Country Guitar Lessons with Marty Schwartz
Country guitar combines technical picking patterns with heartfelt melody and rhythm. These country guitar lessons from Marty Schwartz teach you the essential techniques that define country music—from classic Johnny Cash boom-chicka boom patterns to modern country licks and chicken picking.
Whether you’re learning acoustic country fingerpicking or electric Telecaster leads, Marty breaks down the techniques that give country guitar its distinctive sound. You’ll learn how to play country rhythm guitar that drives the song and lead guitar that tells a story.
Learn country guitar: Get weekly country guitar lessons from Marty, plus exclusive picking patterns and classic country songs you won’t find anywhere else.
What You’ll Learn
These country guitar lessons cover all the essential techniques:
- Travis picking – The alternating bass fingerpicking pattern used in countless country songs
- Chicken picking – That snappy, percussive hybrid picking technique
- Country chord progressions – I-IV-V and the classic country changes
- Open position licks – Country guitar lives in the first few frets
- Double stops – Playing two notes together for that classic country harmony
- Country bends – Subtle bends and slides that add emotion
Country Guitar Lessons
Essential Country Guitar Techniques
Travis picking is your foundation. This alternating bass pattern (thumb on beats 1 and 3, fingers on 2 and 4) is the basis for most fingerstyle country guitar. Start slow—your fingers need to learn independence.
Hybrid picking adds dynamics. Hold a pick but also use your middle and ring fingers to pluck. This lets you play bass notes with the pick while grabbing higher strings with your fingers—essential for that country chicken-pickin’ sound.
Country is all about the open strings. Unlike rock or jazz, country guitar loves those open E, A, D, and G strings ringing out. Learn your open position chords and licks—they’re more important than barre chords in country music.
Space between notes matters. Country guitar isn’t about playing a million notes. It’s about playing the right notes with perfect timing. Let the song breathe. The silence is part of the music.
Classic Country Songs to Learn
These country standards teach essential techniques while being instantly recognizable:
- Folsom Prison Blues – Johnny Cash’s boom-chicka boom rhythm
- Ring of Fire – Classic Cash with that unforgettable progression
- Crazy – Willie Nelson’s ballad with beautiful chord changes
- Mama Tried – Merle Haggard’s honky-tonk classic
- Tennessee Whiskey – Chris Stapleton’s soulful country blues
- The Dance – Garth Brooks’ emotional ballad
- Wagon Wheel – Modern country sing-along favorite
Country Guitar Styles
Classic Country (1950s-1970s): Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard, Willie Nelson. Simple, direct, with emphasis on rhythm guitar and tasteful fills. This is where you learn the fundamentals.
Outlaw Country (1970s-1980s): Waylon Jennings, Kris Kristofferson. Harder edge, more attitude, rock influence creeping in. Great for learning how country and rock overlap.
Modern Country (1990s-Present): Garth Brooks, Brad Paisley, Keith Urban. Bigger production, more complex arrangements, mixing country with pop and rock. Shows where country guitar is heading.
Ready to play country guitar? Subscribe for weekly country guitar lessons from Marty, plus exclusive picking patterns and techniques for authentic country sound.