Bluegrass Rhythm Guitar Lesson: Know the Job First.m4v

[@adamschlenker]

There was a good question posted here but it disappeared. I do alternate between the Root and 3rd some in this clip. The traditional and cleanest sounding approach is to alternate root and 5th, which we should all be doing most of the time. Sometimes we can add more "color" to the rhythm part by alternating the root and 3rd. You have to use your ears to decide if when this will work.

[@WesleyWorrell]

Excellent lesson and advice. Good, easy to understand, laid back way of presenting material. Really couldn't be put any better, in my opinion. Thanks, Adam

[@omkarperez6614]

Very wholesome teaching. It was exactly, what I need. Learning how to integrate, all these pieces and frails. Thanks a lot. From Madrid

[@R2B2YT]

great lesson. I love blue grass. Excited to learn this style.

[@jondrayna6978]

Thanks! A famous french writer once said, It seems perfection is achieved not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing left to take away. True here, as in many situations.

[@johndunnavant1222]

Jon Drayna i

[@blahman178]

phenomenal lessons! so nice to get some theory and musical instruction out of a bluegrass lesson instead of just note for note licks. i watch one or two of your videos every time i get out the ol martin box

[@roughout]

Excellent lesson! I've looked all over for the right strumming video to send to a learning guitar player. You started with the basics and added some flare. Perfect.

[@StevePlaysBanjo]

As a banjo player learning to play guitar, these lessons are great. Thanks!

[@adamschlenker]

They used to tell us in school that you can do anything you set your mind to. I have come to look at it a different way. We can always accomplish MORE but we all can't reach the same place. We should understand our limitations and develop around them. I've heard it said that one of the big break throughs for C.W. was that he excepted the limitations of acoustic guitar & made flat picking work with in those limits If you feel you have reached your speed limit, then focus on your phrasing etc

[@adamschlenker]

Chris, I have included some more in depth rhythm or backing guitar parts into some of the lesson packs on the 5th fret productions web site. Take a look there on the lesson download page. I do plan to to a lesson pack strictly on rhythm before to long though.

[@Coreysnightout]

Great tut!

[@BlindTom61]

@adamschlenker No, I left for the Haight Ashbury in 1968, been in either Tokyo or northern California since. Tom Ewing was the hot Bluegrass guitar player in Columbus in the early '60s. He played rhythm and sang lead with Bill Monroe until Bill passed away. The wrist rotation is the part I've looked for my whole life. When I play Tele it's no biggie but on a Martin it is imperative. Keep in touch and thanks again for the great lessons! Tq

[@malcolmwh496]

Excellent lesson Adam, now to get the practise in!!!

[@IAMGRANT1991]

such a valuable lesson, applicable for so many genres other than bluegrass as well.

[@TheEnduranceaddict]

I've been playing guitar for 15 years mostly death metal/death grind ect... And am trying to learn this style, always have enjoyed listening to it. I'm definitely getting it but learning to play like this is like starting from nothing almost. Being a metal player I'm used to making riffs as complicated as possible sweeps, trills, buzz saw type tremolo and when I watch bluegrass and country guys playing I see a lot of similarities to metal. But the structure and scales are way different. I haven't heard any bluegrass played in the Phrygian mode at least not yet. Great lesson it was slow enough to catch what your doing but not so slow I can't pay attention. Most definitely one of the better lessons I've seen.

[@paulyberry]

Phrygian mode bluegrass? lol!

[@paulbcram]

Thanks for the tutorial. First time I tried this type of music and actually really like it. I'v learnt more in this one video than I have in many others. Had been afraid of using a pick but now getting to like it! I started trying Duelling Banjos and came across your channel and pleased I did. !

[@mason87104]

Thanks for the perfect intro to bluegrass for a player of another genre!

[@adamschlenker]

Glad you like the lesson! That's a Martin D-18 Golden Era I'm playing in that clip.

[@adamschlenker]

@patrakis2 Patrick, Great to hear someone excited about flat picking! I bet Delfest was a great time. In regard to why the open A string works with the D chord is because A is part of the chord and in fact an important part, it's the "5th" (5th note of the D scale) we use alternating lines like root (D) 5th (A) or (root) C (5th) G to create that bass movement we hear. I'm limited on space in this reply so feel free to send me a message direct for more details

[@DonLemelin]

Thank you for the great video any chance you can breakdown the walk down riff at 9:02 thanks again.

[@leftypick4854]

I know how to play like that ever since 1983. Man, ma first webcam was this wierd Creative 1999 white one. Great stuff man.

[@adamschlenker]

Great to hear these lessons have been helpful. Be sure sure to check out the 5th Fret Productions website more more flat pick resources. I try to only use public domain songs for the lesson packs but I'll take a look at the song you suggested...

[@adamschlenker]

Glad you liked it! Thanks, Adam

[@daveharrison3655]

Great freaking video man. Thank you.

[@adamschlenker]

Well yes. In the bluegrass style the bass player doesn't usually do a lot of moving around. They're pretty much staying to a Root/5th sort of line. So, one of our jobs as rhythm guitarist is to create more movement between the chords. Essentially leading the band around like a bass player would in rock or jazz etc...

[@adamschlenker]

Glad you like it. Have you seen the Big Sciota and Bill Cheathum lessons I have on the 5th Fret website? You'll find them on the Download page. There is a Billy in the Low Ground video here on KZbin as well.

[@Ten2More]

Great explanation!

[@baileyslip]

Hey''Adam Thank you for doing these videos. What a big help they are thank you so much as I like the way you go about teaching, To me your aproch to learning is fast enough for a impatient beginner like me but slow enough so I dont miss anything.I just stumbled onto your videos as I have been looking at flatpicking rag type music for days.Keep'em comeing and I'll keep "practicing"Thank you again.Linda

[@rickatica]

Very good advice,Knowing your job is very important in a band, be it bluegrass or otherwise!!

[@EzyoMusic]

Great video, nice pointers. Loved that lick you ended with - thanks!

[@poles38]

Sure wish we was neighbors ! Learn so much from your videos. Thanks and please keep them up.

[@smartti1970]

thanks very much for your fantatic lessons. when things seem simple, keeping the essential seems so true, and making it sound very good and in time like you do is great to learn

[@BlindTom61]

Great stuff. I worked at the Columbus Folk music Center back in '63. I learned a bunch from your lessons. As a lefty, my right hand on aocustic guitar has always been suspect. Thanks! Hey, do you know Jack May? He's a fiddle player, old friend of mine same as Tom Ewing, another Columbus guy...

[@adamschlenker]

@BlindTom61 Ok, I have heard of Tom. He is a friend of a friend. I have been told he lives in Tenn. & has written a book about his experience with Monroe. The right hand is the key. The rotation realization was a real turning point for me. Great part of the country your in. My sister lives in Sacramento, we're hoping to get back out there in March... Adam

[@stefaroo11]

Great lesson! I like your approach.

[@Dev9172]

Good video . I always play up down . Hard for me to just play down . Thanks .

[@johndavies4541]

Nice lesson, the dogs timing on lead vocal needs some work though.

[@tonyhozeny8536]

Great lesson. I understand what to do now. Do you have a video in which you're playing in a C F G sequence? Wondering how to get thst pattern into an F chord

[@adamschlenker]

Thanks Tony. I don't have a video that transfers this directly into C but here is a series of video on playing in C position that might help you bridge the concepts and knowledge. Adam

[@preston3255]

Easy to understand, thanks for the great lesson!

[@thomaslarison336]

Great lesson man. Thanks a lot. Nice approach and practical advice.

[@BlindTom61]

@adamschlenker Check out Tony Rice's right hand as well as Clarence's and many great pickers. The forearm falls diagonally to the center of the guitar and the wrist cocks to the left putting the hand parallel to the strings. The picking comes from a lot of finger movement in Tony's case. My right hand fall to the right from my forearm like a mandolin player and my wrist is collapsed. Steve Kaufman plays like that.. But I HATE it in my own playing.

[@evanhobbs]

Thanks this is awesome! I always appreciate when someone is able to break things down like this and make it make sense :)

[@hiroyasu4]

I found well how to play bluegrass music. The foundamental picking seems not so difficult. And also I found the rhythm is more important. Thank you.

[@inman1a]

AWsome stuff adam ,i picked up the guitar at age 52 retired nothin but time on my hands to devote to learning,you simplify things very well love blue grass,also been playing for 7 months still a rooky .... Hear the dogs barkin in the back ground must be after a posum or squirl ......Again ty Adam.....

[@stuarttaylor4990]

Just found your channel and subbed 👍🎸

[@adamschlenker]

@fiddlearound Thanks. I plan to get some more lessons up on the 5th fret site throughout December. I have a cross pick series in the works but there just has not been time to shoot the video...soon though. Adam

[@adamschlenker]

@notlost42 Thank ya much. Glad this instruction is a help to you. Keep a eye on the 5th fret productions web site. There are already new lessons available there and more in the works. Adam

[@adamschlenker]

@inman1a Great to meet you. Dive in and have fun. Learning to play will be a lot of fun and a fair amount of frustration at times. It's all worth it!!! Feel free to ask any questions that come up, I'm happy to help. Adam

[@adelaidoadelante1270]

Really a nice and useful lesson, thank you very much!!!

[@davedawave4705]

Great explanation of how people over play and walk over others, muddying up everything.

[@wbrown229]

i actualy learned something..thanks

[@Mandolin1944]

Good video but according to Bill Monroe the mandolin chop chords are "the drum" in a bluegrass band?

[@adamschlenker]

Thank ya much! The more you understand what your trying to do, the more you can do with it. Licks can be fun but will never make you an independent picker...stay tuned and keep an eye on the 5th Fret Productions web site. I have a Intro to D position series and a lesson on creating cross picked solo arrangements coming soon. Adam Schlenker

[@riverrat6105]

What kind of strings do you use those things sound great!

[@jeteye97]

I love dogs. From where I was watching this, I couldn't tell if it was my dog or yours. Great video, lots of good tips.

[@tecnolover2642]

Isnt it the bass that plays the walking lines? This lesson makes sense if you have no bass player but if you do and he's walking and your walking wont that clash?

[@adamschlenker]

In old time music the guitar player does the walking lines. Since bluegrass rhythm guitar is derived, in part, from this style it also does a lot of the "bass lines". In Bluegrass the bass players job is a pretty fundamental one...mostly root/5th with some connecting of the chords. Yes we should always be listening to each other so to not clash but it's the guitar that gets to have more fun with these ideas than the bass player...

[@ricklarson9312]

Very very good!! Lee

[@adamschlenker]

@BlindTom61 Good to meet you! Great to hear the lessons have been helpful. I know Jack May by name only, don't think I know Tom... Are you still in the area? Adam

[@adamschlenker]

@evanhobbs thanks, good to hear it makes since. Adam

[@adamschlenker]

@BlindTom61 Believe me I have spent time watching right hands! ;>) I see those thing you talk about. It's such a personalized thing...I used to generate more of the pick attack with my fingers but started having some pain in my right hand. Thats kind of what got me going on the new approach. Always a work in progress!!!

[@Fatbikersrides]

Crazy question, I play with a group of guys guitar mandolins bass and then I bring in the ukulele....goahead and laugh thats ok. I have trouble with the fast rythums to bluegrass any sugestions

[@adamschlenker]

Thanks, glad you liked the video. Yea I have heard that a time or two. Mr Blake is one of the major influences on my playing but if we resemble each other it's a fluke ;>)

[@chrismuncey7213]

Hey adam , can you do some videos on advanced bluegrass rhythm ? Thanks and God bless!! -chris

[@crossrodde]

What he's saying goes for the composition of all genres; start simple and then build on it, and always make every note count.

[@dufus2273]

I like your method of teaching.I'm trying to learn bluegrass . that guitar sounds great. what;s your preference on string gauge and pick thickness? I'll bookmark this page and work on it.

[@adamschlenker]

+dufus Thanks much. I use Medium Strings and a 1.5mm pick...more on those topics on the website and my Facebook page.. Adam

[@dufus2273]

I refuse to use facebook. they limit free speech. sorry

[@adamschlenker]

Great to hear you are enjoying the lessons. Be sure to check out the 5th Fret Productions web site for more resources. Adam Schlenker

[@tedpeterson1156]

Nice lesson, no douchebaggery. Thanks.

[@chinmaychandraunshuh]

great tut thanks

[@ReverendHellbilly]

Real good lesson..CHEERS

[@als1023]

Excellent advice, thanks !!

[@BlindTom61]

Do you think people have their own clock motors that you cannot reset? Coach clocked my 100 yard dash with a sundial. I've never been able to play Black Mountain Rag faster than 130bpm in 2/4 time = 260 in 4/4. Maybe that is my biolical limit. Means I have to play R&B on a rosewood-board Tele again... ;- )

[@Rcs52590]

That's a beautiful guitar! Is it a Gibson? I don't think I saw the headstock. Anyways, neither here nor there! Nice lesson

[@jeroenr4524]

thanks very much for the good advice.

[@DanFallonMusic]

Well said and done

[@adamschlenker]

Thank you. Adam

[@adamschlenker]

Glad to hear you like these lessons. Be sure to check out the 5th Fret Productions website for more lessons and resources. I do teach via Skype which has made the world a much smaller place...

[@atepoundsicksounce]

the mandolin chop could be compared to the snare drum, the chuck of the guitar coincides with the mandolin chop

[@kevcaswell-jones4202]

this is great. thanks

[@nolan1432]

Brilliant, thank you!

[@iwaegian]

you are a good man. thank you kindly.

[@s2seltaeb]

This was a great lesson :) Thanks.

[@fleadoggreen9062]

Thank you

[@adamschlenker]

@baileyslip Thanks Linda. Keep up the pickin' & if you have any questions or run into any road blocks feel free to email me. Adam

[@astrani]

In different words: you have fun with the bassline

[@2patrakis]

@adamschlenker great thank you.

[@adamschlenker]

Don't fear the flat pick! It'll take you anywhere you want to go. ;>) Adam

[@deanhowell6730]

You should have let the Dog(s)lay where they would have normally as you play witch, was informative but, you and Dog would have been more relaxed.

[@takingupserpents632]

Dude you are so cool

[@hartbrekid]

thanks man! u are awsome much appreciate.

[@Mandolin1944]

Yes.

[@kcmule]

only keep what you need in the end woof woof woof woof

[@southwestauto9250]

Thank you :)

[@adamschlenker]

@adaros121 Glad these lessons are helping! If you have any questions feel free to ask. I also offer one on one instruction using Skype. Adam

[@BlindTom61]

@adamschlenker I live in Sacramento now, by McKinley Park -- ask your sister. There's not much music here. You'll find some picking up in Grass Valley and Nevada City. I lived in Tokyo for 20 years until 2008. Some good pickers over there. they take it REAL seriously! -L-

[@johnnycmajor]

I just hammer shit out of it.

[@c0alminer]

Wow, really good advice. Up here we call it the KISS method...keep it simple stupid! Thank you

[@50kcrispyguy17]

Beginner's lesson

[@deepblackviolet]

Jaime Lannister is here! oh my god! kingslayer :D

[@NOTREDAMNED1849]

Keanu Reeves is it you?!^^

[@crossrodde]

Boom chick, boom chick, boom chick, boom chick.....