In this lesson, we’re going to travel up the neck in the key of G using the 1st position hybrid country guitar scales. I’ll teach you the four main scales you need to learn in the 1st position and I’ll show you how to use these scales to get a country and bluegrass sound out of your guitar. Then I’ll show you some of my favorite country and bluegrass fill riffs in the 1st position key of G.
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!
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 |
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 |
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 |
In this bluegrass guitar lesson, we’ll increase the difficulty a bit! I’ll show you four more bluegrass guitar licks that will take your picking skills to the next level. I’ll also talk more about the guitar scales that we’re using to create these bluegrass licks. After you master the guitar licks, practice the arranged solo and your bluegrass improvising skills with the jam track!
| Video Start Time | Lesson Topic |
|---|---|
| 00:00 min | First Measure – Breakdown with Tablature |
| 01:40 min | Proper Pick Stroke Direction for Speed |
| 03:16 min | Second Measure – Breakdown with Tablature |
| Video Start Time | Lesson Topic |
|---|---|
| 00:00 min | Lick 1 Breakdown with Tablature |
| 02:11 min | Combine Lick 1 and Lick 2 |
| Video Start Time | Lesson Topic |
|---|---|
| 00:00 min | How Lick 3 is Formed Around the D Chord |
| 01:07 min | Lick 3 Breakdown with Tablature |
| 03:21 min | Combine Lick 1, Lick 2, and Lick 3 |
| Video Start Time | Lesson Topic |
|---|---|
| 00:00 min | Lick 4 Breakdown with Tablature |
| 01:53 min | How to Practice the Bluegrass Licks |
| Video Start Time | Lesson Topic |
|---|---|
| 00:00 min | Guitar Scales for Bluegrass Licks |
| 01:41 min | How to Visualize the Scales When You’re Improvising |
| 02:52 min | Bluegrass Guitar Licks Formed Around Open Chords |
| 06:21 min | Breaking out of the Pentatonic Scale Box When You’re Soloing |
| 09:49 min | Combining the Melody of Bluegrass Songs with Stock Bluegrass Licks |