Licks and Tricks Archives

Jimmie Rodgers Style Rhythm and Fills

April 13, 2025June 28, 2018 by Devin

waiting-for-a-train-guitar-lesson-jimmie-rodgers

Lesson 12 – Country & Bluegrass Rhythm Course

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Lesson ID: A0156

In this guitar lesson, we’re going to work on some Jimmie Rodgers style rhythm guitar techniques. First, we’ll go over a nice classic country strumming pattern that has a hint of Texas swing. After we break down the strumming pattern, we’ll practice our “boom chuck” country strumming over a Jimmie Rodgers style chord progression. You’ll also learn a few Jimmie Rodgers style country guitar riffs. The first riff sounds great as a song intro, the second riff mimics Jimmie Rodgers’ signature yodeling, and the third is a nice guitar riff that you can play as a song ending. At the end of this lesson, you should be able to practice your country strumming and fills along with the iconic song “Waiting for a Train” by Jimmie Rodgers.

Lesson Overview

Strumming

Progression

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Guitar Riffs

Video 1 – Intro Riff

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Video 2 – “Yodal” Riff

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Video 3 – Ending Riff

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Song Example

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Practice

Practice Strumming with Jimmie Rodgers

Capo 1st fret to make your guitar sound close to the tuning Jimmie Rodgers used in this video.

Guitar Riffs Rhythm Progression Woodtone Strings

Tony Rice Guitar Licks

April 13, 2025May 30, 2018 by Devin

Lesson ID: A0153

Spice up your bluegrass lead guitar with our Bluegrass Lick Library! In this guitar lesson video, you’ll learn one of the most essential bluegrass licks that Tony Rice used in the majority of his guitar solos. Also, be sure to check out the other Tony Rice style guitar licks that we have available in our Bluegrass Lick Library. Each bluegrass lick in the library comes with a guitar lesson video, tablature, and bluegrass scale charts.

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Country Strumming & Fills in the Style of Willie Nelson

April 13, 2025April 1, 2018 by Devin

willie nelson style rhythm guitar technique fill riffs bass walks

Lesson 3 – Country & Bluegrass Rhythm Course

Course Outline Previous Lesson Next Lesson

Lesson ID: A0143

In this guitar lesson, I’ll teach you a classic country strumming pattern in the style of “Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain” by Willie Nelson. First I’ll break down the strumming pattern and give you some strumming tips that will help you get those clean alternating bass line picks. Then I’ll show you a couple of Willie Nelson style chord progressions to use for practice. After that, we’ll start working in some classic country bass line walks and I’ll teach you a couple of Willie Nelson riffs that’ll spice up your country rhythm guitar.

Overview

Playthrough

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Strumming

Video Start Time	Lesson Topic
00:00 min	Strumming Pattern Breakdown
01:09 min	Right Hand Pick Technique
02:46 min	Willie Nelson Hammer-On
04:11 min	Alternating Bass Line over B7 and A Chords

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Progressions

Video Start Time	Lesson Topic
00:00 min	Progression 1
00:54 min	A Major Accent Chord
02:37 min	Progression 2
03:24 min	How to Practice with “Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain”

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Bass Walks

Video Start Time	Lesson Topic
00:00 min	Bass Line Walk 1
01:17 min	Bass Line Walk 2
03:42 min	Bass Line Walk 3
04:50 min	Bass Line Walk 4

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Fill Riffs

Video Start Time	Lesson Topic
00:00 min	Willie Nelson Style Fill Riff 1
04:14 min	Willie Fill Riff 2 for a Song Ending

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Practice

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Practice with Willie Nelson

Practice your classic country strumming and fills over the song “Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain” by Willie Nelson using the player from Spotify. We’d highly recommend using Spotify for online radio. If you don’t have a Spotify account, click here to sign up free with your Facebook account or with an e-mail address.

Chord Progressions Lesson Tablature Woodtone Strings

Drop D Country Guitar Riffs

April 13, 2025March 29, 2018 by Devin

Lesson 17 – Rhythm Fill Riffs and Lead Guitar Course

Course Outline Previous Lesson Next Lesson

Lesson ID: A0149

In this country guitar lesson, you’ll learn how to play six intermediate country guitar riffs in drop D. We’ll also have three easier drop D riffs for the newer country pickers. I’ll play the drop D licks with tablature and give you a full breakdown along with some helpful music theory tips. After you learn the licks, practice along with our jam track and also test them out over “Modern Day Bonnie and Clyde” by Travis Tritt.

Lesson Overview

Six Intermediate Riffs

Intermediate Riff 1

Intermediate Riff 2

Intermediate Riff 3

Intermediate Riff 4

Intermediate Riff 5

Intermediate Riff 6

Three Easy Riffs

Easy Riff 1

Easy Riff 2

Easy Riff 3

Using the Riffs

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Jam Track

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Travis Tritt

Practice with Travis Tritt

Once you get these drop D country guitar riffs up to speed, try to play them over the song “Modern Day Bonnie and Clyde” by Travis Tritt using the embedded player from Spotify. The chord progression is similar to our jam track progression, but just a bit quicker. We’d highly recommend using Spotify for online radio. If you don’t have a Spotify account, click here to sign up free with your Facebook account or with an e-mail address. Also, check out Travis Tritt on iTunes. He’s got a ton of other great songs to choose from.

Intermediate Riffs TAB Easy Riffs TAB Woodtone Strings