Flatpicking Essentials Vol. 1: Rhythm, Bass Runs and Licks by Dan Miller

What you will learn in the first Volume of the Flatpicking Essentials Series (Rhythm, Bass Runs, and Fill Licks):

• 1) The Role of the Rhythm Player: Keeping Time, Outlining the Chord, Leading the Listener’s Ear to the Chord Change, adding Texture and Interest
• 2) Bass Line construction based on major scales, the chromatic scale, and arpeggios
• 3) Bass Line construction using a variety of timing variations (half notes, quarter notes, eighth notes, dotted-quarter notes)
• 4) Bass Line construction using walk-ups, walk-downs, and leading tones
• 5) The Rest Stroke
• 6) Alternate Pick Direction and Eighth Note Runs and Fill Licks
• 7) Over 20 G-Run Variations
• 8) Syncopation
• 9) Over 10 Alternate Strumming Patterns
• 10) How to Work with a Metronome
• Dozens of Examples!

Volume One Table of Contents:

• Introduction
• The History of the Flatpicking Gutiar Style
• Learning to Flatpick: A Historical Approach
• Section One: Techniques, Examples, and Exercises
• The Role of the Rhythm Guitar Player
• Simple G Chord Rhythm
• G, C, D Rhythm with Repeating Bass Notes
• Alternating Bass Line
• Walk-ups, Walk-downs, and Leading Tones
• Chromatic Walk-Ups and Walk-Downs
• Bass Runs Old-Time Style
• Half Note Bass Runs
• The Rest Stroke
• Alternate Pick Direction and Eighth Notes
• Eighth Note Runs and Fill Licks
• Borrowing From Bass Players
• G-Runs, Hammer-Ons, Pull-Offs, and Slides
• Creating Movement on One Chord
• Syncopation
• The Bluegrass G Chord and Alternate Strums
• “Lonesome Road Blues” Example

Section Two: Examples from the FGM Archives

• “Rolling in My Sweet Baby’s Arms” in the Style of Charlie Monroe
• “Blue Eyes” in the Style of Roy Harvey
• Rhythm in the Style of Edd Mayfield 1
• Key of G Rhythm in the Style of Jimmy Martin
• “Nine Pound Hammer” in the Style of Brad Davis (Key of G)
• “Nine Pound Hammer” in the Style of Brad Davis (Key of C)
• Key of C Rhythm in the Style of Earl Scruggs
• “Tennessee Wagoner” in the Style of Charles Sawtelle
• Key of C Rhythm in the Style of Tom Paley
• “Soldier’s Joy” Rhythm in the Style of Riley Puckett
• “Have A Feast Here Tonight” in the Style of Doc Watson
• “Molly Put the Kettle On” in the Style of Riley Puckett
• Rhythm in the Style of Edd Mayfield 2 (Key of G)
• Rhythm in the Style of Edd Mayfield 3 (Key of A)
• Rhythm in the Style of Peter Rowan (Key of A)
• Rhythm in the Style of Charles Sawtelle (Key of E)
• “Ragtime Annie” in the Style of David Grier
• The Road Ahead