Common Bluegrass Flatpicking Licks - Guitar Lesson Tutorial

Watch this lesson and download the tablature at countryguitaronline.com/common-bluegrass-flatpicking-licks/
Bluegrass Guitar Lick Library countryguitaronline.com/advanced-bluegrass-guitar-lick-library/
Country Guitar Online - Lesson ID: A0083
In this guitar lesson video, I’ll teach you 16 common bluegrass flatpicking guitar licks that will come in handy at your next bluegrass jam. We’ll break down each lick with tablature and I’ll show you how you can use these licks with the majority of bluegrass songs. All of these flatpicking licks are in the key of G and they’re designed to help you improvise your guitar solo in bluegrass fiddle tunes like Red Haired Boy, Salt Creek, Gold Rush, Cripple Creek, Cherokee Shuffle, etc.
The Gear I Use:
Acoustic Guitar Strings - Woodtone Country Series woodtonestrings.com/
Acoustic Guitar - Martin D18 Ambertone Finish, Collings D2H, Atkin D28, Martin D-16GT, Martin D-15
Guitar Pick - BlueChip TP40
Thumb Pick - Dunlop 9003P White Plastic Thumbpicks, Large
Capo - Shub S1 Deluxe

[@countryguitaronline]

I have a lot more licks like these in my Bluegrass Guitar Lick Library countryguitaronline.com/bluegrass-guitar-licks/ And here's a link to the guitar licks in this lesson countryguitaronline.com/common-bluegrass-flatpicking-licks/

[@mikebastiat]

This dude in heaven

[@nickpayne1641]

Woody from Toy Story went to heaven....there's a snake in my boot!

[@TypingHazard]

@@nickpayne1641 maybe if we'd listened to him the first time he'd still be with us

[@thatzhu]

Hehe

[@David987fred]

J7h if

[@bigdog2432]

Amen

[@SjaakShirly6559]

Finally a teacher who pointed out that he was once a student too and speed was not in his 'system' first! Great lesson.

[@countryguitaronline]

Thanks! Really appreciate it

[@richardjones7232]

Man I called off work sick today .. been a crappy couple weeks. Haven't read a tab in ages mostly just pick my own improv blues and bluegrass all the time.. watching this and learning these licks turned my morning around. Thanks sir.

[@leviridge3307]

been playin for 35 yrs just started with bluegrass awesome video

[@chrischartrand6438]

New to bluegrass…..always been a blues player. Some really good content in there for us newbs. I never realized I always did pull offs down, and never up. Great stuff my friend.

[@caseylockwood5512]

What do you mean up? You mean a hammer-on?

[@67markross]

Wow, this is super cool! I've been searching for some good bluegrass instructions for guitar!

[@johnnypalacios9920]

Now that tharn is some mighty fine pickin there boa! 🤠👍🤣 Thank you so much for your willingness to share your skills. I am a 62 year old guitar player and have never learned tablature. I always thought it was for the pro guitar player. Today you showed me how sinple it is. Grant it, it will take time to perfect the sound and timing. But now, you have taken this guitar player and placed him on anorher level of learning and self teaching. A track to run on.

[@PIANOSTYLE100]

Around that age. Dinosaurs roamed the earth.

[@Sam-nk6hk]

Thanks, man. You're a great teacher, and these licks are super cool. I'm already enjoying playing them, and I'll bet they'll really help me add some B.G. tastiness to my performance.

[@countryguitaronline]

Thanks Sam! Really appreciate it. Glad you're putting the licks to good use

[@lorenvguitar614]

Thank you so much, great licks and you are a great player. My wife and I spent 5 weeks in Georgia before this pandemic and I played so much Bluegrass and Country music, we loved it and this helps me in learning more and more on the guitar.

[@PIANOSTYLE100]

Great way to relax and build calluses at the same time! lol

[@alanleemaxwell831]

Great guitarist, awesome teacher! Many thanks, much respect, and best wishes from 🇬🇧👍🎸

[@terraformingthesubconsciou7131]

great tip on matching the direction of the pull-off with the next string!

[@alansouthall8221]

Such a great teacher a cool humble guy thank you for this

[@jbow]

I just happened upon your channel and this video. I checked out the rest and this is exactly what I was looking for. I can learn more here than with most other lessons. I’m subscribed and eager! Thank you for doing this 😊

[@Cosmotube1960]

In my quest to master music theory, it's refreshing to learn some really nice licks from a good teacher. Thank you.

[@PIANOSTYLE100]

Don't regret a minute of music study.

[@ct4883]

Hay y'all, this guy really knows how to teach! And, the licks really aren't hard to play. They just sound intimidating when they're played fast.

[@tablature6121]

Awesome tutorial. Especially like the "plug and play" licks method. Breaking down the individual "go to" licks of great BG pickers, makes it much easier to understand and a less daunting task to get up to their speed (or close) on your own. Thanks.

[@countryguitaronline]

Thanks! Glad you could put this one to good use. I'm planning to post some more videos on this topic soon that you might like also. Thanks for the comment. - Devin

[@t4texastom587]

WoW...... what a great picker AND teacher you are.

[@hyliahero]

Good lesson. Easy to understand. Tabs with the video help a lot.

[@SketchingRocks]

Great...love your samples so far!!

[@joshb4758]

You're an excellent teacher thank you!

[@DianeCumberlandSongbird]

This is such a great tutorial!! Thank you!!

[@vektral]

Excellent video man, thank you. Saved

[@bobwerber2984]

Love them licks! Thanks for a great lesson.

[@Primus-ue4th]

Absolutely amazing man

[@TheViralWizard]

Thanks for this amazing tutorial

[@joehaefner8684]

Bought several guitars this year including a Martin D-41. However, Andrew White gave me a deal on his Freja 103J, Jatoba wood. That is what I practice Devin's licks on most often.

[@mrnutterbutterdude]

great lick & lesson, thanks!

[@RobertoDallaVecchia]

Good job, thanks a lot!

[@natelloyd6312]

Awesome licks man! I watched through and learned a couple pretty quickly! Another good way to increase the speed as well is to implement a “chicken pickin” technique for a country style sound! Ton of fun to play!

[@robydean7]

Great instruction. Thank you. Cant wait to dig in.

[@countryguitaronline]

Thanks!

[@ZahirSardar]

Thanks a lot, this was super helpful! Subscribed.

[@bubba4001]

Great teaching Devin and thank you. Regards, David D.

[@hanksmithshoneypot]

very comprehensive. thanks man.

[@JamesW225]

Just discovered. I like the way he talks to us as student players no matter our level of playing. Because if its new or you dont know it....you are a student. Thanks

[@DavidAbramson]

nice tutorial! appreciate it

[@benjaminmoore985]

Dude I love this!!!! Looking into your website now!! The upward pull off made my mind explode but it really does make sense, after watching some very good bluegrass flat pickers

[@countryguitaronline]

Nice! Yeah, it did the same for me when I discovered the upward pull off. hope you like the website! Have a good weekend - Devin

[@dowaliby1]

Fantastic Lesson, clearly presented and GREAT playing. The beard is super-cool, as well!

[@countryguitaronline]

Thanks Alfred! Glad you liked the lesson!

[@oneman49instruments]

Really great!!

[@snowdada1]

Excellent! Thanks

[@donnyhawk662]

These are great video's! Thank you for sharing your knowledge and skills. Great encouragement for me to find your vids. Again...thank you Sir!!!

[@countryguitaronline]

Thanks! I appreciate it!

[@jordanhook1613]

Really good stuff dude. I've played for years and got stagnant lately, especially with my speed. I never took lessons, so no one taught me things like the alternate picking that make so much of a difference. It's really hard unlearning bad habits but so good to be progressing again! Def something to be said for learning things the right way first time around. Thanks for covering all the little things, these lessons/tabs are great.

[@countryguitaronline]

Awesome, glad the lessons and tabs are helping out! Yeah, I switched to alternate picking very late in my guitar career too...it took a bit of time to unlearn the old picking habits but I think it's really helped me pick up speed and get a cleaner tone. Thanks for the note. - Devin

[@bentbelly6893]

This is fantastic

[@Shmacalacapingo]

Youre the goat for this vid man! 🙏🤠

[@USNAVDC]

Great video! Nice demonstrations and tab.

[@countryguitaronline]

Tom E Muncey thanks!

[@cherylhall8002]

Thank you i Can put these into my version of man of constant sorrow! Nice!!

[@HLBNZ]

Excellent teaching style. You're awesome man!

[@randalldickson8841]

Very helpful. Many thanks

[@x5-acousticguitarstuff.2]

Imagine how GOOD this guy is now.

[@Dustin-cs3ep]

The run at 4:00 is tasty. Thanks for the breakdown!

[@PIANOSTYLE100]

That's cool about the upward pull off. Makes total sense. Stops wasted motion..Start using it today.

[@johnstewart594]

Yours great teacher my friend thanks

[@catdog3896]

great lesson. thnx!

[@SamCJones]

these are great! Studying now!

[@boronbaker8282]

Great video. Thanks!

[@countryguitaronline]

Thanks for watching! If you like this one, you might also like my Bluegrass Guitar Lick Library countryguitaronline.com/advanced-bluegrass-guitar-lick-library/ Have a good one - Devin

[@dmc949]

Great lesson. Many thanks. Dave.

[@countryguitaronline]

Thanks Dave!

[@willplaymusic1]

Thank you so much!

[@mitchell8mitchell817]

you have the best advice and great lessons keep it up

[@countryguitaronline]

mitchell8 mitchell8 thanks!

[@matlindell5022]

I can now read it !!thanks for these kicks!

[@countryguitaronline]

Awesome! Thanks a lot for watching

[@jimmyoleary8667]

Love those diminished scale hot licks!

[@countryguitaronline]

Thanks!

[@cornholioliolio3668]

Thanks for this lesson... very informative and well taught. This is the first time I have encountered the idea of sticking to strict alternate picking during pull offs and hammer ons. I like the idea of the pick swinging like a metronome, but I'm finding it a little bit hard to get used to. I guess I'm used to leaving hammer ons and pull offs out of my pickstroking, and just pausing the pick during these notes, but I can see the value of spending some time to get used to this more strict alternate picking. I've got some work to do! Thanks much!

[@countryguitaronline]

Thanks! Yeah, it'll be a bit tricky if you're not used to it...I was introduced to this type of picking about six years ago..never even thought about it too much before that. I spent some time working it out and I think it's helped me build up some speed. On some licks I'll stray away from the alternate picking here and there but I guess it just depends...no absolute right..if you look at Tony Rice's picking style, he used some odd picking patterns in his licks and seemed to work it out really well. Thanks for watching the video!

[@PIANOSTYLE100]

Great lesson. Impressed with the clarity. Hardest thing..will be the up down strokes. Like you say..do it slow. I plan to send this link to my subscribers. I just.have a Spanish 🎸 right now and a Strat Copy. Had to get rid of my 5 string banjo..miss it. Like to incorporate bluegrass into my electric guitar stuff. Chet Atkins was the fiddle player for the family band..his brother got sick and Chet had to play the 🎸. Also Chet's Dad was a Music teacher. Just things I've read.

[@gregkiely4839]

Appreciate the the way you teach this magic. Its not lightening fast (did you catch that). If I were not so old, twould be a top place to lean to play top stuff.

[@lucasb6182]

damn, this is a great video .. I grew up playing metal, but deep down, I've always had an affinity for bluegrass, ragtime, country, etc .. I've been thinking that it's time to get real, and this lesson is perfect .. Thanks so much for this

[@rossfettig3657]

check out Billy Strings

[@JC-qi9xz]

@@rossfettig3657 I was going to comment the exact same thing! Beat me to it. Billy Strings is who got me fired up about playing blue grass. He's incredible.

[@Elm3224]

Billy Strings also have a background in metal

[@MrMetallax]

Yooo same, im a huge metalhead but ive always wanted to learn this stuff

[@vehtty]

Metal is the lowest of the low. I would suggest sticking with a wide assortment of genres to learn. Country, B.B King style blues, Pop, Especially Jazz. Metal should be played after these other genres have been explored, It will certainly offer more tools at your disposal instead of just "Wowing" people who have no idea what an e string is.

[@zakboilen3240]

Thank you!

[@turquoiseturtles7043]

Thanks so much🎶🎵🎶

[@cajunqueen5125]

i'm coming to this late, but this is a great lesson. 👍👍👍

[@joewestau]

Really great stuff mate. Thank you! I finally know what's going on in the very subtle use of the blue not in bluegrass. It always sounds major but with a little bit of grease and dirt on it. Now I know what's going on haha. thanks again for the great riffs. 🤙🏻 yew.

[@countryguitaronline]

For sure, thanks for watching! Got a bunch of other good stuff at countryguitaronline.com and you'd probably like my new side project for bluegrass licks bluegrasslicks.com as well. Glad you could put the licks to good use. Have a good one! - Devin

[@raphaelrousso7124]

très chouette et instructif mr garçon -vacher , un Gros Merci !

[@hammertownpavao]

Greetings from Hamilton Ontario Canada 🇨🇦Thanks for the awesome lessons !!! PS: Chet Atkins is the Greatest 🎸

[@robertwilson9973]

thanks for the video,

[@riverrat6105]

thanks man, got that first lick down pretty good last night gonna work on the second one tonight. I play mostly tonk tonk outlaw stuff but I do love me some bluegrass and these licks make great endings or just anywhere ya wanna put em.

[@countryguitaronline]

Nice! Yeah the bluegrass style riffs are the best...sound great as endings or wherever. My favorite is to add a few good ones together..then I've got some other licks like this that sound good over the C chord and different ones for the D chord..sounds awesome when they kind of match the chord progression for those G-C-D progressions. Might be a few videos down the road but those are on the way.

[@riverrat6105]

+Devin Shawn awesome brother! il be sticking around for sure thanks again

[@nersesbackingtrack86363]

Thank​ you​ so​ much

[@alexanderkhizhnyakov417]

thank you ! 👍

[@zowenso]

Can someone tell me how to add videos to my favorites in my library? I can't find it anywhere. I actually just found my favorites after not being able too for months. Thanks.

[@riverrat6105]

love that second one

[@imannonymous7707]

i dig this bro thnx

[@gowens9815]

Excellent excellent, blow by blow teacher that will not talk to hear his own voice, SHOWS you how to do it. Thank you

[@countryguitaronline]

Thanks Gary!

[@gowens9815]

I learned more in one session than a week on jamplay chasing different teachers or freeguitar videos. I want to check out ALL your videos

[@PIANOSTYLE100]

Just signed up. Trying this out. Been working three hours on the licks. Starting with G bluegrass videos with the tab.

[@countryguitaronline]

Awesome, I hope you like the lessons!

[@PIANOSTYLE100]

@@countryguitaronline That's the plan.

[@TomGoldsmithguitar]

Great clean crisp tone and very good skills there mate! Sounds slightly dorian. All subbed

[@countryguitaronline]

Tom Goldsmith guitar Thanks! Could be a little Dorian notes here and there. Thanks for the sub

[@burroughs334]

Upward pull-offs. Wow - that's something I need to work on!

[@innerselfspark1384]

Works so well when your on your way up..but pulling off downwards is best if your moving down!!

[@danbromberg5909]

Thanks, but where is the link to the PDF of the 16 licks you referred to in your video?!?

[@thefriendsofcoal1152]

I have been playing for 25 years and it literally never occurred to me until I saw this video to do upward pulloffs.

[@countryguitaronline]

They're useful in certain places.. I especially like them when I'm pulling off on the first fret first string... and also pulling off from second fret second string.. to first fret second string. Thanks for watching!

[@moonwoofmars]

Billy Strings baby!

[@mitchell8mitchell817]

you the man

[@joelsobreirasobreira4028]

Peace, how thick is your pick to make these solos?

[@davidzucker9928]

Im going back an forth with 13s and 12s for bluegrass. Your guitar sounds great. May I ask what your string gauge is?

[@countryguitaronline]

Can’t remember what I have in this video but lately I’ve been using 12.5 gauge Woodtone Strings… the bluegrass series is really nice, you might give those a try

[@billdedrick1914]

Very good job..wow.. Nice tone What year/model Martin are you playing? What strings (brand/gauge/type) are you using? What pick/brand/model/thickness are you using?

[@countryguitaronline]

Thanks Bill! It's a 2009 Martin D-16GT...just a middle of the road Martin but you can't beat that Martin tone. I've got Elixer Nanoweb Phosphor Bronze strings in medium. The Phosphor Bronze gives a great tone. I use a BlueChip pick TP60 with a right hand speed bevel. I'd highly recommend those strings and that pick...it's a great combo! Thanks for the message. - Devin

[@CommViewer]

Thanks for a great lesson Devin.....could you tie these licks into the major and blues scales? That way we'll know what is technically going on. Cheers!

[@countryguitaronline]

Sure, I could do a video like that. Have you seen this fill riff course I have countryguitaronline.com/rhythm-fills-and-lead-guitar-course/ I go into some detail here on these type of licks and the major/blues scales, but I could do a follow up video showing more detail on the licks in this video too if you want. Thanks for the message - Devin

[@billdedrick1914]

Great tone...Did you modify the speed bevels on the TP60 from as delivered from Blue Chip? I also use BC picks (TAD50) and Elixir P.B. strings.. Your TP60 sounds really nice, loud, clear, articulate

[@countryguitaronline]

Nice, the TAD50 is great also. Sounds like we're on the same path! I spent a good deal of time getting the EQ decent on the audio and tried to get the mic placed as best I could. Might have some to do with it also

[@countryguitaronline]

Bill dedrick ...and no didn't modify the bevel..just went with it straight from the BC factory

[@bille77]

My very dude. What's that guitar of yours, dear Sir?

[@persalba]

Thanks for the great lessons! Why do the notes of the licks don't follow the G scale? Forgive my ignorance!

[@countryguitaronline]

For sure, thanks for watching! These country/bluegrass sounding licks are notes from two main scales...G major scale and the G blues scale. Check out this other video I've got (about 4:40) for a better breakdown kzbin.info/www/bejne/haGbfa2Fo76HhJY

[@persalba]

Thanks so much!

[@mishastojan]

..never tried to play country..But going to try.

[@mikenike1730]

Excellent playing my brother hot damn I love that shit

[@jamesparker_]

Great video! Quick question, what scale/mode are you playing in?

[@countryguitaronline]

Thanks James! Mostly major scale and blues scale mixed together a bit...If you like this video, I just launched an advanced bluegrass lick library over at CGO that has scale charts and tablature with each video countryguitaronline.com/advanced-bluegrass-guitar-lick-library/

[@seantcampion4005]

Enjoying!9

[@cryptosaint5736]

I'm actually considering selling my Blueridge BR-160 - it's probably ten years old now, nicely aged. As much as I love it I'm a Cedar / Hog guy. Not a fan of Rosewood. I like it , but I love Mahogany. It's a spectacular guitar for the money.

[@billdedrick1914]

I primarily play my 2002 HD28V sounds great... Your D16Gt also sounds incredible..I heard video of Kenny Burris and he plays a D16GT

[@countryguitaronline]

I've been really happy with it...always in the market for a new guitar though..you can't have too many. I actually had an HD28V for about a year..sold it to get a Collings D1A..then traded that for another. I think my next with have rosewood backs and sides. There's something about that rich rosewood tone. Hadn't heard of Kenny Burris but just looked him up..great picker..and he did mention his D-16GT. Nice

[@billdedrick1914]

Does your D16GT have the stock tusq saddle and corrian nut? It sounds as good as a post 2012 D18 Martin for sure..

[@countryguitaronline]

I'm actually not sure about that but I did ad some Bob Pelosi bone bridge pins and those gave it some extra sustain. I was surprised by the difference.

[@billdedrick1914]

I can hear the great sustain...Those are 3mm ebony dot and white slotted bridge pins? Did you have to modify them or did they fit perfectly? You could hear a tone difference with them?

[@countryguitaronline]

Bill dedrick I think those are the ones..my cousin actually bought them for me as a gift. They were a little thick so i spin them around in some fine sand paper. I heard you can mail Bob a sample pin from your guitar and he'll duplicate it so you don't have to modify. That's how I'll do the next one. I could tell a difference..a little sharper tone and more sustain

[@darrengarlough5121]

I wish I could here an example of how you would apply this lick when singing a bluegrass song such as maybe Jessie James?

[@BlueCollarBanger]

love it man!

[@countryguitaronline]

Thanks!