Sprint 1 Gate
The Readiness Gate: Measurement, Not Judgment
The Sprint 1 gate is a calibration, not a pass/fail exam. If you clear all four criteria, you advance to Sprint 2. If you do not clear one or more, you extend Sprint 1 by up to 7 days focusing specifically on those areas, then advance regardless. The criteria below reflect the minimum fluency needed to build on this foundation in Sprint 2. An honest measurement now prevents stacking difficulty on a shaky base later.
See the Zoom HierarchyYesterday:You have spent 13 days building note knowledge, anchor navigation, scale fluency, and segment recognition — today you measure all of it in one integrated session.
Warmup
5 min- 1.Tune to DADGAD, naming each string aloud.
- 2.Play the open chord. Say: 'D-G-A. Dsus4. No third.'
- 3.Play the D major scale ascending on string 4 from memory, slowly, no tuner reference.
- 4.Shake out hands and take 3 slow breaths. Today is a measurement day.
Sprint 1 Gate Exercises
Main Practice
- 1.
Gate 1 — Random note location, all strings: use a timer. Call strings 1–6 in random order (shuffle, or use dice). For each, find D within 3 seconds. Record time. Then reset — find A on each string within 5 seconds. Then G on each string within 5 seconds. Write your hit rates (e.g., D: 5/6 within 3 sec, A: 4/6, G: 5/6). This is your anchor fluency score.
- 2.
Gate 2 — Scale fluency on three strings: play D major scale ascending on string 6 (frets 0-2-4-5-7-9-11-12) without stopping. Immediately continue to string 4 same pattern without a break. Immediately continue to string 1 same pattern. One continuous run across three strings. If you stop, note where and practice that transition before retrying. You pass Gate 2 when you can do this run with no stops.
- 3.
Gate 3 — Segment identification, 10 rounds: set metronome to 60bpm. Play any 3-note group from the D major scale (on any D-string), then say its segment type before the next beat. Do 10 groups. Record how many you named correctly without hesitation. Target: 8 out of 10.
- 4.
Gate 4 — Eyes-closed anchor drill: close your eyes. Touch a random string with your picking hand. Say: (a) the open string name, (b) its degree (1, 4, or 5), (c) where you can find the other two degrees on the same string. Open eyes to confirm. Do 6 strings in random order. Record how many you got fully correct. Target: 4 out of 6 fully correct.
- 5.
Integrated free play — 10 minutes: play freely using any combination of what you have learned: open chord, scale fragments, anchor navigation, segment naming (out loud when possible). Use strings 1, 3, 4, and 6. No click. Just play with awareness.
Integration
10 min- 1.Review your gate scores. Write them in your practice log: Gate 1 (D/A/G hit rates), Gate 2 (continuous scale run: Y/N), Gate 3 (segment naming: X/10), Gate 4 (eyes-closed: X/6).
- 2.Decision: if you cleared all four gates, write 'Advancing to Sprint 2' in your log. If you missed one or more, write the specific weak area and 'Extending Sprint 1, focus: [area].' Either way, note the date.
- 3.Close the session by playing the open DADGAD chord and letting it ring to full decay. You have completed Sprint 1.
Exit Check
Mark each yes in your practice log — these are not tracked here.
Clear all four criteria to advance to Sprint 2. If you miss one or more, extend Sprint 1 by up to 7 days focusing specifically on weak areas, then advance regardless. An honest measurement now prevents stacking difficulty on a shaky base.
- 1Can name any note on any string in DADGAD within 3 seconds
- 2Can find degree 1 (D), 4 (G), 5 (A) on any string in frets 0–7 within 5 seconds
- 3Can play D major scale on strings 1, 3, and 6 without pausing
- 4Can identify segment type (L/M/P/S) for any 3-note group played
Advance:All 4 gates cleared — move to Sprint 2.
Extend:Miss any gate — note the weak area, drill it for up to 7 additional days, then advance to Sprint 2.