How Malte Became the First to Conquer All Five BGA Levels
Have you ever wondered what happens when a clear, structured program finally brings together years of on-and-off guitar playing? In the latest episode of the Beginner Guitar Academy podcast, Paul Andrews sits down with Malte, the first student to complete all five levels of the Academy, to unpack the secrets behind his fast progress and lasting motivation.
In this blog post, we’ll share some of the most inspiring takeaways from Malte’s story, which is packed with encouragement and practical insights for any aspiring guitarist.
From Nirvana to Metallica: A Lifelong Guitar Journey
Malte isn’t a newcomer to the guitar. He picked up the instrument at around 14 or 15, with early inspiration taken straight from grunge and metal icons like Nirvana and Metallica. While he had experienced lessons and dabbled for decades, he often felt there wasn’t a cohesive path to follow.
As Malte puts it, “I had several teachers and lessons, but there was no concept behind them. No way to rewind and see something again, or take a closer look at the parts I wanted to understand.” Like many, he was missing a secure foundation.
The Power of Filling Gaps – Why Structured Learning Matters
Despite technical fluency and years of experience, Malte realised he had gaps in his musical understanding, especially when it came to theory and ear training.
Joining Beginner Guitar Academy became his answer: “For me, what really interested me in Beginner Guitar Academy... was closing gaps and having an absolute foundation.” Malte found the structured and progressive method of the Academy was exactly what he needed. He especially appreciated learning about intervals, ear training, and keys—“theoretical parts I’d heard of, but never really studied.”
Why Gamification Works: Motivation through Levels and Benchmarks
A standout for Malte was the Academy’s level system—a nod to martial arts belts and the psychology of gamification. “Reaching levels sounds stupid, but it was a game-changer for me because I wanted to reach those levels!” he laughs.
He explains that having benchmarks made practice addictive and rewarding. Even challenges, like reading standard notation or advanced ear training, became possible because he could see progress and had small, concrete goals to strive for.
On the Value of Diverse Repertoire and Stepping Outside Your Comfort Zone
Interestingly, some of Malte’s favourite parts of the journey were the songs and genres he would have never chosen himself. “Going through different genres and songs... You start to enjoy things you’d normally pass by. It’s good for motivation and deepens your understanding.”
And yes, even longtime metal fans stand to gain something from exploring Pink Floyd!
Practice Makes Perfect – But Only if It’s Purposeful
Ask any guitar teacher, and they’ll tell you: not all practice is equally valuable. Malte exemplifies this principle, practicing half an hour each night, focusing on specific skills rather than simply noodling. “If you sit down not knowing what to do, you lose out. Have a clear focus. Even a minute of targeted practice keeps your skills from fading.”
He also makes use of technology, like headphone amps, to practice quietly and efficiently, an important hack for anyone with a busy family life.
Advice to Beginners: Build That Foundation
What would Malte tell someone just starting out? “Master level one! That’s the hardest part. Once you get through the basics, everything else will come faster, and motivation will build. If you set strong foundations, you can go anywhere.”
What’s Next? Advanced Goals and Endless Learning
Even after completing all five levels, Malte isn’t stopping. His dream is to master the blisteringly fast downstrokes of Metallica—or even the neoclassical speed of Yngwie Malmsteen. With his skills now solidly built, he’s focusing on advanced picking techniques and continues to develop through structured lessons tailored to his evolving goals.
Takeaway:
Whether you’re just picking up a guitar or looking to break through a plateau, Malte’s journey shows the incredible power of structured learning, regular progress checks, and the right mix of motivation and accountability. If you’re feeling stalled or overwhelmed by YouTube lessons and scattered information, maybe it’s time to find a program (like Beginner Guitar Academy!) that offers a foundation you can trust—and the benchmarks to keep you climbing.
Want to hear Marty’s story in his own words? Check out episode 232 of the Beginner Guitar Academy podcast!
Inspired to take your playing further? Dive into a structured guitar journey and watch your skills multiply!
