How 1-on-1 guitar lessons helped Zoey build strong foundations with chords

Learning guitar can feel overwhelming at first, especially when you’re new to finger positioning, chord shapes, and rhythm. 

If you’re just starting out like Zoey, you may find yourself struggling with things like finger strength, chord transitions, and keeping a consistent rhythm. Zoey, a beginner student, felt the same way when he first picked up her guitar. 

But with dedicated 1-on-1 lessons with her tutor, Tomás Insaurralde, Zoey quickly built a solid foundation in finger exercises, basic chords, and strumming techniques that boosted her confidence and helped him play with more ease.

Getting started can feel overwhelming but with the right approach and tools, it’s absolutely doable. If you’re new and unsure where to begin, here’s a helpful guide on how to learn guitar

Real class insight: Zoey’s first guitar lesson with Tomás

In her first few lessons with Tomás, Zoey focused on the essentials: finger strength, the most commonly used chords, and simple strumming patterns.

Despite initial frustrations, the 1-on-1 approach allowed Zoey to move at his own pace, working on the parts that challenged him the most. Here’s a breakdown of what they worked on during their sessions:

Building finger strength and coordination – The warm-up routine

One of the first things Zoey learned was the importance of warming up her fingers before diving into more complex techniques. 

Tomás emphasized that finger exercises were essential for building strength, flexibility, and independence. The warm-up routine focused on getting Zoey’s fingers used to the fretboard while avoiding any bad habits.

“It felt unnatural at first,” Zoey admitted, “but Tomás encouraged me to keep practicing slowly and focus on finger placement. Even just five minutes of warm-ups helped me feel more prepared to play.”

Tomás also helped Zoey work on fret awareness and finger numbering, which ensured that Zoey could play clean notes without accidentally muting adjacent strings. By practicing slowly and carefully, Zoey gradually improved her finger coordination.

Mastering essential chords – G Major, C9, and Dsus4

Next, they tackled three essential guitar chords: G major, C9, and Dsus4. These chords are staples in many guitar songs, so mastering them would give Zoey a solid foundation for more advanced techniques. 

Tomás explained the theory behind each chord shape and how to move between them smoothly.

“I didn’t realize that the same chord could be played in different shapes on the guitar,” Zoey shared. “Tomás showed me how to choose the best one for the song depending on the feel and the context.”

Although switching between chords felt tricky at first, Tomás broke it down into manageable steps, starting with slow practice and building Zoey’s muscle memory. By the end of the lesson, Zoey had a much better understanding of how to transition between chords while maintaining rhythm.

Understanding rhythm and strumming patterns

Another critical skill Zoey worked on was rhythm. Keeping time and strumming consistently is vital to any guitarist’s development, especially for beginners. 

Tomás introduced Zoey to basic strumming patterns, breaking down the beats and measures to help him stay on track.

“Counting beats and matching strumming felt confusing at first,” Zoey recalled. “But singing and clapping together with Tomás helped me catch on quickly.”

Tomás also introduced Zoey to the option of using a pick versus fingers, allowing Zoey to experiment with different strumming techniques and find what felt most comfortable.

Developing good practice habits – patience and consistency

In addition to technical skills, Tomás emphasized the importance of developing good practice habits. She reminded Zoey that progress takes time and that consistency is key to becoming a better guitarist.

By learning to be patient with himself, Zoey began to see that small, daily practice sessions could lead to huge improvements over time.

“Sometimes it’s frustrating when chords don’t sound clean,” Zoey reflected. “But Tomás told me to keep playing even when it’s not perfect. She reminded me that every guitarist started where I am.”

With Tomás’s encouragement, Zoey learned that practicing regularly, even on the parts that were the most difficult, would lead to gradual improvement.

Why this matters: Your guitar skills will grow with the right guidance

Zoey’s rapid progress shows the power of 1-on-1 guitar lessons. With personalized feedback, Zoey was able to focus on the foundational skills of guitar playing – finger strength, chord transitions, and rhythm – that many beginners overlook.

The 1-on-1 approach allowed her to move at her own pace, gradually building confidence and technique without feeling rushed or overwhelmed.

“I was surprised by how much I could improve in just one lesson,” Zoey shared. “Having Tomás’s support makes me excited to keep going. Guitar doesn’t feel impossible anymore.”

For Zoey, it wasn’t about instant perfection; it was about gaining the tools and skills to keep improving day after day.

Whether you’re just starting out like Zoey or you’ve been playing for a while, structured, personalized lessons can help you break through challenges and set you up for long-term success.

Whether you’re an adult learner like or a parent supporting your child’s musical journey, our guides – how to learn guitar as an adult and the parents’ guide to guitar lessons for kids — are great starting points to navigate the path with clarity and confidence.

Want to build strong guitar foundations like this?

Connect with expert guitar tutors who can:

• Teach you essential finger positioning, chord shapes, and strumming techniques
• Personalize lessons to suit your learning style and pace
• Help you develop a consistent practice routine and improve your technique

Book your free trial lesson today – discover how 1-on-1 guitar lessons can help you build a strong foundation and gain confidence!

Link to Tomás Insaurralde’s tutor profile

Tomás Insaurralde

See more student transformations stories

Each student’s journey is unique, but one thing remains the same: personalized 1-on-1 lessons make all the difference in building guitar skills.

From mastering basic chords to developing rhythm and strumming techniques, these stories show how Wiingy tutors help students reach their guitar goals.

1. How 1-on-1 guitar lessons helped Amelia build finger dexterity and master popular chords

2. How 1-on-1 guitar lessons helped Daniel overcome blues techniques and build confidence

3. How 1-on-1 guitar lessons helped Leo master blues chords and shuffle patterns

4. How 1-on-1 guitar lessons helped Evie master fingerpicking and strumming patterns with confidence

5. How 1-on-1 guitar lessons helped Logan overcome finger coordination struggles and learn to play songs by ear

Footnote: The student’s name has been changed for privacy reasons.