Bluegrass Rhythm Guitar 101

The Boom Chuck, Amazing Grace, Crawdad Song, and more

In this learning path you'll study the classic chord shapes, rhythm patterns, fills and “bass runs” of Bluegrass guitar.

1

FreeWhat is Bluegrass Rhythm?

What you'll learn in this learning path

BLUEGRASS GUITAR draws mainly from classic country style Boom-Chuck rhythm. Alternating bass notes with strums in between. However, there are many subtle rhythmic inflections, fills, and strum pa...
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FreeThe Boom Chuck Pattern in the Key of G

The Foundation for Bluegrass Rhythm

And so it begins...Alternating bass notes and strums. Boom-Chucks galore. Chord shapes in the key of G to prepare you for a whole lotta Bluegrass.
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The Crawdad Song

The Bum-Ditty Pattern and Bass Note Licks

Your first bluegrass rhythm song! In this lesson you'll learn both the Crawdad Song and how to turn your boom chuck pattern into a Bum-Ditty, which is the most common bluegrass strumming pattern. A...
4

Amazing Grace

How to Play a Waltz Style Rhythm

In Amazing Grace we are playing in ¾ or 6/8 time AKA a waltz. Our foundational rhythm pattern shifts to Boom-Chuck-Chuck. Watch the video for help with some of the tricky timing that occurs in str...
5

I'll Fly Away

Practicing Bum-Ditty and Walking Bass

Here we have MORE of the same. More use of the Bum Ditty, and some more involved bass runs. All in the lick switcher. Use the looper to nail them down. Be able to play it looped 3-5 times in a row ...
6

The Old Crossroad

Lester Flatt Style Rhythm Guitar

Bluegrass Guitar - This is it. Based on the playing of Lester Flatt, this tune sheds light on some of the crucial techniques that give this style of rhythm it’s sound. G-runs, Lester’s unique rhyth...

FreeWhat is Bluegrass Rhythm?

FreeThe Boom Chuck Pattern in the Key of G