Unlock all CGO lesson videos and tablature Try One Month Free ➜

Rhythm Guitar

Cherokee Shuffle

by
cherokee shuffle guitar lesson with tablature
Lesson ID: A0071

Cherokee Shuffle is an old traditional fiddle tune that’s become a popular tune for bluegrass flatpickers to play on acoustic guitar. The first version of this tune was recorded by fiddler Tommy Magness in the 1930’s. Tommy Jackson is generally credited with transforming Magness’s rendition into “Cherokee Shuffle” in the key of A. In this lesson, we’ll slow down this tune and play along with interactive guitar tablature note for note. Be sure to use the AB Looping and playback speed controls on the video player!

Flatpicking Breakdown

Video Start Time Lesson Topic
00:00 min Song Overview
01:10 min Important Tips
02:54 min Tablature Play Along – Slower Speed
06:00 min Practice Along – Faster Speed
07:48 min Extra Pointers

Backing Tracks

Member Content

Log in or register to practice along!

Cherokee Shuffle Guitar TablatureChord ProgressionWoodtone Strings

Country Rhythm Practice Drills

by
Lesson ID: A0069

We’ve got a couple drills here in this lesson video that’ll help you build right hand pick accuracy for playing country and bluegrass rhythm guitar. These country rhythm patterns will make your rhythm guitar sound more melodic and complex. We’ll show you exactly how to incorporate these techniques into chord progressions so your guitar will sound fuller when you’re singing and strumming country songs.

Video Start Time Lesson Topic
00:00 min Lesson Overview
01:02 min Drill 1
02:15 min Alternate Picking
03:06 min Let the Notes Ring
04:48 min How to Practice Drill 1
07:47 min Apply Drill 1 to Country Rhythm
14:30 min Drill 2
17:06 min How to Practice Drill 2
19:19 min More Rhythm Practice Tips

The Best Country Strumming Patterns

by
classic country bluegrass strumming patterns guitar lesson course
Lesson ID: A0060

Ever wondered what makes a strumming pattern sound country? In this lesson video I’ll show you! We’ll go over several common country strumming patterns and I’ll teach you some awesome techniques to spice up your country rhythm guitar playing. These techniques will work with just about every country song you hear on the radio! If you like this lesson, you might also like our Classic Country Strumming Course.

Video Start TimeLesson Topic
00:00 minLesson Overview
00:24 minYour Choice of Guitar Pick
01:27 minBest Way to Grip Your Pick
02:39 minModern Country Strumming Pattern
03:31 minSmooth Out Your Strumming
04:10 minTraditional Strumming Pattern
04:55 minWhat Makes It Sound Country?
06:01 minPick D Pick D U
06:41 minPick D Pick U D U
07:57 minCountry Rhythm Hammer-On
08:46 minAlternating Bass Notes
10:40 minPick D Pick Pick D U

Your Very First Guitar Chords

by
your very first guitar chords
Lesson ID: A0059

Brand new to guitar and wanting to learn how to play country music? You’re in the right place! In this guitar lesson, you’ll learn the four most common guitar chords used in country music. If you know these four chords, you’ll be able to play a ton of the songs you hear on the radio. We’ll also go over some good chord progressions that you can use to practice your left hand chord changes.

Chord Charts
x = Mute String
o = Let Ring Open
   

Em_Guitar_Chord
G_Guitar_Chord
C_Guitar_Chord
D_Guitar_Chord

Chord Progressions

Red = Two Down Strokes
Green = Four Down Strokes
Blue = Eight Down Strokes

   
Chord Progression 1
G – C – D – G

Chord Progression 2
G – C – Em – C

Chord Progression 3
Em – G – C – G – Em – G – D

Chord Progression 4
G – D – C – G – Em – D – C

Chord Progression 5
G – C – G – Em – G – D

Chord Progression 6
G – C – G – C – G – D