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Country Strumming over Hank Sr. Style Progressions

Lesson 7 – Country & Bluegrass Rhythm Course
Lesson ID: A0126

In this guitar lesson, I’ll show you three of my favorite country strumming patterns that’ll improve your pick accuracy and make your guitar sound fuller. I’ll break down each of the strumming patterns in detail and then show you how to apply the strumming patterns to some country chord progressions. After you watch the lesson videos, practice your country strumming over the song “Hey Good Lookin’” by Hank Williams.

Overview

Strumming Breakdown

Video Start Time Lesson Topic
00:00 min Strumming Pattern 1 Breakdown
02:59 min Strumming Pattern 2 Breakdown
05:15 min Strumming Pattern 3 Breakdown
08:50 min Straight vs. Syncopated Rhythm

Pattern 1

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Pattern 2

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Pattern 3

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Progressions

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Practice

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I’ll Fly Away in the Style of Alan Jackson

ill fly away bluegrass flatpicking solo break guitar lesson tablature
Lesson ID: A0119

In this lesson, I’ll teach you how play the traditional gospel song “I’ll Fly Away” in the style of Alan Jackson. First we’ll go over the chord progressions and a few strumming patterns you can play behind your vocals. Then I’ll teach you two variations of the instrumental break — the first instrumental break will mix a nice melody line with strumming and the second instrumental break will be loaded with some awesome bluegrass flatpicking licks. Chords and lyrics along with tablature can be downloaded below the video!

Overview

Progressions

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Lyrics

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Strumming

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Basic Instrumental

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Bluegrass Solo

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Backing Track

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Wayfaring Stranger in the Style of Johnny Cash

wayfaring stranger guitar lesson johnny cash country bluegrass
Lesson ID: A0115

Learn how to play the traditional American folk song “Wayfaring Stranger” in the style of Johnny Cash. First, we’ll break down all the chords and show you some strumming patterns that will make your rhythm sound country and bluegrass. Then, we’ll teach you the chord progressions along with the lyrics. For those of y’all that aren’t interested in singing this song, we’ll also have a nice acoustic guitar arrangement that incorporates the song’s melody. PDF files are available for download below the video! If you like this lesson, you might also like our Classic Country & Bluegrass Strumming Course.

Overview

Chords & Strumming

Video Start Time Lesson Topic
00:00 min “Boom Chick” Strumming Pattern
02:06 min Alternating Bass Line over Am Chord
03:01 min Alternating Bass Line over Dm Chord
03:59 min Alternating Bass Line over E7 Chord
05:19 min Alternating Bass Line over F Chord
07:41 min Alternating Bass Line over C Chord
09:34 min Two More Strumming Patterns

 

Chords with Lyrics

Video Start Time Lesson Topic
00:00 min Intro Chord Progression
02:11 min Verse 1 with Lyrics
05:33 min Chorus 1 with Lyrics
07:31 min Instrumental Break Chord Progression
07:57 min Verse 2 with Lyrics
08:53 min Chorus 2 with Lyrics
09:36 min Song Ending

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Song Intro

Video Start Time Lesson Topic
00:00 min Listen to the Intro with Tablature
00:50 min Pickup Measure and Random Tips
02:11 min First Half of the Intro – Breakdown with Tablature
04:44 min Second Half of the Intro – Breakdown with Tablature
06:41 min Make the Intro Fancier with Some Accent Strums

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Instrumentals

Short Instrumental Break (over verse progression):

Johnny Cash played “Wayfaring Stranger” with the short instrumental break that you’ll learn in this video. This short instrumental break is basically the verse progression played in a fancier way to incorporate the song’s melody.

Video Start Time Lesson Topic
00:00 min Overview
00:39 min Listen to the Short Instrumental
01:59 min Measures 1 through 5 – Breakdown with Tablature
03:55 min Measures 6 through 10 – Breakdown with Tablature
06:33 min Measures 16 and 17 – Breakdown with Tablature
07:06 min Practice Along with Me

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Long Instrumental Break (verse + chorus):

In this next video, we’re going to play a longer instrumental arrangement over the song’s verse and chorus. The first half will be the exact same as the Johnny Cash “verse” instrumental taught in the previous video. Then, we’ll break down the second half that’s played over the chorus.

Video Start Time Lesson Topic
00:00 min Structure of the Long Instrumental
01:10 min Listen to the Long Instrumental
02:23 min Play Through the “Short Verse Instrumental”
03:19 min Instrumental over the Chorus – Breakdown with Tablature
10:38 min Practice Along with Me

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Backing Track

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Nine Pound Hammer with Tony Rice Style Solo Breaks

nine pound hammer guitar lesson bluegrass style of tony rice flatpicking licks
Capo 2nd Fret – Key of A
Lesson ID: A0111

In this guitar lesson, I’ll teach you how to play the traditional bluegrass song “Nine Pound Hammer” with some instrumental solo breaks in the style of Tony Rice. First we’ll go over the chord progression and a strumming pattern that you can play behind your vocals. Then I’ll teach you four different instrumental breaks — the first break will be nice and easy for the beginner pickers, the second break will mix the melody line with strumming, and the last two advanced instrumental breaks will be in the style of Tony Rice.

Overview

Rhythm

Video Start Time Lesson Topic
00:00 min Chord Progression
02:18 min Chord Progression with Lyrics
03:53 min Song Structure
04:42 min Strumming Pattern Options

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Basic Break

Video Start Time Lesson Topic
00:00 min Bass Line Walk-ups Overview
01:25 min Instrumental Break Chord Progression
02:33 min Playthrough with Tablature
03:47 min Extra Detail and Tips

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Melodic Break

Video Start Time Lesson Topic
00:00 min Listen to the Melodic Break
01:21 min Measures 1 to 5 – Breakdown
04:58 min Measures 6 to 8 – Breakdown
06:06 min Practice the First Half
06:35 min Measures 9 to 13 – Breakdown
09:56 min Measures 14 to 19 – Breakdown
11:43 min Practice the Entire Instrumental Break

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Tony Rice Break 1

Video Start Time Lesson Topic
00:00 min Listen to Tony Rice Break 1
00:58 min Measures 1 to 5 – Breakdown
03:54 min Measures 6 to 8 – Breakdown
06:01 min Practice the First Half
06:39 min Measures 9 to 13 – Breakdown
09:23 min Measures 14 to 19 – Breakdown
11:40 min Practice the Entire Instrumental Break

Tony Rice Break 2

Video Start Time Lesson Topic
00:00 min Listen to Tony Rice Break 2
01:02 min Measures 1 to 5 – Breakdown
02:29 min Measures 6 to 9 – Breakdown
04:22 min Practice the First Half
05:01 min Measures 10 to 12 – Breakdown
06:46 min Measures 13 to 15 – Breakdown
08:49 min Measures 16 to 19 – Breakdown
09:09 min Practice the Entire Instrumental Break

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Jam Track

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