How To Play The Carter Scratch (Featuring Courtney Marie Andrews)

Maybelle Carter's innovative method of playing rhythm and lead guitar simultaneously, called the "Carter scratch," helped revolutionize the way guitar is played. Watch Americana singer-songwriter Courtney Marie Andrews show you how it's done.

[@juliebatsel238]

Leslie Riddle, a black man who worked with AP Carter "catching songs," and also lived with the Carters for a couple of years, taught Maybelle Carter this style of guitar. The Riddlefest in Burnsville, NC, honors him in a wonderful way: members of the Riddle family AND the Carter family come together to make music and honor Leslie Riddle's legacy.

[@briancook4248]

I’m in nc I will check that out. Haven’t got to yancey co yet. What cool history

[@goodtimberfarm]

Like she says at 4:10? 🤔

[@CrashExhibition]

She says this in the video.

[@HalifaxViewers]

He didn’t. She was already doing the scratch before she met him.

[@HalifaxViewers]

I’m still bothered by this comment and by the statement in this video for the whole reason for the development of the Carter scratch was that she was self taught and playing on her own and incorporated the melody into her playing. Riddle taught her a specific picking style but she already had developed the Carter scratch at that point

[@josephpetrocelli3930]

An historian, a teacher, a guitarist and vocalist all in one delightful lady. Thank you , from an old musician who just learned something new.

[@BrianJohnMusic77]

Well said.

[@Cigarsnguitars]

Very nice tutorial on the Carter Scratch. I’ve played guitar for 50 years but never knew the proper terminology of what I was playing. It’s always wonderful to know the history of things like this so we can continue to pass it down to our children. You have a wonderful voice too. Thank you for your presentation.

[@joshkleingeld116]

I didn't know that this was a recognised style of picking till today I feel so validated in my own guitar playing style I don't use a pick but I thought I was playing wrong lol thanks

[@williamcole9040]

I was a rythym player in a pop band in 1963, when i met a bloke who introduced me to the Carters style of playing. Forever indebted to this person….play this stuff everyday. Great lesson that makes it easy for a player to achieve. Other players are so impressed to hear the melody and rhythm both together. So many tutorials can be overwhelming,but yours C.A.M.was perfect.

[@glimmer1]

I started playing guitar in late 60s and learned this style, or a variation of it, from Neil Young's song "Tell Me Why." Took a few years to learn that Maybelle originated it. Great video.

[@kyleradigan4687]

Yes the Young song is fun to pkay.

[@sandramorey2529]

Great tutorial. I am currently teaching the Carter scratch, but not calling it as such. Maybelle was a master at it. I am self taught so I studied the sound and replicated it. I would have loved this kind of tutorial. I will forward this one to my students who are laboriously trying to learn it from self taught me. Thanks. 83 year old ballad singer in Oakland CA

[@KeyMasterSound]

Love the video! Definitely want more of this. With drummers, bassists, vocalists etc... Keep it up NPR.

[@user-dj8gt6ik7c]

G. Gervais yes! I agree. Love this. Courtney is a badA

[@captainkangaroo4301]

Maybelle’s L5 is the most important guitar in country music history, with all due respect to Chet, Merle, Jerry, Doc, Paul and Don et al.

[@Reginald-Montgomery-Astird-III]

I feel like Don Helms steel guitar still takes that spot, and I'm someone who would rather listen to the Carter Family than Hank.

[@MCSwat-od2ef]

Well, as someone RELATED to both The Carter Family and The Swatzell family(dobro) I love it all and respect it all! HAVE FUN,,, make beautiful music and SHARE IT!💕

[@cmoreno12345]

That vintage D18 sounds wonderful too.

[@kyleradigan4687]

I absolutely agree with this.And perhaps because of it, there's a short line between Maybelle Carter's style and that of Stephen Stills, who has a similar but unique fingerpicking style. Would love to hear Maybelle on a D-45 and Stills on her L-5.

[@martifingers]

I have been playing this style of music nearly 50 years and still learnt a lot from this. Thanks Courtney, your approach and enthusiasm is positively life enhancing.

[@davereichert]

I saw CMA from maybe 5 feet away at the Winnipeg Folk Festival this year! I was mesmerized by her voice and couldn't stop watching her fingers. Thanks for the lesson!

[@internetpurple]

Thank you for this. The Carter Family deserves SO much more recognition and credit!!!!

[@terrymiller111]

That is amazing that she is the innovator "of that." That is classic folk/country-style strumming, and she was the one who was responsible for its popularity. Wonderful.

[@w.wrightjackson8317]

I was born and raised in Nashville, am 65 years young however I've mostly always played old rock. Just recently started digging into my heritage, my great grand father play fiddle and harmonica on the very first Grand Ole' Opry aired on WSM radio. I did not know that about Mother Maybelle. I'm no kin to the Carters or the Cashes, my g.grandfather last name was Wright. Also my I say this with all respect, you are cuter than a speckled puppy under the Christmas tree on Christmas morning and where I from ma'am that is a compliment. Keep a pickin and grinnin from Nashville, Tn. God bless all

[@Teachering]

Thank you, Courtney Marie Andrews. Yes, I have learned something watching and listening to you play.

[@granthambeard]

Awesome! I was taught by a lady across the road who called it "pluck strum" - beautiful voice she had.

[@JoHawke]

This is awesome! I had no idea that Mother Maybelle revolutionized guitar playing in this way. Thank you for breaking down what I always thought of as just country picking!

[@robingermon4071]

Very well presented video on the Crater scratch. I grew up in Australia and as a 10-year-old spent hours with a wind-up gramophone playing some of the old Carter 78 songs. I just love their music. It's kind of timeless and very spiritual music.

[@toneman335]

Courtney....I love seeing and listening to you sing and play the guitar!

[@stagelifelv9324]

You are adorable! I am sure Mama Carter would be honored with your tribute. God bless you, well done, very informative. I enjoyed learning from this video. Thank you!

[@blmjr]

Nice job Courtney! The Carters started a beautiful, deep line of music. Hearing you play, it seems to be in good hands.

[@matejkrajnc1797]

The very important part that rarely anybody mentioned is that she played the Carter scratch from the C major chord shape exclusively and used a capo to move it up the neck. If she played in other keys she did not do the scratch and always modulated into C when she did. So the authentic Carter scratch is played in C shape only.

[@tomsmart1970]

That's largely true, but one example of the Carter scratch in a shape other than C is the original recording of Worried Man Blues in A.

[@noahtysonhighlonesome8117]

Thank you!! Also, mike Seeger is a way better teacher then this girl

[@banjochris]

@@tomsmart1970 The original recording of Worried Man Blues is pitched at A but played in C position. Maybelle routinely tuned her guitar down a step or step and a half so that tunes played in C position came out in B-flat or A. (In later years she often capoed quite high instead.) On the original Carter Family records Maybelle played about 80% of the time in C position, some in G (like Distant Land to Roam and Ain't Gonna Work Tomorrow), a few in F (like Single Girl) and one or two obscure blues-type numbers in E position. But mostly in C.

[@malaquiasalfaro81]

@@banjochris cool I’m gonna try this

[@tombstoneharrystudios584]

Interesting! I’d wondered about that after seeing a few old videos of her playing That she had her pet licks & keys that she liked playing in, doesn’t in anyway diminish her virtuosity or her influence

[@susanwright537]

Refreshing to hear you play & sing. You certainly are turning the tables. Wonderful hearing the history of Maybell Carters guitar playing. My all time favorite of hers is "Wildwood Flower". Thank you 😊

[@louisstopforth5886]

Thank you Courtney and nice gouce to go along with it all, plz do more.

[@dougfa3515]

Thanks for the lesson... got to go down and experience some of the Carter Family magic and see a lot of their history this past spring. It was a great experience.

[@calmevideomusic5558]

i too learned to play like this but did not know the history behind it. Thank you Miss Courtney for breaking it down

[@davidparnell1893]

Who knew instruction could be so personable!! Mother Maybelle would be proud! You keep the sound alive...thanks so much. (Your love of the music is evident in your voice and expression.)

[@hencape]

That was awesome. I watched the history of country music and this fits in very nicely. Thanks

[@guitarTennisCarHomeFixFlying]

wow the magic happens when you add the melody played with the bass notes, great job!

[@woodstoney]

Nicely done Courtney. Nice to see and hear you spread some knowledge on the guitar and it's artists!

[@jimmoore5001]

Well done! I'm a BIG fan of Maybelle. Love the history lesson.

[@Ron9257]

Thanks❤for sharing, Ms. Andrews❤

[@wickedcrypto6004]

This is fantastic learning a bit of history while enjoying her music.

[@snoopaka]

Beautiful and informative video. More please. Love learning the origins!

[@runningwithscissors0911]

You're an excellent teacher - thank you!

[@hotpinkdistorted]

Well done! Good explanation of one of the greatest guitarists in history and executed very well!

[@nazirite11]

Thank you for beautiful music and lesson !!!

[@deanhoward4128]

You are a very talented musician in your own right! Keep up the great work!& keep on the sunny side of life!

[@ringokidd387]

Wow! Very beautiful! Great Job Lil Angel!

[@FAlex-gj5uq]

Beautifully explained and demonstrated. Thank you!

[@bryandovbergman5654]

Thanks. This video is great. I've been trying to figure out the Carter scratch. This gives a lot of insight into not just how to play but how it works, and what Maybelle Carter was trying to do in her style.

[@skyblueeyes9968]

I just love your style to pieces!😀😀great job!

[@marjorievandyke8243]

Yay NPR Music, I love the lesson format and Courtney was fabulous! Now I’d love to see is a lesson from someone who plays in the blues style that influenced Maybelle.

[@writerrad]

this woman knows nothing about Maybelle Carter or her history or the style of playing what came before or after. leslie Riddle did not say he taught her the style of guitar playing shown in this video. She had already made about a dozen records efore her family encountered her. He said he taughter two finger picking, a different style that Maybelle did use on about 5 recordings out of the over 300 made by the original Carter Family. This woman doesnt know anything

[@au7-721]

Maybelle stole her style from blacks and Hispanics.

[@blllllllllllllllllllrlrlrl7059]

@@au7-721 sure. She "stole" her style from Hispanics, who weren't even present in the Appalachian region of america in the 20s.

[@TahtahmesDiary]

@@blllllllllllllllllllrlrlrl7059 idk if you need a reminder that white people aren't indigenous to the Appalachian mts but they aren't. This very video said Maybelle loved Mexican music and it influenced her idk why pretend there was no influence just because you're upset about the word stole.

[@HalifaxViewers]

@@au7-721 she did not. She was playing long before he ever showed up in her life.

[@TomVAtkinson]

Excellent! Glad I came across this video. Great work!!

[@sph33_]

Hope you guys do more of these kinds of videos. Thanks.

[@TNTTruth1]

Great History lesson and demonstration as well! Thank You!

[@diannewilliams1585]

That was stunning. Learned a lot. Thanks for sharing.

[@derekbudd2394]

Courtney that was wonderful, so inspiring. Thank you for demonstrating that unforgettable finger style. Can you suggest any other Tutorials or TAB exercises especially illustrating your finger pick technique. You also have a superb voice, what a great gift of life.

[@blueser100]

Excellent video. I love playing Carter style.

[@maryfd536]

I’d love to see more like this. Very inspiring!

[@davidjermy2524]

That was interesting Courtney and thank you. I am learning guitar and I really love fingerstyle,so this intro to the Carter family style is great. Thanks again look forward to more . 🇬🇧

[@davidconnellchicago]

Very nice. Thanks for posting. Love your style. Sounds good.

[@tonycarey9731]

200213. Yep, a lovely sound to your guitar. Thanks for loading this vid - although I'm not sure how I ended up here I did enjoy listening and learning. Have a GREAT day.

[@enyuli7880]

this is wonderful! I have been looking for an accessible intro to this style of playing and this was so useful

[@riobluetube]

Finally, a clear explanation! Beautiful lady and voice.

[@garrettdollar]

The art direction on this interview setup is perfect. Good work NPR Music!

[@TiffanyHoganRI]

Wow! Love this. I love CMA's music and just stumbled upon this, looking for some tips as to how to play Mother Maybelle style. Was so pleased to find CMA with this short video. Thanks!

[@mccalltjtm]

Simply Awesome!!!

[@BellTunnel]

Really digging Courtney’s new record.

[@dallemon15]

Some great information about artistic evolution here

[@DavidStoops-ml8ib]

I’ve always played like this. It came naturally why I don’t know. You did a amazing job here

[@johnjenkins2047]

I like this style. It’s clean and melodic.

[@friedhelmp.9217]

Good lesson! Thank you :-)

[@dirkg7062]

Wow! Your very good! Nice playing and a beautiful voice. Thanks for sharing!

[@johnirby493]

From the inside out, you are a beautiful human being. Thank you!

[@donkeninitz4590]

Nice. And that's a GORGEOUS sounding D-18.

[@motorcyclemikel711]

Nice voice and I like the info on the Carter "scratch". Thanks for the video.

[@sallhame]

Thanks for showing. And, you have a beautiful voice.

[@DaveHearn]

That was wonderful!

[@joeldcanfield_spinhead]

I like to think I know something about music, but in my ignorance I have thought my whole life that it was AP Carter playing the guitar like that. Thanks for setting me straight.

[@robw95]

Love it, great job!

[@MedSou]

*Very instructive ,Thank you* 👍👍👍👍👍

[@Johnnay71]

Nice to see another Andrews!!

[@jameslowther772]

Thanks Courtney your amazing I’m still practicing hard with my guitar 🎸

[@jasoncarpp7742]

Awesome story! I don't play music, but I do enjoy listening to music, of basically every genre.

[@alansturgess1324]

Beautiful woman. Beautiful playing. Superb explanations and demonstrations - what's not to like? Great to see such passion, expertise and musicianship. 10/10

[@coyote_in_the_city]

this is so amazingly well explained!

[@irezumitattooni7134]

It is nice meeting people like you passionate for the instrument and sharing with us all this knowledge and history.. very educational for me I really enjoyed it and I learned something new! Nice performance, congratulations

[@writerrad]

Pretty much everything this woman says about the history is dead wrong, information anybody who would bother to look up anything about Maybelle Carter and the guitar or whgat Maybelle or Leslie Riddle said or what the history of the guitar is. If you think of this as accurate, you are in trouble

[@jimmybare3026]

@@writerrad and your source? There are still many people alive today that watched this show back in the two channel black and white TV days when they were young and I'm one of them. Maybe you would like to explain what she's so dead wrong about. Or better yet just go away!

[@JoseTorres-rx3ib]

Great video I learned a lot thank you

[@tonytlly]

Loved this video

[@JS-nf1sn]

Great video. Thank you Courtney

[@GodsFavoriteBassPlyr]

Great demo. And a great sounding instrument!

[@alexsouthgate7551]

Thankyou - lovely playing/singing

[@paulwilliams7157]

Love it!!! Love the songs

[@bigdogpete43]

I can't believe people would actually vote this down. Nice job Courtney.

[@PeturMag]

Maybe because she does not mention the people that influenced Maybelle... maybe they just watched the start and thought she was going to play with a flat pick the whole time... or maybe they are just Alt Right Christian Toxic Men that support Trump and hate Whamen. I guess we will never know, but we all know that Maybelle Carter was so oppressed that she must have had to be 100x better than all of the other Genders to excel and nobody supported her ever because Patriarchy.

[@bigdogpete43]

@@PeturMag I am one of those "men". And I love women.

[@francesmiller3195]

GREAT job playing the guitar 🎸 👍 Got a great voice too Keep it UP girl We enjoyed the video 😊

[@billybigtime2808]

Great video clear and concise and you have a lovely manner about you

[@maxcyclone5416]

Thank you Courtney. That was great.

[@tomthompson7400]

the camera and strings look so great at 2:02 , its just like waves flowing

[@herberar]

You are lovely, and you sing like an Angel. Blessings !!!

[@michaelogden5958]

Nice job! Loves me some Martin guitar!

[@rigelabanes699]

The sound of that guitar😍

[@jimmy5634]

rigel abanes the Martin D18 ...a classic, iconic guitar.

[@DAUGENN]

MARTIN SIR, MARTIN the EXCELLENCE

[@dinomauro2177]

Merçi Courtney. Grace à vous j'ai découvert Maybelle, et j'ai appris un style et une façon de jouer de la guitare. Et en plus vous chantez très bien ! Vous êtes formidable !

[@thefantobi]

Cheers. Good lesson.

[@constancemiller3753]

This is like watching a magic act revealed...in a good way🙆‍♀️

[@DUMBLIESCOM]

Very nice and full of great information - Thanks

[@jasonlove2653]

I could listen to her all day and night

[@123Goldhunter11]

Good stuff. Nice voice, nice playing. Thanks.

[@nancyfielden270]

Wonderful!

[@cyrilmoussoki3193]

Thank you for sharing