Lesson ID: A0188
In this guitar lesson, we’ll work on a flatpicking arrangement that follows the melody of the classic song “Tennessee Waltz” written by Redd Stewart and Pee Wee King. The practice arrangement in this lesson is inspired by a version performed by Pablo Hernandez that was posted to the lesson request section of our forum. Be sure to check out Pablo’s YouTube channel as well. Overall, this is a great progression for practicing your slow and melodic flatpicking.
Lesson Overview
Playthrough
Full Breakdown
Very nice lesson!
Cool lesson Devin,
Thanks for sharing.
Thanks. This is beautiful!
Beautiful arrangement, chords and melody. Really like this one, two thumbs up! Thanks Devin!
This is such a lovely arrangement Devin. Really looking forward to learning it.
I’ve haven’t tried any Drop D yet… here goes… just bow your neck and go…
Great lesson, like the sound of that song
Nice tune. Thanks Devin.
Hi Devin, do you mind to give me the tempo of that beautiful waltz? thanks!
I actually didn’t use a metronome when I recorded the intro of me playing it… I think it’s probably around 75bpm up to 80bpm. That’s my favorite speed to play it. Also, you can use this BPM tool that we have on the site for other songs https://countryguitaronline.com/tap-for-beats-per-minute-bpm/ and it’s also at the top menu under “Resources”.
Thanks Devin….I really love this one!!! very nice job you know!
Thanks, I’m glad you like it! It’s one of my favorite songs to play right now also.
This is one of the nicest arrangements you’ve done and I’d love to see more like this. Kudos.
Last year I learnt the ‘Kentucky Waltz’ so this is great to learn your cool arrangement for this famous waltz as well, I can still think back to Tom Jones singing it !!
I crack myself up. I listened to this lesson without the tabs. Just ear buds. I got so excited on that’s nice and slow even I could play that. Well, I’m not that good. Yet. I went right back to Molly Tuttle and Banks of the Ohio. My plan is to learn one measure a day. Starting tomorrow lol
Devin this is awesome. This is the type of playing I’ve wanted to work on for years. I’m almost through the whole thing – I’ll give myself another week or two to get all the details dialed in. I kinda get goosebumps as I play through parts of it. This is what I’ve been looking for for years and you’ve got it all packaged up here beautifully. Thanks for making me a better guitar player.
Very nice picking song. Great lesson!
This is one of my favourite songs
I’m new here and I LOVE this! Thank you Devin. I’m so glad I found you.
I just added a couple of bonus verses to this “Tennessee Waltz” lesson. I only have the playthrough with tablature videos recorded and you can download the tablature below… let me know if y’all want me to do a full breakdown on these two verses, or maybe the playthroughs are enough. Hope you like the extra videos!
Finally felt like I got this nailed today and then you add more to learn…
Just kidding – this has been such a good one. Deceptively difficult (I thought) but definitely my favourite of your lessons.
I’m always a bit sorry when I get to the end so I’m loving the new verses (and the walkthrough would probably be useful tbh).
Thanks Devin 🙂
Devin, echoing the sentiments of so many members, this song is beautiful. Now it’s my go to song when someone asks me to play something for them. The work has more than paid off. All your lessons are valuable, but I don’t think I would be alone in requesting a full breakdown the two bonus verses. You teach everything so clearly and precisely and I know it would help immensely.
Two thumbs up for the 2 bonus verses up the neck and back down the neck. I like that kind of music…thousands thanks Devin and have a nice weekend!
Lovely…..
Love this arrangement! Typo measure 25 of chorus?
(on the print out)
Hey Gary – I checked and it seems ok but I could be missing something. Can you tell me where you’re seeing the typo in measure 25? Thanks!
Hey Devin – Way back when I first looked at measure 25 I was thinking “how could I be hitting 4 strings and playing just 2 different notes?” Fast forward a few weeks later I’m working on the “Back down the neck” verse at measure 8 same deal I guess I’m getting smarter cuz I figured out the notation there 5th fret on 2nd string = E etc. ! I am Eating crow, no typo! I worked through up and down the neck from your playthrough. Thanks! (I like the title on the Up the Neck TAB page!) Oh you… Read more »
I’d love to see a full breakdown for bonus verses 1 and 2! That would be extremely helpful for me.
Sounds good! I’ll try to put something together in the next couple of weeks…
This would be great. I’m having trouble getting the “up the neck” version nice and clean. Mostly because I’m not used to playing long sections above the 7th/9th fret. (I’m probably not alone in this?!)
It’s all getting better with practice, but any tips would be appreciated. Thanks Devin.
I’m with you there. I’m pretty frightened to go up the neck even though I sit and practice pentatonic scales up to the 14th or more.
Wonderful. I hope there will be more like this self-accompanied piece.
A few months ago, I had ran away from this lesson as fast as I could! Came back today and shocked myself off my stool! Originally, could play this at even the slowest speed. Today I played it! At speed! Maybe I’m learning something here!! I’ve been working almost exclusively on Jerusalem Ridge for weeks. Can play that now by memory and with speed!! Confidence is growing!! Cheers to another 6 months Devin!
Hey Devin! do you think it’s important to learn to mentally count every single note as you play?
Maybe show a quick video on all three played together.
One of the best arrangements and lesson on this song anywhere. Well done Devin and thanks!!
Thanks Greg!
It’s amazing how something made up of such simple elements can sound so beautiful. But then I’m learning that precision is required, and every note and chord counts and must ring out.
Beautiful chords. Sounds great! Love your teaching methods, Devin. You make what seems impossible to play, totally possible!
Wow Devin, I appreciate the accuracy of your tabs and the detail you provide. You have made a very approachable arrangement that is so satisfying to play.
Thank you and keep up the good work!
I didn’t know about the other versions of the song. This is great Devin
I have truly LOVED learning this arrangement. Please consider doing more of the “old favorites” this way — some Hank or Patsy, or even Willie songs would be delightful. Thanks Devin! You are the best.