In this week’s guitar lesson, I’m going to teach y’all how to play the traditional bluegrass song “Gold Rush”. First, I’ll play through the entire song with tablature at three speeds. Then, I’ll break down each of the flatpicking melodies, give you some extra bluegrass flatpicking tips, and teach you all the rhythm guitar parts. After you learn the flatpicking solo break, practice it with the rhythm jam along video where I play three rhythm backing tracks at different speeds. This song will come in handy at your next bluegrass jam!
| Video Start Time | Lesson Topic |
|---|---|
| 00:00 min | Playthrough with Tablature – Slow Speed |
| 03:02 min | Playthrough with Tablature – Medium Speed |
| 04:49 min | Playthrough with Tablature – Faster Speed |
Flatpicking Breakdown Videos
Watch the three videos below to learn the song kickoff and an entire flatpicking solo break of “Gold Rush”. In the first video, I’ll teach you the Kickoff and give you some extra tips on pick direction. Then I’ll show you how to play the A and B Parts in the following videos below.
Video 1 – Kickoff
| Video Start Time | Lesson Topic |
|---|---|
| 00:00 min | Song Structure |
| 01:28 min | Kickoff |
| 03:43 min | Flatpicking Method – Pick Direction |
Video 2 – A Part
| Video Start Time | Lesson Topic |
|---|---|
| 00:00 min | A Part Structure |
| 00:44 min | A Part – Line 1 |
| 03:01 min | Flatpicking Method – Bluegrass Style Pull-offs |
| 05:35 min | Practice – Kickoff through A Part Line 1 |
| 06:41 min | A Part – Line 2 |
| 11:55 min | Practice – Kickoff through A Part Lines 1 & 2 |
Video 3 – B Part
| Video Start Time | Lesson Topic |
|---|---|
| 00:00 min | B Part – Line 1 |
| 03:52 min | Practice – B Part Line 1 |
| 04:40 min | B Part – Line 2 |
| 07:29 min | Solo Break Recap |
| 09:07 min | Looping the Break with a Turnaround |
| 10:46 min | Practice – B Part Lines 1 & 2 |
| Video Start Time | Lesson Topic |
|---|---|
| 00:00 min | Song Structure |
| 00:59 min | Strumming Pattern |
| 02:07 min | A Part Chord Progression |
| 04:11 min | B Part Chord Progression |
| 05:49 min | Bluegrass Jams and Playing Your Solo Break |
| Video Start Time | Lesson Topic |
|---|---|
| 00:00 min | How to Use the Jam Along Tracks |
| 01:52 min | Rhythm Backing Track – Slow Speed |
| 05:04 min | Rhythm Backing Track – Medium Speed |
| 07:11 min | Rhythm Backing Track – Fast Speed |
Amazing, thanks Devin! Can’t wait to start learning this one tonight.
whoa..love it!!..thanks..
Wow! another great lesson Devin. Looks like I’ll be doing some picking this weekend.
fantastic lesson
nice website you have here. I’m checking out the lessons now and I’m very impressed with your teaching style. Professional website and great all around. I will be joining tonight after work. Keep up the good work!
Really great lesson!!
Fun tune. I’ll be hopping on this one next after the Shady Grove lesson. I’m really enjoying the bluegrass song lessons. Thanks for all the great work.
Hey Devin – When you have time, could you upload a lesson on Wayfaring Stranger? It’s always been a favorite song of mine.
Here’s an idea of what I am after:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dLXip9xk9q0
I would be very grateful. Thank you!
Ron
Hi Ron, Nice! That’s a very cool version. Sure, that one’s been on my list of lessons to record for a while. I’ll try to put something together soon. – Devin
Hey Ron – Just posted the jam track video for “Wayfaring Stranger” a couple of hours ago if you’re interested…it’s got some cool new features you might like. Hope you enjoy the lesson! – Devin
Awesome!
Devin, I attended my first bluegrass jam March 19 and one of the songs played was Gold Rush. I did not know the song, came home and looked up your lessons …. Now I will be ready next week. Your site is a fantastic resource. Learning is one aspect but putting the lessons into practice is so valuable.
Thankx
Very nice tune once you get it up to speed. Awesome teaching. Very useful jam track. Thanks Devin!