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

Flatpicking in the Style of Norman Blake

Lesson ID: A0193

In this guitar lesson, we’ll work on some Norman Blake style flatpicking using a progression that we’ll borrow from Norman’s song “Randall Collins.” In the first part of this lesson, you’ll learn a nice flatpicking break that goes along with the song’s melody, and later in the lesson, we’ll work on the rhythm guitar part. Guitar tablature is available for download below the lesson video.

Overview

Flatpicking Solo Breakdown

Flatpicking Solo Playthrough

Chord Progression

Member Content

Log in or register to watch this video!

Subscribe
Notify of
21 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
fransverboom
fransverboom(@fransverboomgmail-com)
3 years ago

Very happy with this Norman Blake lesson ! Thanks Devin

C White
C White(@g)
3 years ago

So excited to see the Randall Collins lesson!
Thanks Devin!

Bill
Bill(@bjbobspraguegmail-com)
3 years ago

Great job on the Randall Collins flat picking. Always have enjoyed that song but never could follow the picking until now. Thanks Devin and Happy New Year!

jerseychicadee
jerseychicadee(@jerseychicadee)
3 years ago

So, Devin remember this day, because in 6 months when I come back and say I can play this through, at speed, it’s documented that after my first attempt to play it through I ran away crying!! Look forward to get to work on this. My son is about to scream if I play Jerusalem Ridge and Banks of The Ohio one more time!!

Eric Reinhardt
Eric Reinhardt(@rinny51)
3 years ago

Sounds awesome, can’t wait to give this one a try!

Kate
Kate(@kate)
3 years ago

Loving the challenge of measures 13 – 16 :/ sounds so good though!

Last edited 3 years ago by Kate
rickmcdaniel
rickmcdaniel(@rickmcdanielme-com)
3 years ago

How awesome! This lesson alone is worth the price of admission. Thank you Devin.

fransverboom
fransverboom(@fransverboomgmail-com)
3 years ago
Reply to  Devin

Great ! I’m enjoying this lesson very much ! Thanks Devin

John
John(@wjssavhotmail-co-uk)
3 years ago

I have just come across this lesson,
should keep me busy this weekend.

hscollins05
hscollins05(@hscollins05yahoo-com)
3 years ago

I really like the way Norman plays, He is very melody forward that is lost sometimes in a flurry of 16th notes. Do more Norman…Coming down from Rising Fawn is a favorite

Bob Wheeler
Bob Wheeler(@bob)
3 years ago

I hesitate to mark this one complete! I don’t know I’ll ever get there, but coming in fairly close. Love it!

jerseychicadee
jerseychicadee(@jerseychicadee)
3 years ago
Reply to  Bob Wheeler

I agree with you Bob. I don’t want to mark it complete!

Stephen
Stephen(@griffs-bluegrass)
3 years ago

Just had a rainy weekend and time to check out this awesome picking arrangement. Its coming together nicely but I find my voice is suited better to playing this song with no capo. Is there a reason it is capoed at the third fret ? Oh I just watched Norman Blakes video, wow its at some pace and his lead breaks are unfathomable !! Anyway great arrangement Devin.

Todd
Todd(@tbryant2522)
3 years ago

Love the minor sound of this tune. Gives it a darkness. Working man darkness. Reminds me of a stormy night on the Oregon coast. The violence of the wind and waves.

George Lange
George Lange(@georgeanddoris66hotmail-com)
2 years ago

Who is Norman Blake?

Kate
Kate(@kate)
2 years ago
Reply to  George Lange

A living legend 🙂 Check out his albums with Tony Rice (Blake & Rice/Blake & Rice 2) and Slow Train Through Georgia. Great vocalist, mandolin player and songwriter too. He wrote the songs Church Street Blues and Ginseng Sullivan if you are familiar with TR’s versions. At the folky end of the bluegrass spectrum I would say. Not a fancy “hot lick” guitarist like Tony Rice, a bit more old-school like Doc Watson, although still quite different in style. He plays fast and direct. His guitar playing sounds quite simple when you listen to it but in reality it’s *very*… Read more »

Kate
Kate(@kate)
2 years ago
Reply to  George Lange
j.phillips189
j.phillips189(@j-phillips189btinternet-com)
2 years ago

Just started this lesson, it’s,really beautiful.

j.phillips189
j.phillips189(@j-phillips189btinternet-com)
2 years ago

good stretch for me but enjoying the challenge !