What Every Intermediate Guitarist Should Know:
Your Complete Skills Audit Guide
Dear fellow guitarist,
If you’ve been playing guitar for a while and wondering what every guitarist should know to be considered an intermediate, this skills auditor will help you find it out and get:
- A clear picture of your current abilities
- Identified areas needing improvement
- A structured plan for progress
- Confidence in your strengths
- Direction for your practice routine
Pro Tip: You’ll also benefit from grabbing a free PDF copy of the Skills Auditor for what every intermediate guitarist should know and working it through with a pen and the printed worksheets.
I’ve built this skills audit to help you assess your current abilities, identify any gaps, and confirm you haven’t missed any essential techniques.
Think of it as your personal inventory of guitar skills – let’s see where you stand!
Conducting Your Guitar Skills Audit
Core Techniques Assessment
Rate yourself on these fundamental skills (1-5):
1. Chord Mastery
- Clean execution of major and minor chords _____
- Smooth transitions between chord changes _____
- Basic 7th chord formations _____
- Clear, buzz-free sound production _____
2. Barre Chord Proficiency
- Major barre chord formations _____
- Minor barre chord formations _____
- Power chord variations _____
- Basic chord inversions _____
3. Rhythm Foundations
- Consistent strumming patterns _____
- Basic fingerpicking control _____
- Steady tempo maintenance _____
- Dynamic control _____
- Palm muting execution _____
Essential Theory Knowledge Review
Scale Foundations
Take note of your comfort level with each:
- Minor pentatonic positions (how many do you know?)
- Major scale patterns in different keys
- Understanding of basic modes
- Interval recognition and application
Harmony Concepts Inventory
Can you confidently explain:
- How are chords built?
- What makes a key signature?
- Why do certain chords work together?
- Basic harmony rules in your favorite songs?
Technical Skills Inventory
Playing Techniques Audit
Rate your proficiency (Beginner/Developing/Confident):
- String bending with accurate pitch _____
- Clean hammer-ons and pull-offs _____
- Basic tapping execution (if you dig it)_____
- Natural-sounding vibrato _____
- Smooth position shifts _____
- Speed playing _______
Performance Capabilities
Assess your ability to:
- Play comfortably with backing tracks
- Improvise basic solos
- Learn simple songs by ear
- Maintain timing with a metronome
Identifying Your Skills Gaps
Common Blind Spots
Check if you’ve mastered these often-overlooked areas:
- Proper string muting techniques
- Left-hand efficiency
- Right-hand picking accuracy
- Basic song structure understanding
- Reading foundational music notation
Where Most Players Need Work
Pay special attention to:
- Targeting chord tones in solos
- Basic voice leading
- Key changes recognition
- Rhythmic subdivision understanding
- Dynamic control in different contexts
Action Plan Based on Your Audit
- Score Your Current Level
- Add up your ratings in each section
- Note areas below 3 stars or marked as “Developing”
- Identify your three weakest areas
- Create Your Practice Focus
- Dedicate 15 minutes daily to your weakest skill
- Record yourself playing weekly
- Join an online community for feedback
- Use a metronome in your practice routine
Moving Forward After Your Audit
Once you’ve completed this skills audit, as mentioned in the beginning of this post, you’ll have:
- A clear picture of your current abilities
- Identified areas needing improvement
- A structured plan for progress
- Confidence in your strengths
- Direction for your practice routine
Monthly Progress Tracking
Keep this skills audit handy and:
- Review it monthly
- Update your ratings
- Celebrate improvements
- Adjust your focus areas
- Set new goals based on progress
Recommended books to tighten
and expand intermediate guitar skills:
More than the basic chords:
Rhythm Foundation:
Rhythm Guitar 365 by Troy Nelson
Scale Foundations:
Guitar Scales Bible by Guitar Head
Playing Techniques:
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Conclusion
This audit isn’t about achieving perfection but understanding where you are in your guitar journey and where to focus next.
About the Author: I created this guitar skills audit over the years to help my students track their progress and growth as guitarists.
It’s designed as a tool they can revisit anytime to evaluate their journey, summarize periodic milestones, and ensure they stay on the right path.
Thanks for reading this,
