Get a more natural acoustic tone with Woodtone Strings Learn More
After you complete this lesson, showcase your playing in our Community Forum!
A quick note from your instructor:
"I design and manufacture the Woodtone FlexGrip™ Picks myself here in Texas. They really have a great tone and I think y'all would like them. If you're interested, check them out through the link below!" - Devin

Nine Pound Hammer with Tony Rice Style Solo Breaks

Capo 2nd Fret – Key of A
Lesson ID: A0111

In this guitar lesson, I’ll teach you how to play the traditional bluegrass song “Nine Pound Hammer” with some instrumental solo breaks in the style of Tony Rice. First we’ll go over the chord progression and a strumming pattern that you can play behind your vocals. Then I’ll teach you four different instrumental breaks — the first break will be nice and easy for the beginner pickers, the second break will mix the melody line with strumming, and the last two advanced instrumental breaks will be in the style of Tony Rice.

Overview

Rhythm

Video Start Time Lesson Topic
00:00 min Chord Progression
02:18 min Chord Progression with Lyrics
03:53 min Song Structure
04:42 min Strumming Pattern Options

Member Content

Log in or register to learn the chord progression!

Basic Break

Video Start Time Lesson Topic
00:00 min Bass Line Walk-ups Overview
01:25 min Instrumental Break Chord Progression
02:33 min Playthrough with Tablature
03:47 min Extra Detail and Tips

Member Content

Log in or register to learn the basic break!

Melodic Break

Video Start Time Lesson Topic
00:00 min Listen to the Melodic Break
01:21 min Measures 1 to 5 – Breakdown
04:58 min Measures 6 to 8 – Breakdown
06:06 min Practice the First Half
06:35 min Measures 9 to 13 – Breakdown
09:56 min Measures 14 to 19 – Breakdown
11:43 min Practice the Entire Instrumental Break

Member Content

Log in or register to learn the intermediate break!

Tony Rice Break 1

Video Start Time Lesson Topic
00:00 min Listen to Tony Rice Break 1
00:58 min Measures 1 to 5 – Breakdown
03:54 min Measures 6 to 8 – Breakdown
06:01 min Practice the First Half
06:39 min Measures 9 to 13 – Breakdown
09:23 min Measures 14 to 19 – Breakdown
11:40 min Practice the Entire Instrumental Break

Tony Rice Break 2

Video Start Time Lesson Topic
00:00 min Listen to Tony Rice Break 2
01:02 min Measures 1 to 5 – Breakdown
02:29 min Measures 6 to 9 – Breakdown
04:22 min Practice the First Half
05:01 min Measures 10 to 12 – Breakdown
06:46 min Measures 13 to 15 – Breakdown
08:49 min Measures 16 to 19 – Breakdown
09:09 min Practice the Entire Instrumental Break

Member Content

Log in or register to learn advanced break 2!

Jam Track

Member Content

Log in or register to watch the jam along video!

Subscribe
Notify of
13 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Joan
Joan(@joan)
7 years ago

Brilliant lesson!

Martin
Martin(@martinfan)
7 years ago

Great arrangement and very nice lesson. Thanks Devin!

info
info(@infoyounggloves-co-uk)
7 years ago

Again fantastic lesson however id really love a video showing the whole song with vocals, rhythm and lead solos to practice the timings of the them.
Thanks again

info
info(@infoyounggloves-co-uk)
7 years ago
Reply to  Devin

Awesome thanks so much ?

Curtis
Curtis(@curtis)
7 years ago

Awesome lesson Devin! I’m really enjoying your teaching style. Fantastic job.

Tim Miller
Tim Miller(@tim)
7 years ago

The Tony Rice breaks are awesome! Thanks for posting!

guitjoe
guitjoe(@guitjoeyahoo-com)
6 years ago

Best instructional videos I have found. Well done Devin!

Jocelyn
Jocelyn(@jocelyn)
5 years ago

You always think about the beginner as much as the advance, there’s a lot of works in this lesson but what a beautiful arrangements…again thank you so much for this one Devin!

martinman54
martinman54(@martinman54yahoo-com)
5 years ago

Best guitar lessons ever!

C White
C White(@g)
3 years ago

I love this type of lesson structure. It has all of the chord progressions and 3 guitar breaks. Well done! The Jam track is awesome. Thanks Devin

sandro donda
sandro donda(@sandro-donda)
2 years ago

yes !!!! very good thanks Devin