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-a-challenging-arrangement-of-spotted-pony-by-the-late-great-guitarist-dudley-hill/ https://acousticguitar.com/learn-a-challenging-arrangement-of-spotted-pony-by-the-late-great-guitarist-dudley-hill/#comments Wed, 20 Nov 2024 14:00:00 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=145759 Hill’s rendition of this traditional Missouri fiddle tune sounds straightforward but is deceptively tricky.]]> https://acousticguitar.com/learn-a-challenging-arrangement-of-spotted-pony-by-the-late-great-guitarist-dudley-hill/feed/ 1 145759 https://acousticguitar.com/hone-your-cross-picking-skills-with-the-classic-fiddle-tune-soldiers-joy/ https://acousticguitar.com/hone-your-cross-picking-skills-with-the-classic-fiddle-tune-soldiers-joy/#comments Sun, 29 Sep 2024 13:00:00 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=145204 "Soldier's Joy" is almost always played fast. In this lesson I present two versions that offer options for navigating this tricky melody.]]> https://acousticguitar.com/hone-your-cross-picking-skills-with-the-classic-fiddle-tune-soldiers-joy/feed/ 3 145204 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/7-things-you-need-to-know-before-participating-in-your-first-jam-session/ https://acousticguitar.com/7-things-you-need-to-know-before-participating-in-your-first-jam-session/#comments Wed, 10 Jul 2024 13:00:00 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=144773 Regularly attending a jam can be one of the best ways to get inspired to practice and improve. Here's how to find a jam session, how to prepare, and what to do when you get there.]]> https://acousticguitar.com/7-things-you-need-to-know-before-participating-in-your-first-jam-session/feed/ 1 144773 https://acousticguitar.com/tackling-the-locktenders-reel-a-modern-fiddle-tune-by-guitarist-eric-skye/ https://acousticguitar.com/tackling-the-locktenders-reel-a-modern-fiddle-tune-by-guitarist-eric-skye/#respond Wed, 01 May 2024 13:00:00 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=143893 Inspired by Skye's Pennsylvania childhood, this wistful and captivating tune is increasingly played at bluegrass and old-time gatherings. ]]> https://acousticguitar.com/tackling-the-locktenders-reel-a-modern-fiddle-tune-by-guitarist-eric-skye/feed/ 0 143893 https://acousticguitar.com/practice-cross-picking-with-this-solo-by-early-bluegrass-master-bill-napier-on-will-the-circle-be-unbroken/ https://acousticguitar.com/practice-cross-picking-with-this-solo-by-early-bluegrass-master-bill-napier-on-will-the-circle-be-unbroken/#respond Sun, 11 Feb 2024 14:00:00 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=143475 Modern guitarists often use cross-picking as a flashy showpiece, but the early flatpickers did it on slower selections to create charming and captivating solos.]]> https://acousticguitar.com/practice-cross-picking-with-this-solo-by-early-bluegrass-master-bill-napier-on-will-the-circle-be-unbroken/feed/ 0 143475 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-jamie-stillways-take-on-red-haired-boy/ https://acousticguitar.com/learn-jamie-stillways-take-on-red-haired-boy/#respond Fri, 03 Nov 2023 15:38:31 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=141839 The song is heard often at jams, concerts, and on albums, most recently on Jamie Stillway and Eric Skye’s duo guitar release ‘Over the Waterfall.’]]> https://acousticguitar.com/learn-jamie-stillways-take-on-red-haired-boy/feed/ 0 141839 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/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/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/learn-jon-stickley-blackberry-blossom/ https://acousticguitar.com/learn-jon-stickley-blackberry-blossom/#respond Wed, 23 Nov 2022 16:15:00 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=133382 Learn to play the Jon Stickley Trio's unique interpretation of the bluegrass tune “Blackberry Blossom” on guitar.]]> https://acousticguitar.com/learn-jon-stickley-blackberry-blossom/feed/ 0 133382 https://acousticguitar.com/pickin-learn-a-beautiful-open-g-guitar-arrangement-of-sally-ann/ https://acousticguitar.com/pickin-learn-a-beautiful-open-g-guitar-arrangement-of-sally-ann/#respond Thu, 03 Nov 2022 12:00:00 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=121883 Dudley Hill was a beloved guitarist in the Pacific Northwest with great rhythm and time. Here's how to play his version of the tune "Sally Ann" on guitar.]]> https://acousticguitar.com/pickin-learn-a-beautiful-open-g-guitar-arrangement-of-sally-ann/feed/ 0 121883 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/classical-bluegrass-learn-how-to-flatpick-a-staple-of-the-nylon-string-literature/ https://acousticguitar.com/classical-bluegrass-learn-how-to-flatpick-a-staple-of-the-nylon-string-literature/#comments Fri, 23 Sep 2022 17:25:00 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=120016 Matteo Carcassi’s 25 Etudes, Op. 60 are a rite of passage for the advancing classical guitarist. Learn how to flatpick this classic on acoustic guitar.]]> https://acousticguitar.com/classical-bluegrass-learn-how-to-flatpick-a-staple-of-the-nylon-string-literature/feed/ 1 120016 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-guitar-lesson-learn-the-traditional-fiddle-tune-bill-cheatham/ https://acousticguitar.com/flatpicking-guitar-lesson-learn-the-traditional-fiddle-tune-bill-cheatham/#respond Wed, 03 Aug 2022 13:00:00 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=132681 “Bill Cheatham” is the perfect example of a fiddle tune that's also a great way to learn flatpicking on guitar. ]]> https://acousticguitar.com/flatpicking-guitar-lesson-learn-the-traditional-fiddle-tune-bill-cheatham/feed/ 0 132681 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-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