Song Lessons Archives

John Hardy was a Desperate Little Man

April 13, 2025June 14, 2017 by Devin

Lesson ID: A0128

In this guitar lesson, I’ll teach y’all how to play two guitar solo breaks for the classic country & bluegrass song “John Hardy”. The first break has a nice blend of Carter style “boom chick” rhythm and Tony Rice influenced licks and the second guitar solo is loaded with some awesome country & bluegrass flatpicking licks that travel the neck. Download the tablature PDF files below the video along with the Guitar Pro files. If you like this lesson, check out our Bluegrass Lick Library.

Guitar Solo 1

Guitar Solo 2

Video 1 – Full Breakdown

Video 2 – Condensed Breakdown for the More Advanced Players

Rhythm

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Ending Lick

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Backing Track

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Solo 1 Tablature Solo 2 Tablature Rhythm Tablature Ending Lick Woodtone Strings

Country Strumming over Hank Sr. Style Progressions

April 13, 2025May 27, 2017 by Devin

Lesson 7 – Country & Bluegrass Rhythm Course

Course Outline Previous Lesson Next Lesson

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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Strumming Pattern 1 Strumming Pattern 2 Strumming Pattern 3 Woodtone Strings

I’ll Fly Away in the Style of Alan Jackson

April 13, 2025March 28, 2017 by Devin

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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Chords & Lyrics Melodic Instrumental Tablature Bluegrass Solo Tablature Woodtone Strings

Whiskey Before Breakfast

April 13, 2025February 27, 2017 by Devin

Lesson ID: A0116

In this guitar lesson, you’ll learn how to play the standard bluegrass tune “Whiskey Before Breakfast“. Many believe this song is an old tune from the Appalachians or the British Isles. We’ll teach you a nice bluegrass flatpicking instrumental break and we’ll also go over the chords and lyrics for those of y’all that want to sing along. After you watch the lesson, prepare for your next bluegrass jam with Devin’s jam track!

Instrumental Break