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Five Flattop Primers From Kottke Style Picking to Open String Tricks Bluegrass

Jerry Hayes

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Published in Acoustic Lessons Vol 1: Five Flattop Primers From Kottke Style Picking To Open String Tricks Bluegrass Basics And More

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The flattop guitar is a versatile instrument that can be played in a variety of genres, including bluegrass. Bluegrass is a style of American folk music that is characterized by its fast tempo, high energy, and complex harmonies. Flattop guitars are often used in bluegrass music because they can produce a bright, crisp sound that cuts through the mix.

Acoustic Lessons Vol. 1: Five flattop primers—from Kottke-style picking to open-string tricks, bluegrass basics, and more!

by Les Parrott

4.9 out of 5

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If you're interested in learning how to play bluegrass guitar, there are a few essential techniques that you'll need to master. These techniques include Kottke style picking, open string tricks, and crosspicking. In this article, we'll provide you with a brief overview of each of these techniques. We'll also provide you with some tips on how to get started.

Kottke Style Picking

Kottke style picking is a fingerstyle guitar technique that is named after the guitarist Leo Kottke. Kottke is known for his intricate fingerpicking patterns and his use of open tunings. Kottke style picking is often used in bluegrass music because it can produce a very fluid, melodic sound.

To learn Kottke style picking, you'll need to start by learning the basic fingerpicking patterns. Once you've mastered the basics, you can start to experiment with different open tunings. Kottke often uses open tunings that are based on the major scale, such as DADGAD and CGCGCD.

Open String Tricks

Open string tricks are a great way to add some flair to your bluegrass guitar playing. Open string tricks involve using the open strings of the guitar to create melodies and rhythms. One of the most common open string tricks is the "hammer-on." A hammer-on is created by striking an open string with your picking hand and then quickly fretting the string with your fretting hand.

Another common open string trick is the "pull-off." A pull-off is created by fretting a string with your fretting hand and then quickly releasing the string with your picking hand. Hammer-ons and pull-offs can be used to create a variety of different melodies and rhythms.

Crosspicking

Crosspicking is a bluegrass guitar technique that involves using a pick to pick the strings in a crosspicking pattern. Crosspicking can be used to create a variety of different rhythms, from simple shuffles to complex syncopations.

To learn crosspicking, you'll need to start by learning the basic picking pattern. Once you've mastered the basic pattern, you can start to experiment with different variations. There are many different crosspicking patterns that you can use, so don't be afraid to experiment until you find one that you like.

Tips for Getting Started

If you're new to bluegrass guitar, there are a few things that you can do to get started. First, it's important to find a good teacher who can help you learn the basics. A good teacher can help you develop good technique and avoid bad habits.

Second, it's important to be patient. Learning bluegrass guitar takes time and practice. Don't get discouraged if you don't see results immediately. Just keep practicing and you'll eventually reach your goals.

Finally, it's important to have fun. Bluegrass guitar is a lot of fun to play. So relax, enjoy yourself, and let the music flow through you.

In this article, we've provided you with a brief overview of five essential flattop guitar techniques for bluegrass musicians. These techniques include Kottke style picking, open string tricks, and crosspicking. We've also provided you with some tips on how to get started. So what are you waiting for? Grab your guitar and start playing some bluegrass today!

Acoustic Lessons Vol. 1: Five flattop primers—from Kottke-style picking to open-string tricks, bluegrass basics, and more!

by Les Parrott

4.9 out of 5