musicman307
Verified buyer
07/24/26
Love this breakdown
I have always loved this song, but to be able to actually play it is cool.
Song Lesson: China Grove
Learn How to Play "China Grove" by The Doobie Brothers on Guitar with Tab, Video Lessons, and More!
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About this course
Learn how to play “China Grove” by The Doobie Brothers with this high-energy Song Lesson taught by top TrueFire educator Chris Buono. Packed with infectious riffs, powerful rhythm work, and a ripping guitar solo, “China Grove” is a rock radio staple that perfectly blends classic rock grit with tight, groove-driven precision. This TrueFire lesson breaks down every guitar part of the song, making it a must-learn for rock players looking to boost their technique, timing, and tone.
Perfect for guitarists at any level, this Song Lesson walks you through the entire arrangement, including two interlocking rhythm guitar parts, a blazing lead solo, and a simplified strum-along version for beginners. Whether you’re dialing in the syncopated riffs that drive the verses or mastering the expressive bends and phrasing of the solo section, Chris provides clear, step-by-step instruction to help you play each part with confidence and feel.
The lesson starts with a full performance and overview, giving you the big-picture layout of the song. From there, you’ll dive into focused learning sections for each guitar part. Every part is presented in three distinct stages: a detailed lesson to break down the part, a guided practice session with Chris to build fluency, and a full-band playalong so you can lock in with the groove and dynamics of the original arrangement.
The professionally produced backing track includes vocals, bass, drums, piano, guitar, and a click track—giving you a realistic and inspiring environment to rehearse and perform in. TrueFire’s advanced learning tools like synchronized tab and notation, slow motion, looping, and multi-angle video give you full control over your pace and progress, allowing you to revisit tricky sections until they’re second nature.
As you move through the lesson, you’ll build essential rock guitar skills such as syncopated power chord rhythms, hammer-ons and pull-offs, alternate picking, dynamic control, and expressive solo phrasing. Chris also shares tips on how to dial in a tone that matches the original recording, helping you sound authentic whether you're jamming at home or gigging live.
This lesson is perfect for fans of The Doobie Brothers, players working on their classic rock repertoire, or any guitarist looking to improve their rhythm precision and lead chops. With Chris Buono’s expert guidance and TrueFire’s immersive learning system, you won’t just learn to play “China Grove”—you’ll learn to rock it.
Start learning today and bring this guitar-driven classic to life, one riff at a time.
Perfect for guitarists at any level, this Song Lesson walks you through the entire arrangement, including two interlocking rhythm guitar parts, a blazing lead solo, and a simplified strum-along version for beginners. Whether you’re dialing in the syncopated riffs that drive the verses or mastering the expressive bends and phrasing of the solo section, Chris provides clear, step-by-step instruction to help you play each part with confidence and feel.
The lesson starts with a full performance and overview, giving you the big-picture layout of the song. From there, you’ll dive into focused learning sections for each guitar part. Every part is presented in three distinct stages: a detailed lesson to break down the part, a guided practice session with Chris to build fluency, and a full-band playalong so you can lock in with the groove and dynamics of the original arrangement.
The professionally produced backing track includes vocals, bass, drums, piano, guitar, and a click track—giving you a realistic and inspiring environment to rehearse and perform in. TrueFire’s advanced learning tools like synchronized tab and notation, slow motion, looping, and multi-angle video give you full control over your pace and progress, allowing you to revisit tricky sections until they’re second nature.
As you move through the lesson, you’ll build essential rock guitar skills such as syncopated power chord rhythms, hammer-ons and pull-offs, alternate picking, dynamic control, and expressive solo phrasing. Chris also shares tips on how to dial in a tone that matches the original recording, helping you sound authentic whether you're jamming at home or gigging live.
This lesson is perfect for fans of The Doobie Brothers, players working on their classic rock repertoire, or any guitarist looking to improve their rhythm precision and lead chops. With Chris Buono’s expert guidance and TrueFire’s immersive learning system, you won’t just learn to play “China Grove”—you’ll learn to rock it.
Start learning today and bring this guitar-driven classic to life, one riff at a time.
What you'll learn
- Navigate complex barre chord progressions throughout the song structure
- Play both rhythm guitar parts from the original recording
- Master percussive scratching and ghost stroke techniques
- Perform the melodic major solo with minor inflections
- Maintain consistent groove and timing through all sections
Release date: 12/12/2021 • 1h 36m runtime
Sample lessons
Full Song Performance
Reference Video of All Guitar Parts
What's included
14 lessons • 9 charts • 5 Jam Tracks
China Grove
China Grove, from the album The Captain and Me, was written in 1973 by the Tom Johnston lead Doobie Brothers featuring Patrick Simmons on guitar. In this lesson we'll be looking at how to replicate both of the artists playing on this tune with supreme rhythm and soloing techniques. I'll also show you an easy guitar part so that you can strum along to the whole song if you're just getting started, let's dig in!
Full Song Performance
We'll be starting things off with a full performance of China Grove where you will be able to see and hear the multiple different guitar styles you will be learning in the tune. Keep a close eye on the text on the screen as it will indicate the guitar track currently being played.
Easy Guitar | Lesson
In this video we'll be breaking China Grove down into simple guitar chords and patterns that you can play, even if you're a beginner. Everything I'm going to show you here will work well with the accurate guitar parts so that you can play along with the full band. The first will be the easiest version then we'll jump into a second rendition that will add a few more pieces and bring you one step closer to the authentic guitar part. Once you feel comfortable with this easier version, I encourage you to try to tackle some of the more sophisticated techniques in the accurate guitar parts as this is a great way to improve your skills.
Easy Guitar | Practice Session
In this video we will be practicing the easy guitar for China Grove. Remember to take advantage of tab-sync to ensure you're hitting the proper notes and, if you find the tune is a bit too fast for you, utilize the speed feature to slow things down, get your timing right, and then work your way up to the proper tempo.
Easy Guitar | Play Along
In this video we will perform the tune China Grove in its entirety. Join the band and show off your chops using the techniques you've learned along the way.
Rhythm Guitar 1 | Lesson
Now it’s time to tackle China Grove main rhythm part. This is the version of the guitar part you will want to learn if you are playing the tune solo or in a band with only one guitar player.
Rhythm Guitar 1 | Practice Session
In this video we will be practicing the main rhythm part for China Grove. Remember to take advantage of tab-sync to ensure you're hitting the proper notes and, if you find the tune is a bit too fast for you, utilize the speed feature to slow things down, get your timing right, and then work your way up to the proper tempo.
+ 7 more lessons
Reviews
16 results
magditfr
Verified buyer
11/11/24
Shortcut to learning China Grove
I purchased this lesson as my band plans to add it to our list. Chris Buono is a great instructor. His explanation and his method on how to play this song is clear and informative. This lesson is a definite "shortcut." Check out his other courses!
geary
Verified buyer
08/03/24
Even the Doobie Brothers can learn their parts correctly.
The exactness of correct fingering, tone, and feel are very clear. Instructor Christ Buono has a gift of communicating in simplistic words that attacked my attention. I have also purchased other Chris's TF courses. Those are informative and easy to follow too. Chris is consistent in his methodology of providing accurate transcriptions with easy to follow explanations. Chris has wrote many guitar instructional information in Just Jazz Guitar magazine. This material widen my understanding of jazz guitar. I ask that all TF instructors play the song 1-time slowly with no foot pedals. A clean sounding guitar is easier to follow and learn. I do not have the pedals TF instructor's have. Keep the pedals and use 1-acoustic tone example.
rwkirkendall
Verified buyer
08/26/22
China Grove
Excellent song lesson. Tabs & instruction were clear, concise & accurate.
Petegill
Verified buyer
07/08/22
China Grove
Really impressed with the lesson on China Grove. I am sure it will have positive results with my guitar learning journey. Pete from Oz
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