Description
This is the second half of the country guitar solo (EP002). This is a three part mini-series that shows you how to play country lead and rhythm. If you’re viewing this out of context and want to start with part one, look for EP001! This is a more relaxed style country lead solo that is geared for intermediate to advanced players (although if you’re a beginner there are certainly licks that you can take away from this and be able to play). The final lesson in this series (part 3) will show you how to play the rhythm, so that all of the guitar parts are covered. Make sure you watch part 1 if you haven’t already so that you can learn the first part of the solo.
Country Style Guitar Lesson - Solo Part 2
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Brian what size strings do you recommend for this style? B
Those are Earnie Ball - 10 guage
Thanks for that Brian, thumb pick or no you can still play fine.I will have trouble just bending one string while the other stays still that is a difficult technique to master…. Brian
Boy howdy Brian, my fingers are really sore! I have part one down and am starting part 2. Looking forward to part 3. Again, thanks Brian!!
Hi Brian,
Brilliant lesson and making my fingers very sore just like WoodyP above. Can I make one suggestion which seems an awful cheek but might help others. In the second part the licks around the 17th fret are quite difficult and I could not hold the bend with my third finger and play the top E string notes at the same time. However, if I used my middle finger for the bend, the third finger for the 17th fret E string and my first finger for the 15th fret E string I could manage it much better. You don’t seem to feel you are playing round the third finger so much. Hope you don’t mind the suggestion.
Andrew
Yeah Andrew, I figured that out my self. Thanks for the tip though. The hardest part for me is going from the end of part 1 into part 2 with that immediate bend. It takes me too much time to get ready for that. Practice, practice I guess?
Woody
Good advice Andrew. I don’t think there is a right way to do this stuff when it comes to which fingers to use. I think it all depends on what works for you. For example, I rarely ever use my pinky - I was told that was wrong when I first started playing and have lots of people on YouTube point out how incorrect that is. I think it’s all a matter of finding what works for you. Also, I’m glad to hear that your fingers are sore, I feel that I’m doing my job well!
It’s strange. I look at a piece and think “I’ll never be able to do that” and then I learn it bit by bit thinking “I’m getting cheesed off with this” and then a light comes on and I manage to play it all the way through (with mistakes, of course). Then I leave it for a couple of days and play something else and when I come back its much easier. Almost like muscle memory in your fingers. Relly looking foward to the rhythm section. It has been a great experience finding your site and I hope to learn loads more.
I hope the European fans behaved themselves in Chicago for the Ryder Cup? Don’t tell me you didn’t notice it.
Keep plucking!
Andrew
Hi, Brian. After playing guitar for many years I find your teacing style has fired my enthusiasm for new learning. Currently your great country sessions have me learning way past midnight. I play in a small local band and these fresh ideas have made a noticeable difference. I cannot wait for the third (rhythm) lesson. Thanks for your dedication.
Hollyman (UK)
P.S. (Re your Country lessons)
Brian, I meant to ask you how you attain the lovely tones and texture you produce in your lesson demonstrations. I would love to replicate this in live gigs. Any advice, please?
Thanks. Hollyman
Thanks hollyman - first off I have recorded the 3rd (rhythm part) to this lesson and I’ve also got the next lesson series on jazz style guitar ready to roll out - you’ll see some of this over the weekend.
Aso for tone, it’s really very simple. Just a slight about of overdrive (maybe 40%) and then back the volume of the guitar off to around 70%. I then use a little slap-back reverb (or you could do this with delay) to give it an fast (one time) echo. And that’s really all there is to that sound. It’s not clean channel - you need the overdrive to give it the sustain and “oomph”
The pickups on that Gibson ES-335 guitar don’t hurt either 🙂
Thanks for the info on your setup Brian. Excuse my ignorance but what is an “overdrive”?
Interesting. I don’t hear any distortion or crunch or fuzz in your country video. I thought maybe it was a preamp between the guitar and the amp input to boost the guitar’s drive, hence the name “overdrive”.
Overdrive = distortion or crunch or fuzz :) - Basically it’s breaking the signal up a bit. Not the real heavy metal kind of distortion, but slightly breaking up the signal.
Hi Brian,
Having great fun learning this piece. I too thought I may never get through this but am now making good progress with very sore fingers.
Amazing I can play this alone but go completely blank and panic when I try to play over the backing track.
Looking forward to the third installment.
I hear that Glynbo! I have it memorized too but playing up to sped is another level for sure. That full bend at the beginning of part 2 is a bear! I have a Les Paul Studio that I have been learning on and today I bought a used MIM Strat at my local Guitar Center. It is almost brand new but has a bad 5 way switch which they gave me a new one with the deal so the ole soldering iron will come out. I am amazed at how much easier the bends are on the Strat. I haven’t mic’d the strings that are on it so I don’t know if the or 10s or 09s. But I like it!
Brian, This is tasty sounding. I have wondered how to get that pedal steel type sound. You have a great teaching style. This style can be adapted to many things. Just by playing with this you can do those killer bends and add some hammer ons and get alot of milege out of these licks. It reminds me of Ralph Mooney’s steel guitar playing with Buck Owens. Thanks again for a great lesson…………fresnojohns
Hello all you guy’s, I am so pleased to find this site, I am a novice to Guitar, and OLD, but I want to learn what I can while I can.
This is a great site, Brian you teach really well, your very patient than goodness. I hope one day you can teach some Santana.
This lesson is great.
I have to rest now my fingers are a little sore Hahaha.
.
Hi Brian,
The really good part of this lesson is that it gives me a better understanding of how I can bring these licks into quite a few different styles of playing. It’s great fun to play along with the backing tracks too. I’m so-o-o glad I finally opted to pay for the annual subscription.
Great value for money!
Pete.