The Ultimate Acoustic Guitar Workout by John Connearn
If you’re looking to elevate your acoustic guitar playing to the next level, The Ultimate Acoustic Guitar Workout by John Connearn is the perfect course to challenge and inspire you. This structured series of exercises dives deep into essential acoustic guitar techniques, helping you to develop accuracy, dexterity, timing, and musicality. Designed to cover a wide range of playing styles, John guides you through focused lessons that not only build strength in your hands but also unlock expressive ideas you can apply directly to songs and improvisations.
What makes this course special is its balance of technical focus and musical application. Each set of exercises is carefully crafted to mimic real-world acoustic guitar phrases, ensuring you don’t just practice in isolation but learn to integrate techniques into your own playing. Whether you’re a seasoned electric player adapting to acoustic, or a beginner eager to push beyond the basics, this workout is designed to boost both skill and confidence.
Exercises 1–3: Integrating Pick & Fingers
One of the defining features of acoustic guitar mastery is the ability to seamlessly blend pick and fingers. In these opening exercises, John introduces the concept of hybrid playing—combining flatpicking with fingerpicking to create fluid textures and dynamic accents. This is a powerful technique because it allows you to play intricate rhythm parts while simultaneously bringing out melodic lines.
The benefit of mastering this approach is clear: your playing gains depth and versatility. You’ll be able to tackle complex chordal passages with added melodic articulation, and you’ll unlock new ways of interpreting acoustic arrangements. By practicing these exercises, you’ll also strengthen finger independence and improve rhythmic precision, both of which are essential for confident performance.
Exercises 4 & 5: Cascades & Melodies
Acoustic guitar often shines when cascading lines and flowing melodies create motion and atmosphere. These exercises focus on developing control over arpeggiated runs and melodic embellishments, teaching you how to let notes ring out clearly in sequence. John emphasises clarity and timing, ensuring each note is articulated with precision.
For players, the benefit lies in building phrasing and musical storytelling. Cascading patterns help you create engaging accompaniments that sound both full and elegant. Melodic exercises train your ear and hands to connect musical phrases fluidly, giving your acoustic playing a lyrical quality that can elevate everything from folk tunes to modern acoustic ballads.
Exercises 6 & 7: Soul Influences
The acoustic guitar isn’t limited to folk or classical textures—it can also carry deep soul and blues influences. These exercises dig into phrasing techniques like slides, bends, and expressive dynamics that echo the vocal-like qualities of soul music. John demonstrates how to incorporate subtle embellishments that make your acoustic playing sing with emotion.
Learning this style benefits players by teaching them how to convey feeling beyond just technical execution. The exercises encourage sensitivity to touch, timing, and dynamics, which are essential for soulful expression. By integrating these influences into your own playing, you’ll develop a stronger sense of individuality and a more expressive acoustic voice.
Exercises 8 & 9: Harmonics & Embellishments
To round out the workout, John explores harmonics and other delicate embellishments that bring shimmer and sophistication to acoustic guitar. Natural and artificial harmonics create bell-like tones that cut through beautifully in both solo and accompaniment contexts. These lessons also cover small flourishes—ornaments that enhance otherwise simple passages.
The benefit of these techniques is the ability to elevate arrangements, transforming standard chord progressions into something rich and memorable. By practicing harmonics and embellishments, you’ll not only improve precision and control but also gain a deeper understanding of how to use subtle details to add polish and artistry to your music.
About the Guitarist
John Connearn is a versatile guitarist known for his ability to fuse technical skill with expressive playing. Drawing influence from legendary acoustic players as well as soulful electric guitarists, John’s teaching emphasises both precision and creativity. His work on this course reflects his passion for helping guitarists push their boundaries while staying connected to the emotional heart of music. By blending traditional techniques with modern flair, John continues to inspire students to become more complete and confident musicians.
Techniques Covered in The Ultimate Acoustic Guitar Workout
About The Tutor
Tutor Profile
John Connearn
John Connearn is a guitarist, composer and producer from the Midlands, U.K. Growing up with a guitar in almost every room led John to be a passionate musician, performing and writing songs from a very early age. John began his solo career in 2020 with his debut single, “First Things...