Learning Country Guitar

• 1
  Learning music theory can really help.sheet music image by Peter Baxter from Fotolia.com
  
  Build a solid foundation. Although many students shy away from theory, a little bit can go a long way. Much of country music is based on the major scale. In the key of G, the notes in the major scale are G, A, B, C, D, E, and F#. Most country songs written in G will exclusively use the G major chord, along with A minor, B minor, C major, D major, E minor and occasionally F major. The F major comes from the mixolidian scale mode. Other common keys in country include C, D, A and E.
  
  
• 2
  Study legends to find guitar styles worth mimicking.cowboy hat image by Mat Hayward from Fotolia.com
  
  Listen to the masters of country music. Hearing the songs of legends such as Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard, Willie Nelson and Hank Williams will familiarize you with the standard licks and rhythms used in the style of country. Pay particular attention to the guitar parts on the recordings and see if you can figure them out on your own instrument, using the major scale as a guide.
  
  
• 3). As Mr. Cash would say, "Get rhythm." Playing rhythm guitar is of fundamental importance in country music. Since much of the genre is based on songwriting, much of your time playing will be centered on playing chords. Often rhythm is played with alternating bass notes between the I and the V of the major scale. In the key of G, the I note is G and the V is D.
  
  
• 4). Play the melody. Lead guitar in country music is often based on the melody of the song. Figure out the vocal melodies of popular country songs on your guitar. Take those melodies and embellish them with licks you create from the major scale.
  
  
• 5). Go hybrid. Hybrid picking technique is characteristic of country lead playing. A combination of using both a pick and the middle and ring fingers, practice picking a note with a pick, and the next to adjacent strings in succession with your fingers. Additionally, this technique can be used on a single string by first picking with a pick, and then following quickly by picking with your middle finger. Alternatively, some country players use a thumb pick or their actual thumb in conjunction with their index and middle fingers when hybrid picking.
  
  
• 6). Study hard. A wealth of learning materials is available to guitarists of all levels. Books, DVDs, and country guitar lessons on youtube.com and elsewhere on the Internet are great sources of instruction. Private guitar lessons with a professional country guitarist are another effective way to learn.