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"I design and manufacture the Woodtone FlexGrip™ Picks myself here in Texas. They really have a great tone and I think y'all would like them. If you're interested, check them out through the link below!" - Devin

Blue Railroad Train

Lesson ID: A0178

In this guitar lesson, you’ll learn how to play the old classic “Blue Railroad Train” in the style of Tony Rice. We’ll cover three different instrumental breaks that are loaded with some really nice country & bluegrass licks on acoustic guitar. The first two instrumental breaks are a little more advanced for the intermediate guitar players, and the third instrumental break is an easier version for the less experienced guitar players. The easier break will have some really nice Tony Rice style guitar licks as well and it will be a good challenge that’ll push your flatpicking to the next level. Later in the lesson, we’ll also go over the rhythm guitar part and chord progressions for “Blue Railroad Train”.

Overview

Guitar Break 1

Video 1 – Intermediate Break 1 – Playthrough with Tablature

Video 2 – Intermediate Break 1 – Full Breakdown

Video Start Time Lesson Topic
00:00 min Measures 1 through 4
06:17 min Measures 5 through 9
14:00 min Practice the First Half of the Instrumental Break
15:15 min Measures 10 through 13
22:26 min Measures 14 through 18
25:09 min Practice the Entire Instrumental Break

Guitar Break 2

Video 1 – Intermediate Break 2 – Playthrough with Tablature

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Video 2 – Intermediate Break 2 – Full Breakdown

Video Start Time Lesson Topic
00:00 min Measures 1 through 4
06:16 min Measures 5 through 9
08:13 min Measures 10 through 13
15:16 min Measures 14 through 18
16:25 min Slower Speed – Practice the Entire Instrumental Break
17:44 min Faster Speed – Practice the Entire Instrumental Break

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Easier Break

Video 1 – Easier Instrumental Break – Playthrough with Tablature

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Video 2 – Easier Instrumental Break – Full Breakdown

Video Start Time Lesson Topic
00:00 min Measures 1 through 4
03:38 min Syncopated Rhythm
05:31 min Measures 1 through 4 Continued
08:34 min Measures 5 through 9
11:44 min Pick Direction for Downbeats vs. Upbeats
17:20 min Measures 10 through 13
19:59 min Measures 14 through 18
22:30 min Key of D vs. D Position
23:52 min Slower Speed – Practice the Entire Instrumental Break
25:07 min Faster Speed – Practice the Entire Instrumental Break

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Chords

Video Start Time Lesson Topic
00:00 min Rhythm Overview
00:30 min Instrumental Break Chord Progression
01:54 min Verse Chord Progression
02:46 min Verse Chord Progression with Singing
04:19 min Strumming Patterns and Strumming Examples
12:27 min Rhythm Guitar Fill Riff

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Backing Track

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Bill
Bill(@bjbobspraguegmail-com)
4 years ago
Reply to  Devin

Thanks Devin! I have been hoping you would do this lesson. Great job as always!

jbf9998
jbf9998(@jbf9998gmail-com)
4 years ago

Great! I’m a huge fan of the Delmore Brothers. This one is a classic.

Jocelyn
Jocelyn(@jocelyn)
4 years ago

Hey Devin. I really appreciated the AB loop toolbar it is an excellent way to learn and practice…..again thanks!

Tanner
Tanner(@tanner)
4 years ago

Excellent lesson!

Jocelyn
Jocelyn(@jocelyn)
4 years ago
Reply to  Devin

Of course I am ….thanks Devin!

Jocelyn
Jocelyn(@jocelyn)
4 years ago

Nice fill riff…

fransverboom
fransverboom(@fransverboomgmail-com)
4 years ago

Great lesson Devin ! And what a beautiful guitar you got there !

frank
frank(@jeffrieschiropracticgmail-com)
4 years ago

Great pick. Thanks Devin!

VASSIA ZAGAR
VASSIA ZAGAR(@lucky7)
3 years ago

Hi, I’m Vassia from France, I’m new (2 weeks), I like this website for a lot of reasons…Thanks Devin, since two weeks I play better. For fun I transposed an octave up Blue Railroad Train (intermediate instrumental 1 & 2). For those who want to work it, here is the PDF. For the right hand do the same as Devin lesson. Hope you like it. [purchase_link id="5574080" text="Purchase" style="button" color="blue"]

John
John(@wjssavhotmail-co-uk)
3 years ago

Great lesson, should keep me busy for a while.

Bob Wheeler
Bob Wheeler(@bob)
3 years ago

Thanks Devin! Great lesson, I wasn’t completely sure I could pull this off but persevered and got it! Fun. Can’t wait to play with the gang