Some of my favorite licks to play or teach, these really put hybrid picking to the test! The feel has to be just right, and I’ll make sure you get the correct left and right hand syncopation. It’s one of those cool positions that’s like riding a bike, once you’ve got it you’ll never “unlearn” it!
A great style most closely associated with the legendary Scotty Moore, guitarist on Elvis Presley’s still-amazing early sessions for Sun Records. You can hear it in songs like “That’s Alright, Mama,” “My Baby Left Me,” and the classic “Mystery Train.” We will work on these parts for both the E and A positions, using pick and finger “hybrid” picking. It’s a kind of rapid-fire form of Travis picking!
You’ll also find these licks useful as lead parts, and they can actually be used in solos, not just backup parts. Like all things I’ll be teaching you, it’s all to give birth to new ideas that you can create!—Arlen Roth
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