Country learning plan

Hi,

I want to play some country guitar but I don't know very much about it, I am from Spain and here country music unfortunately is not very popular.

I am not a beginner, I have some good foundation in music theory.I've started learning some licks with the book "Country licks for guitar by Steve Trovato" and I already learned some cool things.I love pedal steel licks very much.:smile:

I've been listening to Albert Lee, Danny Gatton, Brad Pasley and some more, which I like but I find them too difficult because they play very fast.I would like to incorporate the style in something more pop-rock-folk music.I also like very much 3/4 country ballad songs but I don't know very much of them.

Also one important thing is that most books are based on solo guitar but I don't have a clue about rhythm guitar, when you are backing a singer and that.

Could you tell me which slow country music should I listen to and which things are a must in this style, structures etc...

Thanks in advance!!!:razz:

Willie Nelson & Waylon Jennings would be tops on my list. Stoney Larue, and Kevin Fowler are great newer country too.

Check out the book listed in this thread.

http://www.tdpri.com/forum/tab-tips-theory-technique/305646-country-guitar-book.html

I suggest you listen to lots of Buck Owens and the Buckaroos. There are many great songs and the guitar parts are fairly basic, but have all the characteristics to get started down the path. Merle Haggard is also a great one, but the guitar gets a little more challenging.

hi flugel,
I believe efficient right hand technique (presuming you pick with your right hand) is where your speed comes from.
You will pick up licks and get a better sense of the style from the suggestions others have offered, but I would also check out some of Andres Segovia's etudes to help develop your plucking hand.

My suggestions for a nice easy country ballad in 3/4 time is "Amanda" by Waylon Jennings.

Thanks for all the suggestions!

This song is not based in guitar but I'd like to hear more stuff with this kind of feel.

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And I love these kind of soloing in 3/4 songs, could you tell me more songs like this?

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Also, is the Bluegrass music considered Country?

Yes, Bluegrass was one of the earliest manifestations of country music. The combination of Bluegrass style Country music and Western inspired music, as well as rural blues (Jimmie Rodgers, for example) combined early on to form what became known as Country and Western music. It has encompassed a lot of variations and styles over the past 75 years.

Yes, Bluegrass was one of the earliest manifestations of country music. The combination of Bluegrass style Country music and Western inspired music, as well as rural blues (Jimmie Rodgers, for example) combined early on to form what became known as Country and Western music. It has encompassed a lot of variations and styles over the past 75 years.

Thanks, you really helped me.I'll enjoy very much learning Country music and its history.

Hank Williams. Not Jr., or III, but the original. He wrote the songbook by which all others are compared.

The rythms are transparent enough, plenty of waltzes and slow shuffles. Excellent melodies and lyrics. Learn to play and sing to Hank Williams and you will develop a great foundation for country music.

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May be considered more folk than country. But listen to some John Prine. Tons and tons of great tunes and basic rhythm, some basic finger picking, and some of the best lyrics you will ever hear, also Robert Earl Keen, and Steve Earl have some easy to learn tunes.

There's a thread on this forum called "Good Old Fashioned Country" I think.

Watch the videos in that thread to hear some great country music.

http://www.tdpri.com/forum/epic-threads/229884-ol-fashioned-country.html

Here's the link.

Although I would never argue with whats posted above, BUT...Country Music and executing as a guitar player is a mindset, not a theoretical education. My take would be to listen to as many Country pickers as you can, focus on a style that drives your emotions and connects with you. One of them surely will...Then study that player....

learning licks from all sorts of Country records is not a bad thing but it may not turn you into a Country picker. You will just be another guitar player that happens to know the stock licks...On the Telecaster, , or any guitar for that matter, right hand approach and execution will separate a rock guy playing country from a player who "gets it"...It's not about the licks but rather how they are approached and executed...What position are they coming from on the fretboard ? What is the tonality ? Does each note matter or is it all the notes in a flash that we are striving to achieve ? Country music and players have a very unique way of fitting in underneath or behind vocalists or other players, you will never hear conflicts or phrases just for the sake of it...

Find a player you really like, a style of execution that you really like, then begin your journey, it will never happen if you are trying to emulate every country picker at the same time...Don, Roy , James..these are great places to start...pick them apart..understand where the phrases are coming from...the hyper speed licks don't not make us Country pickers, understanding how those licks are formulated and how they FIT the songs make us Country pickers....

There are countless guitar players claiming to play Country Music..there are not countless guitar players actually playing Country...

t

Start with early country music, say 80 years ago. Learn some of those songs, and then move forward to the 1940's, and so on. That will get you somewhat closer to immersed in country music's roots.

I always go back to the roots of a style then learn from the beginning to the present in that order. So yes, start withnbluegrass & country & western which has some swing elements in it almost abandoned by modern country.

Hank Williams. Not Jr., or III, but the original. He wrote the songbook by which all others are compared.

The rythms are transparent enough, plenty of waltzes and slow shuffles. Excellent melodies and lyrics. Learn to play and sing to Hank Williams and you will develop a great foundation for country music.

4WXYjm74WFI

lCgicPdsxxg

Thanks, nice songs.:razz:

May be considered more folk than country. But listen to some John Prine. Tons and tons of great tunes and basic rhythm, some basic finger picking, and some of the best lyrics you will ever hear, also Robert Earl Keen, and Steve Earl have some easy to learn tunes.

There's a thread on this forum called "Good Old Fashioned Country" I think.

Watch the videos in that thread to hear some great country music.

http://www.tdpri.com/forum/epic-threads/229884-ol-fashioned-country.html

Here's the link.

Wow, long thread!

Thanks.

Although I would never argue with whats posted above, BUT...Country Music and executing as a guitar player is a mindset, not a theoretical education. My take would be to listen to as many Country pickers as you can, focus on a style that drives your emotions and connects with you. One of them surely will...Then study that player....

learning licks from all sorts of Country records is not a bad thing but it may not turn you into a Country picker. You will just be another guitar player that happens to know the stock licks...On the Telecaster, , or any guitar for that matter, right hand approach and execution will separate a rock guy playing country from a player who "gets it"...It's not about the licks but rather how they are approached and executed...What position are they coming from on the fretboard ? What is the tonality ? Does each note matter or is it all the notes in a flash that we are striving to achieve ? Country music and players have a very unique way of fitting in underneath or behind vocalists or other players, you will never hear conflicts or phrases just for the sake of it...

Find a player you really like, a style of execution that you really like, then begin your journey, it will never happen if you are trying to emulate every country picker at the same time...Don, Roy , James..these are great places to start...pick them apart..understand where the phrases are coming from...the hyper speed licks don't not make us Country pickers, understanding how those licks are formulated and how they FIT the songs make us Country pickers....

There are countless guitar players claiming to play Country Music..there are not countless guitar players actually playing Country...

t

Well, so far learning licks and solos are helping me to develop hybrid picking and learning many new things, I am re-discovering the fretboard.Country is funny no boring scales and that.I know I won't be the next Albert Lee but everything I'll learn will be good.Thanks for the advice.

Start with early country music, say 80 years ago. Learn some of those songs, and then move forward to the 1940's, and so on. That will get you somewhat closer to immersed in country music's roots.

I always go back to the roots of a style then learn from the beginning to the present in that order. So yes, start withnbluegrass & country & western which has some swing elements in it almost abandoned by modern country.

There's so much to discover...I'll do my best.:oops:

There are countless guitar players claiming to play Country Music..there are not countless guitar players actually playing Country...


So how can I understand when I play Country and not just some country licks?
Listening to country music and the books suggested in thread aren't enough?

Sure you're right, but what you say leave me a few hope to became a real country man, especially for us that don't live in a Country environment.