Country Guitar Mastery with Johnny Hiland

[@GuitarGathering]

Make sure to download the FREE PDF of Johnny's Favorite Picking Exercises: bit.ly/JohnnyHilandExercises Also, check out below the full list of Johnny's gear from this video... JOHNNY HILAND RIG RUNDOWN Supro Amp: amzn.to/2WL8azT Pedaltrain Volto Power Supply: amzn.to/2A79O70 JHS Pink Panther Delay: amzn.to/2YNCtbC ISP Decimator Noise Reduction Pedal: amzn.to/2xT1uHs JHS Moonshine Distortion Pedal: amzn.to/35J5vuy JHS Pulp and Peel Compressor Pedal: amzn.to/3bloI6F GoGo Tuner Large Display: amzn.to/2zp9Zu6 Elixir Nanoweb Electric Strings 9-42: amzn.to/3bmopIG

[@christophermurray2666]

I had the opportunity of meeting Johnny in person a few years ago. He stayed at my hotel. I upgraded him to a suite, and he gave me a copy of his album. He suggested that I come play guitar with him like he wasn't a damn master. One of my favorite memories. Blessings, Johnny!

[@danbessent246]

I think you should have taken him up on his offer even if you suck. You would have had that memory and you surely would have learned something.

[@Guitar_by_aalataur]

It's insane how he never gets boring with basically 3 chords. That picking style goes over my head

[@GuitarGathering]

Thanks. Here's a great video of Johnny talking about his favorite picking exercises... kzbin.info/www/bejne/sIqaeqVtj7uHmqs

[@cbeserra]

He isn’t just a chops monster, he is clearly a great teacher and extremely well educated. But his chops are truly staggering.

[@daw162]

You know what sticks out? When he slows down, it still sounds good. he doesn't look like a man lost in space waiting for the next fast part. He has rare taste and style.

[@md123180]

@@daw162 I didn't think of that, but you're right. He's not blazing away with his hair on fire, he's *playing* at every speed.

[@ztahs]

Hiland is from another world. His style encompasses soooooo much. He just never sounds repetitive.

[@gabrielbingham605]

I wish I could like this a million times in the words of the great Jonny “I just try to pull players out of rutts and teach them that melody is the most important thing” I struggle with depression and anxiety, which greatly affects my playing. But watching this video always brings me to my happy place. I wish I could give Johnny a big hug and tell him thanks. Well anyways , Thanks Johnny you rutt buster you.

[@MrKittles1123]

What an outstanding gentleman and player. It’s hard not to feel jolly watching and listening to Mr. Hiland. I always get the impression that he is joyful just to be alive and able to do what he does and that he would be exactly that way if you met him in person. Nothing fake or haughty about this man, and yet he plays like a legend. And those licks right at the end… hot damn! 🥵

[@gregholmes1289]

I've met him. He is that way!

[@gregdoran5850]

I'm more impressed by the kind of human being Johnny is. What a good man! We need more musicians with that kind of humbleness.!

[@PennyLaneRocker-j6x]

Brother Johnny, wow! What a great player and a great human being, a real gent...

[@smoothpicker]

Im so happy to be living in a time where you can take lessons from some of the best musicians around with just a few keystrokes.

[@GuitarGathering]

Yes, I agree wholeheartedly!

[@bingo90210]

John makes it look so easy.

[@GuitarGathering]

Yes he does!

[@ryan.1357]

I love high Johnny always tries to give credit to everybody and every company involved in his success.

[@maverick_echo1]

I feel like driving a truck on a country road 🙌❤

[@TheElrondo]

Pweeeehhhh.... everytime i listen to Johnny Hiland i think about burning my guitars, but it's a pleasure to watch him play. He is just a phenomenal player and seems to be a very humble guy. Johnny keep going and bring some country breeze over the big pond to Germany.

[@gerrittenberkdeboer7763]

A big THANK YOU from upper Bavaria for your love and passion in music..

[@peterworam9376]

God bless Johnny. Nothing but inspiration and joy, lettin it flow from the Lord. I could watch him all day, and still find time to burn all my axes into a pile of unworthy heaping ash.

[@GuitarGathering]

Don't burn your guitars - there's enough music to be shared around!

[@brianmeredith3508]

Mind-blowing mastery...and such a genuinely nice guy.

[@BeowulfGaming]

a Tele and Strat combo, holy heaven, this sounds good.

[@Ibaneddie76]

MAN JONNY IS GREAT, PLEASE EVERYBODY DON'T TAKE THIS THE WRONG WAY, I WISH HE WOULD TAKE BETTER CARE OF HIMSELF I WANT HIS MUSIC AROUND FOR A LONG TIME. I HOPE THAT DIDN'T COME OFF AS A HIT ON HIM AT ALL HE IS AN AMZING PERSON, NOT JUST GUITAR PLAYER I JUST WORRY WHEN I SEE PEOPLE I CARE ABOUT OVER WIEGHT BECAUSE IT IS A HEALTH RISK. ENOUGH OF THE DOWNER STUFF, JONNY YOU ARE THE MAN PLEASE TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF SO THE EARTH HAS A GREAT PERSON LIKE YOU ON IT FOR A LONG LONG TIME. COUNTRY PICKIN LEGEND AND ONE OF THE MOST UNDER RATED GUITARISTS OF ALL TIME.

[@jonmorris9645]

He admits that his fingers are very acidic. To contrast eric Johnson, due to his strict vegetarian diet, has a low acidic content in his fingers. This according to his guitar tech at a class he gave at vai academy.

[@displaychicken]

Jon Morris that’s interesting. I’m not overweight but my hands are very acidic. My guitars are all rusted after about 6 months. Strings don’t even last a couple days haha

[@brianmincher716]

Same here amigo, hate that we’ll likely end up losing him too early when being in shape could preserve him so much longer.

[@Crinkle65]

I love Johnny. He’s such a genuine guy who always seems to be having a ball. And then there’s his incredible guitar playing, of course.

[@tdrake59]

Johnny Hiland is the master.

[@austin9644]

Check out Tommy Emmanuel if you'd like

[@R_Thomp]

Agreed, his feel is second to none!

[@GudeDoc]

That country licks sounds so awesome ... i want to learn this :D

[@zaratihoviolato]

what a teacher. Even without liking country, i appreciated any single second of this video

[@rockerobertson4002]

ok..... Johnny ... is amazing. What a talent. Great jam boys.

[@GuitarGathering]

Yes. And a great guy as well. - Steve

[@edsmith202]

Respect for the guy with the ball cap. He plays nice and managed not to fall apart under the greatness which is Hiland. I woulda just started drooling and wondering why I'm here.

[@valentindegen]

Huge smile on my face seeing you guys play! Thanks!!!

[@jonascahonas4323]

He's so good, I really love this guy. He makes me smile big!

[@GuitarGathering]

Yes, he's one of the good ones. - Steve

[@GarySchmidt78]

In the mid-70's in Columbus Ohio, I had the privilege to attend Segovia and Parkening performances. Although different music, of course, Johnny is every bit the master of those two giants of classical guitar. Glad I saw this video!

[@glassslide]

So melodic while at the same time absolutely shredding....monster playing, thats just at a whole other level.

[@GuitarGathering]

Yes, Johnny's an amazing player. Learn all you can! - Steve

[@simonlloyd7557]

ive said it before, and i'll say it again, and again until I stop drawing breath, Johnny is without doubt one of the most exciting, inventive, delightfully unpredictable and absorbing guitar players of any genre, in any era...His technique is so perfectly executed for his style that it becomes invisible and just 'is', not to mention his incredible timing, astounding phrasing, articulation, tone and dynamics...He is so beautifully expressive and truly speaks through the instrument, and when he speaks with his own voice, he expresses an equally beautiful soul. Keep on pickin' Johnny.

[@spyderlogan4992]

Mr.Hiland always has something positive and nice to say about all of his associations with equipment manufacturers. He makes a point to promote the products in a very professional manner and describes how he uses them.

[@dgs931]

Effortless brilliance, lovely guy too Mr Hiland....go Johnny go!!

[@GuitarGathering]

Yes!

[@chadrushing1202]

I love the slight curveball at about 28:10 and Johnny just rolling with it flawlessly. Johnny, you're in inspiration!

[@PurpleGravyboat]

every time I see Johnny, it makes me want to be a better guitar player and Human being. He is just incredible.

[@GuitarGathering]

Agreed! He's a great guy and amazing player. - Steve

[@TheElrondo]

Aside of Johnnys playing abilities, wich are outstanding, i want to hug him if i watch him on a vid, beeing such a nice and down to earth guy.

[@thefsrock]

He seems like such a kind man

[@GuitarGathering]

He is. - Steve

[@muficchannel]

Johnny, you are so skilled it's scary. My friend Keith Driver turned me on to yoiur great playing and singing.

[@GuyNarnarian]

This guy is great. Very creative and a good teacher. I know this is many years old but it doesn't matter - good stuff.

[@roberthunter5119]

Heck of a picker, and even better human being.

[@GuitarGathering]

Yes. He's wonderful on camera and off! - Steve

[@jdmyerscountry]

While watching him do the low to high/high to low section where he was talking about his solos having a flow to them if he looked at them on a graph...I realized I follow this and never even thought about what I was doing.

[@jaknunas]

Johnny Hiland never fails to amaze. Incredible chops and super-positive attitude always make him a joy to listen to and watch. Thanks for sharing, Gruhn Guitars.

[@danilojoaquino]

Very good player... thanks for multiple tiqunique

[@PatriceSerapiglia]

🇫🇷 This one of my two favorite guitarists: Johnny Hiland from the USA and Tina S (s for setkic) from France.🇫🇷

[@mr.vonruby.2195]

As always our beloved Johnny , RESPECT.

[@perryguitar1]

Dear Johnny Hiland,(Sir!) Thank you so much for sharing your passion for the guitar and music in general! I don't know if you'll ever read this, but the way you invite all of us in the guitar playing community to share what you've figured out is a true treat! :-) (It doesn't mean we are all able to perform it, though ;-) ) You are like a magician explaining how the trick is done, and even though we know it, it's still magical when you perform it! I hope to jam with you someday (Can be a bit difficult, since I live in Scandinavia, but you never know ;-) ) Hope to catch you over here sometime! Sincerely Perry Stenbäck

[@JasonMcFly]

Can I wash my hands with Johnny Hiland soap to play that clean?? What a genuinely nice guy

[@GuitarGathering]

Yep. He's a great player and kind wonderful man. Honored to know him. - Steve

[@Krullmatic]

Wow! I'm blown away by Johnny! This is the first time I've ever seen or heard of him. He's absolutely phenomenal!

[@FilippaArendt]

Hiland plays crazy good and seems super kind :)

[@HoHa-td4lx]

Would never hear of this if not for pure lack. It beats all the country melodies I was going trough. Just where to give up I landed on this. Blues or country who cares amazing.

[@GuitarGathering]

Yes, Johnny is an amazing player and a great guy. Learn all you can. - Steve

[@bettylane1984]

Awesome look into a great pickers mind! Thank you!

[@andreiskryabin9916]

Thanks for masterclass from a great Master.Johnny best.

[@jsres838]

Love his playing and kindness

[@retox2929]

Thanks steve, much appreciated. You have the best guests. you R a fantastic guitar player. Thank's so much, world class. Thanks again for all you u tube for us. amazing. I could go on & on bragging about u to my gtr freak friends. Maybe when i get back to nashville someday, u'll have a gig happening that i can hear you play in person.. God Bless ya

[@bigteno4597]

Great, great player and such a warm, kind, friendly human being. Be a better place if folk were more like Johnny, God bless ya sir!

[@THUNDERWORX]

I could listen to them all day long!

[@RaúlCabezalí]

Apart from being a MONSTER of a player, Johnny Highland seems like a great buddy to hang out with and jam.

[@sfortj3330]

Great session Gents! Johnny is a heck of a guy and a real mentor to all guitar players. Thanks for giving us all the playing tips.

[@jeffreyoivo]

Best guitar licks👍👍👍👍

[@patlesage1256]

Wonderful Johnny Hiland...31 guys needs to get ears...

[@robertbarton3556]

Johnny Hiland is an incredible player

[@bhhNC]

Very helpful. That rechargeable power unit looks interesting, too.

[@tommonfron5166]

Such a great guy, and such a gnarly tone.

[@arniebaird7852]

While not quite on the level of Redd Volkaet, these extended licks were very good!! Thanks for putting them out here.

[@tweedguitar9103]

Love JH...He lifts my spirits every time i hear him, and boy can he make that guitar sing. Please make more lessons available !! cheers

[@malcolmbrewer]

Killer bends Johhny, how I wish I could incorporate a few in my playing

[@ericlynch9560]

Johnny Hiland, you're my inspiration. What a picker you are.

[@EVEROSFP1]

He seems such a cool guy. ..and what a player. ..

[@williamthomaspenn]

Can’t help but smile through this vid

[@erwanmoreau6357]

Johnny is just fantastic.

[@andrewirving1963]

A great guitar man ,and a very decent bloke.

[@GuitarFunWorks]

I love to listen to such a guitar player! Great Johnny Hiland.

[@curtisfiguried7760]

Johnnys bends are insane!!!

[@violinoscar]

This is something that seems to have been lost on young musicians; just sitting down and jamming, just for the fun, the experience. My students seem to be all wrapped up in social media. They post songs on forums but they never seem to get around to having a jam. This was a big part of learning to play for me. My father played piano and on a Friday night there would always be musicians jamming, having beers, jamming. I had a cool friend who also played guitar and we would jam all weekend. I particularly remember playing the Shadows Apache for about an hour, just taking mega long solos on the chord changes. Without fail my students who jam regularly get better faster and are better equipped to play in professional situations. But mostly they are the ones who have the most fun learning to play.

[@YTJamTracks]

Well said dude

[@Jm20375]

So true.. Why bother having a meaningful conversation with the person you're sharing a meal or a drink with when your phone just vibrated and told you someone commented on the picture of what you had for dinner. Same with music. Everyone can record and play along with themselves so they don't even know how much of the musical experience is lost by not sharing it with other creative, musical minds. Imagine bebop and jazz without the the sharing of ideas and the improvisational ideas that come from conversing musically with those you're playing with. Those opportunities are such a learning experience and they are becoming much more rare in modern music. The future of music will suffer for that I believe, although I suppose most change throughout history has been met with negativity and yet we've seen great advancements in all aspects of life, musical and otherwise.

[@7Adonijah]

Hardtop Harry - I didn’t realize this about millennials but now that you mention it I’m sure this is true! I just left my home state of Hawaii and moved to Fort Worth and my heart is SORE for a session of coffee, some tokes and jamming around the table in the morning! DANG I miss my mandolin-playing ex and my musician friends jamming like guava jelly!!!🎶💜🎶

[@vincentreyes6154]

I'm a Gen Z teen, but I like to jam along to backing tracks after doing my homework. But you're right, not everyone takes time to develop their talents and have fun like most used to.

[@diegooland1261]

Hey this fellow is on to something, you should have him back :) Love it, thanks guys. Appreciate it and took away a few things. And no, I can't make that full bend. And my only pickin finger is my middle one. That's enough for this old dog.

[@GuitarGathering]

Johnny is the best! I'd love to have him back when he comes back through Nashville.

[@derekrodrick2517]

Wow! You are amazing but the many different tones ringing outta that guitar is unbelievable

[@dardfrek]

Thank you Johnny and friend. Very nice playing. Great soloing ...

[@richw.6296]

That dude is a beast.

[@GuitarGathering]

Yep!

[@jvsings9146]

This guy is amazing.

[@benparker2901]

Fantastic player! What a nice dude too.

[@rs-xr3ty]

Johnny, you're just the best brother and a very pleasant fellow too. Thanks for sharing your knowledge and love of music.

[@joemama-kx6rk]

The guy in the black is a great player too

[@GuitarGathering]

Thanks. I was trying to keep up next to Johnny. He's a great player and a wonderful guy. - Steve

[@joemama-kx6rk]

@@GuitarGathering He plays effortlessly. Did he say how long he has been playing for?

[@GuitarGathering]

@@joemama-kx6rk I know Johnny's been playing since he was a kid. - Steve

[@thetonekingofficial]

great video. Damn, johnny can play the geeetar! Job well done fellas

[@Secretarian]

Well, if Johnny Hiland is ok with that amount of hum in his guitar, I guess my guitar hum issues are not that bad. Awesome playing, these guys are a testament to the joy there is in jamming.

[@buddyollie7400]

Johnny's awesome...

[@PaulGeorgePastor]

Oh MAN!!! Johnny, I love you bud! YOU are just the BEST! Well AMONG the best cause I know you probably wouldn't let me call you the "best" so I'll settle for calling you a waaay special man with an incredible gift to bless on that instrument! WOW! Keep up the great work!

[@tubesrule123]

Wow - Always impressive. Class act all the way, Mr. Hiland!

[@VegasCyclingFreak]

37:50 Exactly. I use that technique sometimes myself. It's bending the spring to raise the pitch, the string doesn't care if you're going up or down.

[@browill9]

Absolutely awesomeness

[@VA434]

Johnny you are the man

[@ArtGuitarLTX]

23 people don’t understand the musicality and awesomeness of Johnny. Damn this was awesome! @2:47 btw killer lick 🙏😁

[@stevehogan8829]

Johnny, I forget you have sight issues.. I'm certainly not happy that you are legally blind but I sure am glad you can hear and have the talent you have. I really enjoy listening to you. Thanks for giving that to us. You guys sure played well together...

[@Jesuswinsbirdofmichigan]

Wear dew eye begin? Very educational and inspirational✝️

[@marcohermans3207]

This man is unbelievable. Johnny go go go !

[@Giants588]

Johnny Hiland, the guy is outstanding

[@jimmycrabtree-tb6jc]

Johnny is a master!

[@bullhunter45]

Johnny and Steve what a great couple of guys. Thanks Steve and Johnny for giving us these great lessons and opening up your hearts and spreading such a great vibe especally after all the sorrow the US has gone through lately! God Bless both of you ya's. Johnny you never fail to lift my spirits and get me to get my guitar out and start picken along with ya.(well...I try...hahaha) Love ya Brother J Christopher from Costa Rica

[@GuitarGathering]

Johnny's the best! Thanks for being part of our guitar family! - Steve

[@Strings-jg2to]

Of course someone would bring politics in this considering this is a country music lovers. Leave politics out for once. So typical.

[@bullhunter45]

@@Strings-jg2to It's called freedom of speech and as a veteran, I feel I earned at least that right. Personal friend of Johnnys also

[@Strings-jg2to]

@@bullhunter45 you're right. I apologise for real. Things are just frustrating these days. I just get overwhelmed sometimes. I'm a veteran as well. Thanks for serving. Cheers. BTW Johnny is a beast of a player. Cheers.

[@davidl5700]

Just genious..

[@GuitarGathering]

Agreed!

[@timhowell4870]

Can any Johnny fans tell me if theres any Johnny Hiland songs on spotify that sound like that intro jam?? It was just so catchy. A funky bassline in the back and just outrageous pickin in the lead. Im obsessed.

[@EvanJr]

Truely master.🎖️

[@GuitarGathering]

Yes!

[@ThrashRoC]

Country Master ....Supercool Player