Category Archives: Guitar

Worried Man Blues: Guitar Lesson

Worried Man Blues is a traditional American/Bluegrass folk song, and this arrangement for the guitar is in the key of G. Perfect for a kick-off or break, we’re taking the basic melody and adding a bunch of licks and variation, perfect for the intermediate picker! This is a companion lesson for the Beginner Bluegrass Licks lesson, where we discuss how to approach playing licks over this progression and break down some fundamental theory. Go to lesson...

Beginner Bluegrass Licks (Part 2): Guitar Lesson

In part two of this lesson, we’ll learn some more great beginner bluegrass licks on the guitar, perfect to further develop improvisation in the bluegrass style for the intermediate picker! Firstly, the example solo/licks for part two are in the key of G, played over the chord progression from Old Home Place. Go to lesson...

Beginner Bluegrass Licks: Guitar Lesson

In this lesson, we’ll learn some great beginner bluegrass licks on the guitar, perfect for an introduction in the style for the intermediate picker! Firstly, the example solo/licks are in the key of G, played over the chord progression from Worried Man Blues. As part of the full lesson we’ll break down all the lick ideas, plus cover some important detail in the scales, arpeggios and blue notes for each of the chords in the progression.  Go to lesson...

Salt Creek (w/ Harmony): Guitar Lesson

Salt Creek is a classic bluegrass fiddle tune, and you can never have too many versions! This guitar arrangement in A (capo 2) features both a melody and harmony break that combine into a fantastic variation.

In this lesson, we’ll learn both parts plus a harmonised tag. Played at a fast tempo with some challenging passages, it’s ideal for advanced intermediate pickers. Go to lesson...

Smash The Windows: Guitar Lesson

Smash The Windows – Lively Traditional Irish Jig in D

In this lesson we break down a fun intermediate arrangement featuring classic 6/8 jig rhythms, common flatpicking patterns, tasteful slurs, and nice chord voicings in drop D tuning. Perfect for building confidence with Irish timing and ornamentation. Jump in and let’s learn it together! Go to lesson...

Tarbolton Reel: Guitar Lesson

Tarbolton Reel is a traditional Scottish reel, played at a fast tempo, in the key of Em. Using both the dorian & aeolian minor scales, this arrangement features a nice mixture of ornamentation & rhythmic variation. Up to tempo, this is a challenging tune, well suited to the advanced picker. Jump into the lesson & we’ll break down the techniques and variations found within the arrangement.  Go to lesson...

Cherokee Shuffle (V4): Guitar Lesson

Cherokee Shuffle is a popular American fiddle tune, played in the key of A (capo 2). This is the fourth arrangement here at Pickin’ Lessons on the guitar and is a variation that approaches the melody in a more advanced way, highlighting the melody while introducing some great bluegrass licks and movement all around the neck. Go to lesson...