Active Melody

Learn to play blues guitar.

Bluesy Bluegrass licks that are perfect for soloing or use as fill licks” – Guitar Lesson – ML119

Description

In this week’s guitar lesson, you’ll learn several open string, Bluegrass style licks that are connected to 1st position (cowboy) chords. These are great for soloing or for fill licks.

Part 1 - Free Guitar Lesson

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Slow Walkthrough

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Comments

  2. Mark H says

    The devil is in the details, particularly for us self-taught players.

    I appreciate the way you shine a light on those details, and break them out into “drillable” bites.

    As always, many thanks, great lesson.

  6. Charlie N says

    Thanks Brian. This was a great lesson and one that I will refer back to many times. There were so many light bulb moments in this one. I would love to see more bluegrass lessons like this one in the future. Great stuff Brian.

  7. Mike R says

    Another great lesson. Really like how there is so much music to play in a tight compact area. Always amazed how all the chords you want are just a fret or two away from where you are. Whoever invented the guitar was really a genius about close voicing for all scales and chords. Ya Hooo!

  10. Lyn C says

    Love this.. perfect timing too.. just getting into bluegrass music. Will try to apply some of these ideas to some of th e songs we are learning..maybe Little Cabin Home on the Hill is a good one to start with.

  12. kevin m says

    Brian, Always look forward to the new Saturday morning lesson,
    but need to still hang around the lesson from the week before!
    I have a feeling that I am not alone with this tool box problem😎
    Thank you for making us all love the game!

  16. T-Bish says

    Brings me back to one of my favorite bluegrass lessons – EP 458, which has a mix of Norman Blake and Tony Rice licks. It’s a rare one where you use a capo. I never get tired of playing it because it’s such a beautiful composition.

    This lesson is another great lesson to get lost in the sounds and play by yourself.

  17. Paul N says

    This student is much happier with the expanded Mico Lessons you have recently done. Because usually if it were a true Micro (say it was just the Part 1 this wek), I would have questions, or wish you would do a folow up expanding on what you just exapnded on! Either way, I got a lot out of this lesson. Thank you sir!

  29. Steve M says

    Hey Brian, wanted to let you know this lesson really stood out for me. Would enjoy more bluegrass with open drone strings. I’m getting how this can translate to other things. For instance I play When I paint My Masterpiece in G and am seeing how I can work some of these licks in.

  31. Joseph C says

    Hey Brian, great stuff! Love the ending comment about being neurotic and rehearsing the same line over and over. Yep! Also appreciate the comment about taking a couple licks and integrating into your own style. Dude you are the best. By the way, in my internet travels I bumped into a video by Johnny Hiland showing three positions for an open G scales that was pretty cool. I never saw this guy but perhaps you have being closer the bluegrass/country music scene. Think you would appreciate it if you have not seen it before. Thanks

  32. michael f says

    Thanks Brian. That D lick in open position (minor pentatonic, position 2) seemed like it didn’t fit at first. Then it did. Your teaching point about switching “to play the minor 5 scale of that chord” is one to file away. Lots of “one-eee-an-da” counting in this one which speeds the tempo and makes bluegrass technical and simple at the same time.
    Looking forward to Friday . You don’t seem to be slowing down much in alternating Eps with MLs but much to our benefit.

  33. Timothy M says

    Thanks Brian for another great lesson!

    I especially liked the advice at the end of the first video about expressing yourself.

    I have learned so much since I became a member of your site.

    Tim Moran

  39. Carole M says

    Top a da mornin to ya Brian,

    Man it doesn’t come any better than this as a simple and fine lesson. I dig bluegrass, but I’ve been having a hard time getting into it over time. These videos of yours enable me to dive into this style, slowly, but surely. More of these, same music style, would be greatly appreciated, if possible, over let’s say two weeks (WK1 WK2). If not no problem.

    As always, enjoy your week.

    Cheerio.

    Regards,
    Eric

  40. Timothy M says

    Wow!

    I always learn so much from your lessons, but this lesson was exceptional.

    I have always struggled with fills and licks while playing open cowboy chords. I couldn’t ever really see how so many players made it look so easy.

    But, I took your advice and just noodled around with this lesson, flowing from G to C, from C to D, etc. And, the light bulbs just started going off.

    Thank you so much for your great content!

  43. Jk P says

    I’m relatively new to your channel but am benefiting greatly. Would love more of this bluegrass theme. Am a big fan of the late Doc Watson . This lesson reminds me of his style. By the way, would recommend to all the album and documentary “ Three Pickers” which included Doc Watson on guitar, Ricky Skaggs on mandolin, and Earl Scruggs on banjo. You may have more of this style since I am still discovering the great content and appreciating all your lessons! Jerry P.

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