Lesson ID: A0110
In this guitar lesson, I’ll teach you how to play the traditional Appalachian folk song “Shady Grove” in the style of Doc Watson. First we’ll go over the chord progression and a strumming pattern that you can play behind your vocals. Then I’ll teach you two variations of the instrumental break — the first instrumental break will mix a nice melody line with strumming and the second instrumental break will sound more like a bluegrass flatpicking guitar solo.
Lesson Overview
Basic Rhythm
| Video Start Time | Lesson Topic |
|---|---|
| 00:00 min | Chord Progression |
| 00:45 min | Strumming Pattern |
| 01:18 min | Alternating Bass Notes |
| 03:42 min | Progression with Vocals |
| 05:18 min | Song Structure |
Melodic Rhythm
| Video Start Time | Lesson Topic |
|---|---|
| 00:00 min | Melodic Rhythm Example |
| 00:47 min | Measures 1 through 4 – Breakdown |
| 03:49 min | Measures 5 through 8 – Breakdown |
| 08:00 min | Practice Along with Me |
| 08:39 min | Instrumental Breaks and Song Structure |
Flatpicking Solo
| Video Start Time | Lesson Topic |
|---|---|
| 00:00 min | Flatpicking Solo Example |
| 00:52 min | Measures 1 through 4 – Breakdown |
| 03:24 min | Measures 5 through 8 – Breakdown |
| 04:52 min | Practice the First Half |
| 05:54 min | Measures 9 through 12 – Breakdown |
| 07:10 min | Measures 13 through 16 – Breakdown |
| 08:53 min | Practice the Second Half |
| 09:41 min | Practice the Full Flatpicking Solo |
Such a great lesson Devin. Thanks for the easy to follow tablature and instruction.
As you can probably tell from my profile picture, this one is right down my alley : ) Very nice arrangement. I can’t wait to learn it this week.
The picking over the F major part is tricky but I finally got it. Thanks Devin! Nice lesson here.
Love this song and it’s taught brilliantly.
Thanks so much, one slight request I’d love it played through in total with vocals so I could jam along.
Super work though ?
Thanks! Appreciate it. Sounds good, I can add a jam along track with vocals. I’ll try to have it up early next week after I finish up this week’s lesson. Thanks for the note – Devin
That’s excellent. I’ve been a bluegrass fan for 30 years but in the UK it’s hard to find anyone to show you stuff.
Your site is great ?
Thanks so much for your reply means a lot ?
Just got the jam along track for Shady Grove posted…the Nine Pound Hammer track should be up next week sometime. Hope you have a great weekend. – Devin
Many thanks for this really great lesson.
Great lesson Devin! I’m going to enjoy working on this one. Looking forward to the jam along track.
For anybody that’s interested, I just added an MP3 jam track to the Shady Grove lesson…so we’ve got the jam along video and now an MP3 track as well. I posted MP3 jam tracks to some other lessons on the site and more on the way! – Devin
This one has been fun to work on Devin. I’m taking it to my monthly jam next week. Thanks for the lesson!
The first Song that i heard “Doc”(__ years ago) do that really go me, the solo will take me some time, these Chord melody deals get me, but it’s such a great song, and you can’t ask for a better quality learning tool! I mean the way Devin teaches clearly and explains what going on in a piece, the video production is just the best! Thanks D!
Thanks! I put a lot of time into the lessons so it’s always nice to hear some positive feedback. Really appreciate it. Shady Grove is definitely one of my favorite Doc songs also. Planning to add some more Doc stuff soon…been getting a bunch of requests for Tennessee Stud so that might be next. Hope you’re having a great new year 2017. – Devin
Thanks for this lesson and the practice along track. Doc Watson has been a favorite of mine for a very long time. Keep up the great work.
Thanks Devin for the jam along track. It’s a great practice aid. Your lessons are the best!
This is a great arrangement of Shady Grove. I’ve been playing it boom-chick-style for a couple of months, and this is exactly what I needed to take it to the next level. I really like the inclusion of the Am chord in measure 7. Most of the sources I have for this song (bluegrass fake book, a couple instruction books) don’t have it (or the F chord), but I think it adds some more color and is an improvement.
Thanks Glenn! Really appreciate the comment. I spent a bit of time checking out some other versions on YouTube and I noticed that also…never found one with the Am but I liked the sound so decided to go with it. Glad you like the arrangement – Devin
Very nice thanks for the lesson
Bon, je commence !
J’ai mis un chapeau pour que ce soit plus facile !
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G1K1_fbQDkY
Nice, sounds great Jean, thanks for sharing! I agree, it’s always easier to play guitar when you put on a cowboy hat!
Thank’s a lot ! I beginn with flat picking, and hat too !
Hi Devin, I joined casually your site, it is great.
Hey Bruno, thanks for joining! Really glad you’re liking the site. I’ve got more lessons like this one and the “Whiskey Before Breakfast” lesson on the way soon…
I have to find a cowboy hat 🙂
Yep, you can’t go wrong!
i like so much the jam track.. it is like a tour de force
Thanks!! It’s a bit of extra work for the lessons but it’s fun putting it together.
Devin your teaching is incredible , thanks so much . please keep the lessons coming. I would love to meet you sometime.
Man your jam track is awesome! A little more work and I’ll be up to speed on it. Great lesson!
second morning as a premium this will be my third favorite added,, so pleased with the features on your site Devin, your follow along screen tab is awesome with the AB looper! been longing to practice these bluegrass folk songs.. the lyrics and tradition/history of these folk tunes really cool..enjoying Doc Watson’s Shady Grove bless his soul .. your breakdowns are simply incredible…easy follow throughs make learning so fun easy!
Nice! Thanks for the compliments on the lessons and really glad you’re enjoying the site! I spend a ton of time on the site so always great to hear positive feedback. Yeah, this is a great song right here…huge fan of the Doc Watson style too. Have a great weekend! – Devin
fantastic lesson Devin, I enjoyed following along with the tab!
Morning from Alberta, Devin and Company
Just want to let you know how much fun and encouragment you are providing with your detailed and patient video and tab instruction. The various components of the songs (rhythms, lyrics, jam tracks and soloing) gives us seperate attack angles according to our needs and wishes which is really great. Your warm and kind personality rings through with your video presentation making every moment a treat to hang out with you. As Ricky Skaggs called one of his albums “Bluegrass Rules”!
Keep up the exceptional work.
Thanks, really appreciate the comment!! Yep, definitely agree..bluegrass rules! More bluegrass lessons on the way for sure…we’re posting the first portion of a lesson on John Hardy tomorrow and trying to get the rest done by the end of the week. Hope you like it – Devin
Hi Devin. Thanks for this great lesson. Its definitely going into my favorites for studying. Reminds me of my late father who used to play these kind of songs during my childhood. I guess that’s where my love for country/bluegrass came from. May I ask for more of these to build up my repertoire? Be blessed
Going through all my saved favorites today and happy to say much easier second time around from weeks ago,, most saved favorites all are much easier but still follow along and scrutinize for your professional tips Devin.. really enjoy here today!
Nice! Glad you’re still putting the videos to good use! Shady Grove will always be one of my favorites too…use it as a good pick control warmup type of song along with Wildwood Flower. Really helps to hone in the melody picks with the strums. Enjoy the rest of your weekend!
This is very fun,,going to eventually sing /learn the lyrics..I remember reading why he wrote this,, I’m glad he had a honey before he left us too! cheers Devin!
Doc Watson licks always a favorite lesson to learn.
Fantastic lesson ! And the jam along video is very helpfull !
nice one , you get that satisfaction once you get it at the right rhythm .. the monthly payment really worth it
almost complete .. not so easy to keep it on the run with this hammer .. but we get by !
nice melodie , thanks devin
i like the idea to get the basic , melodic and flat picking solo.. amazing
Awesome lesson Devin!! Great,clear breakdown of the lesson..
I just finger picked this and sang along in my deep frog like Tony Rice voice lol great fun and practice .very cool Doc Watson song.. really enjoyed this!
Thanks for all of the great lessons!
Was wondering if you ever do Black Mountain Rag?
Would love to get your take on it.
Thanks again!
Glad you’re liking the videos! A lot of people have requested a lesson on Black Mountain Rag so I’ll definitely work it in sometime soon. I’m just about done with a lesson on St. Anne’s Reel…we’ll switch over to some old school classic country after that for a couple lessons and then possibly Black Mountain Rag. Keep an eye out for it –
Thanks for the help. Great instruction.
Awesome website … has been a bomb to my aging skill set ..
I am big fan of bluegrass/country… although I hail from Singapore.
Devin is a gift…a trooper…a friend.
I do need to learn banjo version. Thx guy Devin
In the past I always played rock n heavy metal…but I love historical talents.. champions…still reign to date…no takers.
Devin got possibilities…my champion too. Thx bradda
Thanks lpakkir! I really appreciate the comment. Yeah, this would be a fun song for the banjo too. Hope you having a good week! – Devin
What a great lesson! next to Everyday Dirt this is my favorite Doc song (though there are so many to choose from) Are you a fan of Billy Stings or Molly Tuttle? it’s refreshing to see younger players keeping the tradition alive.
Thanks Matt! Yep, I’m a huge fan of Billy Strings and Molly Tuttle. I did a lesson on Brown’s Ferry Blues in the style of Billy Strings if you haven’t seen that one yet https://countryguitaronline.com/browns-ferry-blues-guitar-lesson/ and we keep getting a ton of requests for Molly Tuttle lessons — especially for her version of White Freight Liner Blues. I’ll probably post a Molly Tuttle style lesson fairly soon. She’s one of my favorite players right now.
Thank You for the link to Browns Ferry Blues, I’m adding that to my favorites , Billy is a phenomenal talent.’While I’m Waiting Here’ (from Turmoil & Tinfoil) is my personal favorite , it has a very Glenn Campbell ‘Gentle On My Mind’ feel to it. and count me among those requesting a lesson on Molly Tuttle’s cover of ‘White Freight Liner Blues’ her cross-picking skills are second to none .Thanks again, love this site!
Thanks Davin’s!
great Lesson Devin! you have a very nice voice!
Hi – So would you say this version of Shady Grove is in the key of D minor?
Am I able to download and print just the tab for this song?
Hi, I am confused about the sheet music for Shady Grove solo. The notes on the treble staff shows 8va next to it. My understanding is that those notes should be played an octave higher than as written on the staff. The tab shows the proper pitches, but they are an octave below what is written on the staff, i.e. the 3 fret of the 5th string is an octave below middle C instead of an octave above middle C. I’m thinking that the sheet music should show 8vb instead of 8va. Sorry if I am just being pedantic about… Read more »
Hmm.. I’ll have to check this out. I use Guitar Pro and the standard notation is automatically generated by GP software, so I usually don’t pay too much attention to the notation and assume it’s correct. Maybe they show the notation at this octave because it’s easier to read in a single line above the guitar tablature? Not too sure to be honest, but for now hopefully you can use the tablature line since that is accurate and then just use the notation for help on the note duration etc. I’ll check this out though. Thanks for letting me know!