From the course: Acoustic Guitar Lessons: Intermediate

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Bluegrass part 2: Backup and lead

Bluegrass part 2: Backup and lead

From the course: Acoustic Guitar Lessons: Intermediate

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Bluegrass part 2: Backup and lead

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- Alright, let's get more into the bluegrass backup. So, the important part of the guitar in the rhythm section of a bluegrass band is just really nailing out that, the rhythm, which is a strong back beat playing on the two and four, and then also walking those basslines occasionally, and getting those melodies to sound really strong on the bass notes. So let's check out this next example that does just that. This is called "This Hammer's Too Heavy". One, two, one, two. (guitar playing) Alright, now let's check out some bluegrass lead playing. And it is a specific scale that we're going to use for bluegrass, and that is just adding a flat three and a flat seven to the major scale. So since we already have a seven note scale, these two new notes make it a nine note scale. So there's a lot of chromaticism to it. Let's check this out. In the key of G, starting on G, and here is the scale. (guitar playing) And backwards. (guitar playing) Let's check out a sample solo over that same rhythm…

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