How to crosspick and play Wildwood Flower - with Molly Tuttle

For tabs and text of this video lesson, see: www.guitarworld.com/lessons/h...
Acoustic Journey by Molly Tuttle
CROSS PLAY
Molly Tuttle teaches crosspicking, which enables you to fill out the sound of a chord around a melodic line. It’s also a more intricate and detailed way of playing through a chord progression, as compared to simply strumming through the chords, enabling the player to present the changes and the melody at the same time.
#MollyTuttle #Crosspicking

[@zeroone7867]

I've just learnt more in 13.44 mins about crosspicking than I have in the last 20 years of playing guitar. Top notch tutorial.

[@nathanbingham470]

agreed

[@mondon656]

It's really nice of you to give free guitar lessons to us despite being famous and no doubt incredibly busy - what a decent person you are, thank you

[@marquitalawson68]

@@innis52carra If you want something done, ask a busy person. They understand time management and can deliver in addition to their regular work.

[@bobthabuilda1525]

@@innis52carra I doubt that. To play at the level they do requires hours of practice. Bela Fleck, for example, practiced 8 hours a day; a full work day. Often for many pros that number comes down to 3-5, but in it's place you have to deal with session work, recording your own material, writing new songs, managing bookings, traveling to shows, managing a full band, rehearsal, etc. It's a myth that musicians don't work hard.

[@innis52carra]

@@bobthabuilda1525 managing bookings, traveling to shows, managing a full band, rehearsal, etc. ? Thats what managers are for ...

[@douglesw]

If you ever doubted the existence of GOD, that should be resolved with the creation of KZbin and the contributors like Molly and so many others! A lesson with James Taylor would have been impossible at almost any cost or circumstance, but on YT I can see his hands and understand his thinking. Priceless, as is Molly. I am spending the rest of my life taking YT instruction.

[@lpmama1196]

@@innis52carra I doubt you know enough about her schedule to make such a comment. These lessons are for Guitar World and they are part of her work as a professional musician. It could have taken hours to shoot this. They give her exposure and she teaches to inspire and build her fan base, not to mention she likely also gets paid some type of royalty for doing the video. Professional musicians lead busy lives and they don't just leave it all up to a manager. They call it the music business for a reason.

[@TheArtofGuitar]

Seeing her jam with Tommy E was an eye-opener. She's a stud on guitar!!!

[@HannahCope88]

@TheArtofGuitar She's awesome. Love her.

[@user-xh1kz7rm4j]

I learned that Molly was amazing before and now that I understand more, she is more amazing.

[@sportsfan205]

I'm 72 ears old and remember when I was little we always listened to radio on sat. night . Wildwood flower was favorite song and still is our Guitar sound amazing, thanks for the memories.

[@DavidSmith-og1oz]

This is a fantastic lesson. I've always wanted to learn how to crosspick and now I can take my first step.. It's wonderful that a musician that normally plays so fast can slow it down and explain it so well. Thanks, Molly.

[@kc8923]

Did you manage to follow what she was playing? Did you use any tab?

[@davewhitehill3602]

The next step is to incorporate slurs (hammer-ons and pull-offs ala Chet Atkins).

[@Wobbz9413]

@@davewhitehill3602the next step is watch more Molly tutorials.

[@usmcrn4418]

She’s a great guitarist, songwriter, a good person.. and just downright gorgeous! Not that looks are the most important thing in the world, but she’s blessed with those as well as musical/vocal talent. I love her music and that part of her spirit which she exposes to us. ❤

[@YippeeSkippie426]

Looks are important and I'll prove it: If it was Nancy Pelosi making this exact same video, no-one would even click on the thumb-nail.

[@drrandydsteele7181]

I've been cross picking Wildwood Flower 60 years...my most fun song to play

[@markpeavy4005]

I've been playing guitar for awhile as well as wildwood flower..."you see, I've been around a long time playing that song". I thought I would jump in and follow along quite easily. Boy, was I wrong! Molly, you showed me while I can cross pick a little I have a long way to go! Great job! I've learned I know very little but I do enjoy learning!

[@theunknowncowboy4273]

Not only is this a fabulous lesson by someone who has an incredible way of teaching... she continues the tradition... passing songs and style to new generations. I thank you for this Molly... and what a spectacular room you're in!

[@leonardocannone8349]

Awesome. Not only are you an amazing guitar player, but you are an amazing teacher as well. Thank you.

[@dougalvis]

I shared this with my 16 year old Granddaughter who is learning to play the guitar I gave her for her birthday. I did that because Molly is more than a phenomenal player & great teacher, she is also kind & patient, a beautiful person. Thanks for sharing Molly 👍

[@patriciajrs46]

Good for you, Doug.

[@CL-vx9dr]

Why is your profile picture Dilbert lol

[@752brickie]

That is great you gave her a guitar !!!! You may not be able to play basketball or many sports into old age-but you can still ostly be able to play guitar unless you are like me- playing for 50+ years and still am not a player !!!

[@crlguitar1]

Molly is a special talent, and GREAT instructor too....So precise .....

[@SilentAttackTV]

I'm a fingerstyle player, but Molly has inspired me to finally try to get good at using a pick.

[@Mofi357]

go with sweep pickn

[@fiddlegirl5]

Thankyou Molly! I always felt like cross picking was a mystery, but the way you broke it down makes it seem more doable!

[@ioodyssey3740]

I'm so glad I discovered Molly and now I'm learning crosspicking. Thanks for inspiring me in this direction.

[@homeworldmusic]

Well that intro was totally sweet, thank you and a shout out to Guitar World for sharing this.

[@markrobinson8949]

Really nice delivery and it's nice to see choices being offered to the learner. I confess that even after a scary number of years playing guitar (and gigging) crosspicking is still my nemesis! Thanks, Molly :-)

[@cyberdude721]

OMG I am blown away, beyond magical, no words

[@drpacman9996]

This is excellent, I got into playing bluegrass about a year ago and learned wildwood flower. Been looking into cross picking and found this video. It’s a bonus that Molly has such a great teaching method, thanks for the lesson!

[@patricklundquist9869]

Thank you so much for teaching this old dog some new tricks. That is an incredible sounding guitar by the way. Fantastic tone.

[@pte1808]

I've played this way past 45 years and this is the day I see the name of the style.

[@danschwie]

So awesome. Thank you so much for sharing your incredible talent Molly! Love the new record.

[@ofbyforpeople1384]

Molly, thank you for turning me on to "Wildwood Flower" -- I cannot thank you enough for that. Also thank you for your generosity in teaching new techniques and your talented inspiration too.

[@bluetrain477]

Molly thanks so much for posting this lesson and slowing things down so we can follow along. I would love to see more! My first bluegrass guitar lessons were with your Dad, Jack, at Gryphon strings. It is so great to see you follow in his footsteps as a teacher!

[@jackorbit7258]

Thank you, Molly. Great lesson, well demonstrated, and explained.

[@jimbosweeney]

At tempo indeed!! Thank you Molly Tuttle! I love Molly Tuttle... passing on the bluegrass tradition one video at a time!

[@danielrenaud3985]

As a kid we went to so many bluegrass and traditional music festivals...it is great that you and others re bringing it into the mainstream. Such wonderful ambassadors

[@robertdubuc4082]

Memorizing , you are awesome.I never knew you did this, give lessons.I don't play any instruments, but I was drawn into watching because of you.I can't express in words how much you inspire through just being you, Molly . Thanks,peace and stay safe 🙏

[@derdian3]

It's funny you have to stumble upon these videos ,its just what i need.

[@gregnuttall3637]

Today is the first time I've ever seen you, I've been watching other great teachers, but I definitely like the style you have. Been playing guitar for a few years now @ 63yr old. With broken fingers and what other things that go with age. Thank you so much for sharing your talent. I'm gonna try to learn about this style of playing. Thanks again.

[@edejan]

Wow! What a beautiful tone you tease out of that guitar!

[@battlehrfred]

Perfectionist, there is nothing else you can say. her talent. her finedetail and wrist movement tells it all . 100-100 just wow!AAAAAA

[@lewiefrazier1041]

Molly's guitar has a great tone and that hollow sound...wonderful!!!

[@patriciajrs46]

Acoustics are good for that sound.

[@JohnSteins]

Just what I needed! Someone talented like Molly to kick me in the butt and get me back on the guitar! Thank you Molly Tuttle!

[@kydragon42]

Thank you Molly for being honest and down to earth in your presentation! So much fun, I can hear your love! Hope to see ya live in 2021 and Say hi to your dad! Banjo Mike Lou. Ky!

[@sbs721]

As a fingerpicker who wants to learn more about flatpicking, this was an interesting & useful lesson. Thanks, Molly!

[@magicdaveable]

When I was first learning guitar about 60 years ago. There was no "teacher" available so my attempt to copy "Travis Picking" using a flat pick resulted in a style similar to crosspicking. I later discovered that it easily converted to crosspicking. The downside is that I never learned to fingerpick but...... I can flatpick bluegrass style tunes like a heavy metal shredder. I have to admit that I never learned any Clarence White licks or Tony Rice licks but learned to play melody adding my own embellishments.

[@AmbientBeat99]

Me, too, 60+ years ago, trying to learn from listening to records and live performances. Fingerpicking I learned from watching/listening, same as flatpicking/crosspicking and I guess I now have my own style, which is not all bad! We, at least, paved the way for these young players, so many of whom are incredible and I love them all!

[@buddybeetle]

Fantastic ! Thank you so much for taking the time to record and share this !

[@kevinthomson688]

Thanks very much for this Molly Tuttle! This lesson has been like a breath of fresh air guitar playing wise, opening up a whole new world for me. Congratulations on such a clear, engaging delivery to something as complex as crosspicking!

[@michaelimhoff1588]

Looks like life is more peaceful for you these days Molly... It's wonderful to see... It's been many years since I sat down next to you and picked a few in the campgrounds of Grass Valley... Amazing talent... Those were the "floppy hat" days and I knew those days must have been so hard for you... I don't know if you ever realized that you had some Grass Valley guardian angels like myself and others around to help protect you from harm... not to mention God's Angels... who have been there with you all the time... I have been praying for you... And of course, thanks for teaching the others here... Pass it on...

[@johnpoole7327]

Thank you. Very good lesson, my great grand wants to learn and this will be a great place for her to start. It helped me and I've been playing 60 plus years. Thank you again.

[@GregorySLamb]

As a banjo picker come flat picker on guitar, this lesson has been serving me very well. Thanks so much for sharing your talents with us mortals...Yep, to me you are a goddess of flatpicking AND cross picking to say nothing of your stunning vocals. Oh, I might have forgotten to mention - SONG WRITING!

[@AyeCarumba221]

Is this THE Greg Lamb of Portland fame??? Jonny Guitar from Lamb Jam here!

[@GregorySLamb]

@@AyeCarumba221 Yup - that's me. I hope you are well and healthy. I live in Glenwood Springs, CO these days. Playing guitar more than banjo since the jam scene is dormant.

[@AyeCarumba221]

@@GregorySLamb I recognized Matisse as well. Im watching lots of music on youtube, so I guess I was bound to see comments from somebody I knew. Maybe ill continue this conversation in a text. A less public forum. Sincerely, Jon

[@saschaw.7251]

Thanks a lot for this useful lesson. As a beginner of crosspicking and bluegrass I appreciate such informative videos. Especially when performed by a great guitar player like Molly Tuttle. Greetings from Germany :)

[@georgetatum8823]

Sascha, I love to hear that you are keeping the country and bluegrass alive in Germany. Eddie

[@repsolracer104]

Hi Sascha bin dabei mit flatpickng anzufangen wie läuft es bei dir und hast du evtl Tipps bzw Videos die du empfehlen kannst? LG Jan

[@jbf16falcon]

Well I fell all over myself timing wise once I reached the Wildwood Flower part. Makes me respect her talent that much more.

[@eddiepeavy6233]

You are 👏 awesome!! I love the sound of cross picking. I’ve never heard of it. Big fan of yours! 😍

[@williamphilip916]

Utube up, some old Stanley Brothers songs and listen George Shuffler doing background and breaks. He by the way used ddu pattern, he says if you don't you can back yourself into a corner.

[@josephmanzi4691]

Molly you are really great teacher. I've been practicing and really making progress. Love your style of teaching. You are such a talent. God Bess.

[@mcollins1401]

Great teaching... from a great player. Thank you !

[@schincat]

You are amazing in so many ways and this lesson is just one of them.

[@whitneylee3460]

I’ve played like the syncopated strings like that for years on occasion but never knew it was Called crosspicking and never thought of using it on fingerpicking a melody. Very cool.

[@richardwysocki8300]

Hello, Molly! Every time I see you, my heart smiles. Peace, prosperity and hugs to you always.

[@bruceleewells3173]

Nice technique, as well as beautifully played . You're guitar playing sounds so clean and fun.

[@roderickmatheson3195]

Thanks Molly for the lesson, I always wanting to learn to play the wild wood flower on guitar, I'm getting there,but I do like your cross picking it adds more flavor to the tune.

[@Ottonic6]

What a fun song to play. Fantastic. Thank you!

[@geraldwest3428]

Excellent playing, thank you very much!

[@jimbosweeney]

I love Molly Tuttle... educating kids and adults!

[@Dan-zq5wt]

I love Molly Tuttle! I just discovered her and bluegrass in general (I’m a blues rock Dad kind of guy) and now I’m obsessed!!

[@enoch1680]

Thank you! You are a gifted teacher.

[@maryannehickey2741]

What a good teacher! Thank you.

[@Marss13z]

Excellent demonstration and lesson, thanks so much.

[@tomrussell7899]

Fabulous. You are an excellent guitar player and an excellent teacher as well. A rare combination.

[@woodbox50]

concise and beautiful, thanks Molly.

[@adamrobisonmusic3942]

Thank you Molly. Stay awesome!

[@kingrobert1st]

Gorgeous guitar!

[@sandra.wonderfulduetbull6469]

Great job Molly, keep teaching. 💐🕊🥀🎚🙏

[@IrvinGreene8008]

Excellent job! That is my oldest favorite song to hear it was picked the way you do! Thanks, it was a pleasure!

[@752brickie]

What a wonderful beautiful guitar player !!! One of the most talented guitarists on the planet !!!~. You go girl !!! Keep up the wonderful work !!

[@lucillereilly]

Finally, someone who has explained what cross picking IS! I’ve been wondering for a while what this looks like and was on the trail, but didn’t know for sure. The main confusion is that I play “kick-butt” autoharp and couldn’t envision cross picking on that instrument-certainly not by playing with three finger picks and a thumb pick! The term comes up in autoharp circles, and now I need to go back and look at its context, as very few people play harmonized melody on the autoharp with just a flat pick. I play guitar, too, so you’ve given me something new to try. All the best to you, Molly! Fabulous lesson and thank you!

[@chrisharrisseacaptainchris]

Thank you Miss Molly I really appreciate the lesson.

[@briandowdall1958]

Great teaching Molly..

[@JayKeller]

Thank you Molly, you're a superb teacher. I am going to learn this, that is my vow!

[@greengoog22]

How is the song coming!

[@JayKeller]

@Green Go OG22 Thanks for asking! I'm doing well with the version from Jack Tuttle's book (Molly's dad), but adding her cross-picking into it will take me a while longer, it's pretty challenging.

[@nicklyde4361]

Yes.. great stuff .Thanks Molly

[@jerryreynolds282]

Your awesome Molly. Thanks for the lesson 🙂

[@grahamgordon7397]

Your a wonderful player wish I was as good.And I love country music and try playing Faveroute country artists on my guitar great lesson also 🎸👍

[@44mcginty]

I had one of these sunburst guitars 53 years ago, wish I had kept it. Lovely rich notes and a great lesson.

[@BB-px5qg]

This is wonderful, thank you for sharing your amazing tips

[@ffggddss]

Marvelous! As a thumbpick guy, it makes me want to take up flat-picking. Fred

[@coskier1969]

Great lesson. Thank you. I've seen you several times in Colorado. What a joy to watch you play.

[@barrydouglas6276]

Molly, like many fine players, makes it look easy. It's only easy when you have put in significant time. My very sincere thanks for a lesson on how to focus that time!

[@tedwilliford7218]

I have played guitar using this method for many years and you can actually apply it to a 5 string banjo too for a different sound. I play both flat pick and finger pick. Learned guitar when I was 13 by playing backup to my Dad, and taught myself the banjo at 16. still have my first guitar and amp from my 13th birthday and the banjo from my 16th birthday. I remember my Dad playing the bass fiddle when I was 5 years old. He still has the bass fiddle and all of his old guitars from the 50's and 60's.

[@mt-nv4jd]

excellent lesson, Molly.

[@rkgaston123]

That’s wonderful Molliy! Thanks for that detailed instruction! It’s gonna take lots of practice ;-)

[@jeffreyp.kitchin5420]

OMG, Thank you. Love this.! Perfect Learn! I Love Blue Grass.

[@allanwells4886]

Great sounding guitar. Great teacher!

[@taylorstevens9675]

Thank you!!!!!! Such a good tutorial to start the day!!

[@Equality72521sr]

I love that you are surrounded by images of, Young, Page, Cash, and Frampton. You belong right there with them 😃

[@willswalkingwest7267]

Wow! And this was free. I love it. Molly and her group are amazing.

[@seandacey8346]

Sure wish I knew about this style years ago. Fantastic. Thank you.

[@ioodyssey3740]

In a few years we'll have millions of crosspickers thanks to Molly!

[@gfd7469]

Love this! It is saved, can’t wait to give it a try! Thank you!🙏

[@nathanbingham470]

Thank you Molly!

[@micchaelfearn5163]

Lovely sound, well played, going to try that. Thanks 😉

[@treetoplake]

Wow thank you Molly .. very clear and .. I'm going to learn this! You are very inspiring to watch :)

[@homegrownmusicnj2089]

This is extremely helpful and probably way to advanced for me right now! But something great to keep in mind moving forward

[@ioodyssey3740]

Go for it! Everything is a stretch when you start, but soon it will happen for you. Enjoy.

[@dmaximus73]

@@ioodyssey3740 Wrong! If it’s difficult at all, you should quit. Smarten up would ya!😊

[@BigMatt08]

Yes sure

[@kydragon42]

@@dmaximus73 Go away and get a life!

[@DaveA7]

@@dmaximus73 You must have achieved nothing in life then.

[@GregorySLamb]

Great lesson Molly! Your Thompson Guitar suits you well too.

[@sbolfing]

Not only a great player, but a great teacher! Great video! It's fascinating to contrast your cross-picking style of playing this song with Tommy Emmanuel's finger-picking lesson. Two different styles, both played by incredible players, and both are good teachers - I definitely want to learn both techniques. (Still feel like a novice, and I've been playing since I got a brand new Stella parlor for my 8th birthday - in 1964!)

[@palomaenergy]

We love you Molly!

[@Ronno4691]

Just discovered Molly Tuttle after hearing her being interviewed in BBC Radio 4's Loose Ends show with Clive Anderson on Saturday 13th January '24! Good singer/songwriter AND she can flatten anybody's ass with her country shred playing too 😊

[@joshuahendrickson4854]

Thanks Molly for such a great video. I never learned how to use a pick, but I hope to see if I can learn from this video and just use my fingers. Cross picking is something I hear all the time in bluegrass and in early country. I'm totally blind and I love playing my martin d18 and my takamine guitar. I know cross picking will sound great on both my guitars. Keep up the good work.

[@nickszentkuti5552]

Thankyou for this great lesson!

[@dieselman7453]

Molly thanks your unreal we love you in Ireland a lot of your music blends in with Irish traditional music that we play here !! You are super woman on guitar I love watching ur picking hand it’s an amazing thing tale care and be well molly !!! Brian Ireland