“Banks of the Ohio” is a traditional 19th century ballad that has become a common crosspicking tune at bluegrass jams. The exact origins of this song are unknown. It has been recorded by several artists over the years, including Johnny Cash, Doc Watson, Tony Rice, The Carter Family, Dolly Parton, and many others.
In this guitar lesson, you’ll learn how to play two crosspicking guitar arrangements for “Banks of the Ohio”. The first crosspicking arrangement will be played down near the nut using standard key of C open chords. We’ll use forward and backward crosspicking rolls along with some nice chord embellishments and fills. Then, in the second arrangement, we’ll travel up the guitar neck and incorporate crosspicking over alternate chord voicings. After you learn the crosspicking guitar breaks, practice your bluegrass crosspicking over our “Banks of the Ohio” backing track in C.
Video 1 – Playthrough with Tablature
Video 2 – Full Breakdown
| Video Start Time | Lesson Topic |
|---|---|
| 00:00 min | Breakdown – Measures 1 through 5 |
| 07:05 min | Breakdown – Measures 6 through 9 |
| 11:09 min | Breakdown – Measures 10 through 13 |
| 15:35 min | Breakdown – Measures 14 through 17 |
| 18:29 min | Practice With Me |
Video 1 – Playthrough with Tablature
Video 2 – Full Breakdown
| Video Start Time | Lesson Topic |
|---|---|
| 00:00 min | Breakdown – Measures 1 through 5 |
| 06:09 min | Breakdown – Measures 6 through 9 |
| 11:10 min | Breakdown – Measures 10 through 13 |
| 16:19 min | Breakdown – Measures 14 through 17 |
| 18:07 min | Easier Option for Transitioning Down the Neck |
| 21:07 min | Practice With Me |
