TESTIMONIALS
Before I started The Guitar Daily Workout by Dan Shields, my technique improvement felt stagnant. I craved a structured approach to mastering scales, arpeggios, and finger exercises. This series is a game-changer. It’s become my go-to resource for pick-style technique, with fantastic backing tracks that push me further. The Guitar Daily Workout isn’t just a book; it’s a lifelong musical journey that’s earned a permanent spot on my shelf.
– David from CA
I’ve been teaching guitar in public education, collegiate level, and private studio for many years. Last year, I was introduced to the Guitar Daily Workout, by Dan Shields. Soon after, I began integrating the Guitar Daily Workout into my courses and lessons and was instantly amazed at my students’ weekly results. The exploration of the fretboard, locating notes, utilizing the CAGED system, the organization of the material and the daily discipline all played a positive role each week. There has been more experimenting and performing in positions across the fretboard, than what I have observed in the past. The students really seem to have fun practicing the material. My decision to include the Guitar Daily Workout as a resource for my guitar curriculum, came as soon after I started using it. If you are looking for a great method/system that saves you time as the educator in creating material, so you can present, coach, and see your students progress on making sense of the fretboard, along with technique, then the Guitar Daily Workout system is for you.
– Gregory Janicki, BM, M.Mus., Professor of Music, Liberty University
The Guitar Daily Workout has been incredible for me! I’m in 10th grade. I’ve been a (very casually) self-taught guitarist for a long time, but have taken my playing more seriously for a little over a year. I recently completed System 1 of the Guitar Daily Workout, and it has changed my playing dramatically. I’ve become far more articulate and precise, and my right-hand technique has improved substantially. I’m able to learn new music much more quickly than I used to be able to. In full honesty, I never expected to make this much progress in only 12 weeks! This has really been the perfect tool for me to blast through my “intermediate plateau”. Can’t wait to continue through System 2!
– Luke, PA
I found the Guitar Daily Workout very inspirational and motivating. I have the System One and it is exactly what I needed – it means I don’t need to think about what to practice, it is all laid out for me to just knuckle down and put in the work. Even though I’m pretty dedicated, some days I would sit down to practice but ended up playing what I already knew – this would happen more when I only had a short amount of time. I think this extensive course will put structure into every practise session and really develop my foundational playing. On the days I have more time, I can then spend time on chords, technique, songs etc but it ensures that the critical first half hour is never wasted. Thoroughly recommended.
– Almba1on youtube
I have heard of the CAGED system before, but only thought of that when I worked with chords. The Guitar Daily Workout opened my eyes to that system that it was beyond just chords. The patterns helped me see more clearly the fretboard and how patterns and shapes repeat. I realized after a few weeks my teacher pushed the tempo, and I was flying around the fretboard like I was doing this for many years. I liked how each week it was very well put together and they built upon each week.I am looking forward to System Two this semester.
– Brandon Lee Johnson, Student
I don’t really know what it was, but working through the Guitar Daily Workout really helped me see the fretboard like I never saw it before. It must be how it was organized and the approach. I was aware of the topics like octaves, scales, and arpeggios, but it was never presented to me in the way that the Guitar Daily Workout did. It’s like it was all connecting like a puzzle. My favorite part each day is working on the octaves. I was able to see where the beginning of each scale was around the fretboard.
– Sydney, College Student
I’ve played guitar off and on since I was 13. I wish these books and YouTube existed when I was younger. I own System One and System Two and I loved how it helped me bridge the basics of chords, pentatonic and major scales, and the theory I’ve learned over the years. It really does what Dan says, gives the basics, builds that muscle and brain memory that’s needed for practice, live play, and let’s not forget learning new songs. It is much easier to learn song when you have seen the content before. Highly recommend.– Cole from PA
As a senior studying electric guitar in college, the Guitar Daily Workout: System One book really helped me build familiarity with the guitar neck. The exercises are easy to follow and help you envision the fretboard fluidly, all while building picking speed. The exercises have helped link my hands together and play faster passages. I would definitely recommend the program to anyone wanting to become more familiar with the fretboard and increase their playing speed.– Mason from CA
As a guitarist that has been playing since 7 years old (now mid-60’s and recently retired), I trained privately in my youth using the Berklee method, studied for 2 semesters at Berklee and was on the road for 4 years in the 1970’s. I’ve found System One to be an excellent refresher course. However some of the Finger Gymnastics exercises have been new for me. The ability to increase tempos with the play along exercises adds to the enjoyment and increases the challenge. For the player that wants to invest the time and is looking to accurately master the fretboard, the Guitar Daily Workout gives you the foundational practice material that will launch every player a higher skill level allowing you to play with more accuracy. I am looking forward to diving into System Two.
– Tom from FL
I started the Guitar Daily Workout after I graduated from music school. It really helped solidify concepts I already knew and took many ideas that were previously head-knowledge and made them muscle memory. Dan teaches these ideas in a very clear and understandable way, which makes the Guitar Daily Workout great for both first-time learners and those needing a little brush-up on their technique. I would highly recommend the Guitar Daily Workout for anyone looking for a simple practice routine that will provide consistency and growth, no matter what stage of musicianship you are at!
– Sam from AZ
I spent the first 30+ years of my guitar-playing life as a self-taught guitar player. I have a degree in music but upright bass was the instrument that put me through college. Guitar was always a “figure it out on my own” kind of thing though. But every time I picked up the guitar I felt like an imposter. I knew there were gaps in my knowledge and understanding. So I didn’t feel competent or confident and never played with any real conviction. I was always second-guessing what I was playing. I needed a system in order to know that I had covered all the bases and hadn’t missed anything vital. I didn’t know what I didn’t know. How I wish the Guitar Daily Workout existed when I first started playing. It would have saved me years of frustration.
– H.G. from PA
I’m a self taught metal style musician and I have played in many small venue to large national act live shows. I have also recorded my fair share of albums and I consider my ability to play as decently well over the last 20 years however, I would like to correct some habits and fill the gaps of knowledge that I have with my instrument.
I am currently into the 8th week of System One of the Guitar Daily Workout and I’m really enjoying the challenge. The Guitar Daily Workout has helped me with quickly locating roots and forms all across the neck. I am noticing strong and tighter playing already and I plan on moving on to System Two once I have completed this one. I would recommend this system to anyone who would like to get to know their instrument and strengthen their playing.
– Justin from PA