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257 - Why Most People Never Learn Guitar (and How You Can Be the Exception)
In this episode, Paul explores the most common reasons why so many aspiring guitarists never quite get started or give up too soon, despite having a lifelong dream to play the guitar. He debunks major myths that hold people back and shares practical strategies to help you become the exception, turning those dreams into reality.Announcements:Live Member Q&A:Happening Monday the 27th (9 pm UK | 5 pm EDT | 2 pm PDT). Members can join live via Zoom, or submit questions beforehand if they can't attend live. Recordings and audio will be available later for members.Gift Memberships Now Available:Beginner Guitar Academy membership can now be gifted! This is perfect for holidays or surprising a loved one with the gift of music. Available for both monthly and annual subscriptions at beginnerguitaracademy.com.Main Topics Covered1. Why Most People Never Learn GuitarThe persistent dream: “I’ve always wanted to play guitar.”Common experience: Many start, but few stick with it long enough to make progress.2. The Three Big Myths That Hold People BackMyth #1: “I don't have time.”Reality: You don't need hours—a few consistent, focused minutes daily can yield results. Beginner Guitar Academy lessons are designed in bite-sized chunks to fit any schedule.Myth #2: “I’m not naturally musical/talented.”Reality: Playing guitar is a learned skill, not an innate talent. Anyone can improve with structure and patience. Paul shares examples of students who thought they had no rhythm but later played confidently.Myth #3: “I’ve tried before and failed.”Reality: Failure often comes from lacking a clear plan or having unrealistic expectations. Progress takes time—about six months before seeing solid results, and having the right roadmap is key.3. Why People Give UpLack of visible progress leads to loss of motivation.Setting realistic expectations and celebrating small wins is crucial for staying motivated.4. How You Can Be the ExceptionYou don’t need special talent or vast amounts of time—just a clear path, accountability, and support.Beginner Guitar Academy offers step-by-step lessons, exclusive community access, and direct support from Paul.Try It Risk-Free: 14-day trial for only $1—full access to lessons, community, and even video exchange with Paul.Key TakeawaysConsistency beats intensity. A few minutes a day makes a difference.Structure and support matter—don’t go it alone. Find a method and a community.Set realistic goals and celebrate the small milestones.If you’ve ever dreamed of playing the guitar, now is the time to start!Action Steps:Join the next member Q&A or submit your questions.Consider gifting a Beginner Guitar Academy membership.Take advantage of the $1 trial to see if BGA is a good fit!Share this episode with someone who’s always wanted to play guitar.Links Mentioned:Beginner Guitar Academy WebsiteMemberships, Trials, and Gifting options availableConnect:Subscribe, leave a review, and pass this episode along to anyone who could use a motivational nudge to finally pick up the guitar!
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256 - Mastering the C to G Chord Change
In this week’s episode, Paul Andrews goes back to basics to tackle one of the trickiest and most important chord changes for beginner guitarists: moving from the C chord to the G chord. He breaks down why this chord change matters, the challenges beginners face, his top practical tips for smoother transitions, and suggests four popular songs to practice your new skills.Key Talking PointsWhy the C to G Chord Change Is So ImportantThis change pops up constantly in popular music—think pop, rock, country, and folk.Although it’s tricky, mastering this chord change is crucial for building your foundation as a guitarist.Challenges Beginners Face:No pivot fingers or common tones — all fingers must move.Big distance between the chord shapes.Stray or muted strings as fingers move.Timing issues that interrupt a song’s flow.Tips & Tricks to Improve Your C to G Chord Changes:Focus on Shape, Sound, and Speed—in That OrderLock in the shape before worrying about speed.Isolate and practice each chord using the “hand on knee” technique and “folded corners” approach to get fingers down at the same time.Minimize Unnecessary MovementKeep fingers close to the strings—less travel equals faster changes.Target PracticeEnsure each finger lands directly where it needs to go.Air TimeStart forming the next chord shape before your fingers reach the strings.Strumming TechniquesUse the “windshield wipers” method—keep your strumming hand moving even if it means hitting open strings momentarily.Try “leaving the party early”—let go of the chord slightly before the change to give your fingers more time to get in position.Exercise for Tracking Progress:Set a timer for 30 seconds and count how many times you can change from C to G and back, one strum per chord. Track your progress over time, but be patient!Practice Songs Featuring the C to G Change:“Love Me Do” (The Beatles) – Primarily G and C, great for simple repetition.“Leaving on a Jet Plane” (John Denver) – Focuses on C and G with the occasional D chord.“Hey Joe” (Jimi Hendrix) – Five-chord progression, includes C to G in the loop.“Ring of Fire” (Johnny Cash) – Fast-paced, lots of C to G transitions.Additional ResourcesFree Guide:8 Simple Ways to Make Faster Progress on GuitarDownload Paul’s free PDF and accompanying videos to supercharge your practice.Watch the Episode:The video version is available on the Beginner Guitar Academy YouTube channel or at BGAPodcast.com.Get Structured Support:Try Beginner Guitar Academy for 14 days for just $1 at beginnerguitaracademy.com for lessons, community, and more resources.Closing Thoughts:With regular practice and by following Paul’s tips, your C to G chord changes will get quicker and smoother. Don’t rush—progress will come with consistency!
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255 - Finding Balance on Your Guitar Journey: Lessons from Baltazar
This week, Paul dives deep into the emotional ups and downs of learning guitar, inspired by a heartfelt community post from member Baltazar. With Baltazar’s permission, Paul explores the realities of balancing progress, avoiding burnout, and keeping guitar practice both effective and joyful. Whether you’re cruising through milestones or stuck on a stubborn plateau, you’ll find practical strategies and inspiration to keep you moving forward—without losing sight of the fun.Key TopicsCommunity NewsPaul announces the latest Academy Show: a monthly roundup with shoutouts to members for progress checks, level assessments, and guitar anniversaries.The show is available in the Academy’s Community section and in the “Just Added” section on the main dashboard.The Dopamine Rush of ProgressEarly victories (like learning your first chords or songs) feel amazing and addictive.The danger: chasing that feeling can rush your learning and undermine long-term progress if you don’t let skills settle.When Progress Slows DownHitting your first wall is normal—whether it’s a tricky chord, a stubborn strum pattern, or finishing a whole song in time.Frustration is natural; it’s not a sign of failure, but a plateau where real growth happens, much like a workout plateau at the gym.Baltazar’s BreakthroughsInstead of quitting, Baltazar adjusted:Extended his timeline: Gave himself extra weeks to reach goals, relieving pressure.Restructured practice: Short, focused 15-minute sessions every other day, instead of long, exhausting ones.Played for fun: Added songs he truly enjoys (“Ultimate Song List”), reconnecting with the reasons he started guitar.The result: Less stress, more fun, and renewed motivation.Mindset & ConsistencyBaltazar’s most inspiring line: “Quitting isn’t an option. Not at 73. If I hadn’t quit at 29, I might be a solid guitarist by now.”Age doesn’t matter; consistency and showing up do.Practical TakeawaysSlow Down Your Timeline:Adjust deadlines for YOUR pace. Focus on practice frequency over arbitrary deadlines.Restructure Your Practice:Keep core skills and songs, but don’t grind every day. Focusing on 15 minutes of practice every other day is sufficient.Play for Fun:Mix in songs you love, even if they’re not part of the curriculum. Motivation matters.Use Assessments as Motivation:Treat them like checkpoints—NOT finish lines or races.Reset When Needed:If guitar feels like a chore, pause, adjust, and bring back what's enjoyable.Remember the Long Game:Progress is possible at any age. The only way to “lose” is to quit.Final ThoughtsPaul thanks Baltazar for his openness and encourages all listeners: don’t quit, reset if needed, and always keep the fun in your guitar journey.If you’d like to share your guitar story, join the community at Beginner Guitar Academy.Join the Community:If you’re not yet a member, visit beginnerguitaracademy.com to get started.See you next week—keep practicing and enjoying the journey!
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254 - 8 Common Mistakes Beginner Guitarists Make (and How to Avoid Them)
In this episode, Paul Andrews breaks down the eight most common mistakes he sees beginner guitarists make and, most importantly, how you can avoid or fix them. If you feel like your guitar progress has stalled or you’re unsure what’s holding you back, this comprehensive guide will put you back on track. From practicing without a plan to quitting too soon, Paul covers it all, offering actionable advice and resources along the way.Key Topics Covered1. Practicing Without a PlanMany beginners “noodle” aimlessly, not making real progress.Solution: Structure your practice sessions, even if it’s just five or ten minutes per skill.Resource: Practice plans available in the Resources section of the Beginner Guitar Academy dashboard.2. Skipping the BasicsJumping straight to fun riffs and songs without building strong foundational skills (like chord changes, picking, and strumming) slows your progress.Solution: Invest time in fundamental skills. They’re the foundation for everything else you learn.3. Ignoring Rhythm and TimingFocusing on the right notes but not on playing them in time leads to unrecognisable music.Solution: Use a metronome or backing track from early on. Internalise the beat by tapping your foot or nodding your head.4. Avoiding Barre Chords and Hard ShapesMany skip tough chords (like barre or C chord) because they’re challenging.Solution: Face the hard shapes in manageable steps—power chords, then mini-barres, then full barre chords.Resource: Check out the Power Chords and Barre Chords workshops in the Academy.5. Not Playing Complete SongsLearning only riffs and song parts can be fun, but it leaves you stuck.Solution: Commit to learning full songs!Beginner-friendly song suggestions:“Songbird” by Oasis“Knockin' on Heaven’s Door” (Bob Dylan version)“Come As You Are” by Nirvana“Zombie” by The Cranberries“Seven Nation Army” by The White Stripes6. Building Bad Technique HabitsCommon issues include collapsing fingers, muted strings, and stiff strumming.Solution: Slow things down and focus on form. Recording yourself and seeking teacher feedback can help spot and fix these issues.7. Comparing Yourself to OthersSocial media or peer comparison can rob you of joy.Solution: Compare your progress only to your past self. Chart small, incremental improvements.8. Quitting Too SoonNinety per cent of beginners quit within the first year due to unrealistic expectations or a perceived lack of time.Solution: Consistency is key—just a few minutes a day leads to breakthrough progress.Community News & ResourcesSeptember Live Member Q&A: Recording now available in the Academy’s dashboard (video and audio formats).Practice Plan Downloads: Find them in the Resources section to help you organise and structure your weekly practice.Workshops: “Get to Grips with Power Chords” and “Get to Grips with Barre Chords” are available to Academy members.Key TakeawaysMistakes are normal! But with proper planning, patience, and guidance, you can overcome or avoid them entirely.Consistency and structured practice are your secret weapons.If you need a clear, step-by-step roadmap, join Beginner Guitar Academy with a 14-day trial for $1 at
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253-Demystifying Musical Intervals: Essential Ear Training for Beginner Guitar Players
In episode 253 of the Beginner Guitar Academy Podcast, Paul Andrews explores the powerful—yet often overlooked—concept of musical intervals. Whether you’re new to the guitar or looking to improve your musicianship, understanding intervals can unlock a deeper grasp of the fretboard, sharpen your ear, accelerate your learning, and even provide inspiration for songwriting. Paul breaks down what intervals are, explains why they matter, shares practical tips for practicing them, and wraps up with a mini ear-training test.What’s Covered in This EpisodeAnnouncements for BGA MembersUpcoming live Q&A on Monday, September 29th (details on times and how to join or submit questions in advance).Introduction of 30-minute private guitar lessons exclusively for members ($40 per lesson). Booking details in the community/news section.Reminder: Unlimited access to Paul via private video exchange, audio, or text—the new lessons are just an extra option in response to member requests.Musical Intervals DemystifiedWhat is an interval?Simply put, it’s the distance between two notes. Paul demonstrates intervals using open strings and fretted notes, explaining the basic concepts of half steps and whole steps on guitar.Intervals in the Major Scale:Using the C major scale, Paul explains “major second,” “major third,” “perfect fourth,” “perfect fifth,” “major sixth,” “major seventh,” and the “octave.”Fun trivia: The term “perfect” dates back to medieval times, referring to intervals considered stable and sacred.Why are intervals important?Ear Training: Recognize famous riffs and melodies (e.g., “Smoke on the Water” – minor third, “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” – perfect fifth).Building Blocks: Chords and scales are literally made by stacking intervals.Improvisation & Songwriting: Intervals guide you on which notes work well together.Practical Ways to Practice IntervalsPlay and SingPlay intervals on your guitar and try singing them—don’t worry about vocal ability; the goal is to internalise the sounds.Use Songs as ReferenceMajor Second – “Happy Birthday”Major Third – “When the Saints Go Marching In”Perfect Fourth – “Here Comes the Bride”Perfect Fifth – “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” or the “Star Wars” themeMajor Sixth – “My Way” (Frank Sinatra)Major Seventh – “Take On Me” (a-ha)Octave – “Somewhere Over the Rainbow”Ear Training Apps and ResourcesApps: MusicTheory.net (free web exercises and the Tenuto app), Earmaster (BGA discount available in the resource section).BGA Members: Leverage the ‘Improve Your Ear’ course with tailored exercises.Start SmallBegin with just a couple of intervals—like the major second and octave, which have a clear contrast—and add more as you progress.Ear Training TestPaul conducts a quick ear training test focusing on major seconds, perfect fifths, and octaves to help listeners start recognising these intervals.Key TakeawaysLearning intervals isn’t just “theory”—it’s a real-world tool for mastering the guitar.Consistent practice is key: make interval ear training a regular part of your routine to permanently develop your musical ear.Use song references, simple exercises, and helpful apps to make training enjoyable and effective.Support &...
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