Beginning Music Reading for Guitar – Learn to Read Music and Navigate the Fretboard with Confidence

Want to become a more complete guitarist and musician? The Beginning Music Reading for Guitar Course is designed to teach you one of the most valuable skills you can develop: how to read music on the guitar.

Instead of relying only on chord diagrams, TABs, or memorization, you'll learn how written music connects directly to the notes on your fretboard. You'll begin with simple rhythms and the notes on the first string before gradually working your way across all six strings.

Each section builds on what you've already learned. As you add new strings, you'll review previous material, strengthen your note recognition, and practice combining everything through musical exercises and duet lessons.

You'll also apply your reading skills to real musical examples, helping you move beyond isolated notes and begin reading music in a more natural, practical way.

Whether you're an absolute beginner, a self-taught guitarist who has never learned standard notation, or a developing musician who wants to strengthen their understanding of the guitar, this course will help you build a solid music-reading foundation one string at a time.

VIDEO SAMPLE - LESSON 1

Course Breakdown:

• Lesson 1 – Simple Rhythms

• Lesson 2 – Music Reading: 1st String

• Lesson 3 – Music Reading: 2nd String

• Lesson 4 – Strings 1–2 Review

• Lesson 5 – Duet: "Crusin'"

• Lesson 6 – Music Reading: 3rd String

• Lesson 7 – Americano Songs

• Lesson 8 – Strings 1–3 Review

• Lesson 9 – Duet: "Twilight Night"

• Lesson 10 – Music Reading: 4th String

• Lesson 11 – Strings 1–4 Review

• Lesson 12 – Duet: "Coronation"

• Lesson 13 – Music Reading: 5th String

• Lesson 14 – Strings 1–5 Review

• Lesson 15 – Music Reading: 6th String

What You'll Learn:

• Understand Simple Rhythms – Build a foundation for reading music by learning how basic rhythms are written and counted.

• Read Notes on the Guitar – Learn to recognize written notes and locate them on your fretboard.

• Master the Strings Step by Step – Begin with the first string and gradually expand your reading skills across all six strings.

• Improve Note Recognition – Develop the ability to identify notes more quickly without depending entirely on TAB.

• Connect Written Music to the Fretboard – Understand how standard music notation translates directly to the notes you play on guitar.

• Strengthen Your Timing – Combine rhythm reading with note reading so you can play music more accurately.

• Review as You Progress – Reinforce previous strings before adding new notes, helping you build a stronger long-term foundation.

• Practice Through Musical Examples – Use songs, exercises, and duet lessons to turn music-reading concepts into practical playing skills.

• Become a More Independent Musician – Develop the ability to approach written guitar music with greater confidence.

Course Contents:

• Step-by-Step Technique Lessons – Work through progressively challenging exercises designed to improve your fundamental guitar technique.
• Stretching and Warm-Up Guidance – Learn how to prepare your hands before practicing.
• Picking Technique Instruction – Develop better coordination and control with your picking hand.
• Progressive Finger Exercises – Practice multiple combinations that target dexterity, independence, accuracy, and strength.
• Full-Fretboard Exercises – Learn to move your exercises up and down the neck and across all six strings.
• Review Lesson – Bring the exercises together and reinforce the techniques you've developed throughout the bootcamp.

Meet Your Teacher:

Terry Carter is a San Diego-based guitarist, ukulele player, surfer, songwriter, and creator of Rock Like The Pros, Uke Like The Pros, and Terry Carter Music Store.

With over 25 years as a professional musician, educator, and Los Angeles studio musician, Terry has worked with greats like Weezer, Josh Groban, Robby Krieger (The Doors), 2-time Grammy-winning composer Christopher Tin (Calling All Dawns), Duff McKagan (Guns N' Roses), Grammy-winning producer Charles Goodan (Santana/Rolling Stones), and the Los Angeles Philharmonic.

Along the way, Terry has written and produced tracks for commercials including Discount Tire and Puma and TV shows including Scorpion (CBS), Pit Bulls & Parolees (Animal Planet), Trippin', Wildboyz, and The Real World (MTV). He has also self-published over 25 books for Uke Like The Pros and Rock Like The Pros, filmed over 30 ukulele and guitar online courses, and has millions of views across his social media channels.

In addition to his professional career, Terry received a Master of Music in Studio/Jazz Guitar Performance from the University of Southern California and a Bachelor of Music from San Diego State University, with an emphasis in Jazz Studies and Music Education. He has taught at the University of Southern California, San Diego State University, Santa Monica College, MiraCosta College, and Los Angeles Trade-Tech College.

Join the Beginning Music Reading for Guitar Course today and develop the skills to read music, understand your fretboard, and become a more confident musician!

Start reading music one string at a time and build a skill you can use throughout your entire guitar journey!

NOTE: 

This is a digital course hosted on Rock Like The Pros.

After you place your order, we'll set up your account (if you don't already have one) and grant you access to the course. Then, you'll receive an email confirming your login details and how to get started.

Your course includes video lessons, downloadable PDFs, and backing tracks — accessible anytime on the Rock Like The Pros website or app.

Questions or need help getting in? Just reply to your confirmation email and we'll take care of it.

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