Pickup Music offers a variety of lesson formats to suit your interests, skill level and available practice time.
Learning Pathways
Format: Ultra-guided programs that show you exactly what to work on each time you pick up your guitar. They’re divided into six “grades,” each following the same sequence of learning:
Seven days of lessons: In each lesson, your instructor introduces a new concept. You’ll practice this concept through several guided exercises, then complete the day with an interactive jam that ties everything together musically.
Performance pieces: At the end of each grade, you’ll choose from a selection of songs that put everything you’ve learned into a musical context. Test your skills by playing along with the Pickup Music band – this simulates playing a real gig with real musicians.
1:1 video feedback: You have the option to record a performance piece and submit it for individual video feedback from your guitar mentor.
End-of-grade quiz: Complete each grade by taking a short quiz. This step ensures you’re comfortable with key concepts before moving on to the next grade.
Best for: Guitarists who want a highly guided, structured approach.
Time commitment: It usually takes around three months to go through all the material. The pathways are designed to be the most comprehensive and effective guitar courses on the internet, so they do require commitment and consistent practice.
Challenges
Format: Challenges focus on one topic taught over one or two weeks of lessons. Like Learning Pathways, they follow a day-by-day system of learning and usually build up to performance pieces. They’re a great way to quickly add a new skill or style to your playing.
Best for: Players who want to focus on a specific skill in a short timeframe.
Time commitment: Every Challenge is a different length, but you can generally complete them in two weeks.
Artist Series
Format: Artist Series are deep dives into the playing styles and techniques of some of the world’s best modern guitarists. These classes are divided into concepts and performances that highlight each artist’s unique approach to the guitar.
Best for: Guitarists who want to study the techniques of top modern players. They tend to better suited for intermediate and advanced guitarists.
Time commitment: Each Artist Series varies in length, but most can be completed in less than a month.
Songs
Format: Original song compositions for leading guitarists in a range of styles. Fully transcribed with in-depth breakdowns and backing tracks.
Best for: Players who want to challenge themselves by learning a piece in a particular style.
Time commitment: Songs can usually be learned in one or two days.
Licks
Format: A package of 10 connected licks in a particular style.
Best for: Guitarists looking to add flavor to their solos.
Time commitment: Licks can usually be learned in one or two days.
Warmups and workouts
Format: Practice exercises to improve your speed and muscle memory.
Best for: Guitarists looking to improve their fretboard knowledge and skills.
Time commitment: Around 10 minutes.
5 minute lessons
Format: Short, high-impact lessons with immediate takeaways.
Best for: Players who want to learn something new in just a few minutes.
Time commitment: Usually about 5 minutes!
Jam tracks
Format: Live recorded backing tracks with the Pickup Music band.
Best for: Guitarists looking to improve their timing, feel, and improvisation.
Time commitment: The tracks are usually less than 5 minutes, but can be looped.