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Chord Embellishments

Johnny Cash Style Rhythm and Fills

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Lesson ID: A0174

In this guitar lesson, we’ll work on some Johnny Cash style rhythm guitar. First we’ll go over a nice country strumming pattern and get some practice strumming over a country chord progression. Then we’ll add some Johnny Cash style bass line walks to the chord progression to help transition from one chord to the next. You’ll learn eight Johnny Cash style bass line walks with tablature on the screen. After that, you’ll learn two guitar scales that you can use to create your own country bass line walks and then we’ll get some practice using these scales to play longer Johnny Cash style fill riffs. Overall this is a great guitar lesson that will give you that traditional country sound on your acoustic guitar.

Overview

Strumming Pattern

Video Start Time Lesson Topic
00:00 min Strumming Pattern Breakdown
01:44 min Chord Embellishment over E Chord
03:20 min Alternating Bass Line over A Chord
03:59 min Alternating Bass Line over B7 Chord
04:48 min Practice Your Strumming with a Country Chord Progression

Bass Line Walks

Video Start Time Lesson Topic
00:00 min Bass Line Walk 1
00:40 min How to Use the Bass Line Walks in a Progression
02:10 min Bass Line Walk 2 and Extra Tips
03:27 min Bass Line Walk 3 and Extra Tips
05:20 min Bass Line Walk 4 and Extra Tips
07:16 min Bass Line Walks 5 through 8
07:27 min Progression Example with Bass Line Walks

Guitar Scales

Video Start Time Lesson Topic
00:00 min Guitar Scale 1 – How to Read Scale Charts and How to Play Scale 1
03:19 min Guitar Scale 2 – How to Play Scale 2 and Extra Tips
05:02 min How to Use These Two Guitar Scales in Country Music
09:45 min One More Example of How to Use These Two Guitar Scales

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Fill Riffs

Video Start Time Lesson Topic
00:00 min Fill Riff 1
01:06 min How to Use the Fill Riffs in a Progression
04:38 min Fill Riff 2
06:17 min Fill Riff 3
08:21 min Fill Riff 4
10:04 min Fill Riff 5
13:38 min Fill Riff 6
15:04 min Fill Riff 7
17:50 min Fill Riff 8

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Red Dirt Country Blues Strumming and Fills

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Lesson ID: A0166

In this guitar lesson, you’ll learn a country blues progression in the key of D. The main goal of this lesson is to give you some extra practice switching back and forth between playing rhythm guitar and lead fills. First, we’ll break down the main country strumming pattern in the progression. Then, we’ll work through the red dirt country blues progression and fill riffs with tablature. After you watch the guitar lesson, practice your country rhythm and fills with our backing track in the key of D. Overall, this is a great lesson for learning some useful country rhythm techniques that you can apply to a ton of other country songs.

Overview

Playthrough with Tablature

Full Breakdown

Video Start Time Lesson Topic
00:00 min Strumming Pattern Breakdown
03:27 min Breakdown – Measures 1 through 4
06:59 min Breakdown – Measures 5 through 8
09:59 min Breakdown – Measures 9 through 12
15:03 min Breakdown – Measures 13 through 16
18:16 min Breakdown – Measures 17 through 20
22:20 min Breakdown – Measures 21 through 24
25:28 min Practice the Progression with Me
27:10 min Ending Riff
27:59 min Intro Riff

Backing Track

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Banks of the Ohio Crosspicking Guitar Lesson

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Lesson ID: A0167

“Banks of the Ohio” is a traditional 19th century ballad that has become a common crosspicking tune at bluegrass jams. The exact origins of this song are unknown. It has been recorded by several artists over the years, including Johnny Cash, Doc Watson, Tony Rice, The Carter Family, Dolly Parton, and many others.

In this guitar lesson, you’ll learn how to play two crosspicking guitar arrangements for “Banks of the Ohio”. The first crosspicking arrangement will be played down near the nut using standard key of C open chords. We’ll use forward and backward crosspicking rolls along with some nice chord embellishments and fills. Then, in the second arrangement, we’ll travel up the guitar neck and incorporate crosspicking over alternate chord voicings. After you learn the crosspicking guitar breaks, practice your bluegrass crosspicking over our “Banks of the Ohio” backing track in C.

Overview

Arrangement 1

Video 1 – Playthrough with Tablature

Video 2 – Full Breakdown

Video Start Time Lesson Topic
00:00 min Breakdown – Measures 1 through 5
07:05 min Breakdown – Measures 6 through 9
11:09 min Breakdown – Measures 10 through 13
15:35 min Breakdown – Measures 14 through 17
18:29 min Practice With Me

Arrangement 2

Video 1 – Playthrough with Tablature

Video 2 – Full Breakdown

Video Start Time Lesson Topic
00:00 min Breakdown – Measures 1 through 5
06:09 min Breakdown – Measures 6 through 9
11:10 min Breakdown – Measures 10 through 13
16:19 min Breakdown – Measures 14 through 17
18:07 min Easier Option for Transitioning Down the Neck
21:07 min Practice With Me

Backing Track

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Worried Blues

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Lesson ID: A0164

“Worried Blues” is an old song from the early 1900s written by a country blues musician named Frank Hutchinson. Hutchinson was best known for playing slide guitar with the guitar held in his lap. His song “Worried Blues” has been recorded by several artists over the years, including a popular fingerstyle arrangement by Doc Watson.

In this guitar lesson, you’ll learn how to play a country and bluegrass flatpicking arrangement of “Worried Blues”. This arrangement is in the key of G and we’ll play it with a nice mix of “Carter Style” boom chick strumming and country blues flatpicking licks. First I’ll teach you two complete instrumental breaks that have a nice bluesy country sound. Then we’ll work through the “Worried Blues” chords and lyrics. After you learn the guitar breaks, practice your flatpicking with the “Worried Blues” backing track in G.

Overview

Instrumental Break 1

Video 1 – Playthrough with Tablature

Video 2 – Full Breakdown

Video Start Time Lesson Topic
00:00 min Tablature Line 1 Breakdown
04:51 min Tablature Line 2 Breakdown
10:18 min Tablature Line 3 Breakdown
14:49 min Practice Along with Me

Instrumental Break 2

Video 1 – Playthrough with Tablature

Video 2 – Full Breakdown

Video Start Time Lesson Topic
00:00 min Tablature Line 1 Breakdown
05:21 min Tablature Line 2 Breakdown
08:51 min Tablature Line 3 Breakdown
11:56 min Practice Along with Me

Chords & Lyrics

Video Start Time Lesson Topic
00:00 min Rhythm Overview
00:56 min Worried Blues Chord Progression
02:16 min Chords and Lyrics
04:33 min Bass Line Walk Example
06:29 min Chords and Lyrics Continued
09:44 min Song Ending
10:44 min Strumming Patterns and Rhythm Tips

Backing Track

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