A method is provided for progressive musical instruction using a media system with processor-executable software modules storing musical performances each having a plurality of segments. A set of audiovisual signals is generated to simulate a predetermined musical instrument from a selected performance during host segments. The audiovisual signals are adjusted to mute the predetermined instrument during user segments (non-host segments) of the performance. The number of user segments may be maintained or increased for successive iterations of the performance, as the user becomes more proficient. Proficiency of the user may be set by the user or in preferred embodiments may be determined by comparing received signals from a musical instrument with expected signals for the musical performance which are saved in the media system. Determinations to maintain or increase user segments, and which segments are added to the user segments, may be user selectable or programmable by the system.