https://acousticguitar.com lessons, music to play, and how-tos for all guitarists Tue, 31 Dec 2024 00:18:18 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://i0.wp.com/acousticguitar.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/AG_Favicon.png?fit=32%2C32&ssl=1 https://acousticguitar.com 32 32 103806923 https://acousticguitar.com/flatpicking-guitar-lesson-combining-melody-and-chords-for-a-unified-sound/ https://acousticguitar.com/flatpicking-guitar-lesson-combining-melody-and-chords-for-a-unified-sound/#respond Sun, 05 Jan 2025 14:00:00 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=146260 Walk through three approaches for flatpicking melody and chords together using the classic spiritual “I’ll Fly Away.”]]> https://acousticguitar.com/flatpicking-guitar-lesson-combining-melody-and-chords-for-a-unified-sound/feed/ 0 146260 https://acousticguitar.com/learn-to-flatpick-the-hanukkah-classic-maoz-tzur-rock-of-ages/ https://acousticguitar.com/learn-to-flatpick-the-hanukkah-classic-maoz-tzur-rock-of-ages/#respond Thu, 26 Dec 2024 17:57:29 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=146759 This accessible arrangement, inspired by Maybelle Carter’s style on classics like “Wildwood Flower,” is perfect for the holiday season.]]> https://acousticguitar.com/learn-to-flatpick-the-hanukkah-classic-maoz-tzur-rock-of-ages/feed/ 0 146759 https://acousticguitar.com/flatpicking-old-joe-clark/ https://acousticguitar.com/flatpicking-old-joe-clark/#respond Sun, 21 Jul 2024 13:00:00 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=144582 Learn two versions of this well-known mountain folk jam tune, one simple enough for beginners and the other a bit more complex.]]> https://acousticguitar.com/flatpicking-old-joe-clark/feed/ 0 144582 https://acousticguitar.com/learn-a-solo-by-tony-rice-on-banks-of-the-ohio/ https://acousticguitar.com/learn-a-solo-by-tony-rice-on-banks-of-the-ohio/#respond Fri, 22 Dec 2023 14:00:00 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=142531 Rice’s solo is an exceptional example of how chord shapes and cross-picking can flesh out a tasteful melody-based lead.]]> https://acousticguitar.com/learn-a-solo-by-tony-rice-on-banks-of-the-ohio/feed/ 0 142531 https://acousticguitar.com/learn-to-play-big-sciota/ https://acousticguitar.com/learn-to-play-big-sciota/#respond Wed, 06 Sep 2023 13:00:00 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=141063 “Big Sciota” is not necessarily easy to play, but if you stick with it, you'll learn a fun and well-known tune and develop some powerful chops in both hands.]]> https://acousticguitar.com/learn-to-play-big-sciota/feed/ 0 141063 https://acousticguitar.com/how-to-play-guitar-like-doc-watson/ Wed, 19 Jul 2023 13:00:00 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=139312 This lesson breaks down Watson’s acoustic flatpicking, beginning with rhythm and backup, transitioning to his lead playing, and ending with the combination of the two. ]]> 139312 https://acousticguitar.com/borrowing-fiddle-techniques-for-flatpicking-guitar-on-the-traditional-tune-little-liza-jane/ Sun, 02 Jul 2023 13:00:00 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=135615 This version of “Little Liza Jane” comes from the eastern Kentucky fiddler J.P. Fraley (1923–2011), who played it in the key of A major.]]> 135615 https://acousticguitar.com/how-to-play-billy-strings-guitar-solos-on-way-downtown/ Fri, 16 Jun 2023 13:00:00 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=135605 Strings' version of this traditional song includes two solos that quote some signature Doc Watson licks.]]> 135605 https://acousticguitar.com/use-rest-strokes-to-improve-flatpicking-technique-and-guitar-sound/ https://acousticguitar.com/use-rest-strokes-to-improve-flatpicking-technique-and-guitar-sound/#respond Wed, 05 Apr 2023 13:00:00 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=135098 The rest stroke—similar to the fingerstyle approach used by classical guitarists—is a plectrum technique in which each downstroke lands on an adjacent string rather than passing over it.]]> https://acousticguitar.com/use-rest-strokes-to-improve-flatpicking-technique-and-guitar-sound/feed/ 0 135098 https://acousticguitar.com/bach-prelude-no-1-in-c-major-flatpicking-guitar-study/ https://acousticguitar.com/bach-prelude-no-1-in-c-major-flatpicking-guitar-study/#comments Sun, 26 Mar 2023 13:00:00 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=135080 As this arrangement shows, Bach's Prelude No. 1 in C Major works quite well as a flatpicking etude.]]> https://acousticguitar.com/bach-prelude-no-1-in-c-major-flatpicking-guitar-study/feed/ 1 135080 https://acousticguitar.com/flatipicking-guitar-lesson-learn-courtney-hartmans-arrangement-of-cumberland-gap/ https://acousticguitar.com/flatipicking-guitar-lesson-learn-courtney-hartmans-arrangement-of-cumberland-gap/#respond Sun, 15 Jan 2023 14:00:00 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=134167 Learn to play this expressive and understated flatpicking guitar rendition of the classic tune “Cumberland Gap,” from Courtney Hartman’s 2016 Nothing We Say.]]> https://acousticguitar.com/flatipicking-guitar-lesson-learn-courtney-hartmans-arrangement-of-cumberland-gap/feed/ 0 134167 https://acousticguitar.com/how-to-flatpick-like-roots-legend-norman-blake/ https://acousticguitar.com/how-to-flatpick-like-roots-legend-norman-blake/#respond Fri, 14 Oct 2022 16:08:00 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=128061 Norman Blake is one of the great unsung heroes of 20th-century folk music. Here's a look at his life, music, and what you can learn from his guitar playing.]]> https://acousticguitar.com/how-to-flatpick-like-roots-legend-norman-blake/feed/ 0 128061 https://acousticguitar.com/learn-the-fundamentals-of-flatpicking-on-guitar/ https://acousticguitar.com/learn-the-fundamentals-of-flatpicking-on-guitar/#comments Fri, 07 Oct 2022 16:24:00 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=126777 What is flatpicking on guitar? Despite the name, it’s more than simply playing with a pick. Flatpicking refers to the acoustic guitar style, heard primarily in the bluegrass and folk idioms, of playing individual notes with a pick to form melodies, solos, and fills.]]> https://acousticguitar.com/learn-the-fundamentals-of-flatpicking-on-guitar/feed/ 2 126777 https://acousticguitar.com/fernando-sor-etude-string-crossing-guitar-workout/ https://acousticguitar.com/fernando-sor-etude-string-crossing-guitar-workout/#respond Fri, 09 Sep 2022 15:51:00 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=129116 This guitar lesson breaks down the mechanics of string crossing and applies it all to a classical guitar etude by Fernando Sor to help build up picking-hand precision.]]> https://acousticguitar.com/fernando-sor-etude-string-crossing-guitar-workout/feed/ 0 129116 https://acousticguitar.com/flatpicking-master-class-from-doc-watson-to-molly-tuttle-learn-to-think-and-play-like-the-greats/ https://acousticguitar.com/flatpicking-master-class-from-doc-watson-to-molly-tuttle-learn-to-think-and-play-like-the-greats/#respond Sun, 03 Jul 2022 13:00:00 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=132011 Here we’ll explore flatpicking guitar through some musical examples based on its key practitioners from Doc Watson to Molly Tuttle and identify some of the genre's essential recordings.]]> https://acousticguitar.com/flatpicking-master-class-from-doc-watson-to-molly-tuttle-learn-to-think-and-play-like-the-greats/feed/ 0 132011 https://acousticguitar.com/learn-tony-rices-flatpicking-take-on-the-traditional-fiddle-tune-cattle-in-the-cane/ https://acousticguitar.com/learn-tony-rices-flatpicking-take-on-the-traditional-fiddle-tune-cattle-in-the-cane/#respond Sun, 19 Jun 2022 13:00:00 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=131981 This is not only a good introduction to fiddle tunes, but to flatpicking in general as it covers the hallmarks of the style.]]> https://acousticguitar.com/learn-tony-rices-flatpicking-take-on-the-traditional-fiddle-tune-cattle-in-the-cane/feed/ 0 131981 https://acousticguitar.com/improve-your-flatpicking-technique-mother-maybelle-carter-exercises/ https://acousticguitar.com/improve-your-flatpicking-technique-mother-maybelle-carter-exercises/#respond Sun, 22 May 2022 13:00:00 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=129155 In this guitar lesson, these arrangements of two songs by Mother Maybelle Carter will help develop your technique and understanding of the flatpicking idiom.]]> https://acousticguitar.com/improve-your-flatpicking-technique-mother-maybelle-carter-exercises/feed/ 0 129155 https://acousticguitar.com/video-lesson-molly-tuttle-breaks-down-her-deft-right-hand-techniques/ https://acousticguitar.com/video-lesson-molly-tuttle-breaks-down-her-deft-right-hand-techniques/#respond Mon, 28 Feb 2022 16:59:00 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=113260 On an early afternoon last September, Molly Tuttle, who was holding a spruce-and-mahogany dreadnought that appeared to be not much younger than 80, showed me the back of the guitar, which sported telltale lacquer wear. Tuttle explained that the instrument wasn’t in fact vintage but was recently made by Pre-War Guitars, which had applied a […]]]> https://acousticguitar.com/video-lesson-molly-tuttle-breaks-down-her-deft-right-hand-techniques/feed/ 0 113260 https://acousticguitar.com/learn-the-flatpicking-bluegrass-of-doc-watson-and-clarence-white-on-footprints-in-the-snow/ https://acousticguitar.com/learn-the-flatpicking-bluegrass-of-doc-watson-and-clarence-white-on-footprints-in-the-snow/#respond Sun, 19 Dec 2021 14:00:00 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=127029 The 1964 performance by Doc Watson and Clarence White together at the Newport Folk Festival is a stellar demonstration of flatpicking. As heard on a series of duets on the album Treasures Untold, the recording captures both players early in their careers. Watson emerged on the scene beginning in 1960 as part of the folk […]]]> https://acousticguitar.com/learn-the-flatpicking-bluegrass-of-doc-watson-and-clarence-white-on-footprints-in-the-snow/feed/ 0 127029 https://acousticguitar.com/home-sweet-home-try-a-flatpicking-workout-inspired-by-a-banjo-classic/ https://acousticguitar.com/home-sweet-home-try-a-flatpicking-workout-inspired-by-a-banjo-classic/#respond Fri, 15 Oct 2021 14:51:00 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=120946 Try this flatpicking acoustic guitar workout for "Home Sweet Home," inspired by the banjo classic.]]> https://acousticguitar.com/home-sweet-home-try-a-flatpicking-workout-inspired-by-a-banjo-classic/feed/ 0 120946 https://acousticguitar.com/learn-to-play-duet-old-grimes-on-acoustic-guitar/ https://acousticguitar.com/learn-to-play-duet-old-grimes-on-acoustic-guitar/#respond Sun, 03 Oct 2021 13:00:00 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=125779 Guitarist Alan Barnosky teaches an acoustic guitar arrangement of the melodic fiddle tune “Old Grimes,” as interpreted by Julian Lage and Chris Eldridge]]> https://acousticguitar.com/learn-to-play-duet-old-grimes-on-acoustic-guitar/feed/ 0 125779 https://acousticguitar.com/salt-creek-bluegrass-flatpicking-guitar-lesson/ https://acousticguitar.com/salt-creek-bluegrass-flatpicking-guitar-lesson/#respond Wed, 28 Jul 2021 13:00:00 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=124678 A common question advancing flatpickers have is how and when to play up the guitar neck. The old favorite "Salt Creek" gives a good example of how to do it.]]> https://acousticguitar.com/salt-creek-bluegrass-flatpicking-guitar-lesson/feed/ 0 124678 https://acousticguitar.com/leather-britches-a-classic-fiddle-tune-arranged-for-flatpicking-guitar/ https://acousticguitar.com/leather-britches-a-classic-fiddle-tune-arranged-for-flatpicking-guitar/#respond Sun, 20 Jun 2021 15:08:00 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=123660 Despite its popularity among fiddlers, “Leather Britches” is less known with flatpickers—surprisingly so, as it is fun to play and lands well on the guitar. ]]> https://acousticguitar.com/leather-britches-a-classic-fiddle-tune-arranged-for-flatpicking-guitar/feed/ 0 123660 https://acousticguitar.com/beaumont-rag-learn-tony-rices-take-on-a-classic-fiddle-tune/ https://acousticguitar.com/beaumont-rag-learn-tony-rices-take-on-a-classic-fiddle-tune/#respond Thu, 08 Apr 2021 15:02:00 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=122436 Many guitarists flock to Tony Rice because of his jaw-dropping leads. However, Rice’s epic solos are only a small element of what made his music so special. ]]> https://acousticguitar.com/beaumont-rag-learn-tony-rices-take-on-a-classic-fiddle-tune/feed/ 0 122436 https://acousticguitar.com/world-premiere-learn-a-tune-by-chris-eldridge/ https://acousticguitar.com/world-premiere-learn-a-tune-by-chris-eldridge/#respond Wed, 29 Apr 2020 20:34:50 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=117216 Chris Eldridge, the Punch Brothers member and house guitarist on NPR’s Live From Here, has in recent years been having conversations with Collings Guitars about making the ultimate dreadnought. “One of my main goals was to come up with something that was less of a cannon and something more nuanced and complex, but still with […]]]> https://acousticguitar.com/world-premiere-learn-a-tune-by-chris-eldridge/feed/ 0 117216