Thank you for sharing your experience, it helps a lot!
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Helen, some sound advice already shared.
One thing that can be tricky is self-assessment ā¦ how good is good enough. People self-assessing can do so in a continuum ranging from super self-critical to very much rose-coloured glasses.
So it may help to post a couple of recordings of you playing some of the songs you mention with F, some power chords etc. That doesnāt necessarily need to be full songs (though grade 1 completion criteria does include playing 5 songs from memory, start to finish) posted in AVOYP. Some short clips in a Learning Log in #community-hub:learning-logs would solicit some objective feedback which may help you to calibrate your level with a reasonable expectation.
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Self-assessment is indeed quite tricky. Posting recordings sounds great and Iāll get to it as soon as possible! Thank you!
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Helen, I am in a very similar space as you. I have been consolidating since around May. I started in on lesson 15 relatively soon after completing Beg 2. As stated previously, Beg 3 is much more self-directed. My practice for lesson 15 includes practice items such as āWork on techniques that need itā (I focus on a different technique each day of the week) āRepertoire - Songs from Beg 1 & 2 that still need workā, (again working on a different song every day of the week) āFeel good strummingā (various strumming patterns found in the Rut Busters videos in the Playground). In addition, I have practice items that are new with L15. This so far as kept boredom at bay and I am improving in areas I need to improve. Also I carve out time to practice the songs I know and the songs I wish to record in the future. I want to have 10 songs solidly in my repertoire before I head to L16.
When Justin said that consolidation would probably take 2-3 months, I thought he was joking. Alas, it will probably take me 3-5 months; however, at the end of my consolidation I should possess the skills that will enable me to make the most of the remaining lessons for Beg 3.
Did you happen to read Justinās monthly newsletter that just came out? In it he talks about mental plasticity. Based on that, I have incorporated a balance routine ahead of my actual practice. Definitely not bored now! 
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I see no harm in moving forward. Just do it slowly and in the context of what you are continuing to work on. I found (and still find) myself moving a little forward only to then go back and work on further consolidation so I can do actually then work on what I had advanced to.
Sometimes it is good to have something drive you to do the consolidation and actually gain a bit of competence in the earlier skills.
Just donāt abandon the basics, they are and always will be a work in progress.
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Itās always good to know there are others feeling the same way! Iāll probably wait till September and then move on to strike this balance between consolidation and boredom. Thanks!
Good to know this constant consolidation approach. Iāll give it a shot, thank you!
Hi Helen,
I am in the same situation as well. I finished grade 2 and didnāt feel quite confident enough to move on right away. After staying in limbo for several months I felt there is nothing to lose by giving grade 3 a go and learning something new. I can always take a step back to grade 2 or even grade 1 for that matter, if there is something I want to review again. That is the beauty of Justinās system-everything is there as a reference to review as needed. We all have different experiences, unique things we do well, and different things to improve on. The best advice is to keep it moving and learn something new. Level 3 is no joke though. There are a lot of lessons that take time to master and I personally am not quite ready for everything there, but if I take things 1 day at a time I will get there. Best of luck to you.
Jeff
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Thank you for being so open and honest with your journey, it really helps a lot!
I am pretty much exactly where you are finishing Grade 2 consolidation (3 months of daily practice). My F chord changes are ok but not āperfectā every time, etc.
I decided to move on to Grade 3 as I am becoming a bit bored. I know I will continue to work on previous skills and can always revisit past lessons if need be.
Do whatever you need to stay motivated and playing 
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OK I am on grade 3/Module 17 after staring in January BUT I have played before and had a solid grasp of basic chords, strumming, and a lot of technique, I was previously probably quite a solid beginner level guitarist, and am still currently mostly consolidating rather than pushing on with lessons
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Glad to hear itās not an either-or situation but a both-and. Thanks for sharing!
Iāll keep that in mind, thanks!
Hi Everyone,
Iāve completed G2, and at the end weāre told to consilidate.
Iām kind of lost.
Iāve just watched Justinās latest vid on yt: Perfectly Starts Slowly - YouTube
So Iām wondering, shall I go back to the start of G1?
Any advice anyone?
Niall,
Firstly, to be clear Iāve not watched Justinās latest video. So this is my own understanding and approach.
I view consolidation at the end of Grade 2 as being a period of time to continue to practice and, more importantly, to put all that you have learned in Grade 2 to use in playing songs, improvising, and anything else appropriate. In a nutshell consolidation is about making music with all youāve learned.
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So far I havenāt had any problems with lessons and I learned them pretty quick (except with shifting that F chord 
). Im really interested in blues and bluesrock stuff and I cant wait to start learning bends and vibratos. Is it okay if I jump to those kind of lessons right now or should I complete grade 3 first or wait more?
Hello,
Firstly Iād like to say this is my first post so apologies if this is in the incorrect area.
Iāve been following the Justin guitar course for about a year and half now and have been at the consolidation phase of grade 2 (module 14) for a few months.
My question is what would you say is required in order to move onto grade 3? I know Justin has a video on this but I am keen to hear peoples opinion.
Is there a certain number of songs you think you should know at this stage? I have about 10 I can play from memory but feel like this is perhaps a bit light.
What techniques/chords would you say are mandatory to be comfortable with in order to proceed? Iām fine with most the open chords and scales seen so far but my power chords could use some work. Iāve not explored the finger style stuff much outside that lesson but truthfully donāt have much interest in it currently.
Apologies for the lengthy post. Any advice would be greatly appreciated as I am struggling to determine when I should move on, and my motivation for practise sessions is waning so I am wanting to keep them interesting and avoid a rut.
Thanks,
Dan
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Proceed forthwith, good fellow!
The fact that youāre asking the question indicates willingness and inquisitiveness
Explore!
Iām no model but Iāve been a member here for over 5 years and couldnāt play you a single song from memory if I tried right now.
Come to think of it, Iām probably the last person youād want to take advice from 
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There are no exact bullet points like grade 1. Grade 2 introduces a variety of different techniques, and some, especially in the style modules, that may or may not be interesting to you. Personally, I moved on once I felt reasonably comfortable with the general knowledge/techniques and I was very comfortable with at least one of the style modules (In my case rock). For me that meant learning a lot of Rock songs. I didnāt have a specific number, but I do remember playing a lot of Rock during the 3 month period that I consolidated.
One thing Iād also think about though is what you want to focus on. Justinās grades get less and less structured (by design) as they go on so itās good to have at least of vague understanding of what you want out of the guitar. It doesnāt have to be concrete but having an idea of where you want to go will help contextualize some of the grade 3 content. Specifically, the modules on goals and practice. He alludes to some of this in the Grade 2 consolidation video.
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I donāt think Iād say much thatās not in Justinās video 
But Iāll say stuff anyway.
Grade 3 is quite a step up from Grade 2. Make sure youāve learned loads of songs. Iād encourage you to give every technique a go and learn songs with those techniques.
One thing that is mostly absent in the graded lessons but is present in the song lessons is riffs & embellishments. So make sure youāre doing enough song lessons.
Youād want to make sure youāre good at whatās taught in grade 2 - all the chords including all Fs, percussive hits, etc etc.
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