I start with a review of the last lesson.  On the GIANT GUITAR, I teach finger placement for the C and D chords.  I then have the students to add the G chord for the first 3 chord progression that I teach (one of five).  I give memory tips and visual strategies to remember all 3 chords.  I also show teach switching from one to the other.

I chose Amazing Grace as a first song because of the chord simplicity and organization - perfect for the beginner guitarist learning to switch chords.  I also include a "surprise chord" in the song - a chord that's very easy to incorporate at this level, and is also a teaching tool.  The key of G is suited more for a higher singing voice.  When we learn several 3 chord progressions, we have a choice of different keys to sing in - one comfortable for us!

After a review of the previous lesson, I teach the A chord - A is for apple; the A chord is very crowded, kind of like the "Big Apple" - New York City.  I am able to teach the second 3 chord progression, because the students have already learned the other 2 chords in this 3 chord progression.

I lead you through Amazing Grace in the key of D.  This key is suited more for a lower voice, more than the key of G that we played earlier.  Playing more than one 3 chord progression gives us options of ranges to sing in!

After a review of the previous lesson, I teach the E chord, and then the A-D-E 3 chord progression.  The students are taught to do exercises:  play single notes for 'pick practice', to play and switch chords in the 3 chord progressions that they've learned.

I teach that strumming has two components: 1)  it provides vibration to make notes (made by the left hand) audible, and 2) incorporates rhythm in the playing of the guitar.  The student learns 3 different strumming patterns in this lesson.  The first two share the same tempo (straight time and double time), but vary in activity, so the guitar learner has the opportunity to develop timing - an important element of a healthy musician.

I review the previous lesson, and teach the B7 chord; this chord is taught because the B chord is a barre chord - not suitable to teach a beginner because of the amount of finger strength required to play it.  The B7 chord sounds a little different than a regular major chord, and you have to use your pinky to play it - our first chord that uses four fingers to play it!  I also prepare the student to begin preparing for the F chord, as it requires that the guitar player press two strings down with one finger!

After a review of the previous lesson, on the GIANT GUITAR, I teach a modified F chord, leading into our final 3 chord progression.  I give two versions of the F chord, the first which has a 'less difficulty' factor.  This takes into consideration the beginner that requires more time to play the more difficult chord.

Did you know that each major chord has a minor chord that "shadows" it?  In this lesson, I teach the relationship between the major chords and the minor chords.  Move a finger or two (in a major chord), and create a minor chord!

After a review of the previous lesson, I teach the minor chords for the chords of G, C, and F on the GIANT GUITAR.  I also show observable patterns and connections on the fretboard to reduce our memory work - the killer of the "effortless" player.

 After a review of the last lesson, I complete minor chords by teaching the student the minor chords of D and A.  On the GIANT GUITAR, I show the pattern to creating a minor chord from the major chord that it's associated with.  When a student learns this, he or she can easily grasp which minor is related to what major chord.

I use the wrap up to encourage the student to follow through with what they have learned in Chord Confidence Part 1 - to complete a solid foundation for their playing career.  I speak of Chord Confidence Part 2, which continues a guitar player's learning.  In it, I teach harmony - the building block of music.  If a musician can understand harmony, he or she can understand music, and their instrument!