1625694437860the Guitar Players Roadmap V1

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The Guitar Player’s Roadmap™

Discover Your Level On The Guitar Player’s Journey™, Unlock The 9
Keys To Musical Freedom™, And Explore A Whole New World On
Guitar
© Copyright Breakthrough Guitar, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
© Copyright Breakthrough Guitar. All Rights Reserved

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Copyright Notice
The Guitar Player’s Roadmap™
Discover Your Level On The Guitar Player’s Journey™, Unlock The 9 Keys To Musical
Freedom™, And Explore A Whole New World On Guitar
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© Copyright Breakthrough Guitar, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

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“This is the magic key I’ve been looking for. I knew it was out there!” - Joe Griffin
“I went to Berklee College of Music (1978) but had your program been available back
then I would have taken it instead.” - Paul Rosenstock
“Your method is absolutely groundbreaking. Every guitar player should start with your
course to save themselves from a probable lifetime of frustrations and
underperformance.” - Terese Hanses
“I’ve been playing guitar for over 40 years, and NEVER have I learned something so
GOOD - so FAST!” - Glenn Gay
“The best way I can describe the Freedom Key System is like the guitar version of the
Rosetta Stone. I can now “read the language” of the fretboard!” - Jeremiah Bishop
“Where in the hell did you discover this?... You’ve accomplished the most remarkable
feat imaginable when it comes to the guitar!” - Val
“I’ve been playing for years, and this was truly the missing piece” - Tyler Moffet
“Out of all the books I’ve bought and information I’ve found over the years, no one has
made it this easy for me!” - Jason Anderson
“I’m 54 now, and never thought I’d be here, playing the way I am!! I literally had tears of
joy while playing… it was truly an emotional experience. - Glenn Cherveny
“My wife walked in on me playing & thought I was listening to a song & couldn’t believe
it was me…” - Dave
“I’m like a kid again, excited about learning music, getting better, and having more fun
than I have ever had playing music. I know how it all works now! Thank you so much!!!”
- Jon Reid

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Introduction
A famous writer said: “Most people die with their music still locked up inside
them.”
If you love music, and you’ve been trying to play it for any length of time,
then that quote probably hits home.
The truth is, no matter what instrument you play…
Whether you play guitar, drums, ukulele, trumpet, piano, or even if you’re a
singer…
You’ll go through the exact same stages all musicians go through along your
journey.
There’s no way around it.
Every single musician ascends through 9 distinct levels on their way to

musical freedom - which we’ll talk about in depth in just a moment.
You can think of these stages like a staircase with 9 levels.
In a staircase, of course, you MUST start at level 1, then ascend through

each of the levels one at a time.
In other words, you can’t skip from level 1 to level 3. Or from level 5 to level
7. Why? Because that’s how stairs work.
And it’s also how the Musical Staircase™ works. You MUST start at level 1,
and make your way through each of the levels, one at a time.
Every musician you’ve ever seen, from those who were learning their first
few notes…
To history’s greatest musicians like Beethoven, Jimi Hendrix, or Miles Davis…

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All went through the same 9 levels you are currently going through along
your journey right now.
And in just a moment, we’re going to dive deep into each of these levels
together, as well as how to ascend from each level to the next.
But before we begin, let’s bust some age-old myths.
Don’t Let Common Myths Hold You Back
You should understand that, contrary to what you might believe, or what
other (non-professional) musicians have told you about what it takes to get
good at guitar (or any instrument)...
It doesn’t matter whether or not you have so-called “natural talent”, a

“musical gift”, or a “good ear”... and you’re never “too old.”
If you can read these worlds and follow simple directions, then you can learn
and progress at any age.
More importantly, if you can tell the difference between songs you like and
songs you don’t like, you have all the potential already inside you…
And you can learn to harness your potential to play any song, solo, or
musical instrument you want.
Reread those last 2 sentences again. It’s true - and don’t let anyone else tell
you it’s not, including yourself.
Now of course, different people have different attributes. And some might be
more “musically inclined” as we call it (which simply means they naturally
focus a large amount of their attention on what they hear as opposed to
other senses - which anyone can learn to do)... While others might have
long fingers, short fingers, fat fingers or skinny fingers.
Does this mean that a tiny “select” few individuals are destined to become
great musicians, while the rest of us are doomed to mediocrity?

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Ha! That idea is laughable.
Think about it like this…
Being “musically inclined” is just like having big calf muscles. It might make
it easier for you to “climb the stairs” in the first level or two of the Musical
Staircase™...
But practically everyone can climb stairs...
And by doing so, you too will get bigger calf muscles. Then other people will
call YOU “talented.”
I’ve seen this scenario play out time and time again through the years. A
guy who’s mediocre at best, learns from a qualified source, and proceeds to
put in the work. Then viola, everyone calls him “talented.”
The bottom line is, what most people call “natural talent” can be learned
quickly.
The Guitar Player’s Biggest Roadblock
However, the truth is, most people never make it past level 2 or 3 in the
staircase.
In fact, Fender recently did a study which found that a whopping 90% of
new guitar players give up within the first 12 months.
NINE OUT OF TEN PEOPLE QUIT!
The biggest reason why most people don’t become good guitar players is
NOT because they don’t have “talent” or that they can’t “climb stairs”…
It’s because they can’t “see” the steps. And they don’t know which
order to take them in.

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You see, unlike a real set of stairs, where you can clearly see the next step
in front of you with your eyes…
The Musical Staircase™ is invisible. And the “steps” you take are a
combination of:
1. What you learn

2. What you practice; and
3. In what order
And THAT is what most people are missing...
Guidance.
Structure.
Direction.
And THAT’s why most people can get to level 1 or 2… even level 3 on their
own…
But as guitar gets more complex the more you learn…
Then without the right guidance, structure, and direction, most people get
stuck (90% according to Fender) and eventually put the guitar down.
This Guide Gives You A Structure To Follow
That’s exactly why I created this report for you. To give you that overall
guidance and structure…
To give you a high level roadmap that will not only give you a clear picture
of where you are, and where to go next…
It will act as your companion, your “guide” along your journey that you can
always refer back to so you’re never alone.

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And it’s this clarity that will accelerate your progress faster than you
previously thought possible.
Now, at this point, you may be wondering…
Why Should You Listen To Me?
After helping over half a million (that’s 500,000) guitar players across 6
different continents, I’ve discovered the biggest pitfalls, mistakes, and
common “mis-information” that plague guitar players - keeping them
trapped in the “beginner to intermediate” stage.
I’ve also discovered the key insights, “Aha’s”, and tricks that open up a
whole new world for guitar players…
Carrying them to the next level, then the next, then the next…
Which allows them to quickly blast through the ceiling of mediocrity into a
place they never thought they’d be with their guitar playing.
In fact, a recent student sent me an email that said “This is the magic key
I’ve been looking for.”
And I receive emails and letters on a weekly basis, where a student excitedly
reports how they’ve learned more in (insert short time frame) than in the
last (insert long time frame).
For example, “I’ve learned more in 2 weeks than in the last 20 years!”...
Or “I’ve learned more in the last 2 months than in the last 50 years!”...
It’s true.
I even had one student who had been playing for 70 years. (Yes, that’s
seven decades!).
But this isn’t about me. This is about you. So...

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Why Should You Read This?
Why should you read the report you hold in your hands? Listen...
Maybe you’ve been playing guitar for a while, and you feel like you hit a
wall, got stuck in a rut, or hit a plateau with your progress.
Maybe you just started, and you’re looking for the fastest and most efficient
way to progress.
Maybe you’ve played on and off for years and your guitar is sitting around
collecting dust…
Or maybe you even used to play, but no longer have a guitar… yet it’s
something you always wanted to do.
No matter where you’re at right now…
When you read this guide to the end, not only will you discover the common
obstacles and challenges every guitar player faces at each one of the levels…
You’ll also discover the “cheat code”... the “combination” to the lock… or the
“key” that opens the door to the next level.
When you reach each new level, your skills, confidence, and abilities will
multiply…
Allowing you to play songs and solos you always dreamed of… or play in
ways you never thought you could.
Finally, as you ascend through each of these levels, you’ll watch yourself
become the musician you always wanted to be.
Yes. That is possible for YOU… as long as you follow the right steps, in the
right order.

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The Nine Levels of the Musical Staircase™
You see, becoming a better guitar player, drummer, or pianist has nothing to
do with the guitar, drums, or piano.
It’s not the instruments that change…
It’s YOU.
There are 9 different levels in the Musical Staircase™. And these 9 levels
represent different levels of “musical consciousness.”
In other words, each level represents a different “musical maturity level” and
way of thinking about music…
Which means at each level, your “view” of playing music will change…
And as you ascend through the levels of the staircase, and your altitude
increases…
You’ll be able to “look out the window” and see how the “musical landscape”
connects together… more and more clearly the higher you go.
You’ll also see that you’ll begin to think of music more and more like a
language that you speak fluently…
Where you can express your thoughts and emotions through your
instrument on command…
The same way you can write, type, or speak English.
In fact, legendary guitarist, Pat Metheny says, “Music at its best, is like a
great conversation with an old friend.”

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The Guitar Player’s Journey™
The Guitar Player’s Journey™ chart represents the 9 levels of the Musical
Staircase™ as colored dots, and describes each level in terms of “instrument
obstruction”, “ability, focus, and challenges”, “fluency/receptivity”, and
“emotions and outlook.”
Don’t worry if some of these terms sound confusing or intimidating right

now, we’re going to cover each one of them in depth in just a moment. But
first, let’s look at each level of the Musical Staircase™, as well as the 3
different “Phases” every musician will go through.

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The 9 levels of the Musical Staircase, and The Three Phases Of

Musicianship
Phase 1 - Exertion
1. Beginner
2. Learner
3. Hobbyist
Phase 2 - Creation
4. Band Member
5. Guitar Player
6. Performer
Phase 3 - Expression
7. Artist
8. Musician
9. Composer
It’s important to note that you may not fall completely within just one of the
9 levels. It’s likely that you are currently in one central category, and may
have some characteristics of an adjacent category, either above or below
your current level. And that’s perfectly normal.
As you can see on the Musician’s Journey™ chart, there are 3 “phases” of
musicianship.
The Exertion Phase
The first phase for any aspiring musician is the Exertion phase. It’s called the
“exertion” phase because in the beginning is where you have to put in the
most effort…
Where you have to motivate yourself to practice, because you’re not making
“real music yet”...
And you have to wrestle with the instrument itself as:

● Your fingers develop calluses…
● Your muscles get used to pressing down strings…

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● And you try to put chords together without muting notes or missing
pick strokes.
Needless to say, it’s the most frustrating phase. And this is why, as Fender’s
study showed, 90% of people give up during this phase, and put the guitar
down for good.
The thing is, you MUST go through this phase if you want to become a good
guitar player.
If you’re already past this phase in your guitar playing, then congratulations.
That literally puts you in the top 10% of guitar players on the planet - even
if you’re not as good as you want to be yet.
However, if you’re still in this phase, I’m afraid you’re in a dangerous spot,
with a 10% chance of “survival.”
The good news is, you now have a roadmap to support you. That’s why you
should definitely continue to read this report and follow the steps.
You see, contrary to what most aspiring guitar players think, that guitar gets
“harder” the more you advance… the opposite is true.
The better you get, the easier it gets to get better.
And that leads us to the next phase in the musician’s journey - the Creation
phase.
The Creation Phase
By the time you enter the creation phase, you’ve overcome the biggest
obstacle that keeps most people “outside the castle walls” of the musical
kingdom.
You’ve made it inside.

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And instead of focusing nearly all of your available attention on the wrestling
with the instrument and your fingers, in the Exertion phase…
The creation phase is where your “attention” is more free to start focusing
on the “sound” you’re playing… and what that sound “feels” like,
emotionally.
This is where, instead of simply regurgitating bits and pieces of other

people’s songs…
You start to be able to add your own creative touches, improvise, and even
write your own songs or solos.
However, even though you’ll have SOME musical freedom within the
boundaries of certain chords or scales you know… or licks and riffs you’re
familiar with, or that you write yourself…
You still don’t have total musical freedom.
And that leads us to the next phase. The Expression phase.
The Expression Phase
The Expression phase is where the limitations of the instrument, and your
knowledge of music ON the instrument, no longer “get in your way”…
Where your mind is free to focus on “hearing” the music you hear in your
head - or feel in your heart - and expressing that music in real time. As if
your instrument was simply an extension of yourself.
This is the ultimate level of musical freedom…
Where nothing exists but you and the guitar…
And you can get lost in that “ultimate happy place” for hours on end…
Not even thinking about your guitar or what your hands are doing…

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But instead focusing on the sounds you want to hear, and letting the music
take your soul to places it’s never been.
This is where the most fun, freedom, and fulfilment are experienced… as well
as the most respect and admiration from others.
This is the level that all musicians, including you and me, are striving for.
And that’s where we’re going to go together, as I reveal how to ascend the
Musical Staircase™ in just a moment.
But first, let’s make sure we’re clear on the other components of the
Musician’s Journey™ chart.
Instrument Obstruction
An “obstruction” is something blocking a pathway.
And at the very beginning of your journey, the instrument itself is your
biggest obstacle, keeping you from expressing the music inside you.
If you look on the chart under the “instrument obstruction” column, you’ll
see that the picture of the guitar starts out fully visible (or opaque), and
gets more and more transparent - almost to the point of disappearing
completely as you ascend up the levels.
This is because in the beginning, you have to learn how the instrument
works. You have to learn how to press the strings down… how to pick them…
and which ones to play.
You have to battle through your fingers hurting. Learn how to play notes and
chords. And all the other things it actually takes to start making sounds on
the guitar - let alone real music.
Clearly, the instrument itself at this stage is the biggest obstacle.
As you ascend through the levels though, it gets easier and easier to
physically play your guitar.

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And as you learn more and more about music - more chords, songs, and
scales - it gets easier and easier to “apply” those concepts to your guitar…
Which means the guitar itself demands less and less of your attention…
Therefore, as you ascend through the levels, the instrument becomes less
and less of an “obstruction” to you playing music.
Ability, Focus, and Challenges
If you look under the “ability, focus, and challenges” column, you’ll see the
general abilities that a musician has at each level. As well as what players in
each level are generally mentally focused on… and the general challenges
they face at that level.
These descriptions can give us clues about what level we’re currently at, and
clues on how to get to the next level.
Fluency/Receptivity
Fluency is the extent to which you can communicate freely. And receptivity
is the extent to which you can “receive” - in this case, the extent to which
you can hear music in your head, and translate it to your guitar.
At the beginning of your journey, nearly 100% of your attention is focused

on learning the instrument itself. Which means there’s very little attention
left - if any at all - to focus on the actual SOUND you’re producing.
This is why it’s easy for a beginning to intermediate player to sound

“mechanical” of “lifeless” when they play, especially when learning scales.
However, as you ascend through the levels - where physically playing the
guitar, and applying “musical concepts” like chords and scales for example,
becomes easier and easier…
Your attention is progressively freed to focus on the SOUNDS you’re

producing with your instrument…

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And more importantly, how those sounds FEEL, emotionally.
If you look under the “Fluency/Receptivity” column on the Musician’s

Journey™ chart…
You can see that the image of the “head” is almost invisible at the beginner
level…
And gets increasingly “opaque” as you progress through the levels.
In other words, in the beginning, the “music” you hear in your head is either
very faint, or non-existent. Then as you ascend through the levels, you
begin to hear music in your head louder and more clear, the higher you go.
As your fluency/receptivity increases (the extent to which you can hear

music in your head and translate it to your guitar) the level of instrument
obstruction decreases… and vice versa.
By the time you reach the Expression Phase (and specifically in the
Composer level), your fluency/receptivity is what you rely on to create
music…
Where you receive a stream of “musical ideas” in your head, and translate
them to your instrument in real time… without having to think about it.
At that point, your instrument is simply an extension of your body - a tool

that acts as the voice of your soul.
Emotions and Outlook
Finally, if we look at the last column on the far right side of the chart, we
can see a general description of the emotions that each level feels…
As well as the outlook they have on their musical progress and potential.

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At the beginner level, a player can be nervous, excited, intimidated, and

inspired all at once. This is because, since they haven’t played before,
they’re not quite sure they can do it…
But also, since they haven’t run into problems and challenges yet, they’re
usually overly optimistic about how easy it will be to start playing music.
As a musician reaches levels 2 and 3, however, and he or she encounters

the most frustrating challenges along the journey, those emotions quickly
flip to negative…
And it’s this stage where it’s easy (and the most dangerous) to get stuck in a
rut. It’s the valley of despair, where it can feel like no matter how hard you
try, you’re making little to no progress… and that you’ll never “figure it all
out.”
For the 10% who do make it through to the Creation Phase… you’ll notice
that the emotions turn back to positive.
This is because when a player can finally start making real music - playing
basic songs, chords that sound good, bits and pieces of licks, riffs, or other
songs…
Playing becomes more fun. And having fun on the instrument creates the
motivation to keep picking it up… which makes the player even better…
which further inspires… and causes an upward spiral of rapid progress.
This is why some people seem to get really good, really fast. They’ve
managed to paddle through the choppy waters of the “exertion phase”... and
then catch the “wave” of the creation phase…
Which they can then surf on… which propels them to higher and higher
levels in the staircase.
At the highest level, the emotions in the expression phase are nothing but
pure bliss, joy, expression, and fulfillment.

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This is because there’s no more “instrument obstruction” blocking the path

of expressing the music inside you…
And being able to “express yourself” fully, through music, gives the same
kind of release and uplifting feeling as being able to pour your heart out to a
great friend, and saying everything you need to say.
By the way, if you’ve ever wondered about why some guitar players can play
a million notes - yet sound like they’re just “rambling” nonsense…
While other guitar players can play just a handful of notes and move you to
tears…
That’s because it’s not what you “play” that counts…
It’s what you “say.”
Now that you have an understanding of the 9 levels of the Musical

Staircase™…
And you understand each section of the chart, and what it represents…
Let’s dive deeper into each one of the levels, so you’ll be able to better
assess where you are now, where you’re going, and the keys to getting to
the next level.

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The 9 Levels of The Musical

Staircase™
Phase 1 - Exertion
Level 1 - The Beginner
Situation
None of us were born knowing how to play guitar…
Even though it seems like there were a lucky few who were just “born with
it.” They weren’t.
Every single human being who picks up the guitar, including you, me, every
average joe out there…
And even pros like Jimmy Page, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Eric Clapton, and
countless others…
Has to start from ground 0.
The main challenge of the beginner is simply getting familiar and

“comfortable” (if you can call it that) enough with the instrument to play
SOMETHING.
At this stage, it doesn’t really matter what that something is. From a super
simple melody on one string, to a one-string chord or two…
The beginner simply needs to be able to play SOMETHING that sounds

remotely like music quickly, or he or she will lose interest.

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Nobody “really” likes hard work, right? If the beginner feels like trying to get
started playing guitar is all hard work with no “wins”... no payoffs... no
rewards…
It’s much easier to put the guitar down and go do something else. And that’s
the danger of the beginner stage.
Dangers
Unless a beginner starts to have FUN, or sees some small glimpse of

progress early on, it’s highly likely that they’ll quit.
In fact, in the study we mentioned earlier, Fender found that a whopping

90% of new guitar players quit within the first 12 months.
That means 9 out of 10 would-be guitar players who had dreams of playing
the instrument, end up putting that dream to be soon after they start.
Isn’t that sad?
Keys to the Next Level
As I mentioned, a beginner needs to start having FUN right away, in order to

continue to WANT to pursue the guitar.
Getting a “win” creates belief that “hey, I can do this!” - which creates
motivation to keep picking the guitar up and facing the inevitable challenges
that every guitar player must go through along the way.
In my experience, what helps a beginner get to the next level quickly is

learning a small collection of super simple (and recognizable) one-string
melodies…
As well as a small collection of “tiny” chords (chords that require only one or
two fingers), which they can play in a progression to create something that
sounds like real music.

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When they realize they can play and hear something that resembles real
music, this creates the motivation to want to continue practicing…
Where, it’s inevitable that they’ll reach the next level in short order.
Level 2 - The Learner
Situation
After a beginner gets a few simple melodies and chords under their belt,
they begin learning full chords (like basic open chords), as well as slightly
more involved melodies or “riffs” from songs they recognize.
At this stage, they know that if they learn the notes to a melody, for
example, that they can eventually play that melody and have it sound
“somewhat” like the song.
In other words, it’s not so much a matter of “if” they can play the guitar at
all (like a beginner would think)...
The Learner is generally focused on learning the basic tools to be able to

play real songs - such as full open chords, multi-string melodies, power
chords, and a small few will even begin to learn bar chords at this stage.
The main challenge at this stage is physical. And that’s the biggest danger…
Dangers
Ever felt like you just couldn’t get your fingers to do what your brain tells
them to do?
A learner is perpetually stuck in that state.
Fingers get sore. You can’t make your fingers form certain chords on their
own. You can’t play for too long because your wrist hurts or your hand gets
tired. You mute strings or miss them all together…

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The whole thing is just a mess. It’s really like trying to ride a bicycle for the
first time without training wheels.
And instead of being focused on making their playing sound great, the
Learner is simply focused on just trying to play the right notes and have
them sound good.
The danger for most Learners is that they try to focus on doing too much too
quickly…
For example, they might try to learn a part of a solo from their favorite
song…
They might try to play a song with a more advanced chord progression than
they can handle…
Or they might try to focus on bar chords too soon.
In any case, the Learner phase is like a minefield of mistakes. Make too
many, to soon, and it’s likely that the Learner will get frustrated and put the
guitar down…
… Thinking that they’re just not talented or good enough to play guitar.
(Which is not true).
As eager as the Learner is to learn, taking it slow is his or her best friend.
While it’s ok to “sample” a few simple chords, melodies, or riffs, just for fun
and encouragement…
It’s usually best for the Learner to narrow their focus to getting reasonably
comfortable with basic open chords, then putting them together - learning
how to play “in time”, with a rhythm - into a simple song.

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The same can be done with very simple melodies, riffs, or solo parts… but
the key is to narrow focus to ONE simple, short piece of music until it feels
reasonably comfortable… then move on to rinse and repeat.
That said, the main keys to the next level are narrowing focus on a small
handful of simple chord progressions, songs, or melodies - one at a time -
until the Learner feels reasonably comfortable with each before moving on.
The main key here is repetition. The Learner just needs to get used to using
their hands to play the guitar, so they can begin to shift their attention to
the next phase of learning, which is what we’ll talk about in the “hobbyist”
phase.
Level 3 - The Hobbyist
Situation
One important thing to note is that just because a guitar player is in the
Learner phase, it doesn’t necessarily mean they have just started playing.
Because phases 2 and 3 are the most difficult (they are the biggest hurdle to
get over), guitar players often “flounder” in the Learner phase or the
Hobbyist phase for months, years, decades, or even their entire life - if they
don’t quit first.
The Hobbyist may have graduated from the Learner phase, but that doesn’t
mean they don’t have any more challenges.
In fact, the challenges may be even tougher - at least mentally - in the

Hobbyist phase.
As a Learner, the Hobbyist has already become reasonably comfortable with

open chords, simple melody lines, perhaps a few more complex chords
and/or bar chords (but not necessarily mastered them), and can even play
simpler songs.

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However, just because the Hobbyist can play these things, doesn’t mean
they are perfect.
And even though the physical side of playing guitar has at least become
“less” of an issue at this phase, the hobbyist is faced with perhaps an even
bigger challenge…
Mental obstacles.
In other words, in the Beginner and Learner phases, music theory isn’t a
necessity (though some teachers and methods push theory on their students
too soon, and usually lead them to frustration)...
However, a Hobbyist wants to be able to do “more” on guitar - like play

more complex songs, add their own creative touches, jam with others, play
lead guitar, and even improvise.
He might have learned a few bits and pieces of songs. He might have
learned a scale or two, studied at least some basic level of music theory
concepts…
But he likely gets to a point where he feels limited. Like he hit a wall or a
plateau with his progress…
And he may feel “lost” as to how to move forward.
The hobbyist may have learned a lot of “stuff”, but the main challenge is
connecting it all together. Which is also the biggest danger.
Dangers
In the hobbyist phase, it can feel like the clock is ticking.
No matter how much the Hobbyist tries, it can feel like there’s little to no
forward progress. Or even like he just “spins his wheels” when he practices.
To make matters worse, there are all sorts of confusing theories and
concepts to learn…

::: 27 :::
Like scales and modes and keys and circle of 5ths and CAGED and on and
on…
Yet YouTube, teachers, books, and other online resources mostly just add to
the confusion and overwhelm...
And trying to move forward can feel like a depressingly daunting task.
Not to mention, nearly all Hobbyist guitar players have collected “invisible
bad habits” which work against them, and sabotage their progress, without
the player even realizing it.
As a result, many hobbyist guitar players either play on an off for months,
years, or decades…
Feeling like they never really progressed. Feeling like they just aren’t smart
enough. Or that there’s something wrong with their fingers.
Many simply feel “stuck.” And some wonder if they’ll ever figure it all out
before it’s too late.
Needless to say, most Hobbyists eventually quit, and bury their dreams of
playing guitar.
The sad part is, almost none of that struggle is necessary. And almost none
of what Hobbyists may think about themselves and their ability is true.
It’s just that in today’s world of “information overload”, it’s nearly impossible
to find the right information. And to know what to practice, when to practice
it, how to practice it, and in what order.
Unfortunately, the landscape of guitar education today is littered with

YouTube gurus who want to get “likes” on their videos, publishers who try to
pump out any book that seems useful so they can make as many sales as
they can, and ego-driven artists who want you to sit there and watch them
play a million notes so you can see how great THEY are… while you just sit
there, not learning a thing.

::: 28 :::
I don’t know about you, but I’ve had enough of all that. So let’s talk about
how to move past the hobbyist phase into the next level.
Contrary to what most Hobbyists are led to believe by the “noise” of guitar
education out there today…
The pathway forward is NOT learning all the scales and chords and theories
until you can finally “duct tape” it all together to play something that
resembles music.
The key in this phase is to see how it all connects together from the
BEGINNING… not at the “end” after you’ve “learned it all.”
Modern guitar education teaches Hobbyists to “branch out”, just like a tree,
to learn more and more different “stuff” - like different chords, scales, keys,
theories, etc.
However, just like the branches of a tree, the more you “branch out”, the
more “disconnected” those branches become.
Yet to “see” how everything in music connects together, instead of branching

out, we need to go in the opposite direction, towards the “trunk”...
Where all the branches connect into one.
This is usually the biggest “aha” for most Hobbyists, which can catapult
them to the next level faster than they previously thought possible. In fact,
this is why I created a free course called The Ultimate Lead Guitar Lightbulb
Moment.
The key is to see how everything in music starts from the Major scale (which
is like the “trunk” of the musical tree).

::: 29 :::
By discovering that there are only 7 different notes in the scale, and that
each of these 7 notes creates its own “feeling” when played (in the right
key) with background music…
The Hobbyist discovers that he can play the “right” notes without having to
think about it - but by playing by feel instead.
From there, he learns that chords are created by simply combining two or
more of the 7 notes in the Major scale…
And that the fretboard isn’t “big and scary” as he previously imagined…
But that for any song, those same 7 notes from the Major scale simply
repeat over and over and over across the fretboard…
And that’s all there is.
These repeating patterns of 7 notes creates what I call the Guitar Grid (the
grid of all the right notes pros use to play across the neck without
thinking)...
And from this Grid, you can play any scale or any chord, anywhere across
the fretboard (without having to think about it).
In other words, this provides the foundation the Hobbyist has been missing…
Where everything suddenly falls into place. Where he can “see” where all the
“branches” came from...
And where the door to the next level is not only unlocked…
It’s swung wide open.

::: 30 :::
Phase 2 - Creation
Level 4 - The Band Member
Situation
Now, being in the “Band Member” phase doesn’t necessarily mean you are
an actual member of a band.
It also doesn’t necessarily mean that the Band member has had the big
“aha” we talked about in the Hobbyist phase.
It just means that at this stage, you have the minimum necessary skills to
play in a band with other musicians. Even if you don’t really know the “why”
behind what you’re doing on guitar.
A Band Member is usually comfortable with playing basic open chords, and
some (if not all) basic bar chords.
He might be able to play around friends, at an open mic night, or even on

stage, and look like he’s doing a pretty decent job.
If he was in a real band, he’s certainly not the standout “guitar player.” But
more of a “fill in” - mainly playing rhythm in the background.
He may be good at what he does - playing mostly basic chords with decent
rhythm. And he can play full songs… even entire “set lists” or “repertoires” of
songs that he’s memorized.
But that’s about where it stops.
Sure, he can mess around on the guitar and figure out some things by trial
and error - and he’s probably gotten pretty decent at it.
But when it comes to actually knowing what he’s doing on guitar, and
moving outside of his comfort zone…

::: 31 :::
That’s where the Band Member gets, well… uncomfortable.
He knows he can learn new songs that aren’t too difficult. And with practice,
he can regurgitate them convincingly.
Yet, on the inside, he feels limited.
He doesn’t know the “why” behind why some things sound good and some
things don’t. And as a result, he can’t consistently or predictably create his
own music…
Whether that means writing his own songs, chord progressions, solos… or
even just improvising freely.
Even though to the crowd, or to those watching from the outside, Band
Members may look like they know what they’re doing…
A surprising amount of local musicians, and even some famous artists never
move past this stage.
And that’s fine if you never want to do more than play basic chords in songs
and not much else…
But for those who want to progress, the level of “comfort” with basic chords
in the Band Member phase is also the biggest danger.
Dangers
Many Band Members get caught in the trap of thinking that they don’t need
to learn music theory to be good guitar players - or that too much theory
stifles their creativity.
While technically they’re right in saying that you don’t have to know theory
to be good at “playing something” on the guitar…
There’s a big difference between being good at “playing

something”... and actually being a good guitar player.

::: 32 :::
On the other hand, you also have the Band Members who may recognize the
usefulness of some theory. Yet their own insecurities keep them from taking
full advantage, because they might believe that they’re not “talented” or
“smart” enough to be “one of those guys” (a really good guitar player).
As a result, the Band Member can quite literally go his whole life always
wanting “more”, but not feeling deserving of it, or feeling jealous of others
who have it.
To get to the next level, a Band Member not only has to overcome his
negative relationship with music theory (often by having the same “aha”
moment we discussed in the Hobbyist phase)...
He has to begin to create his own music using these new concepts so he can
“see” the “whole new world” that is the next level.
The key is to find a particular method, person, or vehicle of communication

that shows the Band Member how music works in a context he can relate
to…
And that fits in (or works) with his experiences and beliefs he’s created
about playing guitar, since he’s likely had years of experience at this point.
In other words, once the Band Member understands the “big picture” of how
music works, and then begins to create short pieces of his own music - from
short solos, chord progressions, even whole songs…
That’s what will unlock the next level, and motivate the Band Member to
walk through the door to the next phase.

::: 33 :::
Level 5 - The Guitar Player
Situation
This is the stage where a guitar player will start to feel more confident and
comfortable actually feeling like they can call themselves a guitar player.
Although he’s not where he wants to be yet, a guitar player can learn new
songs and a little more advanced solos fairly quickly, and with confidence,
and with not too much difficulty.
He’s likely been getting more into the world of improvising. And can do it for
minutes on end - even though his phrases, technique, and performance
aren’t perfect.
If he plays in a group, jams with others, or plays in a band, a Guitar Player

might be the one who plays the solo he’s memorized, and it sounds pretty
darn good and convincing to those in the crowd - even though they can tell
he’s still not a “pro.”
All in all, the Guitar Player can play a little bit of everything - at least
decently - if he wants to, even if he hasn’t fully mastered any particular area
yet.
However, the main challenge at this stage is “exposure.”
In the world of auto-racing, race car drivers refer to practice as “seat time.”
In other words, the Guitar Player needs more “seat time” - he simply hasn’t
played enough songs, solos, jam sessions, etc., to fully taste the “buffet” of
musical ideas out there - and he’s in the process of building his own “menu.”
There is one additional challenge at this stage - and that’s learning more
advanced theory concepts, such as new and interesting chords, different
types of scales, and combining them together - but that will come in a future
phase.

::: 34 :::
Dangers
Even though it sounds like the Guitar Player is pretty good and comfortable…
The biggest danger for the Guitar Player is falling short of his potential,
when he’s right on the cusp of musical freedom.
Almost like being an athlete who was clearly one of the better players on the
field, but they didn’t work to become the best. And as a result, they quickly
fell out of the ranks…
And no one remembered them.
To get to the next level, the Guitar Player needs to mostly continue what
he’s been doing to reach the Performer Phase - because the Performer Level
is almost like an “enhanced, more experienced version” of the Guitar Player
Level.
He needs to continue learning songs, learning solos, and pushing the

boundaries of the music he listens to and plays.
By doing this, the Guitar Player will not only gain more confidence in his
ability, as well as a wider array of music and musical ideas he can pull from…
The guitar will become more and more like a tool in the hands of a skilled
craftsman, where the he’s able to mix all the “ingredients” he’s learned over
the years into a really good dish.
That’s the point at which he will enter the next level…

::: 35 :::
Level 6 - The Performer
Situation
If the Guitar Player is a good cook, the Performer is like a skilled chef.
He’s mastered the art of following a recipe, and he can even add his own
touches and spice here and there...
Yet he’s not yet mastered the art of creating his own dishes from scratch
yet.
The Performer is like the lead guitar player in a good local band.
When you watch him from the crowd, you can see that he can clearly play.
And he has several moments in the “spotlight”, where maybe he’s playing a
very good sounding solo, or even a song by himself.
At this point, he’s mastered the ability to “follow recipes” - to play songs and
solos that others have written, or even that he’s written himself, and to play
them very well.
He may be able to improvise for 5 to 10 minutes on end, but this is where

his limitations begin to show.
While he may have more theory knowledge than most, insufficient “seat
time” in applying this knowledge to create his own music - from solos to
improvising to songs - keeps him from doing one of the most important
things that’s been on his mind for some time…
Developing his own style.
Without sufficient experience of applying theory concepts, the Performer

doesn’t have all the tools he needs to take all the music he hears in his head
(which is getting more clear and complex over time)...
And translate everything he hears or feels to his guitar.

::: 36 :::
This is just like knowing what you want to say, but not being able to find the
right words to say it.
Dangers
While the Performer may be “successful” to those on the outside, and he

may enjoy the admiration of a crowd…
He knows there’s more in store for him. That he has a unique message (or
music) he wants to share with the world…
And the biggest tragedy for the Performer is to give up his pursuit of
expanding his ability to express himself - through deeper and more nuanced
musical concepts.
The key to the next level is what I call “preferences.”
With every strum, every note plucked, or every bend, slide, or vibrato…
The Performer will increasingly be able to hear in his head how he WANTS
the music to sound.
And by refining his technique, along with continuing to learn new musical
concepts, such as advanced chords, time signatures, exotic scales, and
musical ideas from other artists…
The Performer develop his own “preferences” about how he wants to shape
the sound he hears. And through continued playing, this is how he gains the
tools he needs to finally paint the musical picture he hears in his head, with
his guitar.

::: 37 :::
Phase 3 - Expression
Level 7 - The Artist
Situation
We call an artist an artist, because they do things their own way.
They “see”, in their heads, the musical picture they want to paint - and by
using tools such as technology, musical concepts, musical ideas, and even
different types of guitars…
They can translate that musical landscape into the real world for others to
enjoy.
This is the master chef who can create his own dishes from scratch.
However, an interesting thing about artists, with few exceptions, is that

most artists share a common characteristic…
They are artists within one genre, or on one instrument. Yet they lack the
knowledge and experience to play with the same level of skill and sound
quality outside their area of expertise.
For example, David Gilmour, the Guitarist from Pink Floyd is arguably one of
the greatest guitar players of all time.
He clearly has a distinctive style that’s easily recognizable as him. And he’s
very, very good at what he does. In fact, he’s the best in the world at
sounding like David Gilmour.
However, have you ever heard David Gillmour play country guitar? Or slide?
Or jazz, reggae, or funk?

::: 38 :::
That’s just not his area of expertise. And what many aspiring guitar players
don’t realize is that most artists are extremely great at what they do, but
they may be TERRIBLE at playing other styles or types of music.
In fact, while BB King was no doubt a legend, did you know he actually
couldn’t play bar chords at all?
It’s true, and I encourage you to search “BB King bad at chords” on the
internet to see for yourself.
Dangers
Some might say that an Artist doesn’t have any dangers. And it’s true that
different people have different musical goals, and that some people may be
fine playing one main style or one main instrument their whole life.
However, if you’ve ever been curious or had the desire to play other
instruments (which is not only fun, but can give you extreme musical
advantages), or if you’re interested in any other genres than the one you’re
good at…
Then being very good at one thing can feel like a trap - because it’s so easy
and comfortable to play.
It’s kind of like when you get tired of playing the same old song or riff … just
on a much larger scale…
You know you WANT to play something different, but it just feels too hard to
branch out, so you just play what you’ve always played.
Each musical style has its own “idiosyncrasies”... or a way of thinking or

approaching how to play that particular musical style.
For example, the blues style uses lots of bends, pentatonic scales, shuffle
rhythm, and minor keys, usually coupled with a “mean” or “melancholic”
attitude.

::: 39 :::
Pop music, on the other hand, tends to use a lot of simple chords, similar
chord progressions, Major keys with happy sounds, and not much soloing.
Clearly, the two genres are very different. And the same is true for
instruments themselves.
It goes without saying that playing a guitar is much different than playing a
piano from a physical standpoint. But what’s not seen by most people is that
the mental approach to playing these instruments is also different.
The key to the next phase is to take the knowledge an Artist has in terms of
musical concepts and techniques on any particular instrument…
And begin to discover how either OTHER musical styles approach playing
music…
As well as how the players of other INSTRUMENTS approach playing music.
By doing both, an Artist’s musical palette begins to expand into a whole new
world…
At which point they enter the next level of their journey.
Level 8 - The Musician
Situation
A Musician is someone who understands that music comes first, instruments

come second.
In other words, music itself is a language…
And in the same way you can use different tools (or instruments) to
communicate in English - your voice, writing with a pen, or typing on a
computer…

::: 40 :::
A Musician can play multiple “instruments” to communicate in the language

of music.
A Musician is someone who might be a great guitar player…
Yet because they can transfer their communication skills - their musical skills
and knowledge - to other instruments, then once they learn the mechanics
of that instrument…
They might also be able to play the piano, the trumpet, drums, harp, or any
other musical instrument they’re interested in.
Of course, getting good at these other instruments doesn’t come without

practice.
However they already have a massive advantage because they can already
speak the language of music fluently.
It’s only the mechanics of the different instruments themselves that can
prove to be an impediment. But the musician has the confidence to continue
his pursuit, knowing he’ll eventually succeed.
Dangers
Again, whether someone wants to be able to play multiple instruments or

not, is up to them. If they do however, the dangers to the Musician are the
impediments to playing other musical instruments or genres…
Due to insufficient “seat time” with those genres or instruments.
Therefore, for the Musician who wants to express his “inner music” in ways
that goes beyond the limits of his guitar, or his main genre…
It’s important that he continues to pursue those other instruments and

genres - or else he will feel like he’s taking some of his music with him when
he goes.

::: 41 :::
By picking one or two genres or other instruments the Musician wants to

learn…
And by applying deliberate focused practice to those genres and/or

instruments…
The musician can quickly add skills, flavors, textures, and colors to his
“musical palette”... from which he can paint whichever form of musical
landscape flows into his mind.
With sufficient practice, the Musician will be able to enter the final level in
the Musical Staircase™.
Level 9 - The Composer
Situation
At the end of the day, we are all radios.
The music that we play (the music that we hear in our heads) doesn’t come
from us.
We simply “receive” it… just like a radio receives a signal.
(Trying to “tune in” to this frequency, to receive or “access” the flow of

music... is why guitar players make the “guitar face” by the way).
Your entire Musician’s Journey is spent learning how to “tune in” to the right
frequency (or station) so that YOUR music comes in louder and more clear
over time.
And as you begin to hear that music in your head…

::: 42 :::
Any remaining “static” is a result of insufficient technique. In other words,

your hands haven’t fully closed the gap between what you hear in your
head, and what you do with your hands in real time - without having to think
about it.
Eventually, at the highest level, a few musicians reach the point where the
radio signal comes in perfectly clear.
They’ve “tuned” their brains into the right frequency to receive the music…
And they’ve refined their technique enough to where there’s no more static
blocking the signal.
And what we hear is simply pure musical expression…
The language of human emotion, the voice of a human soul, in its purest
form...
Which can move us, unite us, bring us to tears, and give us hope.
Dangers
The danger for the Composer is one thing. Death.
We all have music inside of us. And the danger to the composer is not
getting that music out into the world before it’s too late.
At this point, the Composer is at the top of the Musical Staircase™. He’s
won.
He has complete musical freedom. And there’s no greater feeling on earth.
He can enjoy the rest of his days with the joy, and fulfillment of
accomplishing a rewarding feat that very few will ever experience…
And the joy of knowing he’s likely touched the lives of millions.

::: 43 :::
Your Next steps
Now that you know about the 9 levels of the Musical Staircase™…
In which level do you think you fall? Do you notice that you share different
characteristics from more than one of the levels?
How would you judge your current level of fluency and receptivity?
And if you had to choose, what do you think should be your next step along
your journey?
I hope this guide has been helpful to you, to provide a framework for where
you’ve been so far in your journey. And where you’re going next, so the path
is more clear.
Does it help knowing that every musician has to go through the same steps
you’re moving through…
And that you’re not alone?
I want you to know that there IS a way forward for you. There IS a proven
path for you to follow. And you WILL succeed when you follow it.
After all, many musicians have already blazed the path for us…
And all we have to do, as Isaac Newton said, is “Stand on the shoulders of
giants.”
Whether it’s with me or not, I encourage you to go to the level that’s most
relevant to you right now, and follow the keys to the next level.
If that means you need to reach out to a teacher, do it. If you need to buy a
book, do it. If you need to join a course, do it.

::: 44 :::
After all, we’re only here for a blink of an eye. And if you don’t pursue your
dreams right now, today, then the chance might slip away before you know
it.
Now that you have direction, and you have a much better idea of what
you’re looking for, the next steps should be far more enjoyable and easy to
take.
Whatever you need to do, I encourage you to do it now. Because the clock is
ticking for all of us...
And because at the end of the day, I promise you, it’s worth it.
For far too long, the music education industry has left guitar players to
wander around in the dark, and to try to find their way on their own.
But we believe it’s time to change that.
We all have music inside of us. That’s why our mission is to illuminate the
path forward for as many guitar players as possible. So that every soul can
sing.
Through modern technology, our goal is to help 1 Billion people express

themselves through the language of music by 2030.
Needless to say, a big vision needs big help. So if you want to be a part of
our mission, or if you know someone we should meet, send an email with
the subject line “vision” to support@breakthroughguitar.com. Tell us how
you’d like to help, who you know, or what you can bring to the table.
In the meantime, here are additional resources to help you reach the next
level in your guitar playing journey:
Resources
● Want to play lead guitar, but don’t know the best place to start? Get
The Ultimate Lead Guitar Lightbulb Moment. It’s free. Go here:
https://training.breakthroughguitar.com/discover-this-free-aha-now

::: 45 :::
● Played for over 2 months? Discover how just ONE simple pattern can
unlock the fretboard forever, and let you play all across the neck, in
any key, over any song, all by feel (Hint: This pattern has more than 6
strings!). Go here:
https://training.breakthroughguitar.com/discover-this-weird-7-string-p
attern
● Feel like you hit a wall or a plateau with your progress, and not sure
how to move forward? Discover How To Get Unstuck, as well as the
Top 10 Mistakes Guitar Players Make and what to do about it to make
rapid progress now:
https://training.breakthroughguitar.com/gets-you-unstuck-fast
● Love guitars, guitar gear, and apparel? Find your next cool shirt, hat or
coffee mug at the Breakthrough Guitar Store. Go here:
https://shop.breakthroughguitar.com/
Thanks for reading. I wish you the best along your journey. And always
remember, you CAN do it,
Jonathan Boyd
Founder, Breakthrough Guitar

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::: 2 :::

The Guitar Player’s Roadmap™

© Copyright Breakthrough Guitar, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

© Copyright Breakthrough Guitar. All Rights Reserved

The Guitar Player’s Roadmap™

No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval

Please do not participate in or encourage electronic piracy of copyrightable materials.

© Copyright Breakthrough Guitar, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

© Copyright Breakthrough Guitar. All Rights Reserved

© Copyright Breakthrough Guitar. All Rights Reserved

The truth is, no matter what instrument you play…

There’s no way around it.

Every single musician ascends through 9 distinct levels on their way to

You can think of these stages like a staircase with 9 levels.

In a staircase, of course, you MUST start at level 1, then ascend through

To history’s greatest musicians like Beethoven, Jimi Hendrix, or Miles Davis…

© Copyright Breakthrough Guitar. All Rights Reserved

But before we begin, let’s bust some age-old myths.

Don’t Let Common Myths Hold You Back

It doesn’t matter whether or not you have so-called “natural talent”, a

© Copyright Breakthrough Guitar. All Rights Reserved

Ha! That idea is laughable.

Think about it like this…

But practically everyone can climb stairs...

The Guitar Player’s Biggest Roadblock

NINE OUT OF TEN PEOPLE QUIT!

© Copyright Breakthrough Guitar. All Rights Reserved

1. What you learn

And THAT is what most people are missing...

But as guitar gets more complex the more you learn…

This Guide Gives You A Structure To Follow

© Copyright Breakthrough Guitar. All Rights Reserved

Now, at this point, you may be wondering…

Why Should You Listen To Me?

But this isn’t about me. This is about you. So...

© Copyright Breakthrough Guitar. All Rights Reserved

Why Should You Read This?

No matter where you’re at right now…

© Copyright Breakthrough Guitar. All Rights Reserved

The Nine Levels of the Musical Staircase™

It’s not the instruments that change…

The same way you can write, type, or speak English.

© Copyright Breakthrough Guitar. All Rights Reserved

The Guitar Player’s Journey™

Don’t worry if some of these terms sound confusing or intimidating right

© Copyright Breakthrough Guitar. All Rights Reserved

The 9 levels of the Musical Staircase, and The Three Phases Of

The Exertion Phase

And you have to wrestle with the instrument itself as:

© Copyright Breakthrough Guitar. All Rights Reserved

The better you get, the easier it gets to get better.

The Creation Phase

You’ve made it inside.

© Copyright Breakthrough Guitar. All Rights Reserved

This is where, instead of simply regurgitating bits and pieces of other

You still don’t have total musical freedom.

And that leads us to the next phase. The Expression phase.

The Expression Phase

This is the ultimate level of musical freedom…

Where nothing exists but you and the guitar…

© Copyright Breakthrough Guitar. All Rights Reserved

An “obstruction” is something blocking a pathway.

Clearly, the instrument itself at this stage is the biggest obstacle.