Break Through the Intermediate Plateau

A comprehensive learning plan to master the five core fundamentals of guitar playing through the power of anchoring.

"You know your triads, right? Like you could figure them out... but it wasn't instantaneous. So you don't really know them."
— The Donut Doctor

Start with the Fundamentals

Before diving into the Core Five, build a strong foundation with proper technique, dexterity exercises, and stretching routines.

The Core Five Fundamentals

Triads
Master the building blocks of harmony by anchoring triads to familiar barre chord shapes.
Scales
Break free from linear patterns by practicing scales in reverse and starting from any position.
Arpeggios
Connect E-string and A-string root shapes to create seamless, flowing melodic lines.
7th Chords & Inversions
Use visual formulas to instantly find any chord inversion without memorizing note names.

Core Learning Principles

Consistency is Key

Practice daily, even for just 5-15 minutes. Small, consistent efforts compound over time.

Musical Application

Use these concepts in real songs, solos, and compositions to commit them to long-term memory.

Instant Recall

Aim for automatic, second-nature fluency—not just intellectual understanding.