3 Tips to Quickly Improve at Bluegrass Guitar
Written by Cody M.
It’s not unusual for new bluegrass pickers to get frustrated with, well…everything.
Playing rhythm
Improvising
Constant hammer ons, pulls offs, and slides
Playing licks cleanly, AND up to speed
It’s not easy.
Even after twenty years of playing, if I don’t have bluegrass specific practice sessions, I start to suck.
Not to mention, with few exceptions, bluegrass music is performed entirely on acoustic instruments, which doesn’t make things easier.
So how exactly do you get better at playing bluegrass guitar?
Outside of constantly practicing, here’s my short list of ways to quickly improve your chops, and start progressing your bluegrass pickin!
#1 STRUM MACHINE
Baseball players have batting cages.
Cyclists have training wheels.
Bluegrass pickers have Strum Machine.
Strum Machine is an app that comes loaded with hundreds of backing tracks for bluegrass, celtic, and old-time music that you can use to practice with.
If you’ve ever seen my videos, it’s the app that’s flashing in the center of the screen.
Strum Machine allows you to choose the key of the song, tempo, and also lets you customize instrument settings to you liking, so you can play along to whatever settings you wish.
It’s great for practicing tunes for your next bluegrass jam, or just playing a along at home.
And unlike a YouTube backing tracks, everything on Strum Machine is customizable.
Want more boom chuck in your rhythm guitar? StrumMachine can do it.
How about some cloggin’ feet for a bit of rhythm? StrumMachine can do it.
This app has improved my playing ton, and I recommend it to anyone looking to improve their chops.
#2 SLAP A CAPO ON IT
I mention in a lot of my YouTube videos how playing with capo can make learning new licks and runs easier.
Why?
Capos lower the action slightly as you place them down the neck, and also reduces the length you have to stretch your fingers while learning material.
Otherwise put, they make it easier.
And that goes for beginners and seasoned players too; I’ll often put a capo on the 2nd fret to learn a difficult lick to make it a bit easier on me.
Either way, you’ll have to play with one eventually.
Bluegrass pickers rely alot on capos to change between keys while being able to play familiar licks.
I’ve recently bought a Paige Capo that I love since it rests on the headstock so I don’t lose it (which happens a lot).
#3 ACTIVE LISTENING
Active learning, AKA learning the old-fashioned way.
Here’s the thing, Bluegrass music originated in the hills of Appalachia, far before Masterclasses and Lessons with Marcel. Most players learned by watching and listening to others, asking for help, and sharing techniques.
By actively listening to recordings and other players, you’ll start gaining both an ear, and an eye for players achieve their unique tone and dynamics, allowing you to experiment and develop your own approach to playing. Otherwise said, try listening with intention.
