Bluegrass Flatpicking Guitar Lesson | Licks in Key of G, C, and D

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Tabs for this lesson at: goo.gl/PLsEyV
Hello friends,
In today's session I'll be showing you how to combine a basic bluegrass rhythm with some classic flatpicking licks. We'll begin by reviewing the theory behind the 1.4.5 chord progression in G, a bluegrass style strumming pattern, and your major blues scales before combining these elements into a complete practice routine. Let's get started!
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[@mattburnett7153]

After playing rock and metal for about 10 years I find myself here starting a new journey into Bluegrass and I love it!

[@alexanderhanksx]

THIS except i did grew up listening to bluegrass I just got away from it in my teens and I’m back baby 😂

[@ianlemaster120]

Same man I started with bluegrass about 2 years ago after being strictly thrash metal for like 12 years.

[@G_Demolished]

Bluegrass doesn’t get street cred but those guys are all shredding. On acoustics. 🤘

[@datboibaz]

Saaaaaame but I also rap too lol

[@aashoksubba9993]

I roamed around jazz metal rock and find my love here 🍻

[@Kevin12321]

I wish I had you while I was first starting. I started when I was 10 and missed out on a lot of good years bc I didn’t have the right teacher. Now at 24 trying to teach myself the stuff I want to learn is a night mare

[@PIANOSTYLE100]

Been there done that, have the T shirt.

[@49dwalin55]

I got the same t shirt

[@OFWGKTAdontgiveafuck]

I’m in that exact same position

[@badboybootz8]

Everyone teaches their own way so you dont know whats right or wrong that's whats so frustrating to me

[@arnoldrutjens6663]

Thanks man...great !!! Greatings from Holland.

[@pharmtek]

Ive been waiting for a video like this for a long time. thank you so much!

[@revfunk8823]

Sent here from a Billy Strings video lol

[@benpc1794]

Same!

[@gilbertcarmona4177]

Im in also!

[@nathan-wise]

Haha same!

[@gunslingersymphony5015]

Looked it up because of a Billy Strings video. Wish I'd been sent. I thought you knew me better, KZbin.

[@yumnamnongshaba1364]

True

[@davidharris9939]

I just turned 73. Started young, 13 or so, taught myself chords,Travis picking then stopped. Just picked it up again at 72, then I discovered Billy Strings. Picking like crazy for the past 1yr. Got too say, I'm glad I learned some. Love blue Grass. Billy Strings and the other boys are fabulous. My favorite.💯

[@wheninroamful]

Makes me so happy to read this, thanks for sharing. I learned when i was 16, now 41, and in the last year been playing more than ever since i first learned. Travis picking has been my focus. Always wanted a Martin, and since i had my first son and "settled down" i got my first Martin, which makes playing that much funner/better with nice guitar. Had a Fender acoustic for the last 20 years and this Martin is so much different/better. Ive never played with a pick, but what the hell, might as well learn something new.

[@jacklipinski985]

Yes, billy strings rocks

[@BigislandEJ]

I've been working on Billy strings speed and my strumming arm is sore! But now I've found a challenge worth perfecting, I've been a metal player and this art form will improve my skills ,or cripple me,only time will tell.

[@Col_Sanders]

Yeah watching Billy Strings just makes me want to give up on guitar. That kid is insane!

[@PaulIsbell]

Molly Tuttle inspired me to play bluegrass.

[@amiransubba9654]

For its Billy string

[@Oberkobold]

I really enjoyed that lesson! I found that it's also a great way to start building speed. I started practicing it at 60bpm with a metronome and increased the tempo by 5bmp everytime when I was able to get through it flawlessly a couply times. I really struggled at 90bpm... but I kept going and somehow got all the way to 120bpm - when I go back to 90bpm now it feels so slow.

[@MFDOOOOM]

Thanks for the inspiration needed this lmao

[@michelerivelli4155]

Great! Thank you very much! 👏

[@thatoneguitarist2918]

I really learned good stuff with this lesson, keep on the good work :)

[@keithosborn-peraza6813]

Dude this guy is the best teacher I have found online. Very concise but also explains in simple terms and slow enough to commit it to memory

[@sathyadelmaestro5175]

100%

[@guitarlessons769]

Fantastic Video! Fantastic job on this video.

[@WoodenNickleFarms]

Just listening to his voice, I thought it was Ben Stiller giving bluegrass lessons hahaha

[@Kalmanheyn]

This guy gives really good lessons! I just watched his gypsy jazz video, and was incidentally brought here when I started looking up bluegrass, too.

[@hughjass5156]

As someone who spent the last 10 years playing songs, and is just now starting to learn how to actually play guitar these tutorials are proving invaluable. Thanks!

[@andresdhannyv8763]

I like this Chanel because the guy shows how to play the song and the music theory behind the song is great

[@swiftlessons]

+andresd Diaz always try to pepper in just enough theory, but it’s easy to lose people. Glad you’re digging it!

[@kane6529]

The way you say note is fascinating 😂

[@acquitz2208]

That’s what I was thinking I found myself saying it like him every time he did😂

[@red4life848]

Well I'm shit at the guitar. Edit still shit

[@cloudcity_brandon4913]

Great lesson, and just the difficulty I need! Cheers friend

[@lenonfreire3235]

My pinky finger doesn't want to cooperate

[@cara9467]

To use the parlance of our times, "big mood"

[@howlinnadeaux766]

Hey man thanks a lot for this lesson. Ive been trying to elevate my play style but ive been too intimidated to learn flat pick but this really breaks down for the basics. Definitely gonna be rewatching and playing along for the next few weeks until ive mastered this routine and I look forward to your other videos.

[@fishnmusicn]

Haven't picked up the guitar in a while. This lesson was easy to learn, I'm too lazy to learn fingerpicking. Subscribed and looking forward to learning some more, thanks :)

[@WaffleOnTheRun]

It’s the opposite for me learning stuff like this is way harder than learning fingerpicking unless your talking about like classical finger picking guitar

[@barrya.6212]

STARTS 0:33 AND 4:57

[@guloguloguy]

Thank you, for this great beginner lesson! I just recently decided to check out the "flatpicking" playing style. At first, I was concerned that they were using an "alternate tuning", but, I'm glad that I don't have to re-learn everything (new scale and chord patterns)! I would rather see you change your camera angle, so that we are looking down at the fretboard, as if we were looking over your left shoulder!

[@s.r.t.8758]

I have learned more from you, in this lesson alone, than I have from any other teacher, on here. The D run has opened my eyes. I'm an intermediate picker that has somewhat plateaued and that plateau is FINALLY over. Thank you!

[@WestSeaSpirit]

I had no idea I should switch Key scales to each specific chord. I assumed if I play in 1 key than I use that 1 key scale for 'all' chords within that same key. Thanks!

[@carltaylor4942]

Polar Apple - With a basic 1-4-5 sequence like this, such as you find in nearly all blues songs you can either stay with the 1 scale or change keys for each chord. Or alternate the two choices. Hendrix used to change for each chord in a song.

[@ikarosdream5971]

You should look into the chord structure of a major key. It will help you solidify this idea. Most people at first wouldn't assume that minor chords are actually an inherent part of every major key. For example the chords of c major are; C major, d minor, e minor, f major, G major, A minor, B diminished, then back to C major. So Carl is correct,most of the time, but you can see how in a lot of progressions and situations, playing the root scale through an entire progression will sound weird and limit you, and occasionally straight up not work.

[@francescodizazzo]

This is brilliant, thank you! Any chance for a Mississippi John Hurt fingerpicking lesson?

[@GreenEarthBlueSky]

I second this request!

[@3223Blues]

Great choice, I third it.

[@badkatrising3918]

.

[@mikebastiat]

It's easy. Pinch, pinch, T, I, T, M

[@Greenwolf6666]

I'd probably be good if I had friends

[@PanosK777]

You're officially my new (and first ever) guitar teacher! Have been strumming for years as a mere accompaniment to my voice, but it was only recently that I decided to stop limiting such a magnificent instrument to its basics and I am slowly but surely taking up bluegrass guitar. You're the best!!

[@TheBoyscout007]

Brilliant video thank you. So well explained and easy to follow.

[@modernmusicstudio303]

You're such a fantastic teacher! This was a great tutorial!

[@Alexander-vm2ox]

Just for the way you say nōte I’ve got to sub.

[@usernamemykel]

Excellent. Liked and subbed. Thank you!

[@jachu1433]

You’re a good teacher 😊 sent this to my son who’s just started interest in guitar and bluegrass music

[@prodsnus]

Ur a good mom ❤️ keep being a supportive parent

[@usernamemykel]

No "Down/up, down/up" sequence with the pickhand on the individual notes????????????????

[@andrewchinnici716]

Wouldn’t that technically be like g Dorian and etc. and not the g blues scale?

[@warrencon1]

It's a G major pentatonic scale with the added notes from the "blues" scale. I don't see how that would make it Dorian.

[@earhoney]

What part of the U.S. is that accent from? I keep wanting him to say "Totally Gnarly dude"

[@jacksongatens2419]

South Jersey / Philly

[@rawhides]

Sounds Amish

[@guitarman1477]

@@rawhides so what

[@VA434]

Nice to see you playing a guild. Man I am a fan of thst brand. Got a 240d and a nice breedlove that both sound fantastic.

[@NicRidic]

Nice too see someone playing a guild.

[@Melvorgazh]

Heyo guys! And especially the kind uploader. I am looking for a a video that teaches rolls and cuts. I play mostly Celtic, Breton and Irish tunes and haven’t found anything on those cuts and rolls ornamentations on the guitar. Regards ;)

[@mikeritchie6237]

I saw this lesson and instantly bought a shirt. That lesson was exactly what i need. thx. glad to support - and get a t-shrit

[@bluegrasstravelers8195]

Thank you so much for all these videos

[@swiftlessons]

Always a pleasure Molly & Corey May, thanks so much for watching. Please share when you have a chance. Enjoy your progress! -Rob

[@kyfw6351]

Awesome lesson! I’m working on my bluegrass/flat picking. You had a little fuzz on your thumb. Don’t know why, but it was bothering me hahahahaha. Good job man

[@swiftlessons]

Yeah caught that in post production, it was driving me nuts too... so glad you enjoyed the lesson though!

[@omkarperez6614]

Great lesson, great teaching!

[@austintomkewitz7206]

You forgot to spit some dip into the soundhole while fingering the G string

[@jamesmoon5632]

Great lesson!!! Very well explained and just what i was after

[@thomasfields2082]

Bluegrass is😈. So punk Rock.

[@hologram503]

When I play the exact same notes it doesn't sound the same at all.

[@jimbarrett2152]

That’s a cool lick / Thanks for putting that up . 🎶👍😎

[@ryanb18222]

My fingers are bleeding 😅

[@coreypaynter4011]

Wow, amazing video, was able to write down the "tab" of it easy, thank you for teaching me this tasty rythm!!!!

[@tammyo8922]

Excellent lesson - thank you! 👌☺️

[@delphinoaleon6436]

Not sure if you were trying, but you definitely made Bluegrass look like it's quite difficult to play.

[@philoumars3168]

It is not so difficult if you have 20 years of practice behind you. For a beginner = no it is practically impossible.

[@cara9467]

Let's face it, if it was truly easy, everyone would be doing it. I'm learning now at 30, hoping to get to Billy Strings level by 40!!!!!

[@dukeofearl4117]

I searched Patreon and couldn’t find this lesson. Patreon’s search engine sucks.

[@swiftlessons]

Hey, the search bar can only cross references your query with the text in my post which is limited. For this reason, I include corresponding Patreon links in the description of each video, usually at the bottom.

[@klippdachs]

Your teaching skills are very good. Thanks for posting, Sir!

[@patrickbush9526]

I'm already starting to feel like Lester flat

[@user-jz3vc9kd2j]

When showing the scales over the 3 chords in section 3....you add an extra note on the B string playing over C. When showing it slowly you added in the extra...but playing at speed you arent playing it.

[@carliesherwood7344]

you are handsome and a good teacher. score!

[@F3PIZZA]

If you watch Saturday Night Live, do you remember Vanessa Bayer’s character the “Poetry Teacher”? Do you hear what Im talking about? This is an awesome and now HILARIOUS lesson 🤣😂

[@philmendenhall2633]

Thanks for your time. Great teacher. Anyone else looking for bluegrass lessons check out his doc watson version of summertime. Nails it!! Billy strings fans check out billy playing it with marcus king. Fyi as for the d chord slide, ( being from philly maybe you couldnt bring yourself to say it😉) but its called “digging taters” thanks again from tennessee!

[@TheKitchenRat]

Is the note F in the key of D major, I thought it went D, E, F#, G, A, B, C#.

[@TheKitchenRat]

Unless it was in the key of G fused with Key of D. I don’t know how it works im so confused

[@TheBigMclargehuge]

Fun to play and easy to switch up and make your own. Bouncing off those open strings does magic.

[@robertharvey9047]

liquid church house

[@haggishead7558]

Nice lesson thank you but you got a way to go to get as fast as Billy Strings

[@swiftlessons]

haha, I’m never getting anywhere near Billy’s level, but that’s okay, it’s not the style I focus on creatively, but I do love dabbling across genres.

[@nreyntje]

I'm sure you get this all the time... but whats the guitar? Martin D18? :)

[@geebee864]

you are leaving out a note in you presention of Major Blues scale ! But as you play it you hit it sometimes! Thanks watch yo video !

[@earlwisenauer4994]

stellar lesson!!!! the man slowed everything down note for note....love it

[@Daggersofdemon]

Pick colour changed. Blue to white

[@swiftlessons]

Wow, that is very observant. I often break up my work day into two hour chunks, so if you look closely you'll see little inconsistencies.

[@swodeshkakshapati3580]

I get new idea to compose song

[@geebee864]

You are leaving out the D note next to the last of you Major Blues scale! Thanks 🙏

[@MrMetallax]

Are you from baltimore? I hear how you say your o's lol. Thanks for the awespme tutorial!

[@swiftlessons]

Close, I’m from south jersey/Philly, really hard accent to shake.

[@MrMetallax]

Haha i feel you, in baltimore alot of people have a long o type noise we make, i still do it and ive been living in pa for 13 years lol

[@martingrafton4844]

@@swiftlessons No need to shake, I love accent diversity!

[@Sherpa38]

Hello, thank you for this lesson, a very good introduction to bluegrass, after some days, I got it.... what next lesson do you advise me to evolve? Thanks again, Tibo

[@JonathanPierceBand]

Please learn how to trim your beard lol

[@swiftlessons]

I’m not here to look pretty for you… pick up your guitar and get to work.

[@JonathanPierceBand]

@@swiftlessons if you can pick then you can trim

[@lookingforslickmode]

What bpm are you playing at in the fast version?

[@runtsmeadow6797]

5:45 UP!

[@Antibugget]

Just sliding the D is so satisfying it made me go Yeah! xD

[@NicholasWiedenfeld]

This is rad thank you

[@chrislacy1972]

This is cool thank you. What model guitar is that ? Sounds great.

[@rollomaughfling380]

newt

[@mattdavis9376]

An ewpen string

[@jameskeough4620]

This is a well-done video chocked with good licks and technique!

[@barrya.6212]

ENDING 11:23 and 11:45

[@jackw9034]

Thanks Rob, great breakdown of the style of bluegrass. I fell in love with this after discovering Billy Strings.

[@ringo34]

After the D lick are you muting the G string during the slide?

[@daveb1437]

loved the lesson

[@susangraham813]

Love these picking challenges, Rob! It's been a couple years since you created this video, and I don't know if you'll see my comment here. But I'm wondering about the down-up when arpeggio picking. Seems somewhat arbitrary. Is it just a feel thing? Thx so much for all you do.

[@alan4sure]

You usually start the picking with a down stroke.

[@barrya.6212]

SECOND SLIDE >> 12:42

[@charliehendrix1265]

Why does he say some words so weird like major😂😂😂

[@swiftlessons]

Because I’m from New Jersey... must be something in the wooder.

[@charliehendrix1265]

@@swiftlessons 😂

[@barrya.6212]

BEGINNING 8:03

[@chaotikdoom]

hey whats the song in the backround at the beggining?

[@erdogan330]

thanks rob another great lesson

[@7vanzzy7]

Great lesson

[@PIANOSTYLE100]

Very good lesson.. I like that slide into the D position. I was doing the G run one day and realized that it was the E Blues staring from G tot G. Also with at D slide, that would be really great on a drop D. Fortunately, both dad and mom were musicians.. Dad played guitar and mom played piano. I banged on the piano for years, then mom got me lessons. Took them from sent grade through 12th. Dad taught me how to play lead on the high E string. When I was 12., He gave me a Craftsman Silvertone guitar. Over the years learned uke, harmonica, 5 string banjo, base and others. I'm starting to use Irealpro..wow..I paid for the pro version ,but the free is good also. Great to practice with. Great video and good teaching. I'm going to download your materials. Thanks for sharing.

[@bentietz7617]

PIANOSTYLE100 “you know, for a security guard he had an awful lot of information, don’t ya think?”

[@tymospoelman8175]

What for strings are you using?

[@perseveringpisces6938]

What kind of guitar is that?

[@swiftlessons]

In this video I'm playing a Guild GAD30-r, which I highly recommend if you can find it. Unfortunately the GAD series has been discontinued, I suppose the closest thing they have to it now is this OM-140: amzn.to/3jHtnHT

[@droidgeist]

Nice lesson. What accent is this?

[@colinstevens7013]

Really enjoyed that , thank you.

[@robbynaumann439]

This is definitely and informative lesson on the notes and scales etc, but I think it’s missing some info on technique when it comes to the picking. Even the teacher has some struggles with the picking, you can hear it in whenever he plays the first run of notes. I think there’s a lot of economy and alternate picking with this kind of stuff. Not bagging on anyone, just putting my opinion out there. I think the technique is what makes it sound the way it does.

[@philoumars3168]

The video is good. The picking ? You alternate it and that's all. I have learned it = it is ok. And sometimes one adapts his own way of playing to the one proposed in the lesson.

[@ikarosdream5971]

I was looking for this comment. I agree. He covered the bluegrass idea well, the progression, the scales used, but he didn't even cover the right hand, it is definitely down up down up, duh bro... but in flat picking there is a 4 note over 3 string strumming pattern that creates the speed and sound that he doesn't even mention. Its the hardest part and defining quality of flatpicking.

[@ikarosdream5971]

When someone says something like this, Philo, your first reaction should be to ask why, not try and correct them. For one, its rude, and for 2, its should be obvious to you(it is to us) that the original commenter knows more about guitar/music than you. If you want to improve at music learn to shut up and pick up on the good advice. If you only used this video, you would literally never learn to flat pick. And this one comment was your only chance to learn that on this video/thread. Instead your ego prevented you from improving.

[@vonjo27]

“The fifth no”. Just kidding- awesome video!

[@RyneMurray23]

I love this man very informative and fun to play