, exotic sound of Phrygian through arpeggios, triads, and targeted color tones. You’ll expand your modal fluency by contrasting it with Dorian and internalizing its signature b2 and b6.
Aeolian Pt. 1
This week we dig into Aeolian—the natural minor scale—and explore its pure, unembellished minor sound across E, C, and A positions using chords, arpeggios, scales, and triad-based phrases. Simple concept, powerful results.
A MAJOR Arpeggio Workout
This week shifts our focus from learning to practicing, with 12 arpeggio-based workouts designed to build rhythmic clarity and control. It’s all about deepening your groove, not just adding more information.
LOTS of D Major
This festive workout puts your triad chops to the test by drilling D major shapes up and down the neck using inversion slides. It’s a focused routine in seeing barre chords as moveable frameworks and unlocking smooth, creative voice movement.
Practice Motivation
New year, same mission: deeper fretboard fluency. This week, we’re reconnecting triad shapes around D major to strengthen your chordal instincts and build true on-the-fly adaptability.
Intermediate Triad Inversion Workout
This week we’re moving beyond triad basics and tackling a systematic workout that builds real fretboard fluency—by connecting G, C, and D triads across positions and string sets through inversion movement.
Minor Triad Workout
We’re back to triads this week—this time focusing on minor shapes, working through 12 C minor voicings using the A, E, and C forms. Once those are under your fingers, we’ll move through inversions just like last time, building toward full major/minor fluency.
The Gospel Triad Trick Pt. 1
This week we’re applying last week’s minor triads using the “Gospel Triad Trick”—alternating a major triad with a minor triad one whole step above to create soulful, melodic motion in your rhythm playing. We’ll start over a C groove, working first on the DGB strings, then the GBE set, all while building your rhythmic instincts along the way.
The Gospel Triad Trick Pt. 2
This week we’re expanding the Gospel Triad Trick by crossing string sets, shifting positions, and introducing a new chord change—from C to F. You’ll build four triad voicings per chord, work them across the fretboard, and explore the smoother I–ii motion in both C and F. Watch how the neck starts to open up as you internalize these sounds and transitions.
Minor Triad Vamp
This week we flip the Gospel Triad Trick for minor grooves, exploring how major triads a whole step down (the ♭VII) can add color and motion to minor chords. Using an Am–G pairing, you’ll build rhythm fluency, triad movement, and real-world fretboard awareness across the top three string sets—all over a tight minor vamp.
Rhythm Changes Pt. 2: Bridge
This week we’re digging into the bridge of Rhythm Changes—D7, G7, C7, F7—and using it as a launchpad for structured improvisation. You’ll cycle through root notes, shell voicings, arpeggios, and scales, then bring it all together over the full AABA form.
Extracting Triads and Adding Chromatics
This week’s routine focuses on building key-centered vocabulary, using G major as the foundation. We explore scale sequences, diatonic triads, and chromatic approaches to craft fluid, melodic lines. The goal isn’t speed—it’s control, clarity, and deeper understanding of harmony in motion.
Minor Triads Refresher
We’re locking in minor triads—not just in theory, but in real-world, playable form. It’s about turning knowledge into instinct so you’re ready for the upcoming Stand By Me etudes.
