How To Go From Not Knowing What a I - IV - V - I Is, To Understanding Numerals, Keys and Patterns... So That You Can Simply Pick Up And Play Your Favourite Songs By Ear... In Just One Weekend!
The simple and effective method that beginner and advanced guitarists are using to apply basic music theory to their guitar in a practical way that allows them to learn songs so fast it feels illegal
Roman numerals can seem like another pointless musical notation system... and if you just want to play songs from tabs... then yeah they kinda are...
But if you're one of those people that doesn't just want to play music... you're someone who wants the shortcuts to learning faster... and understanding music on a deeper level...
Then truth is: This is something you have to learn. But... it's not as hard as you think. In fact... if you just get on with it, in the time you spend wondering "Can I really do this?" you'll be halfway through the first lesson and things will be falling into place!
With two or three simple lessons you can unlock the power of roman numerals in your playing. Yes this requires a bit of studying... but it's not rocket science - you can learn it.
This isn't like music theory you've learned before. In fact, it barely counts as music theory... with every idea being directly related to the guitar, to how you can actually use it, you'll find that it makes sense... in fact, you'll probably watch the lessons and think to yourself "Well, that's obvious isn't it?"...
Which I've personally always thought was the sign of a good teacher, teaching an effective lesson...
Let's make the musical penny drop...
Why Ear Training? The Key to Unlocking Musical Freedom
Ear training is the ability to identify pitches, intervals, chords, and melodies just by listening. It’s not just for seasoned professionals—it’s a skill any guitarist can learn, regardless of your starting point. Once you master ear training, you’ll be able to:
- Play along with any song instantly, without the need for tabs or notation.
- Learn new music faster and with more confidence.
- Write and improvise your own songs with ease, knowing how different chords and scales sound together.
In short, ear training transforms how you experience music. Imagine picking up your guitar and knowing exactly what to play just by hearing a song once or twice. That’s the power of Pick Up And Play.
What Makes Pick Up And Play Special?
This course is designed with YOU, the guitarist, in mind. Whether you’re a beginner just starting out or an intermediate player looking to expand your skills, Pick Up And Play will take you through the essential building blocks of ear training and music theory, all while keeping things fun, practical, and easy to understand.
We’ve broken the course down into 5 detailed modules that build on each other to give you a deep, well-rounded education in ear training and guitar mastery.
Module 1: The Foundations of Guitar and Music Theory
The journey begins with the basics, ensuring you have a solid foundation in guitar and music theory. Even if you’ve been playing for a while, you’ll learn essential concepts that will make the rest of the course flow smoothly. You’ll start by mastering:
- The anatomy of the guitar: Understanding the names and functions of each part of your guitar so you can follow the lessons with ease.
- Notes, sharps, and flats: Learn where all the notes are on the fretboard and how to navigate them confidently.
- The major scale: Dive deep into the C major scale, a fundamental scale that you’ll use throughout your playing career.
- Basic chords: Covering essential chords like C, D, Em, F, G, and Am, so you’ll have the foundational chords needed for countless songs.
Module 2: Chord Formulas & Progressions—The Building Blocks of Songs
Chord formulas are like the secret recipes that make up all your favorite songs. Once you understand these formulas, you’ll be able to recognize them in countless tracks, whether you’re playing blues, rock, pop, or folk music.
We’ll cover five essential chord formulas:
- I IV V (Blues Formula): This classic formula is the foundation of many blues songs.
- I V vi IV (The Happy Formula): You’ve probably heard this progression in upbeat, feel-good tracks.
- vi IV I V (The Sad Formula): This emotional chord progression gives songs a melancholic feel.
- V IV I (The Rocking Formula): The backbone of rock music.
- vi V IV (The Heavy Formula): Used in heavier styles of music for an edgy sound.
Module 3: Learning and Applying Songs in Various Keys
This module takes you through a variety of songs in different keys, teaching you how to play them with and without a capo. By the end of this module, you’ll have mastered songs in keys like C, D, E, F, G, and beyond.
- Songs in C: Learn songs with the I IV V progression without a capo.
- Songs in D with C shape chords and capo: Explore how using a capo opens up new ways to play familiar chords.
- Songs in E with capo on the 4th fret: Discover the I IV V progression in the key of E.
- Songs in F and sharp/flat keys: Learn how to navigate more complex keys.
Module 4: Advanced Ear Training & Chord Recognition
This module focuses on training your ear to hear and recognize specific chords and roots without the need for visual aids. You’ll be able to:
- Find the root of a song.
- Identify chord formulas by ear.
- Choose the right chord shapes.
Module 5: Bonus Content & Advanced Guitar Techniques
Push your playing even further with bonus lessons, including more chords, progressions, keys with sharps and flats, and extra ear training.
Who Is This Course For?
- Beginner Guitarists: Learn how to take the basic chords you know and use them to play songs in any key.
- Intermediate Players: Understanding key theory concepts, how to apply them to your guitar and how to recognise them by ear will enable you to learn songs so fast it feels illegal.
- Songwriters & Composers: Get ideas out of your head faster by recognising key patterns and instantly knowing how to play them in any key.
What You’ll Get When You Join Pick Up And Play Today
- 30 Video Lessons filled with video lessons, hands-on exercises, and real-world examples.
- Instant Lifetime Access to all course materials.
- Human Support in the Q&A section where I'll personally answer your questions.
Start Your Journey to Becoming a Confident, Skilled Guitarist
Pick Up And Play is a comprehensive roadmap to transforming how you approach guitar playing. By the end of this course, you’ll be able to play any song by ear, master new songs with ease, and confidently jam with other musicians.
14 Day Money Back Guarantee
If you aren't happy with the program, simply email me within 14 days for a full refund.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I'm tone deaf? Will this work for me?
Do you enjoy listening to music? If you enjoy listening to music, you are not tone deaf.
The reason you think you are tone deaf is not because you can't distinguish between pitches, but because you haven't been trained to recognise different chords and pitches...
And that's what we're going to cover in this course.
I don't need ear training—I can just use tabs and sheet music
While tabs and sheet music are helpful tools, relying on them can limit your growth as a guitarist. Ear training gives you the ability to truly understand music on a deeper level.
Imagine being able to hear a song and play it instantly, without needing to search for tabs or sheet music online. You’ll have the freedom to learn faster, adapt quicker, and play more intuitively, whether you're jamming with friends, learning new songs, or even writing your own music.
Pick Up And Play empowers you to unlock that freedom and creativity.
Ear training seems too difficult and technical for me
That’s a common misconception!
Ear training doesn’t have to be overly technical or hard to grasp.
In Pick Up And Play, we break down ear training into simple, easy-to-follow steps.
You’ll start with basic listening exercises, using familiar songs and chord progressions, making it fun and engaging rather than overwhelming.
The course is designed to gradually build your skills, so you won’t feel lost or confused.
Whether you’re just starting out or a more seasoned player, we’ll meet you where you are and guide you through the process.
I already know the basics—why should I take a beginner-friendly course?
Even if you already know basic chords and theory, Pick Up And Play takes those fundamentals and builds on them in a way that will sharpen your ear and enhance your overall musicianship.
The ear training component goes beyond simple chord shapes, teaching you how to hear and recognize music patterns instantly.
Whether you're a beginner or intermediate, you'll gain valuable skills that you can apply immediately.
I don’t have the time to commit to learning a whole new skill.
We understand that time is precious!
That’s why Pick Up And Play is designed with flexibility in mind.
You can go at your own pace, with short, focused lessons that fit into your schedule.
You don’t need to dedicate hours every day—just a few minutes of consistent practice can make a huge difference.
Plus, by learning ear training, you’ll actually save time in the long run by being able to learn songs faster, play more intuitively, and get straight to the music without needing to hunt for resources.
I’ve tried ear training before, and it didn’t work for me.
It’s completely understandable if previous attempts at ear training felt frustrating or ineffective.
That’s exactly why Pick Up And Play is different—it’s not about overwhelming you with complex theory or abstract exercises.
This course is designed for real-world application, using well-known songs, practical progressions, and step-by-step guidance that makes ear training feel natural and achievable.
You’ll get hands-on practice with relatable examples, helping you internalize music concepts in a way that finally clicks.
If you’ve struggled before, this course will offer a fresh approach that works.
Meet Your instructor: Paulie Z
Paulie Z is a seasoned rock guitarist who has toured with legendary bands such as AC/DC, Kiss, and Twisted Sister.
With over two decades of teaching experience, Paulie has honed a unique teaching style that makes learning guitar fun and accessible.
His real-world experience and passion for music make him the perfect mentor to guide you on your rock guitar journey.
Meet Your Support: Sam Russell
Sam has been playing guitar for nearly 20 years and has released several albums across multiple genres. He has taught 100s of students and taught workshops across Europe.
He has studied with dozens of teachers, working through courses and text books.
Sam runs Study-Guitar.com and is doing the support for Rock Guitar Mastery - helping you with any problems or misunderstandings you might have while learning.