Lesson 7 – Rhythm Fill Riffs and Lead Guitar Course
Lesson ID: A0095
Last lesson, we looked at the 5th position hybrid scale in the key of G. I talked about how this is the most important scale for making your guitar sound country and bluegrass. We also used this hybrid scale to add some bass line fill riffs over a simple progression.
In this lesson, we’re going to use this hybrid scale to improvise with fill riffs over the bluegrass song “Cripple Creek”. First, I’ll give you a quick recap of the hybrid scale. Then, I’ll teach you the “Cripple Creek” chord progression, some beginner fill riffs, and some more advanced fill riffs for the intermediate players. Everything we’re covering in this lesson will come in very handy at your next bluegrass jam!
Hybrid Scale
Chord Progression
| Video Start Time | Lesson Topic |
|---|---|
| 00:00 min | Chord Progression |
| 04:21 min | Detailed Rhythm Breakdown |
| 04:44 min | Kickoff “G” Potatoes |
| 07:00 min | “A Part” Breakdown |
| 09:38 min | “B Part” Breakdown |
Beginner Riffs
| Video Start Time | Lesson Topic |
|---|---|
| 00:00 min | A Part – Line 1 |
| 03:28 min | A Part – Line 2 |
| 04:49 min | B Part – Line 1 |
| 06:35 min | B Part – Line 2 |
Intermediate Riffs
| Video Start Time | Lesson Topic |
|---|---|
| 00:00 min | A Part – Line 1 |
| 01:52 min | A Part – Line 2 |
| 03:20 min | B Part – Line 1 |
| 06:05 min | B Part – Line 2 |
Looking forward to watching this one later tonight!
Very nice lesson Devin. Thanks for all the extra detail and help! Your lessons have helped my picking and strumming a lot so far. Keep up the great work.
I’ll second that. This bluegrass picking is starting to make sense. Awesome lessons!
Awesome, thanks man! Good one
Great work on the lessons! Best I’ve found for acoustic country and bluegrass stuff online. I just joined the annual membership a few minute ago and looking forward to the weekly lessons.
I just wanted to say that your lessons have really improved my playing and I really like everything you’ve done on the website. Great job! Keep it going!!! From your bluegrass picker friend in Ohio – Tucker
Very helpful. I’ve learned a lot from this lesson series. Thanks!
Awesome, just what the doctor ordered. Like the suggestions for alternate riffs. Well done friend!
Thanks Wes!
its taking me a while to get all these riffs but I think I am finally starting to get how they are made and am even trying to build my own, big help thanks
Nice! Glad it’s starting to click. Yeah, this stuff doesn’t come overnight but you’ll look back in six months and be amazed at how far you’ve come. I’m still working on piecing the scales together in different ways and probably will be the rest of my life! It’s never ending. Thanks for the message – Devin
Awesome lesson Devin, this has been so helpful for my improvising. Thanks!
Thanks Devin, I’m actually starting to sound like i can play a little bluegrass. lol It’s amazing how things start to come together. Although, slowly. Your lesson progression had been very helpful. Im currently working on #7
We are very fortunate to have you as our country leader. It’s apparent to the workload and commitment you have Devin. I’d so love to live in your location and take live lessons.
Be safe in this crazy time.
Devin I’m loving these lessons and like others have mentioned, it’s amazing how things finally start clicking and licks just start coming out of nowhere. Even if they aren’t exactly as you’ve tabbed them, as long as the note played is somewhere in the scale, Golden. I’m listening to your backing track and as it’s pretty awesome! I know you dabble with mandolin, is that you on Banjo as well? I’ve thought about getting a mandolin, but as I have other instruments I find I start drifting away from guitar which is my absolute favorite and what I want to… Read more »
Devin! We thank you so much for putting this all together! It’s great to see all these great licks broken down so we can learn them section by section!
Excellent lesson.
The “Page 3” licks work great at our jam. The other (more experienced) guitar player plays the traditional melodic breaks.
The Page 5 licks are kicking my butt! I’ll get it soon.