Learn To Play Johnny Cash - Guitar Course
Guitar Lessons with Lee Hodgson
Guitar Lessons In The Course
Learn To Play Johnny Cash
Song Lessons in this Course
This Course is Ideal for Players Who...
This course is designed for guitarists of all levels who want to learn the classic country style of Johnny Cash. It’s perfect for those who appreciate great songwriting and want to develop their rhythm guitar playing.
Perfect for Guitarists Who:
- Want to master the art of classic country rhythm guitar
- Are fans of Johnny Cash and want to learn his songs accurately
- Are looking to improve their strumming and rhythmic precision
- Want to learn the foundational techniques of country and folk rock
This course is more than just learning songs; it’s about understanding the musical legacy of Johnny Cash. You’ll gain a deeper appreciation for his songwriting and learn how to apply his techniques to your own playing, making you a more solid and versatile rhythm guitarist. This is your chance to learn from a legend and add a new dimension to your guitar skills with LickLibrary’s online guitar lessons.
What will I achieve from completing this course?
Learning to play Johnny Cash’s music will give you a solid foundation in classic country and folk rock guitar. This course is a masterclass in rhythm guitar, providing you with skills that are essential for any guitarist. By the end of this course, you will have mastered five timeless songs and developed a range of essential techniques:
Technical Skills You’ll Develop:
- Mastery of the boom-chicka rhythm and other country strumming patterns
- The Luther Perkins picking style and alternating bass notes
- Simple and effective chord progressions and open chord voicings
- Palm muting for a tight, percussive rhythm sound
- Enhanced rhythmic precision and timing
- A deeper understanding of classic country and folk rock songwriting
- The ability to play with a steady, driving rhythm
- Skills that are transferable to hundreds of other country and rock songs
WE CAN HELP...
1-ON-1 COACHING
Access to thousands of lessons is great, but without a plan you can feel like you’re practicing in circles. Book your FREE 1-on-1 video call with a Licklibrary pro to fix your technique, build a practice plan, get motivated, or overcome any challenge. It's all included in your membership!
** Disclaimer **
*This product is not endorsed by or made in association with
Johnny Cash
nor does
Johnny Cash
perform or appear on this course.*
Learn to Play Johnny Cash
A monumental figure in country music, Johnny Cash’s legacy has spanned generations. His unique blend of country, rock, and blues, coupled with his distinctive deep, resonant voice, have made him an unforgettable icon. Yet, his songs are more than just vocal masterpieces; they are a treasure trove of ingenious guitar work. In our course, "Learn to Play Johnny Cash," Lee Hodgson breaks down the enigmatic guitar techniques behind Cash's biggest hits. Let's delve into each song's characteristics, scales, guitar solo analyses, and contributions from the lead guitarist.
Ring of Fire
In "Ring of Fire," you’ll learn the distinct and appealing blend of the Spanish 8-tone scale and standard Major scale. The song features a recurring lead pattern that reflects Cash's signature 'boom-chicka-boom' sound, driven by alternating bass strums. The guitar solo, though short, presents a brilliant showcase of Cash's understated genius. You'll discover a tasteful use of syncopated rhythms and slides, yielding a sound that is simple yet full of emotion.
Folsom Prison Blues
"Folsom Prison Blues" is a journey into the world of E Major Pentatonic Scale and dominant 7th chords, presenting an excellent opportunity to hone your blues playing. This song introduces Cash's signature 'boom-chicka-boom' sound, utilizing palm muting and alternate picking. The solo section is a true gem, showing off an array of techniques from hammer-ons and pull-offs, to slides and syncopated rhythms, adding both depth and intricacy to the song.
I Walk The Line
"I Walk The Line" is a study in the versatility of the Major scale and the creative use of key changes, featuring a capo to quickly change keys while maintaining open chord voicings. A masterclass in Travis Picking, this song showcases a thumb bass pattern over the E, A, and D strings while the fingers pick out melody notes. This song also uses an ingenious amount of string bending to express the raw emotion inherent in the song's lyrics.
A Boy Named Sue
"A Boy Named Sue," a storytelling masterpiece, features a harmonic structure built around the D Major scale. The song is ripe with rhythmic variance, with its syncopated rhythms and use of power chords driving the narrative forward. The solo section demonstrates a thoughtful use of double stops and slides, creating a conversation between the soloist and the rhythm section.
The General Lee
"The General Lee" is an exciting exploration of the G Major scale and Dorian mode. This song features the lead guitarist using two-handed tapping and harmonics for accentuating the melodies. It is unique for its dynamic interplay between the rhythm and lead guitars, showing how a lead guitar can both mimic and complement the rhythm section.
The lead guitarist in all these songs, Luther Perkins, was key to creating the 'Johnny Cash Sound.' Perkins’s unique fingerpicking style and his minimalistic approach to solos served as the backbone for Cash's music. His playing was a fundamental aspect of Cash's songs, often setting the tone and rhythm before Cash's vocals came in. Perkins's contribution to these songs and to Cash's music as a whole is a testament to the power of subtle, yet purposeful, guitar playing.
Techniques Covered
This "Learn to Play Johnny Cash" product delves into various guitar techniques, each vital in their own right to shape the iconic sound of Johnny Cash's songs. Below are links to the techniques that you will learn:
- Alternate picking
- Palm muting
- Hammer-ons and Pull-offs
- Slides
- Syncopated rhythms
- String bending
- Travis picking
- Power chords
- Double stops
- Harmonics
With this course, you'll not only learn to play these timeless classics, but also gain a deep understanding of the techniques and artistry behind the music. "Learn to Play Johnny Cash" offers an enriching journey into the world of one of the most enduring musicians of our time. By the end, you'll walk away with a greater appreciation for Cash's artistry and new tools to add to your guitar playing toolkit.
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