Beyond Strings

Documentation

How each tool works, what every setting means, and practice tips — three minutes per guide.

Metronome

Metronome
  1. 1Start at 60 BPM — the safe starting tempo for almost every beginner.
  2. 2Pick a time signature (most pop songs are 4/4); tap the dots to customize per-beat accents.
  3. 3Turn on subdivisions for scales or fingerpicking: eighths for steadiness, triplets for groove, sixteenths for precision.
  4. 4After two flawless passes, use Speed Ramp to add +4 BPM every 4 bars automatically.
Practice tip：Not sure of a song’s tempo? Play it and tap Tap Tempo along 4+ times to measure the BPM.

Right-Hand Practice

Right-Hand Practice
  1. 1Start with the 5-3-2-3-1-3-2-3 fingerpicking pattern in Classic Scores — the most common folk accompaniment.
  2. 2Begin at 60 BPM with the Dual view so you see digits and string positions together.
  3. 3For reflex training switch to Random mode: visually pick which strings join the pool, whether repeats are allowed, and whether each loop varies.
  4. 4Turn on Guide Tone to calibrate pitch, and Loop to polish one sequence repeatedly.
Practice tip：Digits are string numbers — string 1 is the thinnest, string 6 the thickest. See a number, pluck that string.

Left-Hand Practice

Left-Hand Practice
  1. 1In Chord Transitions, start with C→G at 8 beats per chord; read the “next chord” ahead of time.
  2. 2Shape the chord in the air before landing it — slow is smooth, smooth is fast.
  3. 3In Spider Walks, start with classic 1-2-3-4, then try weak-finger combos like 2-4 or 3-4, or pick custom fingers.
  4. 4Fret with vertical fingertips close behind the fret wire, and don’t lift fingers early after plucking.
Practice tip：Sore fingertips are normal — calluses form in about 2–4 weeks of regular practice. See the fingertip-pain guide for details.

Both-Hands Practice

Both-Hands Practice
  1. 1Start with Fingerpicking · C chord: hold C with the left hand, follow the number stream with the right.
  2. 2The chord diagram above highlights the current string in real time — one place to watch.
  3. 3Once fingerpicking is stable, switch to strumming scores: ↓ downstroke with the index nail, ↑ upstroke with thumb or index pad.
  4. 4One flawless pass at 60 BPM first, then raise tempo by 5 BPM at a time.
Practice tip：Keep the wrist loose when strumming — like shaking water off your hand. Lighter is better than harder.

Tuner

Tuner
  1. 1Tap “Start microphone tuner” and allow access — audio is analyzed locally, never uploaded.
  2. 2Tune from string 6 (thickest) down: pluck, let it ring, watch the needle.
  3. 3Needle left = flat, tighten; right = sharp, loosen. Center green zone means in tune.
  4. 4Keep the string ringing while turning the peg in small steps to avoid over-tightening and snapping it.
Practice tip：New strings drift — after all six, double-check from the top. You can also tap a string button to lock the target.

Chord Library

Chord Library
  1. 1Learn chords in the order Em → Am → C → G — the best value path for beginners.
  2. 2Numbers in the dots are left-hand fingers (1 index … 4 pinky); × means don’t touch that string; a bar means a barre.
  3. 3Tap Play to hear the arpeggio and check every intended string rings clean, with no muting.
  4. 4After four chords, drill changes in Left-Hand Practice, then play full progressions in Both-Hands.
Practice tip：The F barre chord is every beginner’s first wall — expect 1–3 months. There is a dedicated guide for it.

Scale Practice

Scale Practice
  1. 1Start with the C major scale. Yellow dots are root notes (Do) — use them to learn the fretboard.
  2. 2Dot numbers are left-hand fingers. Follow the fingering strictly so speed comes later.
  3. 3Tap Play Along to practice with the metronome, one note per beat, starting at 60 BPM.
  4. 4Once major is solid, move to the A minor pentatonic — the foundation of rock and blues soloing.
Practice tip：Scale practice is not about speed — it is about every note being clean and every beat even.

Ear Training

Ear Training
  1. 1Build confidence with the easy intervals first: unison, octave and perfect fifth.
  2. 2Two notes play each round — pick how much higher the second one is.
  3. 3Wrong answers show a reference song (e.g. a major 2nd = “Happy Birthday”) to anchor the interval to a melody.
  4. 4Ten questions a day for a week and you will clearly hear the difference.
Practice tip：Ear skill is the foundation of transcribing and improvising. It grows slower than finger technique — consistency wins.