A Clear, Simple Path to Finally Making Real Progress on Guitar.
Built for adults who want structure, clarity, and real results — without feeling overwhelmed or wasting time.
🎥 Watch the 3-Minute Course Tour
See how the Essential Skills System helps you turn theory into real playing progress.
What Changes When You Learn the 3 Essential Skills
Know exactly what to practice and why
Build real fretboard understanding (not memorized shapes)
Solo with confidence instead of guessing
Hear the difference in your playing within days
Stop wasting time on random YouTube tips
Finally feel guided, supported, and making true progress
Real Results From Real Players
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"Dustin’s system for moving around the fretboard is BY FAR the most intuitive — and more importantly, the most usable."
– Roger C.
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“If you find value in Dustin’s videos, this course will knock years off your playing. It’s the best investment I’ve ever made on a course."
– Michael F.
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"Dustin cuts through the noise and focuses on what actually matters for guitar players. His content is practical, clear, and easy to apply."
– Tony V.
I know how frustrating it feels to waste years on the guitar without direction.
Hi, I’m Dustin Hofsess, and I’ve devoted my entire career to music as a professional guitarist and educator.
My Three Essential Skills Course is THE course I wish I’d had in my pocket.
Here’s why I can save you time and frustration:
I’ve been teaching guitar for over 30 years.
I taught guitar at Davidson College for over a decade.
I’ve guided students of all ages and levels to make tangible progress on their instrument.
And, I’ve gigged with the BEST. I’ve played thousands of pro shows with billboard-charting artists.
The bottom line? I’ve seen what actually works—and what doesn’t.
This course is built from decades of hands-on teaching and performing experience.
I believe so much in what is possible for you, and the value of what is waiting for you inside this course that your purchase is 100% Risk-Free.
If it doesn’t help you grow in the next 30 days, just email me for a full refund—no questions asked.
Most guitarists don’t need more information —
they need a simple, structured way to actually use it.
That’s why I built this course.
You learn the 3 Essential Skills and then lock them in with the Practice Studios — so the ideas become real, playable skills instead of more “guitar theory clutter.”
After 30+ years teaching thousands of adult students, I can tell you this:
Once these three skills click, everything else on guitar gets easier.
Here’s What You Get Inside the Essential Skills Guitar Course
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The Concept Halls
Clear, simple lessons that explain the 3 Essential Skills:
The Number System
The Practical CAGED System
The Landmark Pentatonic Method
You’ll understand how these skills actually work together in real music — not just theory on paper.
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The Practice Studios
With over 100+ pro-quality backing tracks and interactive widgets designed to help you drill the 3 Essential Skills in real-world musical contexts.
This is where your playing starts sounding more musical — quickly.
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The Bonus Libraries
Full of extra videos where I go deeper into the 3 Essential Skills and show you how pros put these skills to use by demonstrating them in actual songs.
Fresh material whenever you want inspiration!
Also included:
PDF tabs
Interactive Video Tabs
Jam With Me Interactive Videos
Q & A Section — Ask Me Your Questions
Lifetime Access & Updates — You pay once. You keep everything forever.
Real Results from Real Players
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“I’ve been a hobbyist guitarist off and on since 2010 — self-taught, private lessons, YouTube, all of it. Dustin’s system for moving around the fretboard is BY FAR the most intuitive and, more importantly, the most usable.”
– Roger C.
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“I’ve bought every video guitar course on the planet — and usually never finish them. This one is exceptional. The explanations, diagrams, and Practice Studios make learning musical, not mechanical.
– Michael B.
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“Thanks for putting this course together. I appreciate your pragmatic teaching style that focuses on using what we already know instead of adding unnecessary complexity. The Practice Studios are a huge step up from just backing tracks.”
– Jeremy B.
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“The widgets make this course active, not passive. You finish the lessons, then keep coming back to build your skills. It’s fantastic value for money.”
– Guy C.
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“I’ve just started and I’m already so excited! The Practice Studio and Virtual Guitar Coach make learning fun and practical. I’ve never felt this kind of connection between what I’m learning and actually playing.”
– Leonie G.
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“Having completed the Pentatonic section and now moving into CAGED, I can see the course as a structured, musical step up from YouTube. The inclusion of minor CAGED was a real ‘wow’ moment.”
– John J.
When you purchase the course, you also get my set of e-books. I’ve taught thousands of students, just like you, through these guides. It’s everything you need—and nothing you don’t.
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THE LANDMARK PENTATONIC SYSTEM
Solo all over the neck with confidence.
Learn 2 key shapes with diagonal extensions.
Stop being stuck in one pentatonic box.
Start creating solos that sound fluid and professional.
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THE PRACTICAL CAGED SYSTEM
Move chords all over the neck—without confusion.
Play rhythm guitar parts in any position.
Demystify the fretboard and see patterns clearly.
Unlock the ability to use CAGED instead of just memorizing shapes.
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THE NUMBER SYSTEM
Know what chords belong to every key.
Helps you understand songs instantly.
Makes learning and writing music 10x easier.
Forms the foundation of all theory you’ll ever need.
Join Hundreds of Guitarists Who Are Finally Making Progress
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“What a monumental piece of work! The course is amazing, and I especially love the backing tracks — they make the learning experience come alive.”
– Rob B.
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“This course exceeded all my expectations — well thought out, polished, and inspiring. I couldn’t wait for it to come out, and it’s already helping me grow.”
– Roy F.
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“After years of collecting random lessons, this is exactly what I’ve been looking for. It’s helping me finally understand the guitar.”
– Ed R.
You don’t need to spend more time piecing together random lessons.
You need a clear, simple system that actually works.
The Essential Skills Course is that system.
Private guitar lessons can cost $95+ an hour.
A few months of lessons can run you $1,000+.
The Essential Skills Course gives you a lifetime skillset (and a framework to practice it). You’ll have it to revisit again and again—for a fraction of the cost of private instruction.
Your All-Access Price Today: $199
(Includes all videos, eBooks, backing tracks, and future updates.)
30-Day Guarantee
If the course doesn’t genuinely help you make progress, I don’t want your money.
Every dollar is refundable — no hassle, no guilt.
Note: This is a one-time purchase. You’ll have lifetime access—this is not a recurring subscription. A clear, proven path to real guitar progress. The Essential Skills Course shows you the 3 skills every guitarist must master—so you can play with confidence, sound like a pro, and actually enjoy your practice time.
An Evolving Course, Built with You
The Essential Skills Course isn’t a one-and-done release — it’s a living system.
As new lessons, demonstrations, and practice tools are added, you’ll automatically get access to everything — no extra charge, no subscription.
Your feedback matters too. As more players join, I’ll continue refining and expanding the course based on what you find most useful.
That means the version you join today will keep getting better over time — and you’ll always have the latest, most practical tools to move your playing forward.