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Flatpicking Bluegrass Book for intermediate/advanced guitarists?

Tom Thumb
June 30th, 2012, 09:48 AM
Hi I'm looking for a book that will help me learn some bluegrass flatpicking rythm and lead playing. I'm looking for a book that will help me develop the right hand picking techniques and I realy think that learning bluegrass will help me grow in my ability to play over the changes.

I picked up volume 8 of the series put out by flatpicking guitar magazine which stated it covers advanced rythm. While there is a lot of great information in the book, it is not new information for me. The author states in the introduction that the material will not seem advanced to people with major minor and dominant chords and their inversions. I wish that information had been in the book description. I am not trashing the book. Its just not what I am looking for.

I have studied chords and scales, arps .... I certainly have more to learn but I'm realy looking for a book that will teach me the Bluegrass flatpicking style.

I've looked at the Parking Lot picker stuff that Steve Kaufman has out. But those books are pretty expensive and it is not clear to me if those books have material that fits what I'm looking for.

I would really appreciate any suggestions

Thanks

telequacktastic
June 30th, 2012, 09:57 AM
My first flatpicking book was Steve Kaufman's Flatpicking Method from Mel Bay. The Parking Lot Picker's series is the bomb though, it has 3 choruses or more on each tune moving from beginner-intermediate-advanced. That's the set that'll take your soloing over the top. Myself, I wish they sold them without the cd's, cheaper and I don't need verbal explanation usually.

telequacktastic
June 30th, 2012, 09:59 AM
http://http://www.melbay.com/product.asp?ProductID=94562SET

dross11
June 30th, 2012, 10:08 AM
I can definitley recommend Bryan Suttons "Secrets of Successful Flatpicking" on Homespun. Its a DVD, not a book but Bryan is a good teacher and he uses Cody Kilby as a back-up player when he demonstrates a song so you can hear two world class flatpickers.

Tom Thumb
June 30th, 2012, 10:34 AM
Thanks for the responses.

I saw a clip on youtube from that Bryan Sutton DVD. The playing was amazing.

Is much of what he is playing provided in the tab?

Big John Studd
July 1st, 2012, 11:50 AM
I have bought and been given probably close to a hundred books. The two that bubble to the top of the list for me are


Bluegrass Guitar by Happy Traum: This was my first book that actually "clicked" with me. Great explanation and instruction of the various rhythm guitar patterns, runs, and fills...learn these alone and you'll be playing bluegrass. Also many complete arrangements. I was so proud of myself after I got his version of Under The Double Eagle down I wanted to play it for anybody who would listen. This came with a record; looks like now it is a CD. Don't let the fact that this came out in the 1970s deter you from considering it. The tablature is 100% accurate, which is not always the case with these instructional books.
The Flatpicker's Guide by Dan Crary: This one is more advanced. Some very cool rhythm patterns, runs, and fills. Complete arrangements, and at least one, Red Haired Boy, is for two guitars (twin leads). Also comes with a recording.


You might check your public library. Mine in Atlanta had the Happy Traum book in particular and others as well.