These 7 free Johnny Hiland
Johnny Hiland Guitar Lessons
Johnny Hiland Guitar Lesson #1: Essential Country Rhythm Concepts
Alright, let’s get started. In Section 1, we’ll look at some wonderful rhythm techniques which I use in my playing. We’ll start by looking at moving the basslines when playing rhythm, approaching rhythm as a lead
Johnny Hiland Guitar Lesson #2: Working Man Style Techniques
Now we’ll talk about one of my favorite rhythms—the rhythm for “Working Man Blues,” a Merle Haggard tune that’s a favorite of any country player. It’s usually played in A, however we’ll learn it in B here to help us with the percussive aspects. There are two distinct parts being played here, the chord being on the bottom strings with your fingers, and the second percussive part being picked up top.
Next, we’ll move it back into A and listen to how it’s usually played. I’ll demonstrate a few licks that you can use with this rhythm part and how to move it around to different positions on the neck. Just remember, if you want to use filler licks with the rhythm part you have to really nail the percussive part to make it work!
Johnny Hiland Guitar Lesson #3: Modern Country Techniques
Let’s finish out the first section by looking at modern country and rock. When I think of these genres, I think of playing rhythm in a completely different way than we’ve looked at so far.
What I love about playing rhythm in these styles is using double stops to find new ways to play chords. For example, if we’re playing a straight ahead rock, I’d look to double stops to change it up and get out of the standard way of playing rock rhythm. Keeping things neat and tight is key here, with the distortion doing most of the work to make the notes really growl.
Johnny Hiland Guitar Lesson #4: Chicken Pickin’
For our second track, we’ll play something similar but now with a half-time groove on the drums. We’ll be using some open string licks and “Working Man Blues” here still, but with some new licks added in as well.
Now I’ll perform this chickin pickin’ rhythm part for you over a jam track. The jam track and chart are attached to this video so that after you’ve watched the performance you can work with them on your own. Next, we’ll break down my approach to this piece section by section.
This track is very similar to our first one, but now in half-time which means you have to play a little differently. Instead of starting out in the “Working Man” groove, I’m starting out in a straight A with a 60’s country lick. I used a roll going into the D, which brings us back into our A section. Here we’ll bring a little bit of “Working Man” back in, and then went into the E using a steel
For the second half, I started with the “Working Man” feel again with some new licks added in and rolled into the D chord. I used an open string scale part to get into the A, also using the bend down we went over in Section 1, and then walking up back into the E.
Johnny Hiland Guitar Lesson #5: Rockabilly in E Performance
Now I’ll perform this rockabilly rhythm part for you over a jam track. The jam track and chart are attached to this video so that after you’ve watched the performance you can work with them on your own. Next, we’ll break down my approach to this piece section by section.
Johnny Hiland Guitar Lesson #6: Country Shuffle in D Performance
Now I’ll perform this country shuffle part for you over a jam track. The jam track and chart are attached to this video so that after you’ve watched the performance you can work with them on your own. Next, we’ll break down my approach to this piece section by section.
Johnny Hiland Guitar Lesson #7: Modern Country in C Performance
Now I’ll perform a modern country rhythm part for you over a jam track. The jam track and chart are attached to this video so that after you’ve watched the performance you can work with them on your own. Next, we’ll break down my approach to this piece section by section.
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