Where to begin with learning country...

[jdarkis]

Hi guys,
I want to begin to learn country music. Particularly the lead aspect of country playing but I have little experience or skill with improvising/soloing at all.

Can anyone point me to some links of interest?

I've gathered some links from other threads but I would really like a beginners approach, if there is such a thing on the internet. I'm not in a position right now which allows me to take lessons so I'm left with the internet as none of my friends are interested in country playing.

Your help is much appreciated,

Jason.

[tcouch]

Hey man i would be glad to help you but my lessons are more on the advanced side of things, i love to play the Tele Style myself, i know where your coming from.

[jdarkis]

Tcouch,
Thanks for your reply, I've read lots of great things about your lessons in other threads. I bought a Tele earlier last year, initally because everyone plays a Strat. I soon found that the Tele is very fitting of my personality: the simpler things are, the better. I started to listen to more country after I got it and like I say, most of my friends are rockers. That's not a bad thing by any means but I find Twangin' much more interesting.

I've been playing since high school on and off, I guess that amounts to probably 3 years but I know that I'm not practicing enough and that I'm not practicing properly.

Can you reccomend a sort of practice routine? For example, say in an hour: I were to spend 10 minutes stretching out my fingers, 10 minutes chording, 10 minutes of scales, 15 minutes learning new music and 15 minutes "playing" with stuff I already know.

I've acquainted myself with the Minor Pentatonic, I know all the boxes/positions but I lack the skill/creativity to use it effectively. The major scale is the better scale for country music isn't it?

Thanks much,

Jason.

[tcouch]

Yes, the major scale is used a lot in Country or around it anyway, Blues is also used in Country a lot. yes practice scales, a good scale to practice to get your fingers in shape and build up your speed is the 3 note per string scale, just remember get the notes clean first then work on the speed, speed is nothing unless its clean. sounds like you have a good practice schedule down there.

[Leon Grizzard]

I would say the new scales for you to learn are the major pentatonic scales, and then add a few more notes to them to round out the major scale and the dominant scale (aka mixolydian). These, along with some blues scale are the most commonly used.

The major pentatonics have the same pattern as minor pentatonic, just with a different root note, ie. the A minor pentatonic at the fifth fret is the same as C major pentatonic, the C note falling under the fourth finger on the E strings.

Play the C major pentatonic scale over C major or 7th chords, F major pentatonic over F major or 7th chords etc. You can also use dominant scales the same.

That is kind of the essence of the scales.

[Arhooliegeorge]

First thing to do is take your shoes off.

[68tele]

<<First thing to do is take your shoes off.>>

Next, get yerself some chaw.

[CountryShawn]

In light of where you're starting from, I would pick a simple a few simple country songs that you can learn inside out.

Then dissect the structure it a bit and figure out why it works the way it does.

Also, if you are not accustomed to play with a pick and your fingers on your right hand (hybrid picking), that's the first place to start.

It's tough to have a simple recipe book for country.

Shawn

[jdarkis]

Thanks everyone for posting!

I've learned a few things I need to start practicing, I guess it's time to get down to it.

Shawn, can you reccomend a few songs?

I'm worried about tackling hybrid picking but I know it is essential to the country sound. I'm excited and nervous at the same time (to start working at it) haha.

Thanks again for the replies! :D

[CountryShawn]

Originally Posted by jdarkis

Shawn, can you reccomend a few songs?

I'm worried about tackling hybrid picking but I know it is essential to the country sound. I'm excited and nervous at the same time (to start working at it) haha.

Absolutely. I probably sound like a broken record with this one, but Alan Jacksons "Who's Cheatin' Who" is IMHO a fantastic place to start.

It has the quintessential elements of country picking - rythm chicken' pickin', double stops, single note runs, etc.

The rythm is a great learning tool for beginners to pick up the hybrid picking, since you can't really do it any other way - it sort of forces you to do it hybrid.

The solos, especially the first, are very tackle-able for a beginner and can be figured out pretty easily.

I wonder if Brent Mason knows how many times his picking on that song is recommended as a learning tool. LOL

Good luck, and have some fun!

Cheers,

Shawn