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!
Song Lessons
Whiskey Before Breakfast
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!
Video 1 – Overview
Video 2 – Learn the A Part
Video 3 – Learn the B Part
Video 4 – Practice Along
Wayfaring Stranger in the Style of Johnny Cash
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.
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 |

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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
Nine Pound Hammer with Tony Rice Style Solo Breaks
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.
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |