Bluegrass Flatpicking Method

Genre and Style Guitar Course from Tyler Grant

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A sub-genre of country music which blends improvising with folk-like melodies. Pioneered by Bill Monroe in the 1930s in the "bluegrass" state. Learning to flatpick properly is absolutely crucial to the Bluegrass style.

25 Lessons

Complete course with step-by-step lessons and practice examples.

Multi-Camera

Course filmed with 6 cameras for the perfect angles.

90% Appoval

587 of 618 of our members have given this their approval.

Tabs & Info

Download tabs, helpers, JamTracks and docs included with lessons.

Included

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Full Course Breakdown

National Flatpicking champion Tyler Grant will cover the spectrum of unique Bluegrass flatpicking techniques and demonstrate a wide array of Bluegrass flatpicking song lessons.

Begin the Course
1

Series Introduction

Welcome to Tyler Grant's series on bluegrass flatpicking! Tyler offers a vast history of awards and live experience that defines his knowledge of how to successfully accomplish the skill of utilizing a pick on an acoustic guitar.

4:01 Runtime

1.0 Difficulty

2

Fundamentals of Flatpicking Technique

Tyler Grant opens his series by demonstrating proper left and right hand techniques.

28:36 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

3

Understanding Songs and Tunes

Tyler Grant demonstrates and explains the difference between a song and a tune.

7:47 Runtime

1.5 Difficulty

4

C Major Scale in Bluegrass

Tyler introduces the major scale and explains how it is a fundamental component in almost all of bluegrass music. Starting with the C major scale, Tyler provides tools on how to use ear training and numbering techniques to uncover the theory of how melodies are built.

26:17 Runtime

2.0 Difficulty

5

Finding Melodies by Ear Using the C Major Scale

Here's an ear training lesson for bluegrass flatpickers. Tyler moves through first position scales and explains how to use numbers and their associated tones to help train your ear so that finding the key melody is much easier.

20:35 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

6

Pentatonic Scale and Blues Language

Tyler covers some key terminology and scales that are used in the bluegrass genre.

19:26 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

7

Song in C Major: New River Train

Tyler applies the scales taught in previous lessons to the melody and solo sections of the tune "New River Train".

15:05 Runtime

2.0 Difficulty

8

Tune in C Major: The Gal I Left Behind Me

In lesson eight of his bluegrass flatpicking series, Tyler Grant teaches the tune "The Gal I Left Behind Me". This is another flatpicking study in the key of C.

17:52 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

9

G Major Scale in Bluegrass

Now that you've spent some time learning the C major scale and some melodies based on it, it's time to move on to the the G major scale. In lesson nine, Tyler Grant demonstrates the G major scale and some common applications in bluegrass music.

16:52 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

10

Song in G Major: Banks of the Ohio

Tyler Grant is back with another tune for his Bluegrass Flatpicking series. In this lesson he teaches the traditional tune "Banks of the Ohio," which encompasses the techniques you've learned thus far.

21:32 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

11

Tune in G Major: Miss McLeod's Reel

Continuing on with his flatplicking studies, Tyler Grant offers up a tune lesson in the key of G. He teaches "Miss McLeod's Reel".

17:05 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

12

D Major Scale in Bluegrass

By now, you should be comfortable with the G major scale. Now it's time to tackle another commonly used scale in bluegrass flatpicking. This time Tyler Grant takes you through the D major scale.

17:46 Runtime

2.0 Difficulty

13

Tune in D Major: Forked Deer

Tyler Grant is back with another traditional bluegrass standard. "Forked Deer" likely comes originally from old world fiddle tunes, and like "Banks of the Ohio," is good practice for what you've learned in this series so far.

21:31 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

14

Transposing from One Key to Another

Tyler Grant is back with another lesson for his bluegrass flatpicking series. In this lesson, he discusses how to transpose tunes to different keys.

28:43 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

15

Keys of A and E Major

Now that you know how to transpose out of the keys of C and G, it's time to start taking a look at performing in the keys of A and E Major.

13:18 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

16

Variations on Tunes

Tyler Grant is back with a look at how to make variations on the tunes you are playing. This can be done either on the fly through improvisation techniques, or by writing specific variations and arrangements ahead of time.

16:18 Runtime

3.0 Difficulty

17

Bluegrass Vocabulary and Useful Licks

Tyler Grant is back with another lesson for his Bluegrass Flatpicking series! In lesson 17, he discusses basic vocabulary that is used in the bluegrass scene and demonstrates how and when those items are used.

23:19 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

18

Guitar Break in C: New River Train

In lesson 18 of his series on bluegrass flatpicking, Tyler Grant discusses the 'guitar break' or solo.

13:17 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

19

Guitar Break in G: Sitting On Top Of The World

In lesson 19 of his bluegrass series, Tyler offers up some thoughts on guitar breaks. To discuss and demonstrate the concept, he uses the song "Sitting On Top Of The World".

13:24 Runtime

3.0 Difficulty

20

Guitar Break in D: I'll Fly Away

Much like the previous lesson in this series, lesson 20 is all about solos and guitar breaks. Using the tune "I'll Fly Away," Tyler Grant demonstrates more ideas for guitar breaks and solos.

6:20 Runtime

3.0 Difficulty

21

Bluegrass Rhythm and Bass Runs

Tyler Grant is back with lesson 21 in his Bluegrass Flatpicking series. In this lesson, he discusses rhythm tendencies for the genre as well as the addition of bass runs.

24:44 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

22

Bluegrass G-runs

In lesson 22 of his Bluegrass Flatpicking series, Tyler Grant discusses the 'G run'. This is a melodic line typically played in the bass register in G major but can also be used in any key.

9:54 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

23

Tune in A minor: Cold Frosty Morning

Tyler Grant is back with another tune to add to your bluegrass repertoire. "Cold Frosty Morning" gives you some practice playing in a minor key in the bluegrass style.

20:30 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

24

Tune in D minor: Sally In The Garden

Continuing with his instruction in minor keys, Tyler Grant offers up the tune "Sally in the Garden". This tune is in the key of D minor.

19:51 Runtime

3.0 Difficulty

25

Tune in E minor: Rights of Man

To conclude Tyler Grant's look at the bluegrass flatpicking style, he offers up one more tune in a minor key. Lesson 25 focuses on the tune "Rights of Man".

20:44 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

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Tyler Grant

587
  • Fort Collins, CO
  • Playing since 1980
  • 461 lessons at JamPlay
Begin Course


Reviews & Feedback 90/100 with 618 ratings
westlafadeaway

All three radio buttons apply here.

PJ-Pete

Tyler is a great teacher. I'm happy to have him as an instructor. I'm an older student and grateful JamPlay has the slow down feature as well as pause and playback. Otherwise I'd be lost. :)

BethG

Tyler is excellent. His suggestions and examples that are in addition to the supplemental tabulature make for a relaxed feeling of spicing something up or just playing around. I hope he adds more lessons.

jhjjr1961

awesome

ailes

This is good stuff. I would select all three dots above if I could. Thanks Tyler.

Steve09

Awesome lesson, thank you!

jerry m

Learned something here!

nfjeld1

Best explanation I've heard on learning melodies by ear.

bassomatic22

Clean crisp playing is inspiring to hear. The teacher is A+!

ak_chip

easy to follow.

GoneCat

excellent exercises!

MickeyDoughty

Excellent explanation and demonstration

bobcat64ba

excellent for daily practice. really helps my overall listening and understanding.

garywstout

Great instructor. Easy to follow and VERY important techniques. THANKS

IceKoldKube

Super easy to understand ..

TedIItheman

wrist is a little sore but this exercise helps. A little everyday and I'll be fine. Thanks for the push.

millerjam

makes the music accessible

MikeRGR

Great teacher thanks

ruben.franceus

Good lesson in use of scales, and when to use them. The 'concept' of tonality.

birdgirl

Good technique

braventop

great class from a great teacher

Barbara.H

Great explanation

ricac114

Great job

Jim with 53s

u r an excellent teacher thank you!

petebeck

Great Lesson! I don't see a link to the rhythm track on this one, it's always nice to play along with that part. The looper works though, to select a portion and play along. It's very helpful and much appreciated!

not2kool

I think Tyler Grant is a great instructor! I think all three of the above are true in my case.

skiplee7

Great teacher/lesson....thanks

rusty16

hang on to this guy, please !

richnotes

He makes it easy to understand and the importance for knowing tones.

nomadsplace

He's an awesome musician and great teacher!

jwilliams57

Hi, Tyler Grant explains his lessons in great depth. They are fun to follow; while starting at a low base moves along at a nice pace. Keep up the great work. John Williams, Sligo

peter bourke

I also thought teacher was friendly and committed

ksurber

i like his insite and way of explaining the structure of flatpicking i am going to be trying to practice this more often

Lineman7272

I like the pace

LindaYes

I like the teacher AND it's easy to understand. I LOVE that Tyler explains enough WHY for me to know my way around without too much info that makes my head spin. I worked my way through the beginner lessons on JamPlay and it was helpful but I

chendricksmusic

this is some great filler info for me. This also has lead me to a greater understanding of my scales and uses very quickly!

netman101

I like Tyler. He's the one that introduced me to JamPlay and so far glad he did!

egil

I saw a free video lesson by Tyler Grant before I joined JamPlay, and knew that I could jump in some place in his series of lessons and get the instructions I needed. Very well explained, and not too much talking (which is the problem with man

Lillianna

I used to play this on my fiddle. Nice tune.

buddarasta

very good explanation push us to use our ears ...excellent choice of breaks and tunes 3 thumbs up .love integration of blues in bluegrass.Michel in Rossland BC.

Joeguitarbland

its a great little tune to get into this style of open chords and melodies are so fun to play and the teacher is fantastic easy to understand ..thank you

joeflynn23

Like the ability to slow the video down and stay in tune...that makes it easier to understand, for myself...Tyler is awesome and it's great to have someone with his talents and knowledge as a teacher!!

Rcangjams

Like the way he explains the scale notes and degrees while teaching the melody,

stringthumper856

Nice smooth transaction from one exercise to the next. Love it.