Milestone map
Milestone map
3 milestones
Master Open Chords and Clean Chord Transitions
6–10 weeks (20–30 min/day)
Learn the eight essential open chords: G, C, D, Em, Am, E, A, and F. Practice transitioning between them with a metronome until each transition is clean and takes less than one second. Develop a basic strumming pattern in 4/4 time — down-down-up-down-up — and hold it steady for a full minute without breaks.
Proof required
Submit a video recording (minimum 5 minutes) showing: each of the eight open chords played cleanly (no buzzing or muted strings); four chord transitions played at 60 BPM (G–C, D–Em, Am–E, C–G); and a 60-second continuous strumming pattern at 70 BPM using at least two different chords.
What gets checked
- No buzzing or muted strings on any chord — each string rings cleanly when strummed individually
- Chord transitions take no more than one second at 60 BPM — a metronome or click track is audible in the recording
- Strumming pattern maintains consistent tempo for 60 seconds without stopping or restarting
Common mistakes
- Practising chords without checking each string individually — buzz and muted strings become invisible when strummed together
- Moving to strumming patterns before chord transitions are clean — bad transitions never improve by adding rhythm on top of them
Resources
Foundationstart here
Depthgo deeper
What a verifier looks for
- Ask the candidate to play each chord while pressing each string individually — buzzing reveals incorrect finger placement
- Is a metronome audible in the chord transition recording?
- Watch the strumming pattern for 30 seconds: does tempo stay consistent?
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Learn Three Full Songs with Strumming and Rhythm
8–16 weeks (20–30 min/day)
Learn three complete songs from start to finish using the chords and strumming patterns they require. Each song must be played along with the original recording at full tempo without stopping. At least one song must use a barre chord (F or B) or a picking pattern instead of pure strumming.
Proof required
Submit three separate video recordings of you playing along with the original recording of each song from start to finish without stopping. Identify each song by title and artist. At least one recording must show a barre chord or a picking pattern.
What gets checked
- Each recording shows you playing along with the original audio at full tempo
- No stops or restarts — each song plays through completely
- At least one song includes a barre chord or a picking pattern — not all three songs use only open chords and strumming
Common mistakes
- Playing songs at a slower tempo than the original and calling it 'playing the song'
- Choosing three songs that all use only the same four chords and no technical variation — the proof should show growth
Resources
Foundationstart here
Depthgo deeper
What a verifier looks for
- Watch each recording: is the original audio playing alongside the guitar?
- Does at least one song include a barre chord or picking pattern?
- Ask: 'which song was hardest and what specifically made it difficult?'
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Perform Live or Record for a Real Audience
2–4 weeks (preparing and finding a performance opportunity)
Play guitar in a live setting for a real audience — open mic night, a gathering of friends or family, or a busking session — or record a full song performance and publish it publicly. The performance must reach a real external audience, not remain a private home recording.
Proof required
Submit: a video recording of you performing at least one full song for a live audience, or a link to a publicly published recording with evidence it has been shared (a YouTube link, SoundCloud post, or community share); and a 150-word reflection on what performing for others changed about how you played.
What gets checked
- An audience is visible or audible, or the recording is publicly accessible to others
- The performance is a complete song — not a chord exercise or partial run-through
- Reflection names something specific that changed — tempo, nervousness, dynamics, stage presence — not generic 'it was great'
Common mistakes
- Recording alone at home without an audience and calling it a performance
- Choosing a song that is far below the level of the milestone 2 recordings — the performance should represent real achievement
Resources
Foundationstart here
Depthgo deeper
What a verifier looks for
- Is an audience visible or audible, or is the recording publicly shared?
- Is the performance a complete song?
- Read the reflection: does it name something specific about performing for others?
You'll sign in first, then come straight back here.
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