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Home Sweet Home Crosspicking Lesson

Lesson ID: A0152

In this country and bluegrass crosspicking guitar lesson, you’ll learn how to play a crosspicking version of the traditional tune “Home Sweet Home” in the key of C. This song was originally adapted from American actor and dramatist John Howard Payne‘s 1823 opera Clari. Over the years, the song’s catchy melody has made it a favorite among several artists such as Doc Watson, Merle Watson, Tony Rice, and Earl Scruggs. Today, “Home Sweet Home” is known as one of the best bluegrass songs to play in a crosspicking style.

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Playthrough with Tablature

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albert
albert(@albertdbrownhotmail-com)
5 years ago
Reply to  Devin

Add “Will you miss me when I’m gone” as cross picked by James A. Shelton.

John Zimmerman
John Zimmerman(@jzimmerman)
1 year ago
Reply to  Devin

Hi Devin could you add a backing track for this?

Alan
Alan(@alan)
5 years ago

I’m going to really enjoy this one! Thanks again Devin

Martin
Martin(@martinfan)
5 years ago

Fantastic lesson as always. I would love to see more crosspicking lessons like this. Possibly something along the lines of George Shuffler’s crosspicking style break in “Will You Miss Me”. Keep up the good work!

Phil
Phil(@psmithphilyahoo-com)
5 years ago

This sounds so nice! This will keep me busy for a while. Love it!

keithfinch316
keithfinch316(@keithfinch316btinternet-com)
5 years ago

That is such a great lesson Devin. Many thanks from England.

Pat B
Pat B(@patmb2011charter-net)
5 years ago

This straight-ahead arrangement without slides, hammers and pull-offs really helped me get the hang of cross picking. I could concentrate on what i was doing without a lot of embellishments to slow me down. I find myself playing it every time i pick up the guitar. Thanks!

astraley71
astraley71(@astraley71gmail-com)
5 years ago

nice arrangement on this old tune, spent the weekend getting it down. The cross picking can get pretty hectic when speeding up beyond 200bpm. What would you say is the normal speed this one would be played at? I kinda like it slower as the melody is more defined to me

naskorhan
naskorhan(@naskorhanlive-com)
5 years ago

This is an awesome lesson to take to a bluegrass festival.

Jocelyn Beauregard
Jocelyn Beauregard(@jocelyn)
5 years ago

Crosspicking not easy….I’m working on it….

Jocelyn Beauregard
Jocelyn Beauregard(@jocelyn)
5 years ago

What a beautiful song…really appreciate!

Jocelyn Beauregard
Jocelyn Beauregard(@jocelyn)
5 years ago

Would it be helpful if you taught us the transposition? Let’s say this piece of music that is in C major to transpose it in E major! Have a nice day Devin!

albert
albert(@albertdbrownhotmail-com)
5 years ago

Devin,

Question re: Cross Picking Patterns. I was reading an article about Cross Picking Patterns and that you can change the pattern order when playing (3, 2, 1 to 3, 1, 2 as an example) but if you do you need to keep track of your melody note. The article seem to say that patterns consist of three notes which are a melody note and two drone (rhythm) notes. Now the question: does the melody note need to be the root note of the chord you are playing? ADB

albert
albert(@albertdbrownhotmail-com)
5 years ago
Reply to  Devin

Thanks for the clear, concise answer. You lightened my load a lot. I will continue on.

Alex
Alex(@alexcontinilive-co-uk)
5 years ago

This one sounds amazing. Really cool bluegrassy western stuff. I think Devin should film some of his lessons while sitting by double swinging doors of the Saloon on an old Western film set! Tumble weed going past him….

fransverboom
fransverboom(@fransverboomgmail-com)
5 years ago

Great lesson ! Thanks a lot

martinman54
martinman54(@martinman54yahoo-com)
5 years ago

You’re making it easy Devin, Thanks!

Alex
Alex(@alexcontinilive-co-uk)
5 years ago

I am not an advanced player at all, and yet just managed to play this song no-stop for the first time after only a few attempts. The breakdown videos and tabs work wonders for me. Only problem is keeping up speed…how many hours practice does it take, on average, to pick accuratly at 135 bpm?

Jimmy
Jimmy(@jimmybock1956gmail-com)
5 years ago

This crosspicking lesson is really super. this stuff is what I wanna learn! I’ve added some more tunes in different styles to my favorites to work with after this one. I’m also going to draw from your lick library to expand my vocabulary. I’ve been on to this kind of playing over the years but it is so satisfying to just sit down and learn it properly. Coming from a rock and blues background I must confess these melodic tunes really make me feel good! Keep up the good work Devin!

Jocelyn
Jocelyn(@jocelyn)
5 years ago

I really like this croospiking lesson…

davewatsonret
davewatsonret(@davewatsonretgmail-com)
5 years ago

Great lesson Devin! What a beautiful sound comes out once you get it going smoothly. Really loved the reverse order of the F chord. I think my favorite lesson so far. Would love more cross picking lessons. Thanks!

Scott Lathan
Scott Lathan(@ruffy)
3 years ago

Very nice Devin, while I like the speedy stuff, I really appreciate the traditional versions and slower stuff. Sounds nice and very doable.

Donald Bridgers
Donald Bridgers(@pearlsnaps)
3 years ago

Hey Devin, Maybe you’ve already covered this somewhere, but I’ve been following your picking patterns exactly and it looks, from this example, that I down pick: on the first note of every measure, following any half note and after a hammer on. Does that about cover it? Any other rules?

Thanks.
Pearlsnaps

jerseychicadee
jerseychicadee(@jerseychicadee)
3 years ago

This is a pretty to play piece. Great piece to practice accuracy and timing on. Just nice. Thanks Devin

Bob Wheeler
Bob Wheeler(@bob)
2 years ago

First half down. Looking forward the cool second part. Beauty

George Griffing
George Griffing(@gfgriffing)
2 years ago

country music is not really my thing . A year ago I discovered Devin’s site and was so impressed with his organization, progressions and built tech tools I signed up and I’m still here…..learning like crazy. Like this lesson, every lesson is loaded things to learn. Crosspicking, scales, phrasing ….etc. This song is a great mix of bass lines and crosspicking. In addition, I have put down the pick and used this tune as a finger picking drill which this tune fits finger style as well. Obviously the thumb controls 6,5,4 and an occasional 3 while pointer and middle handle… Read more »

Mdockum2
Mdockum2(@mdockum2comcast-net)
1 year ago

Tons of fun to play!

John Zimmerman
John Zimmerman(@jzimmerman)
1 year ago

Hi Devin,

Love the lesson. Could you include a backing track for Home Sweet Home please?