Instructional for learning country-style

[dsound]

Hey everyone!

I've been playing for 25 years and have done tons of side work and studio work. This has been primarily rock/pop based. I've always loved country and especially tele style picking (thumb pick). I would love to sit and really learn this style and but I'm not quite sure what to practice. I've watched Brent's video and he's incredible but I still don't quite get the thumb pick approach (what notes are being picked and where). Can anyone recommend a video or some other resource to really get inside this style of playing?

Thanks

[TG]

Arlen Roth's Masters Of The Telecaster DVD is very good. It also has film clips of various players that it's worth getting for alone.

I think there's a book version too.

[csapo]

Originally Posted by TG

Arlen Roth's Masters Of The Telecaster DVD is very good. It also has film clips of various players that it's worth getting for alone.

I think there's a book version too.

+1. A very good DVD.

Here are a couple of others, which have helped me immensely....

Terry Downs DVD

Doug Seven's Sizzling Guitar Licks

[telex76]

Country Techniques by Steve Travato is very good dvd. Teaches Albert Lee Style playing. Hard licks but good easy to follow lessons

[Stefan]

I recomend Homespun Tapes. They have everything you need!

[dpote]

I have one DVD from Terry Downs and two from Redd Volkaert.
All three are highly recommended.

Dave

[RCinMempho]

If you've never used a thumbpick before, you might be better off doing hybrid picking using a pick and your other free fingers. You don't HAVE to use a thumbpick.

Johnny Hiland uses a pick (his DVD is nice as well). I really liked Hot Nashville Guitar with Steve Trovato also (another pick user). The Maters of the Telecaster book is really good, but those are my two favorite DVD's so far. I have not seed Redd's, Terry Downs', or Doug Seven's yet. I think you'll get started faster from a DVD, but the book is an invaluable resource especially if you are good at using tab to follow a CD recording.

[trevarty]

Originally Posted by TG

Arlen Roth's Masters Of The Telecaster DVD is very good. It also has film clips of various players that it's worth getting for alone.

I think there's a book version too.

I have the book and it's awesome. I didn't know there was a DVD though. What does he cover? Is there as much content as the book? Does he just play something and move on, or does he explain it?

Thanks.

[dsound]

Hey thanks for all of the great replies! I'm gonna check some of this stuff out. I learned a little of Brent's stuff but I still can't figure out what fingers he's using for what or if you're just playing a major or blues scale, what fingers to you use?

[Stefan]

Originally Posted by dsound

Hey thanks for all of the great replies! I'm gonna check some of this stuff out. I learned a little of Brent's stuff but I still can't figure out what fingers he's using for what or if you're just playing a major or blues scale, what fingers to you use?

I don´t think Brent knows himself, what fingers he uses when he hybrid-picks. It come natural to that kind of players.

[dsound]

Originally Posted by Rec79

I don´t think Brent knows himself, what fingers he uses when he hybrid-picks. It come natural to that kind of players.

Yeah, that's what I thought. It's more of 'whatever it takes to get er done' approach then any set finger pattern. Makes perfect sense and feel!

[RCinMempho]

Originally Posted by dsound

Yeah, that's what I thought. It's more of 'whatever it takes to get er done' approach then any set finger pattern. Makes perfect sense and feel!

When you are starting out, try assigning one string to each available picker whether it's a thumbpick, pick, or finger.

Using the hybrid method, the pick gets a string, the middle finger gets the next physically lower (higher pitched) string, and the ring finger gets the next physically lower string. Now, whatever the lick is, let the "assigned" finger/pick for each string do ALL the work for that string. That's how the "banjo roll" type licks work.

For four string licks usually the pick covers the two lowest pitched strings and the fingers stay at home on their own strings. Of course some things use the pinky, especially chord work where you want more notes. With a thumbpick, it is easier to do four-string chord work.

[JaneSeekingCountry]

here's a link to Tommy Emmanuel teaching thumbpick - Boom Chick. he's playing an acoustic guitar but the principle is still the same. And I found this a real eye-opener for hybrid picking and boomchicking.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=45vrY1Q3S7I

[JaneSeekingCountry]

oops me again

here's a link to peter Vogl teaching thumbpick - chickenpicking:
http://www.freeguitarvideos.com/LJ2/LJ2-videos/05a.mov
Do these 2 videos for 2weeks and you'll absolutely get it.