Thought I’d change it up a bit and record a quick lesson for y’all next to the creek behind my house… Here’s a 12 bar bluegrass flatpicking break in G that has a lot of guitar licks I use all the time when I’m improvising bluegrass lead in the key of G. Pay attention to the chord written above each measure in the tablature — this is the chord that rhythm guitar (and other instruments) will be playing while you play the solo. You’ll see how each lick fits nicely over the chord that’s being played. Try to commit these licks to memory and use them when you’re playing bluegrass breaks over other songs in the key of G. Let me know if you have any questions!
Difficulty: 3.0 out of 5
“One Bud Wiser” Country Guitar Riffs
In this guitar lesson, we’ll take a close look at some acoustic country guitar licks from “One Bud Wiser” performed by Gretchen Wilson in her documentary called Undressed. This documentary follows Gretchen as she walks you through her life on the road and proves that the music doesn’t stop once the show’s over. It’s a VIP pass to an intimate dressing room jam session with Gretchen’s band, crew, and anyone else that joins in. We’d highly recommend checking out this documentary on YouTube — you can buy or rent it here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4zU9jlsIXio. Throughout their jam session, Gretchen’s lead guitarist plays some amazing acoustic country guitar licks that are definitely worth learning.
After we study the guitar licks from “One Bud Wiser”, we’ll take a quick look at a couple chord progressions from this song that you can use to practice the licks.
IMPORTANT: We’re using key of A chords and guitar scales in this lesson, but we’ll have our capo on the 1st fret like Gretchen’s band.
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 |
|---|---|
| 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.
After you’re done here