https://acousticguitar.com lessons, music to play, and how-tos for all guitarists Wed, 30 Apr 2025 20:13:19 +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/reimagining-the-haunting-fiddle-tune-chilly-winds/ https://acousticguitar.com/reimagining-the-haunting-fiddle-tune-chilly-winds/#comments Mon, 05 May 2025 13:00:00 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=147283 Colorado-based guitarist and traditional music specialist Morgan Harris breaks down her arrangement of this folk classic.]]> https://acousticguitar.com/reimagining-the-haunting-fiddle-tune-chilly-winds/feed/ 2 147283 https://acousticguitar.com/hone-your-hybrid-picking-on-jason-isbells-lighthearted-love-song-foxes-in-the-snow/ https://acousticguitar.com/hone-your-hybrid-picking-on-jason-isbells-lighthearted-love-song-foxes-in-the-snow/#respond Wed, 30 Apr 2025 13:00:00 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=147302 Set to a bouncy minor-key groove, “Foxes” features some fine picking and is very fun to play, with a melodic solo that could stand on its own as an instrumental.]]> https://acousticguitar.com/hone-your-hybrid-picking-on-jason-isbells-lighthearted-love-song-foxes-in-the-snow/feed/ 0 147302 https://acousticguitar.com/play-jimmie-rodgers-bluesy-hit-waiting-for-a-train/ https://acousticguitar.com/play-jimmie-rodgers-bluesy-hit-waiting-for-a-train/#respond Sun, 06 Apr 2025 13:00:00 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=147290 “Waiting for a Train” first became a hit in 1929. Here, we’re keeping it simple and playing in C—an easy key for open-position cowboy chords.]]> https://acousticguitar.com/play-jimmie-rodgers-bluesy-hit-waiting-for-a-train/feed/ 0 147290 https://acousticguitar.com/learn-the-classic-fiddle-tune-fishers-hornpipe-and-build-your-flatpicking-skills/ https://acousticguitar.com/learn-the-classic-fiddle-tune-fishers-hornpipe-and-build-your-flatpicking-skills/#comments Sun, 23 Mar 2025 13:00:00 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=147296 No matter how you slice it, this melody is challenging on guitar. Yet it’s a catchy song, and if you attend a jam or two, you are sure to encounter it.]]> https://acousticguitar.com/learn-the-classic-fiddle-tune-fishers-hornpipe-and-build-your-flatpicking-skills/feed/ 1 147296 https://acousticguitar.com/learn-st-annes-reel-a-lovely-traditional-melody-and-a-jam-session-flatpicking-favorite/ https://acousticguitar.com/learn-st-annes-reel-a-lovely-traditional-melody-and-a-jam-session-flatpicking-favorite/#respond Wed, 12 Feb 2025 14:00:00 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=146965 Give this sweet tune a try, and you’ll quickly understand why so many guitarists love it.]]> https://acousticguitar.com/learn-st-annes-reel-a-lovely-traditional-melody-and-a-jam-session-flatpicking-favorite/feed/ 0 146965 https://acousticguitar.com/little-joe-the-wrangler-learn-dom-flemons-fresh-take-on-a-classic-cowboy-ballad/ https://acousticguitar.com/little-joe-the-wrangler-learn-dom-flemons-fresh-take-on-a-classic-cowboy-ballad/#respond Fri, 17 Jan 2025 14:00:00 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=146277 The transcription here is based on the version Flemons recorded for his 2018 album ‘Black Cowboys,’ which highlights the African American experience in country music.]]> https://acousticguitar.com/little-joe-the-wrangler-learn-dom-flemons-fresh-take-on-a-classic-cowboy-ballad/feed/ 0 146277 https://acousticguitar.com/dont-let-your-deal-go-down-strum-through-this-bluegrass-and-folk-standard/ https://acousticguitar.com/dont-let-your-deal-go-down-strum-through-this-bluegrass-and-folk-standard/#respond Wed, 11 Dec 2024 14:00:00 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=146254 It’s a simple song with just four basic chords, but the most challenging aspect for some beginners may be the spirited tempo. ]]> https://acousticguitar.com/dont-let-your-deal-go-down-strum-through-this-bluegrass-and-folk-standard/feed/ 0 146254 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/learn-the-power-of-motivic-development/ https://acousticguitar.com/learn-the-power-of-motivic-development/#respond Fri, 26 Jul 2024 14:00:00 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=144759 Dive deep into the melody and harmony to get maximum musical mileage out of a few compositional ideas.]]> https://acousticguitar.com/learn-the-power-of-motivic-development/feed/ 0 144759 https://acousticguitar.com/i-know-you-rider-learn-the-grateful-dead-classic/ Sun, 07 Jul 2024 13:00:00 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=144734 This arrangement takes some cues from the Dead, but uses dropped-D tuning for more low end punch and adds a bunch of flatpicking fun.]]> 144734 https://acousticguitar.com/jls-hymn-no-2-play-a-beautiful-new-solo-work-by-john-leventhal/ https://acousticguitar.com/jls-hymn-no-2-play-a-beautiful-new-solo-work-by-john-leventhal/#respond Sun, 26 May 2024 13:00:00 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=143902 This lovely piece is played in a nonstandard tuning, with the sixth and fifth strings tuned down to C and G, and a capo at the second fret.]]> https://acousticguitar.com/jls-hymn-no-2-play-a-beautiful-new-solo-work-by-john-leventhal/feed/ 0 143902 https://acousticguitar.com/learn-a-modern-solo-guitar-arrangement-of-the-classic-cowboy-ballad-when-the-works-all-done-this-fall/ https://acousticguitar.com/learn-a-modern-solo-guitar-arrangement-of-the-classic-cowboy-ballad-when-the-works-all-done-this-fall/#comments Wed, 15 May 2024 13:00:00 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=143871 This interpretation honors the original melody of this 100-year-old tune while rendering it with a flatpicking approach that nods toward more contemporary figures.]]> https://acousticguitar.com/learn-a-modern-solo-guitar-arrangement-of-the-classic-cowboy-ballad-when-the-works-all-done-this-fall/feed/ 1 143871 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-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-these-essential-americana-accompaniment-patterns-in-d-major/ Wed, 12 Jul 2023 13:00:00 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=139302 Make your I-IV-V boom-chuck accompaniments in D sound more interesting by adding some variety to your bass lines.]]> 139302 https://acousticguitar.com/how-to-play-boom-chuck-guitar-variations-in-g-the-most-common-bluegrass-key/ https://acousticguitar.com/how-to-play-boom-chuck-guitar-variations-in-g-the-most-common-bluegrass-key/#respond Sun, 07 May 2023 13:00:00 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=135662 Here we continue exploring boom-chuck, with an emphasis on moving bass lines]]> https://acousticguitar.com/how-to-play-boom-chuck-guitar-variations-in-g-the-most-common-bluegrass-key/feed/ 0 135662 https://acousticguitar.com/how-to-boomchuck/ https://acousticguitar.com/how-to-boomchuck/#comments Wed, 01 Feb 2023 14:00:00 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=134219 In this guitar lesson we will break down the classic boom-chuck pattern heard throughout American roots music and begin to use it on songs. ]]> https://acousticguitar.com/how-to-boomchuck/feed/ 1 134219 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/flatpicking-fills/ https://acousticguitar.com/flatpicking-fills/#respond Fri, 21 Oct 2022 15:45:00 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=107671 In this guitar lesson, learn how to use bluegrass flatpicking to add riffs and fills on top of your playing to create the exciting sound of multiple instruments.]]> https://acousticguitar.com/flatpicking-fills/feed/ 0 107671 https://acousticguitar.com/learn-to-create-guitar-accompaniments-and-solos/ https://acousticguitar.com/learn-to-create-guitar-accompaniments-and-solos/#respond Sun, 25 Sep 2022 13:00:00 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=133529 Happy Traum demonstrates how to arrange accompaniment and guitar solos for old folk, blues, and gospel songs.]]> https://acousticguitar.com/learn-to-create-guitar-accompaniments-and-solos/feed/ 0 133529 https://acousticguitar.com/learn-a-campfire-guitar-version-of-casey-jones/ https://acousticguitar.com/learn-a-campfire-guitar-version-of-casey-jones/#respond Thu, 28 Jul 2022 13:00:00 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=132674 “Casey Jones” is one of the great traditional American folk songs. Here's how to play a basic campfire strumming version on guitar.]]> https://acousticguitar.com/learn-a-campfire-guitar-version-of-casey-jones/feed/ 0 132674 https://acousticguitar.com/little-satchel-learn-sarah-jarosz-and-john-leventhals-take-on-a-traditional-tune/ https://acousticguitar.com/little-satchel-learn-sarah-jarosz-and-john-leventhals-take-on-a-traditional-tune/#respond Thu, 21 Jul 2022 15:00:30 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=119840 On “Little Satchel,” the most traditional number on Sarah Jarosz’s brilliant new album, World on the Ground (see link to review below), Jarosz sings and plays clawhammer banjo while her producer, John Leventhal, lends spare but effective guitar parts. Leventhal’s instrument—a late 1930s Gibson J-35 that he has owned for years—has a particularly robust and […]]]> https://acousticguitar.com/little-satchel-learn-sarah-jarosz-and-john-leventhals-take-on-a-traditional-tune/feed/ 0 119840 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/techniques-for-arranging-traditional-tunes-on-guitar/ https://acousticguitar.com/techniques-for-arranging-traditional-tunes-on-guitar/#respond Wed, 15 Jun 2022 13:00:00 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=132000 In this guitar lesson you'll learn a handful of techniques for making solo guitar arrangements of ballads and trail songs: active bass runs, cross-picking, and hybrid picking.]]> https://acousticguitar.com/techniques-for-arranging-traditional-tunes-on-guitar/feed/ 0 132000 https://acousticguitar.com/are-you-lonesome-tonight-easy-guitar-version/ https://acousticguitar.com/are-you-lonesome-tonight-easy-guitar-version/#respond Sun, 05 Jun 2022 13:00:00 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=131974 "Are You Lonesome Tonight" was a big hit for Elvis. For this easy guitar arrangement in the key of G major, we’re going to concentrate on just the main body of the song.]]> https://acousticguitar.com/are-you-lonesome-tonight-easy-guitar-version/feed/ 0 131974