Rhythm Guitar Archives

Tennessee Waltz in Drop D

April 11, 2025August 13, 2020 by Devin

Lesson ID: A0188

In this guitar lesson, we’ll work on a flatpicking arrangement that follows the melody of the classic song “Tennessee Waltz” written by Redd Stewart and Pee Wee King. The practice arrangement in this lesson is inspired by a version performed by Pablo Hernandez that was posted to the lesson request section of our forum. Be sure to check out Pablo’s YouTube channel as well. Overall, this is a great progression for practicing your slow and melodic flatpicking.

Lesson Overview

Playthrough

Full Breakdown

Practice Along

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Bonus Verses

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Main Arrangement TAB Bonus Verse 1 TAB Bonus Verse 2 TAB Woodtone Strings

Flatpicking in the Style of Molly Tuttle

April 11, 2025August 7, 2020 by Devin

Lesson ID: A0187

In this guitar lesson, we’ll work on some flatpicking in the style of Molly Tuttle using a common “I-IV-V” chord progression that we’ll borrow from the song “White Freightliner Blues” by Townes Van Zandt. Molly Tuttle adds her own twist to this song and we’ll take a look at how she uses chord embellishments, crosspicking, and fill riffs to spice up her bluegrass rhythm guitar playing.

Lesson Overview

Full Breakdown

Playthrough

Bonus Guitar Solo

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Main Progression TAB Bonus Guitar Solo TAB Woodtone Strings

Johnny Cash Style Intro and Bass Walks

April 11, 2025June 25, 2020 by Devin

johnny-cash-style-i-walk-the-line-intro-guitar

Lesson ID: A0186

In this guitar lesson, we’ll work on some Johnny Cash style rhythm guitar. First we’ll take a look at an intro progression and learn a few bass line walks that will give your playing that Johnny Cash country sound. Then we’ll talk about a really easy way to use the chord numbering system to change keys when you’re playing country music. After we discuss some important music theory concepts, we’ll practice applying the chord numbering system to another chord progression in the style of Johnny Cash.

12 Bar Blues in the Style of Merle Haggard

April 11, 2025May 20, 2020 by Devin

blues-stay-away-from-me-merle-haggard-guitar-lesson

Lesson ID: A0181

In this guitar lesson, you’ll learn how to play a 12 bar blues progression in the style of Merle Haggard. This is a progression that we’re borrowing from the old classic song “Blues Stay Away From Me” originally recorded by The Delmore Brothers. First, we’ll work through the main progression on guitar and then we’ll add some singing to it. After that, we’ll go over an easy country strumming pattern that you can use to play this entire song with cowboy chords. Finally, you’ll learn a bluesy guitar riff that you can play as a song ending and you’ll learn an easy riff that you can play at the beginning of the song.

Overview

Main Progression

Video 1 – Playthrough with Tablature

Video 2 – Full Breakdown

Video Start Time	Lesson Topic
00:00 min	Measures 1 through 4
02:16 min	What is a triplet?
04:00 min	Adding Staccato
05:43 min	Measures 5 through 8
09:03 min	Measures 9 through 12
14:13 min	Practice the Progression With Me
15:55 min	Let’s Add Some Vocals

Easier Strumming

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Ending Riff

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Intro Riff

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Backing Track

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12 Bar Blues Tablature Woodtone Strings