Country Guitar Lesson

Introduction to Country

This short lesson will introduce you to the country style of playing and provide some necessary background information on how the genre got started.
Chapter 1: (01:36) Lesson Series Overview Welcome to the Phase 2 Country Guitar Lesson Series with DJ Phillips! DJ kicks off this lesson with some hot licks in the modern country style.

Topics Discussed in this Series

-Origin of country music
-Stylistic discussion of key country subgenres such as Western swing, classic country, modern country, etc.
-Basic country rhythm techniques
-Improvising in the Western swing style
-Accompanying in the Western swing style.
-Hybrid picking techniques
-Chicken pickin’
-The “tic tac” rhythm
-In depth discussion of influential country players and their guitar styles
-Rudimentary knowledge of country rhythm and lead playing. With this country guitar lesson you will learn how to play country music in a stylistically appropriate manner. Chapter 2: (01:14) Roots of Country Music Origin of Country Music

Country music evolved from an amalgam of several different genres. The Delta blues sound combined with American / Appalachian folk music and evolved into a new style known as bluegrass. As bluegrass continued to develop and evolve, the Western swing style began to develop on the other side of the country. Western swing combines elements of jazz, swing, mixed with country western elements.

In another upcoming country guitar lesson, DJ will cover key elements of the Western swing style. He also explores the playing styles of influential Western swing players such as Eldon Shamblin.