In this guitar lesson, we’ll work on our flatpicking technique using a variation of the melody from the song “Wheel Hoss” written by Bill Monroe. The flatpicking arrangement in this lesson is inspired by how David Grier plays “Wheel Hoss” on guitar and we’ll study how to use this flatpicking arrangement as a practice drill to work on your pick accuracy and speed across all six strings of your guitar.
Lead Guitar
12 Bar Bluesy Country Guitar Solo in E
In this guitar lesson, you’ll learn how to play a 12 bar bluesy country guitar solo in the key of E. This guitar solo sounds great over the 12 bar blues progression that we studied in the previous guitar lesson here at Country Guitar Online called 12 Bar Blues in the Style of Merle Haggard. Download the guitar solo tablature below the lesson video, and after you learn the guitar solo, try practicing along with the backing track on this lesson post. This solo has a simple bluesy melody and it is a perfect example of how less can be more when you’re playing lead guitar. Also try using the key of E blues scale and the E major pentatonic scale to create your own bluesy country solo over this lesson’s backing track.
Video Start Time | Lesson Topic |
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00:00 min | Line 1 – Measures 1 through 5 |
08:19 min | Line 2 – Measures 6 through 9 |
13:01 min | Line 3 – Measures 10 through 13 |
18:42 min | Practice the Solo With Me |
Crosspicking Patterns and Alternate Chord Voicings
In this guitar lesson, you’ll learn some important crosspicking patterns and alternate chord voicings that will spice up your rhythm and lead guitar. First we’ll work on the crosspicking patterns and we’ll practice them using key of G open chords (G, C, and D). Then we’ll take a look at how you can play the G, C, and D chords at different locations up the guitar neck using alternate chord voicings. We’ll practice crosspicking over these new chord voicings and you’ll also learn some nice chord embellishments and licks that will make your crosspicking sound great.
In the second half of this lesson, we’ll work on some George Shuffler style crosspicking. George Shuffler was basically the pioneer of the crosspicking style in bluegrass music and he used a signature Down Down Up crosspicking pattern in most of his playing. We’ll work through an entire crosspicking progression in the style of George Shuffler to give you some different crosspicking ideas that you can use in your own country bluegrass rhythm and lead guitar. After you watch the lesson videos, practice your country bluegrass crosspicking with the two full-length backing tracks that are available with this lesson.
Man of Constant Sorrow
“Man of Constant Sorrow” was first published by Dick Burnett in 1913 and later made popular by the Stanley Brothers in the 1950s. In this guitar lesson, we’ll show you how to play “Man of Constant Sorrow” in the style of The Soggy Bottom Boys. This song will turn some heads at your next jam! First, we’ll break down the song’s intro and guitar solo with tablature. Then, we’ll teach you the rhythm guitar part with lyrics along with some nice rhythm fills. Tablature files are available for download below the video!
Part 1 – Slow Playthrough of Intro with Tablature
Part 2 – Fast Playthrough of Intro with Tablature
Part 3 – Full Breakdown of Intro
Part 4 – Easier Way to Play the Intro
Video Start Time | Lesson Topic |
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00:00 min | Chords You Need |
03:56 min | Chords & Lyrics Download |
04:34 min | Intro Chord Progression |
06:37 min | Main Chord Progression |
07:56 min | Strumming Patterns |
09:34 min | Progression with Lyrics |
11:42 min | Rhythm Fill #1 |
13:26 min | Rhythm Fill #2 |
15:47 min | Instrumental Break Chord Progression |
17:12 min | Song Ending Riff |