Lesson ID: A0197
In this guitar lesson, we’ll take a look at some simple rhythm and lead from the song “Ripple” by Grateful Dead. First, we’ll work through two basic chord progressions in G and we’ll add some vocals for those of y’all wanting to sing with this song. Then, in the second half of this lesson, you’ll learn a nice guitar intro that mixes the melody of “Ripple” with country & bluegrass strumming.
Overview
Chord Progressions
Flatpicking Intro
Video 1 – Playthrough with Tablature – Flatpicking Intro
Video 2 – Full Breakdown – Flatpicking Intro
| Video Start Time | Lesson Topic |
|---|---|
| 00:00 min | Measures 1 through 4 |
| 04:16 min | Measures 5 through 8 |
| 07:49 min | Measures 9 through 12 |
Listen
Sounds great Devin
Thanks, like this lesson , good choice
Love it! Thanks, Devin. :^)
Great Lesson Devin.
I’ve been wanting to learn some more Dead songs. Thanks Devin
been waiting for this one!!
I’m really enjoying learning this intro. The focus on the right hand steady up down pattern makes learning the flat picking a lot easier. That’s a wonderful piece of advice you emphasize in these lessons. Thanks Devon.
My neighbors appreciate the new song. They’re probably tired of hearing my play list!! Thanks Devin fun learning!
I couldn’t work out how you were getting back to the d chord from the G. It wasn’t working for me until on closer inspection i noticed you were making a D chord with your pinky. This is a first for me. I’ve never made a D like that before, but it’s a useful thing to learn.
BTW, thanks for posting this old favorite of mine.
You had me at “easy”!!
Oh, I could play everything right now!
PLEASE Make a video of the whole song with tabs and lyrics. PLEASE
I love this song!
A really useful session!
The Grateful Dead released 2 albums in [I think] 1973, the song Ripple is taken from “American Beauty”, their other album of this year being “Workingman’s Dead”. Both albums have some great acoustic guitar, provided by the late lamented Jerry Garcia – whose own background was in bluegrass. For us aspiring pickers and strummers, these 2 albums are a goldmine!
Wish I could get the nice bassline walk from verse to chorus in Ripple. I have to learn to read the Tab. I am not leaving this song till I can play it well.
Not only are these lessons outstanding for bluegrass/country/folk, they are excellent for learning how to create bass lines and leads from scales and arpeggios. So glad I found Devin’s site for deep dives into my favorite music.
I like this song. The flatpicking tab doesn’t show the Am.
Hmm…let me checkt that! It’s been a while since I’ve looked at this one. Thanks!
Thanks Devin good lesson. You’re a great teacher and have a fantastic site.