
A sub-genre of country music which blends improvising with folk-like melodies. Pioneered by Bill Monroe in the 1930s in the "bluegrass" state. Nick will present flatpick techniques.
Lesson 1
Nick Amodeo introduces the Bluegrass Series and explains what to expect in the following lessons.
Length: 2:27 Difficulty: 0.5 Members OnlyLesson 2
Nick discusses the history of bluegrass and the influence it has had on other styles of music.
Length: 27:44 Difficulty: 1.0 Members OnlyLesson 3
Nick explains the musical role that each instrument plays in a bluegrass band.
Length: 17:01 Difficulty: 1.0 Members OnlyLesson 4
Nick explains how to play some of the most commonly used chords in the bluegrass genre.
Length: 19:42 Difficulty: 2.5 FREELesson 5
Welcome to a right hand "boot camp" with Nick Amodeo! In this lesson, Nick demonstrates several picking and strumming exercises that will whip your right hand into shape.
Length: 24:48 Difficulty: 2.0 Members OnlyLesson 6
Nick Amodeo continues his discussion of picking technique in this installment of right hand "boot camp."
Length: 24:33 Difficulty: 3.0 Members OnlyLesson 7
Nick presents several exercises that develop string skipping and crosspicking technique.
Length: 23:35 Difficulty: 3.5 Members OnlyLesson 8
Nick covers some exercises and scales that develop left hand technique.
Length: 33:15 Difficulty: 2.0 Members OnlyLesson 9
Nick explains how to play various slurs such as slides, hammer-ons, and pull-offs. Also included are some common bluegrass licks that utilize these techniques.
Length: 30:54 Difficulty: 3.5 Members OnlyLesson 10
Nick covers some basic bluegrass strumming patterns.
Length: 12:23 Difficulty: 3.0 Members OnlyLesson 11
Nick covers some of the most commonly used scale patterns in bluegrass.
Length: 31:45 Difficulty: 2.0 Members OnlyLesson 12
Nick applies fundamental guitar techniques from previous lessons to the song "Nine Pound Hammer."
Length: 31:39 Difficulty: 3.5 Members OnlyLesson 13
Nick demonstrates his interpretation of "Texas Gales." You might say this one will blow you away!
Length: 38:30 Difficulty: 4.0 Members Only
About Nick Amodeo
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Nick Amodeo is a multi-instrumentalist based out of Denver, Colorado. A self taught musician, he took up guitar at age 12 before moving on to mandolin and electric bass. He is the 2005 Colorado state mandolin champion, and was featured on the 2007 Downbeat magazine Blues Album of the Year, Otis Taylor’s “Definition of a Circle.”
Nick has shared the stage with such artists as Buddy Guy, Chuck Campbell, Mollie O’Brien, Nick Forster and Pete Wernick of Hot Rize, and many others. Nick currently is the mandolin department at Naropa University in Boulder, Colorado and has over 10 years teaching experience.
Our acoustic guitar lessons are taught by qualified instructors with various backgrounds with the instrument.
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Free LessonSeries DetailsNick explains how to play some of the most commonly used chords in the bluegrass genre.
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Member Comments about this Lesson
Discussions with our instructors are just one of the many benefits of becoming a member of JamPlay.Holy cow that left hand exercise is a beast. As a pianist I thought I had control of my fingers individually but you're right, my ring finger just follows along when travelling down. Excellent stuff
These are great exercises, but I'm very frustrated with the one where I'm only picking up one finger at a time. My hands are very small. I've been playing guitar for many years, and these are the most challenging exercises I've ever done. Do you have any suggestions for someone like me with small hands? Thanks! -Cheryl
It's getting better :)
just take it slow and make sure your doin it right cheryl....it takes quite a while to do em correctly, so dont expect any immediate results. good luck! nick
the best exercise ever, did it a few times and i already see how this is going to help.
This is something that I have been looking for and could not find...having RA in my hands it IS a good workout...and yes...you HAVE to go slow and not get frustrated...thanks for this vid.
I really love the Guitar Pro option in Supplemental content. Its a really adds value to the lesson. Great job Jamplay.
Hi Nick - There can never be enough new finger exercises to do....I think Chet would be smiling over this..
Ah the beauty of Jamplay. I haven't taken your lessons before Nick but took a look at this. Great stuff. I will use the exercise to warm up each day. We are very lucky to be able to soak up the wisdom of all these great teachers. I am surprised that Jamplay hasn't taken over the world!!