Extreme Folk Guitar

Genre and Style Guitar Course from Mark Kroos

Extreme folk guitarist, Mark Kroos guides you step by step on the setup and technique aspect of playing in the style he deems "Extreme Folk." This style is also referred to by some as lap tapping.

33 Lessons

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

Multi-Camera

Course filmed with 6 cameras for the perfect angles.

96% Appoval

48 of 49 of our members have given this their approval.

Tabs & Info

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Included

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Full Course Breakdown

Learn the basics and fundamentals of the lap tapping and extreme folk style of guitar.

1

Introduction

Mark Kroos introduces himself and the lesson series he is starting. In this lesson, Mark talks about what he'll be covering in the lessons to come.

7:47 Runtime

0.0 Difficulty

2

Guitar Setup and Preparation

In the second lesson of his extreme folk guitar series, Mark explains the ideal guitar setup for this style of playing. He talks about, strings, accessories and some things to watch out for in your setup.

7:43 Runtime

0.0 Difficulty

3

DADGAD Tuning

In lesson three of his extreme folk guitar series, Mark talks about the advantages of using DADGAD tuning in this style. He also demonstrates how to get in to DADGAD from standard tuning using your ear.

13:12 Runtime

1.5 Difficulty

4

Basic Fingerstyle Technique

In lesson four of his extreme folk guitar series, Mark discusses basic fingerstyle technique. Although this isn't the main technique that will be utilized in this style, it does come in to play, so covering the basics is necessary.

13:14 Runtime

2.0 Difficulty

5

Basic Chords in DADGAD

Before jumping too far into the world of "extreme folk guitar," it's helpful to have a road map. In lesson five of his series, Mark Kroos covers some of the basic chords you'll utilize in this tuning.

7:51 Runtime

1.5 Difficulty

6

Left Hand Tapping

In the sixth lesson of his extreme folk guitar series, Mark Kroos discusses the left hand tapping techniques used in this style.

11:28 Runtime

2.0 Difficulty

7

Right Hand Tapping

Now that you've learned the basic approach to left hand tapping, Mark Kroos demonstrates the basic approach to right hand tapping.

11:42 Runtime

2.0 Difficulty

8

Using a Capo

In his eighth lesson with JamPlay, Mark Kroos discusses the primary function of a capo - to change keys. He will discuss more creative and conceptual ideas for capo use in a future lesson.

6:24 Runtime

1.0 Difficulty

9

Power Chords

In this lesson, Mark Kroos discusses power chords and how they apply to DADGAD tuning. This tuning enables you to use one finger to make your power chords, allowing you to project the chords and stay out of the way of your other hand for melody work.

12:58 Runtime

1.5 Difficulty

10

Combining Hands

Now that Mark has demonstrated tapping techniques for the left and right hands, it's time to combine them. In his ninth lesson, Mark provides a few exercises that help with this process.

9:41 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

11

Parallel Fifths

In his 11th extreme folk lesson, Mark Kroos discusses parallel fifths and how they can be used to create melody. DADGAD tuning is extremely conducive to this compositional technique.

12:14 Runtime

2.0 Difficulty

12

DADGAD D Major Playing

In this lesson, Mark Kroos demonstrates the movable chord shapes necessary to play in a major key within DADGAD tuning.

16:22 Runtime

2.0 Difficulty

13

DADGAD D Minor Playing

Now that you understand the basics of playing in D major, Mark discusses playing in D minor.

11:34 Runtime

2.0 Difficulty

14

Percussive Techniques

In his fourteenth lesson, Mark Kroos demonstrates how to turn your guitar into a drum kit.

19:37 Runtime

3.0 Difficulty

15

Chords in D Minor

In lesson 15, Mark demonstrates some chord chord grips for the diatonic chords in D minor. He also discusses how relative minor keys relate to their major counterparts.

12:34 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

16

Cascading

In his sixteenth lesson in extreme folk guitar, Mark discusses a technique he calls "cascading." Cascading is a quick hammer-on and pull-off technique that allows notes within a melodic figure to run together in a seamless way.

12:47 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

View this Lesson
17

More Cascading

Now that you've got the basic cascading technique under your belt, Mark is back with a look at what else you can do with this technique. In this lesson, he adds chords as well as picking into the mix.

18:44 Runtime

3.0 Difficulty

18

Open D Tuning

In his 18th lesson with JamPlay, Mark Kroos discusses the advantages of working in Open D Tuning. Additionally, he teaches some fundamental chords in this tuning as well as how to get to it from DADGAD.

28:27 Runtime

2.0 Difficulty

19

Natural Harmonics

Mark Kroos is back with a lesson on natural harmonics. You may be familiar with the concept, but Mark takes it to the next level and demonstrates how to include these harmonics in the songwriting process.

27:50 Runtime

3.0 Difficulty

20

Creating Altered Tunings

In this lesson, Mark Kroos discusses why you may want to create your own altered tuning. He also provides some tuning tips and what to avoid.

20:55 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

21

6th Intervals

In this lesson, Mark Kroos takes a look at diatonic 6th intervals in both DADGAD and open D tuning.

33:51 Runtime

2.0 Difficulty

22

Slap Harmonics

Mark is back with a lesson on slap harmonics. In this lesson, he covers when and how you might use this technique.

18:24 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

23

Harp Harmonics

Now that Mark has covered natural and slap harmonics, he provides a lesson on what are commonly referred to as "harp harmonics." This technique will allow you to add some flair to your playing and can be combined with various other techniques.

16:31 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

24

CGDGGD Tuning

Mark Kroos covers a new tuning that you may want to try in your extreme folk playing. He covers the advantages of CGDGGD tuning, common chord shapes, and how to tune to it from DADGAD tuning.

25:28 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

25

Practice Strategies

To conclude the first part of his Extreme Folk Guitar teachings, Mark Kroos provides a lesson on practice strategies. He discusses the differences between playing and practicing, time management and using tools like a metronome.

16:49 Runtime

1.0 Difficulty

26

Octaves

Returning to his Extreme Folk Guitar series, Mark Kroos offers up a lesson on octaves. Just like in the movable fifths lesson, Mark discusses how and why you might utilize octaves in your playing. He demonstrates the shapes associated with them and teaches some practical applications.

33:33 Runtime

2.0 Difficulty

27

Thumb Percussion

In this lesson, Mark Kroos demonstrates how to use your thumb to create percussive rhythms on the guitar. This is beneficial as a backing if you're singing, or have a lull in the music you're playing.

12:55 Runtime

2.0 Difficulty

28

Explosive Pull-offs

In the lesson, Mark Kroos demonstrates an easy, yet unique technique that can transform your playing and add some pop to your arrangements. Called an "explosive pull-off," this technique involves doing a mass pull-off of all the strings on the guitar.

5:39 Runtime

1.5 Difficulty

29

Partial Capos

In this lesson Mark discusses the use of a partial capo. He demonstrates how to utilize a partial capo and how this benefits your playing. Lastly, he discusses how to modify and create other partial and short cut capos.

18:02 Runtime

2.0 Difficulty

30

Slap Pop Technique

In this lesson, Mark Kroos demonstrates the slap and pop techniques. Similar to slap bass, you can use this technique to add percussion and a unique sounding attack to your playing.

25:49 Runtime

2.0 Difficulty

31

Clawhammer Technique

In this lesson, Mark builds on the slap pop technique taught in his last. This quasi "clawhammer" technique is something most commonly found in banjo playing. Mark discusses its uses and demonstrates how to perform this technique on the guitar.

15:17 Runtime

2.0 Difficulty

32

Open G Tuning

Mark Kroos returns to his "Extreme Folk Guitar" series with a lesson on Open G tuning. He discusses and demonstrates the basic chords in the key as well as some of the advantages of playing in Open G versus DADGAD or Open D tuning.

28:48 Runtime

2.0 Difficulty

33

Muting With A Bandana

In this short lesson, Mark demonstrates how to utilize a bandana or handkerchief to accomplish a slight mute on your string. This helps to create a staccato rhythm effect that improves the groove.

12:35 Runtime

2.0 Difficulty

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Mark Kroos

  • Williamsburg, Virginia
  • Playing since 1998
  • 132 lessons at JamPlay
Mark Kroos plays 2 guitar necks at the same time. Originally from Lansing, MI but currently based in Williamsburg, VA he is one of the only people in the world touring his trade.

Mark Kroos plays 2 guitar necks at the same time. Originally from Lansing, MI but currently based in Williamsburg, VA he is one of the only people in the world touring his trade. His primarily instrumental style is characterized by open harmonies, polyphonic textures, incredible tapping technique, and is as entertaining to watch as it is to listen to. Live performances burst with energy and magnetism not typical of solo guitar music. Drawing influence from folk, Celtic, indie, and even punk rock artists as well as other great guitarists such as Michael Hedges, Phil Keaggy, Tommy Emmanuel and Leo Kottke, Mark Kroos has developed his own edge to the acoustic guitar.
Reviews & Feedback 96/100 with 49 ratings
toadsong

good info. thanks for taking the time for a setup lesson.

guitarbill

good teacher. easy to understand

juliascott

I love Mark Kroos and am so happy he is here on Jamplay! A chance to learn something truly unusual and fabulous!

Starider

Just an excelent lesson with what you need to take it to the next level without any dilly dally. Great Instructor!!

fullvividproductions28

Likes the musicians I like.

triarius

Sounds great! (I'm almost sad I definitely don't want to go into open tunings.)

seacatz

SUPPLEMENTAL VERY HELPFUL

sterideth

The intro song Mark played was crazy awesome.