Guitar Lessons

Getting Started with your Guitar Lessons

You can dive straight into the lessons, they are very self explanatory, or optionally you can have a look at our Getting Started guide.

Debut Grade Guitar Lessons

Guitar Intro Lesson

An introduction to the guitar and how to use Gigajam's lessons and software. If you are new to Gigajam or to the guitar, start here.

Lesson 1: Playing rock chords

Understand the layout of the guitar and how to follow chord boxes. You will be able to play a couple of rock chords with music by the end of this lesson.

Lesson 2: Developing rhythms

Learn how to create rhythm using different notes. Play a series of rhythms with your rock chords along with music.

Guitar Debut Grade Performance Pieces

GIGAJAM PREMIUM ONLY EGS Debut Grade Questions

Technical Exercises

Please practice and upload complete performances for each of the technical exercises in this section when you are ready. Completion contributes to 45% of your award. All of the skills contained in these pieces are developed through the lessons and technical exercises. You will need to demonstrate:

Technical Accomplishment
The extent to which the instrument is effectively controlled.

Musicality
The ability to make sensitive and musical performance decisions.

Musical Knowledge
The synthesis of theoretical, notational and contextual knowledge.

Performance

Please practice and upload performances for each of the songs in this section when you are ready. Completion contributes to 45% of your award. All of the skills contained in these pieces are developed through the lessons and technical exercises. However, you need to play the songs showing:

Technical Accomplishment
The extent to which the instrument is effectively controlled.

Musicality
The ability to make sensitive and musical performance decisions.

Musical Knowledge
The synthesis of theoretical, notational and contextual knowledge.

Communication
The degree to which the performer communicates with and engages the listener through musical performance on their instrument or voice.

Knowledge & Understanding

Please complete the questions in this section when you are ready. Completion contributes to 10% of your award. All of the answers are contained within the course, so please check your understanding of your instrument and the music you have studied so far.

Gigajam Tutor Verification

Before we can submit your award to the London College of Music we will need to examine your portfolio so you should do the following before having us check:

Complete all the technical exercises for this grade
Complete all the performance pieces for this grade
Answer the questions for this grade
Provide a video of one of the five performance pieces

If that's all done then you're ready...

Request Verification

Get Your Guitar Debut Grade Certificate!

Earn an internationally recognised award for completing Gigajam Guitar Debut Grade online.

What do I get?

You will receive a formal certificate from the University of West London — London College of Music.

This certificate will be accepted as acknowledgement of your attainment by all educational establishments worldwide.

This is a physical official paper document that will be posted to you for you to frame and hang on your wall.

How much does it cost?

Entry for Guitar Debut Grade costs only £10.

What do I need to do?

Simply complete the lessons, exercises, performances and questions for this grade. See the ‘Action Required’ links for more information.

UWLQ Entry Level Award In Music Performance (Debut) (QCF) Ofqual No. 601/0304/8 Qualification Help?
Technical Exercises Action Required Performance Action Required Knowledge & Understanding Complete Gigajam Tutor Verification Action Required

Grade One Guitar Lessons

GIGAJAM PREMIUM ONLY Lesson 3: Introducing eighth notes and developing rhythm

You will be developing a good understanding of rhythm and how to read rhythm on the musical stave. You will also learn two new chords to mix with your existing chords.

GIGAJAM PREMIUM ONLY Lesson 4: Introducing palm muting

Learn to play great rock chords and the technique of palm muting. You will develop greater control over the sound of the guitar and greater fluency in moving around the guitar neck

GIGAJAM PREMIUM ONLY Guitar Grade One Performance Pieces

GIGAJAM PREMIUM ONLY EGS Grade One Questions

Technical Exercises

Technical Accomplishment
The extent to which the instrument is effectively controlled.

Musicality
The ability to make sensitive and musical performance decisions.

Musical Knowledge
The synthesis of theoretical, notational and contextual knowledge.

Performance

Technical Accomplishment
The extent to which the instrument is effectively controlled.

Musicality
The ability to make sensitive and musical performance decisions.

Musical Knowledge
The synthesis of theoretical, notational and contextual knowledge.

Communication
The degree to which the performer communicates with and engages the listener through musical performance on their instrument or voice.

Knowledge & Understanding

Gigajam Tutor Verification

Before we can submit your award to the London College of Music we will need to examine your portfolio so you should do the following before having us check:

Complete all the technical exercises for this grade
Complete all the performance pieces for this grade
Answer the questions for this grade
Provide a video of one of the five performance pieces

If that's all done then you're ready...

Request Verification

Get Your Guitar Grade 1 Certificate!

Earn an internationally recognised award for completing Gigajam Guitar Grade 1 online.

What do I get?

You will receive a formal certificate from the University of West London — London College of Music.

This certificate will be accepted as acknowledgement of your attainment by all educational establishments worldwide.

This is a physical official paper document that will be posted to you for you to frame and hang on your wall.

How much does it cost?

Entry for Guitar Grade 1 costs only £11.

What do I need to do?

Simply complete the lessons, exercises, performances and questions for this grade. See the ‘Action Required’ links for more information.

UWLQ Level 1 Award In Music Performance (Grade 1) (QCF) Ofqual No. 601/0300/0 Qualification Help?
Technical Exercises Action Required Performance Action Required Knowledge & Understanding Complete Gigajam Tutor Verification Action Required

Grade Two Guitar Lessons

GIGAJAM PREMIUM ONLY Lesson 5: Developing palm muting with accents

Sound like a real rock guitarist using all the rhythms and chords learned so far. You will be acquiring the techniques that make you sound like a professional.

GIGAJAM PREMIUM ONLY Lesson 6: Developing understanding of the fingerboard

The world of rock chords is wide open for you now, as you are taught how to learn and be able to play every power rock chord there is!

GIGAJAM PREMIUM ONLY Lesson 7: Learning new chords

With rock chords in the bag, it is now time to use all your skills to develop playing all the chords you need. This lesson starts you on the journey introducing strumming technique and major and minor chords.

GIGAJAM PREMIUM ONLY Guitar Grade Two Performance Pieces

GIGAJAM PREMIUM ONLY EGS Grade Two Questions

Technical Exercises

Technical Accomplishment
The extent to which the instrument is effectively controlled.

Musicality
The ability to make sensitive and musical performance decisions.

Musical Knowledge
The synthesis of theoretical, notational and contextual knowledge.

Performance

Technical Accomplishment
The extent to which the instrument is effectively controlled.

Musicality
The ability to make sensitive and musical performance decisions.

Musical Knowledge
The synthesis of theoretical, notational and contextual knowledge.

Communication
The degree to which the performer communicates with and engages the listener through musical performance on their instrument or voice.

Knowledge & Understanding

Gigajam Tutor Verification

Before we can submit your award to the London College of Music we will need to examine your portfolio so you should do the following before having us check:

Complete all the technical exercises for this grade
Complete all the performance pieces for this grade
Answer the questions for this grade
Provide a video of one of the five performance pieces

If that's all done then you're ready...

Request Verification

Get Your Guitar Grade 2 Certificate!

Earn an internationally recognised award for completing Gigajam Guitar Grade 2 online.

What do I get?

You will receive a formal certificate from the University of West London — London College of Music.

This certificate will be accepted as acknowledgement of your attainment by all educational establishments worldwide.

This is a physical official paper document that will be posted to you for you to frame and hang on your wall.

How much does it cost?

Entry for Guitar Grade 2 costs only £12.

What do I need to do?

Simply complete the lessons, exercises, performances and questions for this grade. See the ‘Action Required’ links for more information.

UWLQ Level 1 Award In Music Performance (Grade 2) (QCF) Ofqual No. 601/0302/4 Qualification Help?
Technical Exercises Action Required Performance Action Required Knowledge & Understanding Complete Gigajam Tutor Verification Action Required

Grade Three Guitar Lessons

GIGAJAM PREMIUM ONLY Lesson 8: Developing strumming and chord changes

This lesson provides a more in depth look into strumming technique and opens up another world of rhythmic playing for you, whilst learning even more chords for your library.

GIGAJAM PREMIUM ONLY Lesson 9: Developing your rock chord library

More chords, developing your rhythm and ability to move fluently around the guitar neck.

GIGAJAM PREMIUM ONLY Lesson 10: Performing a song

Learn how to play with a professional band, whilst reading a guitar chart. This lesson focuses on reading and navigating a musical score. When you've finished this lesson you'll be performing at grade three standard.

GIGAJAM PREMIUM ONLY Guitar Grade Three Performance Pieces

GIGAJAM PREMIUM ONLY EGS Grade Three Questions

EGS Grade Three Songbook

Technical Exercises

Technical Accomplishment
The extent to which the instrument is effectively controlled.

Musicality
The ability to make sensitive and musical performance decisions.

Musical Knowledge
The synthesis of theoretical, notational and contextual knowledge.

Performance

Technical Accomplishment
The extent to which the instrument is effectively controlled.

Musicality
The ability to make sensitive and musical performance decisions.

Musical Knowledge
The synthesis of theoretical, notational and contextual knowledge.

Communication
The degree to which the performer communicates with and engages the listener through musical performance on their instrument or voice.

Knowledge & Understanding

Gigajam Tutor Verification

Before we can submit your award to the London College of Music we will need to examine your portfolio so you should do the following before having us check:

Complete all the technical exercises for this grade
Complete all the performance pieces for this grade
Answer the questions for this grade
Provide a video of one of the five performance pieces

If that's all done then you're ready...

Request Verification

Get Your Guitar Grade 3 Certificate!

Earn an internationally recognised award for completing Gigajam Guitar Grade 3 online.

What do I get?

You will receive a formal certificate from the University of West London — London College of Music.

This certificate will be accepted as acknowledgement of your attainment by all educational establishments worldwide.

This is a physical official paper document that will be posted to you for you to frame and hang on your wall.

How much does it cost?

Entry for Guitar Grade 3 costs only £13.

What do I need to do?

Simply complete the lessons, exercises, performances and questions for this grade. See the ‘Action Required’ links for more information.

UWLQ Level 1 Award In Music Performance (Grade 3) (QCF) Ofqual No. 601/0303/6 Qualification Help?
Technical Exercises Action Required Performance Action Required Knowledge & Understanding Action Required Gigajam Tutor Verification Action Required

Grade Four Guitar Lessons

GIGAJAM PREMIUM ONLY Lesson 11: Introducing sixteenth notes

This lesson introduces sixteenth notes and goes on to develop your rhythmic strumming skills by developing up and down strokes and simple combinations of sixteenth and eighth notes in common rhythms.

GIGAJAM PREMIUM ONLY Lesson 12: Building our rock guitar library

This lesson completes the library of open chords you need to know before we move onto barre chords in depth in Lessons 13 and 14. You will learn the chords of E7, Em, A7 and Am7.

GIGAJAM PREMIUM ONLY Lesson 13: Developing barre chords

This lesson begins to open up a world of chords for you by introducing the concept of barre chords. This lesson will focus on creating barre chords rooted from the 6th string. By the end of this lesson you will be able to play E, F, Fm, Fm7, F#, F#m, A, Am, Ab, Am7, A7, G, Gm, G7, G#m, Bb, Bm7, B and C.

GIGAJAM PREMIUM ONLY Lesson 14: Continuing the study of barre chords

Developing the concept of the creation of barre chords this lesson develops your ability to play barre chords rooted from the 5th string.

GIGAJAM PREMIUM ONLY Lesson 15: Introducing rests

This lesson starts the study of sound and silence, introducing rests, their symbols and the affect they have on the development, construction and playing of rhythm.

GIGAJAM PREMIUM ONLY Lesson 16: Introducing dotted notes and ties

This is the second lesson in Level 2 that is devoted to reading and the understanding of rhythm. By the end of this lesson you will be able to read, recognise and play both dotted notes and ties, giving you access to sophisticated rhythmic patterns.

GIGAJAM PREMIUM ONLY Lesson 17: Introducing 1-4-5 chord progressions

We are laying the groundwork for guitar solo studies that follow in Level 3. Here you will develop your ability to hear, recognise and play a 1-4-5 chord progression.

GIGAJAM PREMIUM ONLY Lesson 18: Introduction to triplets and triplet feel (12/8 and shuffle)

This is the third lesson in this section devoted predominantly to the understanding of rhythm. Triplet based rhythms are commonly used and need to be understood in order for the modern guitarist to be able to play in a variety of rhythmic and musical styles.

GIGAJAM PREMIUM ONLY Lesson 19: Introducing lead guitar playing

This lesson points the way to your Level 3 studies and introduces the concept of the minor pentatonic scale, so that you have a basis from which to begin playing guitar solos. To accompany scale knowledge, we also introduce a number of lead guitar techniques so that you will be able to play some guitar solo ‘licks’ by the end of this lesson.

GIGAJAM PREMIUM ONLY Lesson 20: Performing a song

Continue to learn how to play with a professional band, whilst reading a guitar chart. This lesson focuses on reading and navigating a musical score. When you've finished this lesson you'll be performing at grade four standard.

GIGAJAM PREMIUM ONLY Guitar Grade Four Performance Pieces

GIGAJAM PREMIUM ONLY EGS Grade Four Questions

Technical Exercises

Technical Accomplishment
The extent to which the instrument is effectively controlled.

Musicality
The ability to make sensitive and musical performance decisions.

Musical Knowledge
The synthesis of theoretical, notational and contextual knowledge.

Performance

Technical Accomplishment
The extent to which the instrument is effectively controlled.

Musicality
The ability to make sensitive and musical performance decisions.

Musical Knowledge
The synthesis of theoretical, notational and contextual knowledge.

Communication
The degree to which the performer communicates with and engages the listener through musical performance on their instrument or voice.

Knowledge & Understanding

Gigajam Tutor Verification

Before we can submit your award to the London College of Music we will need to examine your portfolio so you should do the following before having us check:

Complete all the technical exercises for this grade
Complete all the performance pieces for this grade
Answer the questions for this grade
Provide a video of one of the five performance pieces

If that's all done then you're ready...

Request Verification

Get Your Guitar Grade 4 Certificate!

Earn an internationally recognised award for completing Gigajam Guitar Grade 4 online.

What do I get?

You will receive a formal certificate from the University of West London — London College of Music.

This certificate will be accepted as acknowledgement of your attainment by all educational establishments worldwide.

This is a physical official paper document that will be posted to you for you to frame and hang on your wall.

How much does it cost?

Entry for Guitar Grade 4 costs only £14.

What do I need to do?

Simply complete the lessons, exercises, performances and questions for this grade. See the ‘Action Required’ links for more information.

UWLQ Level 2 Award In Music Performance (Grade 4) (QCF) Ofqual No. 601/0359/0 Qualification Help?
Technical Exercises Action Required Performance Action Required Knowledge & Understanding Action Required Gigajam Tutor Verification Action Required

Grade Five Guitar Lessons

GIGAJAM PREMIUM ONLY Lesson 21: Developing lead guitar techniques (hammering on/pulling off)

Part three of the course is devoted to the development of learning to play lead guitar using the techniques learned at the end of part 2, along with some new techniques and some licks. In this lesson we introduce the skills of Hammering on and pulling off and integrate these into some useful licks.

GIGAJAM PREMIUM ONLY Lesson 22: Improvisation Part 1 (the extended pattern)

In this lesson we will start by building our musical theory and show how this relates to our ability to play lead guitar. We will develop the skill of playing the extended A minor pentatonic scale and learn to play licks all around the extended pattern. We will develop the understanding of identifying the root note, as this will become very useful as we progress.

GIGAJAM PREMIUM ONLY Lesson 23: Improvisation Part 2 (introducing the blues note)

Here we will build on the extended scale knowledge by adding the blues note. The blues note is incredibly useful in soloing of all styles and is an essential ingredient when learning to play lead guitar. As well as developing the understanding of the blues note there will be many practical licks to play along and learn

GIGAJAM PREMIUM ONLY Lesson 24: Improvisation Part 3 (pattern 3 minor pentatonic)

We develop the theme here by learning pattern 3 of the minor pentatonic and incorporating the blues note. We will develop improvising within the scale by studying and learning some new licks.

GIGAJAM PREMIUM ONLY Lesson 25: Improvisation Part 4 (pattern 4 minor pentatonic)

We develop the theme here by learning pattern 4 of the minor pentatonic and incorporating the blues note. We will develop improvising within the scale by studying and learning some new licks. We will also connect patterns 3 and 4 together using the root note.

GIGAJAM PREMIUM ONLY Lesson 26: Improvisation Part 5 (pattern 5 minor pentatonic)

This is the third lead guitar lesson that builds upon your existing knowledge and develops your knowledge further, this time by learning pattern 5 of the minor pentatonic. We also include the blues note. Improvisation is developed with the scale by studying and learning some new licks. We also connect patterns 1 and 4.

GIGAJAM PREMIUM ONLY Lesson 27: Completion of the fingerboard

We now introduce and develop our understanding of the minor pentatonic pattern 2. Having done so, we can now integrate all the patterns learned so far. We take this a step further by developing the ability to solo in a number of different keys.

GIGAJAM PREMIUM ONLY Lesson 28: Developing pentatonic/blues scale soloing

In this lesson we introduce the concept of landing notes and safety notes when soloing. As a contrast, we also develop our musical understanding of licks that don’t land on root notes and we take the whole lead guitar playing one step further by looking at genuine improvisation.

GIGAJAM PREMIUM ONLY Lesson 29: Developing improvisation of pentatonic/blues Part 2

The focus has been largely on the development of simple rhythms through our lead guitar studies thus far. This lesson specifically incorporates triplets to develop the rhythmic content of our solo playing. As we have done before we will apply triplets to Blues and the extended scale.

GIGAJAM PREMIUM ONLY Lesson 30: Performing a song

GIGAJAM PREMIUM ONLY Guitar Grade Five Performance Pieces

GIGAJAM PREMIUM ONLY EGS Grade Five Questions

Technical Exercises

Technical Accomplishment
The extent to which the instrument is effectively controlled.

Musicality
The ability to make sensitive and musical performance decisions.

Musical Knowledge
The synthesis of theoretical, notational and contextual knowledge.

Performance

Technical Accomplishment
The extent to which the instrument is effectively controlled.

Musicality
The ability to make sensitive and musical performance decisions.

Musical Knowledge
The synthesis of theoretical, notational and contextual knowledge.

Communication
The degree to which the performer communicates with and engages the listener through musical performance on their instrument or voice.

Knowledge & Understanding

Gigajam Tutor Verification

Before we can submit your award to the London College of Music we will need to examine your portfolio so you should do the following before having us check:

Complete all the technical exercises for this grade
Complete all the performance pieces for this grade
Answer the questions for this grade
Provide a video of one of the five performance pieces

If that's all done then you're ready...

Request Verification

Get Your Guitar Grade 5 Certificate!

Earn an internationally recognised award for completing Gigajam Guitar Grade 5 online.

What do I get?

You will receive a formal certificate from the University of West London — London College of Music.

This certificate will be accepted as acknowledgement of your attainment by all educational establishments worldwide.

This is a physical official paper document that will be posted to you for you to frame and hang on your wall.

How much does it cost?

Entry for Guitar Grade 5 costs only £15.

What do I need to do?

Simply complete the lessons, exercises, performances and questions for this grade. See the ‘Action Required’ links for more information.

UWLQ Level 2 Award In Music Performance (Grade 5) (QCF) Ofqual No. 601/0309/7 Qualification Help?
Technical Exercises Action Required Performance Action Required Knowledge & Understanding Action Required Gigajam Tutor Verification Action Required

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Resources

Getting Started with your Guitar Lessons

Debut Grade Guitar Lessons

Guitar Intro Lesson

Lesson 1: Playing rock chords

Lesson 2: Developing rhythms

Guitar Debut Grade Performance Pieces

GIGAJAM PREMIUM ONLY EGS Debut Grade Questions

Technical Exercises

Performance

Knowledge & Understanding

Gigajam Tutor Verification

Get Your Guitar Debut Grade Certificate!

What do I get?

How much does it cost?

What do I need to do?

Grade One Guitar Lessons

GIGAJAM PREMIUM ONLY Lesson 3: Introducing eighth notes and developing rhythm

GIGAJAM PREMIUM ONLY Lesson 4: Introducing palm muting

GIGAJAM PREMIUM ONLY Guitar Grade One Performance Pieces

GIGAJAM PREMIUM ONLY EGS Grade One Questions

Technical Exercises

Performance

Knowledge & Understanding

Gigajam Tutor Verification

Get Your Guitar Grade 1 Certificate!

What do I get?

How much does it cost?

What do I need to do?

Grade Two Guitar Lessons

GIGAJAM PREMIUM ONLY Lesson 5: Developing palm muting with accents

GIGAJAM PREMIUM ONLY Lesson 6: Developing understanding of the fingerboard

GIGAJAM PREMIUM ONLY Lesson 7: Learning new chords

GIGAJAM PREMIUM ONLY Guitar Grade Two Performance Pieces

GIGAJAM PREMIUM ONLY EGS Grade Two Questions

Technical Exercises

Performance

Knowledge & Understanding

Gigajam Tutor Verification

Get Your Guitar Grade 2 Certificate!

What do I get?

How much does it cost?

What do I need to do?

Grade Three Guitar Lessons

GIGAJAM PREMIUM ONLY Lesson 8: Developing strumming and chord changes

GIGAJAM PREMIUM ONLY Lesson 9: Developing your rock chord library

GIGAJAM PREMIUM ONLY Lesson 10: Performing a song

GIGAJAM PREMIUM ONLY Guitar Grade Three Performance Pieces

GIGAJAM PREMIUM ONLY EGS Grade Three Questions

EGS Grade Three Songbook

Technical Exercises

Performance

Knowledge & Understanding

Gigajam Tutor Verification

Get Your Guitar Grade 3 Certificate!

What do I get?

How much does it cost?

What do I need to do?

Grade Four Guitar Lessons

GIGAJAM PREMIUM ONLY Lesson 11: Introducing sixteenth notes

GIGAJAM PREMIUM ONLY Lesson 12: Building our rock guitar library

GIGAJAM PREMIUM ONLY Lesson 13: Developing barre chords

GIGAJAM PREMIUM ONLY Lesson 14: Continuing the study of barre chords

GIGAJAM PREMIUM ONLY Lesson 15: Introducing rests

GIGAJAM PREMIUM ONLY Lesson 16: Introducing dotted notes and ties

GIGAJAM PREMIUM ONLY Lesson 17: Introducing 1-4-5 chord progressions

GIGAJAM PREMIUM ONLY Lesson 18: Introduction to triplets and triplet feel (12/8 and shuffle)

GIGAJAM PREMIUM ONLY Lesson 19: Introducing lead guitar playing

GIGAJAM PREMIUM ONLY Lesson 20: Performing a song

GIGAJAM PREMIUM ONLY Guitar Grade Four Performance Pieces

GIGAJAM PREMIUM ONLY EGS Grade Four Questions

Technical Exercises

Performance

Knowledge & Understanding

Gigajam Tutor Verification

Get Your Guitar Grade 4 Certificate!

What do I get?

How much does it cost?