Steve Trovato - Country Style Guitar by Steve Trovato

Welcome to "Steve Trovato - Country Style Guitar" by Steve Trovato on Licklibrary.com! This comprehensive series of guitar lessons is designed to enhance your playing with a variety of essential country guitar techniques. Steve Trovato, a renowned guitarist and educator, breaks down these techniques into manageable and insightful lessons. Here’s a detailed look at what you’ll learn:

Travis Picking

Travis Picking is a fundamental fingerstyle technique named after the legendary Merle Travis. This method involves alternating the bass notes with the thumb while playing the melody and harmony with the other fingers. It’s a staple in country music and creates a rich, full sound that can make solo performances sound like they’re being played by two guitarists. Learning Travis Picking will improve your finger independence and rhythmic stability, making your playing more versatile and dynamic.

The Elvis Vamp

The Elvis Vamp is a rhythmic pattern often used in the music of Elvis Presley. This technique combines alternating bass notes with syncopated chord strums, creating a lively and driving groove. Mastering the Elvis Vamp will enhance your ability to keep a steady rhythm while adding a touch of rockabilly flair to your country playing.

Chick'n Pick'n

Chick'n Pick'n is a signature country guitar technique that involves a combination of hybrid picking and palm muting to create a percussive, "clucking" sound. This technique adds a distinct twang and rhythmic complexity to your playing. It’s especially useful for fast, staccato licks and intricate rhythm parts. Developing your Chick'n Pick'n skills will greatly improve your right-hand technique and overall precision.

Cascades

Cascades refer to a series of descending or ascending notes played rapidly to create a flowing, waterfall-like effect. In country music, this technique can be used to add fluidity and speed to your solos. Learning cascades will help you develop your speed and accuracy, making your solos more impressive and expressive.

Funky Country

Funky Country combines elements of funk rhythm guitar with traditional country styles. This involves syncopated rhythms, tight chord voicings, and often, a bit of slapback delay for that classic country twang. Adding Funky Country techniques to your repertoire will give you the ability to create groovy, danceable rhythms that are perfect for modern country music.

Playing Over Changes in a Country Chord Progression

Understanding how to play over changes in a country chord progression is crucial for any guitarist. This involves knowing which scales and arpeggios fit over specific chords and how to transition smoothly between them. Mastering this skill will enable you to create more melodic and harmonically interesting solos, making your improvisation sound more professional and polished.

Changing Positions

Changing positions smoothly on the fretboard is essential for playing fluid and seamless solos. This lesson focuses on techniques for shifting positions without interrupting the flow of your playing. By practicing these exercises, you'll gain confidence in moving up and down the neck, expanding your range and versatility.

Flashy Country Licks

Flashy Country Licks are the attention-grabbing phrases that make solos stand out. These licks often incorporate bends, slides, and rapid picking techniques to create a dazzling effect. Learning these licks will not only improve your technical skills but also add excitement and flair to your solos, making your playing more captivating.

Chromatics with the Major & Minor Pentatonic Scale

Incorporating chromatic notes into the major and minor pentatonic scales adds a sophisticated, jazzy feel to your solos. This lesson will show you how to seamlessly integrate these notes into your playing, enhancing your melodic creativity and giving you more tools to express yourself musically.

Emulating a Pedal Steel Guitar

The pedal steel guitar is a hallmark of country music, known for its smooth, expressive sound. This lesson teaches you how to emulate the pedal steel guitar using techniques such as string bending and sliding. By learning to mimic this instrument, you can add a unique, vocal-like quality to your playing, making your solos more emotional and resonant.

Performance Context

Each of these techniques is demonstrated in a performance context by Steve Trovato. Seeing these techniques applied in actual musical situations helps you understand how to use them effectively in your own playing. Watching a skilled guitarist like Steve Trovato perform provides inspiration and a practical reference, making it easier to grasp the nuances of each technique.

By working through these lessons, you’ll not only develop your technical abilities but also gain a deeper understanding of country guitar music. These techniques will broaden your musical vocabulary and enhance your overall guitar proficiency.

Guitar Techniques Covered

• Travis Picking
• Finger-Picking
• Hybrid Picking
• Palm Muting
• String Bending
• Slides
• Chromaticism
• Chord Progressions

Explore these techniques and more with Steve Trovato's expert guidance, and take your country guitar playing to the next level!