Have you ever wondered how some of the Bluegrass guitar greats like Tony Rice, Bryan Sutton, and Clarence White get around the fretboard so effortlessly? Well, in this vlog post I’ll share with you one of the most valuable techniques you can learn in Bluegrass guitar: Open String Transitions!
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Open String Transitions
How to Think Like a Bluegrass Guitar LEGEND
When it comes to Bluegrass guitar techniques, I’d have to say that “Open String Transitions” is one of the most important—and most looked over—techniques you can learn. Sure, Bluegrass guitar (aka flatpicking) has many other popular techniques such as Hammer-ons, Pull-offs, Bends, Vibrato, Slides, and lots more—many of which are covered in my Bluegrass Guitar Essentials course—but that’s just it . . . they’re popular. And more often than not, popular means everybody knows these Bluegrass guitar techniques and how to use them.
What I want to share with you in this video is something not many ordinary Bluegrass guitar players think about. It’s only the professionals that really utilize the technique of open string transitions. And if you want to play Bluegrass guitar like the professionals, you’ve got to think like they do! That’s why I’ve made the effort to share with you this invaluable technique. Once you learn this technique, you’ll be leaps and bounds above light years ahead of the ordinary Bluegrass guitar flatpickers.
Like Riding a Bike…
With open string transitions, you’ll be able to move effortlessly up and down the fretboard with the ease of Legendary Bluegrass guitar players like Tony, Bryan, Clarence, and many more! It takes some time to get used to this technique if you’re not familiar with it, but trust me; it will be worth the effort you put in. The time you invest will pay off, and once you learn how to use open string transitions it will be like riding a bike . . . you won’t forget how to do it—as long as you keep implementing them into your Bluegrass guitar playing.
So please watch the video above and be sure to leave your comments below for others to read and benefit from. Also, please take a moment and share this article on your favorite social network (share buttons below). It’s nearly impossible for me to reach everyone with these invaluable resources without your help.
Until next time,
Best Wishes and Keep Practicing,
Eric Beaty