<turbo-stream action="update" target="blog_feature_1308196"><template>
      
<div class="blog-wrapper" id="blog_369651-wrapper">
  <div class="blog full clearfix" id="blog_369651-blog">
      <div class="tiled-sizer"></div>
      <div class="gutter-sizer"></div>

      <article class="post blog-article full-item post-full" data-controller="zoogle-video" data-action="message@window-&gt;zoogle-video#handleVimeoPostMessage">
    
<h2 class="heading-secondary heading-blog alt-font">
  <a href="/alex-s-teaching-blog/blog/7736856/bluegrass-guitar-right-hand-technique-why-there-s-no-single-correct-approach">Bluegrass Guitar Right Hand Technique: Why There&#39;s No Single &quot;Correct&quot; Approach</a>&nbsp;
</h2>

<div class="post">
  <div class="message"><p>This might be controversial: there is no one "correct" right hand technique for bluegrass guitar.</p><p>There are bad habits and un-ergonomic tendencies that can cause issues, but the dogmatic things that come up occasionally in the bluegrass guitar community about right hand technique deserve some pushback.</p><h3>Two Common Questions</h3><p>Two questions come up a lot on this topic:</p><p><strong>"Is a floating right hand the only way to play fast?"</strong> No. You can play fast and effectively without a floating right hand.</p><p><strong>"Is right hand bracing wrong?"</strong> Also no. You can be very successful playing bluegrass even if you brace or plant with your right hand.</p><p>If you need convincing, consider the right hand technique of Trey Hensley, Tony Rice, and Billy Strings.</p><h3>Small Tweaks Over Starting From Scratch</h3><p>Figuring out your right hand technique is less about throwing everything away and starting from scratch, and more about making small tweaks to what you already have to become more ergonomic and efficient.</p><h3>It Might Not Even Be a Right Hand Problem</h3><p>Sometimes what players believe to be a right hand technique issue is actually a left hand issue. Counterintuitive — but worth considering before overhauling your entire approach.</p><hr><p>Want structured help developing your bluegrass guitar vocabulary — phrasing, rhythm, fretboard navigation, and more? Alex's Acoustic Club is a membership community for serious flatpickers at every level. Join 325+ guitarists working on the same things you are. Learn more here: <a class="no-pjax" href="https://www.skool.com/alexs-acoustic-club-5005/about">https://www.skool.com/alexs-acoustic-club-5005/about</a></p></div>
</div>


<footer class="meta blog-footer clearfix">
    <p class="post-info"><span data-time="2026-05-23T09:00:00-06:00" title="May 23, 2026 09:00">05/23/2026</span></p>

  <ul class="blog-actions pdf__hide">
    <li class="comment-count"><a title="Leave a comment" class="comment-link button button-secondary" href="/alex-s-teaching-blog/blog/bluegrass-guitar-right-hand-technique-why-there-s-no-single-correct-approach#comments">Leave a comment</a></li>
      <li><div data-controller="share-dialog" data-share-dialog-url-value="https://alexgrafmusic.com/blogs/guitar-tips/posts/7736856/bluegrass-guitar-right-hand-technique-why-there-s-no-single-correct-approach" data-share-dialog-title-value="Bluegrass Guitar Right Hand Technique: Why There&#39;s No Single &quot;Correct&quot; Approach" data-share-dialog-text-value="" data-share-dialog-fb-app-id-value="286076425227">
  <a class="button button-tertiary zoogle-share pdf__hide" title="Share Bluegrass Guitar Right Hand Technique: Why There&#39;s No Single &quot;Correct&quot; Approach" data-action="click-&gt;share-dialog#open" href="javascript:void(0)">
    <i class="icon-share"></i>Share
</a>
  <dialog data-share-dialog-target="dialog" data-action="click->share-dialog#clickOutside" class="dialog dialog-share style-section-style-1">
    <button class="dialog-close" data-action="click-&gt;share-dialog#close" aria-label="close">
      <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 11 11" class="icon" width="12px" height="12px"><path d="M6.755 5.502l3.836 3.97-1.438 1.39-3.81-3.942-3.926 3.942L0 9.452 3.953 5.48 0 1.39 1.438 0l3.927 4.064L9.41 0l1.417 1.411-4.073 4.091z" fill-rule="evenodd"></path></svg>
</button>    <div class="share_desc">
      <div>
        <span data-share-dialog-target="title">Bluegrass Guitar Right Hand Technique: Why There&#39;s No Single &quot;Correct&quot; Approach</span>
        <br>
        <span class="byline" data-share-dialog-target="byline">
        </span>
      </div>
    </div>

    <ul class="share_icons">
      <li class="threads">
        <a href="#" data-share-dialog-target="threadsLink" data-controller="popup-window" data-action="click->popup-window#open" data-popup-window-width-value="550" data-popup-window-height-value="357" target="_blank" rel="noopener">
          <div class="share_icon">
            <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 36 36" class="icon">
<path fill-rule="evenodd" d="M36 18C36 8.05887 27.9411 0 18 0C8.05887 0 0 8.05887 0 18C0 27.9411 8.05887 36 18 36C27.9411 36 36 27.9411 36 18ZM23.7524 16.9806C23.8587 17.0263 23.9638 17.074 24.0671 17.1235C25.5284 17.8245 26.597 18.8859 27.1575 20.1926C27.9387 22.0149 28.0101 24.9832 25.6397 27.3514C23.828 29.1615 21.6287 29.9784 18.5087 30H18.4946C14.9852 29.9757 12.2865 28.7948 10.4735 26.4901C8.86024 24.4393 8.02805 21.5855 8.00009 18.0084L8 18L8.00009 17.9916C8.02805 14.4145 8.86024 11.5608 10.4735 9.50991C12.2865 7.20522 14.9852 6.02431 18.4946 6H18.5087C22.0252 6.02439 24.7545 7.20084 26.6206 9.49675C27.5414 10.6295 28.218 11.9953 28.648 13.5803L26.6296 14.1188C26.2749 12.8311 25.7368 11.7267 25.023 10.8485C23.5674 9.05767 21.3735 8.13891 18.5016 8.11756C15.6505 8.13875 13.4942 9.05311 12.0923 10.8353C10.7794 12.5042 10.101 14.9147 10.0757 18C10.101 21.0853 10.7794 23.4958 12.0923 25.1646C13.4942 26.9469 15.6505 27.8612 18.5017 27.8824C21.072 27.8635 22.7728 27.252 24.1876 25.8385C25.8025 24.225 25.7724 22.2459 25.2559 21.0415C24.9521 20.333 24.4021 19.7436 23.66 19.2957C23.4792 20.6429 23.0699 21.712 22.4226 22.537C21.5704 23.6234 20.3487 24.2175 18.7915 24.3029C17.6124 24.3673 16.4778 24.0829 15.5969 23.5014C14.555 22.8135 13.9452 21.7605 13.8799 20.5365C13.7514 18.1235 15.6656 16.3869 18.6431 16.2154C19.7001 16.1548 20.6889 16.2026 21.6031 16.358C21.4818 15.6156 21.2366 15.0274 20.8701 14.6018C20.3665 14.0171 19.5884 13.7173 18.5572 13.7107L18.5286 13.7106C17.7006 13.7106 16.5765 13.9423 15.8601 15.0291L14.1378 13.8476C15.0966 12.3926 16.6546 11.593 18.5278 11.593L18.5702 11.5931C21.702 11.6131 23.5671 13.5673 23.7524 16.9806ZM15.9524 20.4215C16.0193 21.6761 17.3751 22.2619 18.6801 22.1884C19.9578 22.1182 21.408 21.6169 21.6553 18.5291C20.9924 18.3842 20.2633 18.3085 19.4839 18.3085C19.247 18.3085 19.0059 18.3154 18.7602 18.3296C16.6145 18.4533 15.9029 19.4913 15.9524 20.4215Z"></path>
</svg>
          </div>
        </a>
      </li>

      <li class="facebook">
        <a href="#" data-share-dialog-target="facebookLink" data-controller="popup-window" data-action="click->popup-window#open" data-popup-window-width-value="550" data-popup-window-height-value="357" target="_blank" rel="noopener">
          <div class="share_icon">
            <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 18 18" class="icon"><path fill-rule="evenodd" d="M9 0a9 9 0 110 18A9 9 0 019 0zm2.606 4H10.24c-1.575 0-2.17.77-2.215 2.076l-.002.166v1.034H7V9h1.023V14h2.046V9h1.365l.181-1.724H10.07l.003-.862c0-.417.036-.655.553-.687l.128-.003h.853V4z"></path></svg>
          </div>
        </a>
      </li>

      <li class="twitter">
        <a href="#" data-share-dialog-target="twitterLink" data-controller="popup-window" data-action="click->popup-window#open" data-popup-window-width-value="685" data-popup-window-height-value="246" target="_blank" rel="noopener">
          <div class="share_icon">
            <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 36 36" class="icon">
<path fill-rule="evenodd" d="M36 18C36 8.05887 27.9411 0 18 0C8.05887 0 0 8.05887 0 18C0 27.9411 8.05887 36 18 36C27.9411 36 36 27.9411 36 18ZM26.4163 9L19.7142 16.6226L27.0001 27H21.6396L16.7316 20.0104L10.5876 27H9L16.0278 19.0075L9 9H14.3604L19.0068 15.6173L24.8287 9H26.4163ZM13.5996 10.1714H11.1606L22.3878 25.8861H24.8275L13.5996 10.1714Z"></path>
</svg>
          </div>
        </a>
      </li>

      <li class="email">
        <a href="#" data-share-dialog-target="emailLink" target="_blank" rel="noopener">
          <div class="share_icon">
            <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 18 18" class="icon">
<path fill-rule="evenodd" clip-rule="evenodd" d="M18 9C18 4.02944 13.9706 0 9 0C4.02944 0 0 4.02944 0 9C0 13.9706 4.02944 18 9 18C13.9706 18 18 13.9706 18 9ZM4.02511 5.73566C4.00872 5.77691 4.00004 5.82153 4.00004 5.86854L4 12.1317C4 12.1897 4.0135 12.2449 4.03762 12.2938C4.04581 12.2775 4.05691 12.2621 4.07041 12.2482L7.39793 8.87439L4.0772 5.81961C4.05116 5.79611 4.0338 5.76684 4.02511 5.73566ZM4.34327 12.4991L4.34195 12.499L7.67 9.12427L8.60412 9.98343C8.86598 10.2242 9.26962 10.2228 9.52956 9.98007L10.4564 9.11563L13.768 12.4736C13.7251 12.4904 13.6783 12.5 13.6296 12.5H4.3704C4.3612 12.5 4.35243 12.4996 4.34327 12.4991ZM13.9971 12.1795L10.727 8.86376L13.9913 5.81857C13.9932 5.81713 13.9947 5.81569 13.9961 5.81425C13.9986 5.832 14 5.85023 14 5.86846V12.1315C14 12.1478 13.999 12.1637 13.9971 12.1795ZM13.7686 5.52686C13.7257 5.50959 13.6789 5.5 13.6297 5.5L4.37041 5.50006C4.33617 5.50006 4.30338 5.50486 4.27155 5.5135C4.29229 5.52117 4.31158 5.53316 4.32846 5.549L8.85585 9.71283C8.97448 9.8222 9.15822 9.82172 9.27637 9.71139L13.7382 5.54989C13.7479 5.54077 13.758 5.5331 13.7686 5.52686Z"></path>
</svg>
          </div>
        </a>
      </li>

    </ul>
    <div class="permalink" data-controller="clipboard">
      <p>Share link</p>
      <div class="control -has-addons">
        <input type="text" value="https://alexgrafmusic.com/blogs/guitar-tips/posts/7736856/bluegrass-guitar-right-hand-technique-why-there-s-no-single-correct-approach" data-clipboard-target="source" data-share-dialog-target="urlInput" data-action="click->share-dialog#selectUrl" readonly="true">
        <span class="control__suffix">
          <a class="button -simple -compact -icon-only" data-clipboard-target="button" data-action="clipboard#copy">
            <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 16 16" class="icon" width="16px" height="18px"><path d="M4.166.597c-.184 0-.369.15-.369.342v1.365c0 .191.185.341.369.341h9.189v9.216c0 .191.15.342.341.342h1.365c.191 0 .342-.15.342-.342V.94a.338.338 0 00-.342-.342H4.166zm7.44 3.798H.34A.338.338 0 000 4.736v10.923c0 .19.15.341.341.341h10.923c.191 0 .341-.15.341-.341V4.395z" fill-rule="evenodd"></path></svg>
          </a>
        </span>
      </div>
    </div>
  </dialog>
</div></li>
  </ul>

  <p class="post-info">in <a href="/guitar-tips/blog/blog_categories/72728">Bluegrass Guitar</a></p>
</footer>


</article>  <article class="post blog-article full-item post-full" data-controller="zoogle-video" data-action="message@window-&gt;zoogle-video#handleVimeoPostMessage">
    
<h2 class="heading-secondary heading-blog alt-font">
  <a href="/alex-s-teaching-blog/blog/7736855/how-to-build-speed-on-fiddle-tunes-the-phrase-by-phrase-practice-method">How to Build Speed on Fiddle Tunes: The Phrase-by-Phrase Practice Method</a>&nbsp;
</h2>

<div class="post">
  <div class="message"><div><div class="standard-markdown grid-cols-1 grid [&amp;_&gt;_*]:min-w-0 gap-3">
<p>Not all speed work has to happen with a metronome running the whole time. Here's one approach to fiddle tunes that are really fast — breaking them down phrase by phrase in bursts.</p>
<p> </p>
</div></div><div><div class="standard-markdown grid-cols-1 grid [&amp;_&gt;_*]:min-w-0 gap-3"><h3>Why This Works</h3></div></div><div><div class="standard-markdown grid-cols-1 grid [&amp;_&gt;_*]:min-w-0 gap-3"><p>If you're struggling to get a tune up to tempo, the problem usually isn't the whole tune — it's that the whole tune feels impossible all at once. But can you play just the first measure at that tempo? Almost certainly yes.</p></div></div><div><div class="standard-markdown grid-cols-1 grid [&amp;_&gt;_*]:min-w-0 gap-3">
<p>Taking one bite-sized piece at a time allows your brain to feel like it's actually possible and reduces the frustration. Although you might not be able to play a whole fiddle tune at 130 BPM right now, you can probably play one bar of it at that tempo right now.</p>
<p> </p>
</div></div><div><div class="standard-markdown grid-cols-1 grid [&amp;_&gt;_*]:min-w-0 gap-3"><h3>The Method</h3></div></div><div><div class="standard-markdown grid-cols-1 grid [&amp;_&gt;_*]:min-w-0 gap-3"><p>Here's the process, step by step:</p></div></div><div><div class="standard-markdown grid-cols-1 grid [&amp;_&gt;_*]:min-w-0 gap-3"><ol>
<li>Take the first measure and hammer it — over and over. If it feels too easy, good. That's the point.</li>
<li>Get the metronome out and set it to the tempo you're working toward.</li>
<li>Turn off the metronome.</li>
<li>Practice that first measure 15 times.</li>
<li>Add the second measure.</li>
<li>Reference the metronome. Play measures one and two together 15 times.</li>
<li>Continue adding one or two measures at a time, referencing the metronome as you go.</li>
</ol></div></div><div><div class="standard-markdown grid-cols-1 grid [&amp;_&gt;_*]:min-w-0 gap-3"><h3>The Payoff</h3></div></div><div><div class="standard-markdown grid-cols-1 grid [&amp;_&gt;_*]:min-w-0 gap-3"><p>Working up tunes this way — in speed bursts, phrase by phrase — lets your brain and hands get used to playing fast one part at a time. It's a method that has worked on many a fiddle tune. Try it and see how quickly things start to click.</p></div></div><div><hr></div><div><div class="standard-markdown grid-cols-1 grid [&amp;_&gt;_*]:min-w-0 gap-3">
<p>Want structured help developing your bluegrass guitar vocabulary — phrasing, rhythm, fretboard navigation, and more? Alex's Acoustic Club is a membership community for serious flatpickers at every level. Join 325+ guitarists working on the same things you are.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Learn more here: https://www.skool.com/alexs-acoustic-club-5005/about</p>
</div></div></div>
</div>


<footer class="meta blog-footer clearfix">
    <p class="post-info"><span data-time="2026-05-20T09:00:00-06:00" title="May 20, 2026 09:00">05/20/2026</span></p>

  <ul class="blog-actions pdf__hide">
    <li class="comment-count"><a title="Leave a comment" class="comment-link button button-secondary" href="/alex-s-teaching-blog/blog/how-to-build-speed-on-fiddle-tunes-the-phrase-by-phrase-practice-method#comments">Leave a comment</a></li>
      <li><div data-controller="share-dialog" data-share-dialog-url-value="https://alexgrafmusic.com/blogs/guitar-tips/posts/7736855/how-to-build-speed-on-fiddle-tunes-the-phrase-by-phrase-practice-method" data-share-dialog-title-value="How to Build Speed on Fiddle Tunes: The Phrase-by-Phrase Practice Method" data-share-dialog-text-value="" data-share-dialog-fb-app-id-value="286076425227">
  <a class="button button-tertiary zoogle-share pdf__hide" title="Share How to Build Speed on Fiddle Tunes: The Phrase-by-Phrase Practice Method" data-action="click-&gt;share-dialog#open" href="javascript:void(0)">
    <i class="icon-share"></i>Share
</a>
  <dialog data-share-dialog-target="dialog" data-action="click->share-dialog#clickOutside" class="dialog dialog-share style-section-style-1">
    <button class="dialog-close" data-action="click-&gt;share-dialog#close" aria-label="close">
      <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 11 11" class="icon" width="12px" height="12px"><path d="M6.755 5.502l3.836 3.97-1.438 1.39-3.81-3.942-3.926 3.942L0 9.452 3.953 5.48 0 1.39 1.438 0l3.927 4.064L9.41 0l1.417 1.411-4.073 4.091z" fill-rule="evenodd"></path></svg>
</button>    <div class="share_desc">
      <div>
        <span data-share-dialog-target="title">How to Build Speed on Fiddle Tunes: The Phrase-by-Phrase Practice Method</span>
        <br>
        <span class="byline" data-share-dialog-target="byline">
        </span>
      </div>
    </div>

    <ul class="share_icons">
      <li class="threads">
        <a href="#" data-share-dialog-target="threadsLink" data-controller="popup-window" data-action="click->popup-window#open" data-popup-window-width-value="550" data-popup-window-height-value="357" target="_blank" rel="noopener">
          <div class="share_icon">
            <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 36 36" class="icon">
<path fill-rule="evenodd" d="M36 18C36 8.05887 27.9411 0 18 0C8.05887 0 0 8.05887 0 18C0 27.9411 8.05887 36 18 36C27.9411 36 36 27.9411 36 18ZM23.7524 16.9806C23.8587 17.0263 23.9638 17.074 24.0671 17.1235C25.5284 17.8245 26.597 18.8859 27.1575 20.1926C27.9387 22.0149 28.0101 24.9832 25.6397 27.3514C23.828 29.1615 21.6287 29.9784 18.5087 30H18.4946C14.9852 29.9757 12.2865 28.7948 10.4735 26.4901C8.86024 24.4393 8.02805 21.5855 8.00009 18.0084L8 18L8.00009 17.9916C8.02805 14.4145 8.86024 11.5608 10.4735 9.50991C12.2865 7.20522 14.9852 6.02431 18.4946 6H18.5087C22.0252 6.02439 24.7545 7.20084 26.6206 9.49675C27.5414 10.6295 28.218 11.9953 28.648 13.5803L26.6296 14.1188C26.2749 12.8311 25.7368 11.7267 25.023 10.8485C23.5674 9.05767 21.3735 8.13891 18.5016 8.11756C15.6505 8.13875 13.4942 9.05311 12.0923 10.8353C10.7794 12.5042 10.101 14.9147 10.0757 18C10.101 21.0853 10.7794 23.4958 12.0923 25.1646C13.4942 26.9469 15.6505 27.8612 18.5017 27.8824C21.072 27.8635 22.7728 27.252 24.1876 25.8385C25.8025 24.225 25.7724 22.2459 25.2559 21.0415C24.9521 20.333 24.4021 19.7436 23.66 19.2957C23.4792 20.6429 23.0699 21.712 22.4226 22.537C21.5704 23.6234 20.3487 24.2175 18.7915 24.3029C17.6124 24.3673 16.4778 24.0829 15.5969 23.5014C14.555 22.8135 13.9452 21.7605 13.8799 20.5365C13.7514 18.1235 15.6656 16.3869 18.6431 16.2154C19.7001 16.1548 20.6889 16.2026 21.6031 16.358C21.4818 15.6156 21.2366 15.0274 20.8701 14.6018C20.3665 14.0171 19.5884 13.7173 18.5572 13.7107L18.5286 13.7106C17.7006 13.7106 16.5765 13.9423 15.8601 15.0291L14.1378 13.8476C15.0966 12.3926 16.6546 11.593 18.5278 11.593L18.5702 11.5931C21.702 11.6131 23.5671 13.5673 23.7524 16.9806ZM15.9524 20.4215C16.0193 21.6761 17.3751 22.2619 18.6801 22.1884C19.9578 22.1182 21.408 21.6169 21.6553 18.5291C20.9924 18.3842 20.2633 18.3085 19.4839 18.3085C19.247 18.3085 19.0059 18.3154 18.7602 18.3296C16.6145 18.4533 15.9029 19.4913 15.9524 20.4215Z"></path>
</svg>
          </div>
        </a>
      </li>

      <li class="facebook">
        <a href="#" data-share-dialog-target="facebookLink" data-controller="popup-window" data-action="click->popup-window#open" data-popup-window-width-value="550" data-popup-window-height-value="357" target="_blank" rel="noopener">
          <div class="share_icon">
            <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 18 18" class="icon"><path fill-rule="evenodd" d="M9 0a9 9 0 110 18A9 9 0 019 0zm2.606 4H10.24c-1.575 0-2.17.77-2.215 2.076l-.002.166v1.034H7V9h1.023V14h2.046V9h1.365l.181-1.724H10.07l.003-.862c0-.417.036-.655.553-.687l.128-.003h.853V4z"></path></svg>
          </div>
        </a>
      </li>

      <li class="twitter">
        <a href="#" data-share-dialog-target="twitterLink" data-controller="popup-window" data-action="click->popup-window#open" data-popup-window-width-value="685" data-popup-window-height-value="246" target="_blank" rel="noopener">
          <div class="share_icon">
            <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 36 36" class="icon">
<path fill-rule="evenodd" d="M36 18C36 8.05887 27.9411 0 18 0C8.05887 0 0 8.05887 0 18C0 27.9411 8.05887 36 18 36C27.9411 36 36 27.9411 36 18ZM26.4163 9L19.7142 16.6226L27.0001 27H21.6396L16.7316 20.0104L10.5876 27H9L16.0278 19.0075L9 9H14.3604L19.0068 15.6173L24.8287 9H26.4163ZM13.5996 10.1714H11.1606L22.3878 25.8861H24.8275L13.5996 10.1714Z"></path>
</svg>
          </div>
        </a>
      </li>

      <li class="email">
        <a href="#" data-share-dialog-target="emailLink" target="_blank" rel="noopener">
          <div class="share_icon">
            <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 18 18" class="icon">
<path fill-rule="evenodd" clip-rule="evenodd" d="M18 9C18 4.02944 13.9706 0 9 0C4.02944 0 0 4.02944 0 9C0 13.9706 4.02944 18 9 18C13.9706 18 18 13.9706 18 9ZM4.02511 5.73566C4.00872 5.77691 4.00004 5.82153 4.00004 5.86854L4 12.1317C4 12.1897 4.0135 12.2449 4.03762 12.2938C4.04581 12.2775 4.05691 12.2621 4.07041 12.2482L7.39793 8.87439L4.0772 5.81961C4.05116 5.79611 4.0338 5.76684 4.02511 5.73566ZM4.34327 12.4991L4.34195 12.499L7.67 9.12427L8.60412 9.98343C8.86598 10.2242 9.26962 10.2228 9.52956 9.98007L10.4564 9.11563L13.768 12.4736C13.7251 12.4904 13.6783 12.5 13.6296 12.5H4.3704C4.3612 12.5 4.35243 12.4996 4.34327 12.4991ZM13.9971 12.1795L10.727 8.86376L13.9913 5.81857C13.9932 5.81713 13.9947 5.81569 13.9961 5.81425C13.9986 5.832 14 5.85023 14 5.86846V12.1315C14 12.1478 13.999 12.1637 13.9971 12.1795ZM13.7686 5.52686C13.7257 5.50959 13.6789 5.5 13.6297 5.5L4.37041 5.50006C4.33617 5.50006 4.30338 5.50486 4.27155 5.5135C4.29229 5.52117 4.31158 5.53316 4.32846 5.549L8.85585 9.71283C8.97448 9.8222 9.15822 9.82172 9.27637 9.71139L13.7382 5.54989C13.7479 5.54077 13.758 5.5331 13.7686 5.52686Z"></path>
</svg>
          </div>
        </a>
      </li>

    </ul>
    <div class="permalink" data-controller="clipboard">
      <p>Share link</p>
      <div class="control -has-addons">
        <input type="text" value="https://alexgrafmusic.com/blogs/guitar-tips/posts/7736855/how-to-build-speed-on-fiddle-tunes-the-phrase-by-phrase-practice-method" data-clipboard-target="source" data-share-dialog-target="urlInput" data-action="click->share-dialog#selectUrl" readonly="true">
        <span class="control__suffix">
          <a class="button -simple -compact -icon-only" data-clipboard-target="button" data-action="clipboard#copy">
            <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 16 16" class="icon" width="16px" height="18px"><path d="M4.166.597c-.184 0-.369.15-.369.342v1.365c0 .191.185.341.369.341h9.189v9.216c0 .191.15.342.341.342h1.365c.191 0 .342-.15.342-.342V.94a.338.338 0 00-.342-.342H4.166zm7.44 3.798H.34A.338.338 0 000 4.736v10.923c0 .19.15.341.341.341h10.923c.191 0 .341-.15.341-.341V4.395z" fill-rule="evenodd"></path></svg>
          </a>
        </span>
      </div>
    </div>
  </dialog>
</div></li>
  </ul>

  <p class="post-info"></p>
</footer>


</article>  <article class="post blog-article full-item post-full" data-controller="zoogle-video" data-action="message@window-&gt;zoogle-video#handleVimeoPostMessage">
    
<h2 class="heading-secondary heading-blog alt-font">
  <a href="/alex-s-teaching-blog/blog/7736853/chord-substitutions-and-walking-bass-lines-three-concepts-every-bluegrass-guitarist-should-know">Chord Substitutions and Walking Bass Lines: Three Concepts Every Bluegrass Guitarist Should Know</a>&nbsp;
</h2>

<div class="post">
  <div class="message"><div><div class="standard-markdown grid-cols-1 grid [&amp;_&gt;_*]:min-w-0 gap-3">
<p>If you want to get good at throwing in some "cool sounding chords" on a simple bluegrass tune, there are three concepts that will get you very far in this chord world — all rooted in the approach of Eldon Shamblin, the western swing guitarist who spent many years in Bob Wills' band.</p>
<p> </p>
</div></div><div><div class="standard-markdown grid-cols-1 grid [&amp;_&gt;_*]:min-w-0 gap-3">
<h3>The Three Concepts</h3>
<p> </p>
</div></div><div><div class="standard-markdown grid-cols-1 grid [&amp;_&gt;_*]:min-w-0 gap-3"><p><strong>1. Voice Leading</strong> Applied to both bass lines and chords, voice leading is the practice of moving smoothly between notes and chord voicings with minimal jumps.</p></div></div><div><div class="standard-markdown grid-cols-1 grid [&amp;_&gt;_*]:min-w-0 gap-3"><p><strong>2. Inversions</strong> Rearranging the notes of a chord so that something other than the root is in the bass — a powerful tool for creating movement and color.</p></div></div><div><div class="standard-markdown grid-cols-1 grid [&amp;_&gt;_*]:min-w-0 gap-3">
<p><strong>3. The Circle of 5ths</strong> A framework for understanding how harmony tends to move. It's not always predictable, but knowing it gives you a map for where chords are likely to go next.</p>
<p> </p>
</div></div><div><div class="standard-markdown grid-cols-1 grid [&amp;_&gt;_*]:min-w-0 gap-3"><h3>Theory as a Suggestion</h3></div></div><div><div class="standard-markdown grid-cols-1 grid [&amp;_&gt;_*]:min-w-0 gap-3">
<p>If this seems overwhelming, don't worry. These are relatively simple concepts and are mostly just guidelines — suggestions on how to be more creative. At its best, that's all theory is: a suggestion that systematically expands your possibilities.</p>
<p> </p>
</div></div><div><div class="standard-markdown grid-cols-1 grid [&amp;_&gt;_*]:min-w-0 gap-3"><h3>The Alternative: Just Steal</h3></div></div><div><div class="standard-markdown grid-cols-1 grid [&amp;_&gt;_*]:min-w-0 gap-3"><p>If you'd rather skip the theory, just listen more and steal. That's a perfectly acceptable alternative.</p></div></div><div><div class="standard-markdown grid-cols-1 grid [&amp;_&gt;_*]:min-w-0 gap-3">
<p>For your stealing pleasure, check out this video of David Grier. There are lots of walking bass lines and reharmonization going on — well worth studying closely.</p>
<p>https://www.youtube.com/live/z25n-KUGPKM</p>
</div></div><hr><div><div class="standard-markdown grid-cols-1 grid [&amp;_&gt;_*]:min-w-0 gap-3"><p>Want structured help developing your bluegrass guitar vocabulary — phrasing, rhythm, fretboard navigation, and more? Alex's Acoustic Club is a membership community for serious flatpickers at every level. Join 325+ guitarists working on the same things you are.</p></div></div></div>
</div>


<footer class="meta blog-footer clearfix">
    <p class="post-info"><span data-time="2026-05-16T09:35:00-06:00" title="May 16, 2026 09:35">05/16/2026</span></p>

  <ul class="blog-actions pdf__hide">
    <li class="comment-count"><a title="Leave a comment" class="comment-link button button-secondary" href="/alex-s-teaching-blog/blog/chord-substitutions-and-walking-bass-lines-three-concepts-every-bluegrass-guitarist-should-know#comments">Leave a comment</a></li>
      <li><div data-controller="share-dialog" data-share-dialog-url-value="https://alexgrafmusic.com/blogs/guitar-tips/posts/7736853/chord-substitutions-and-walking-bass-lines-three-concepts-every-bluegrass-guitarist-should-know" data-share-dialog-title-value="Chord Substitutions and Walking Bass Lines: Three Concepts Every Bluegrass Guitarist Should Know" data-share-dialog-text-value="" data-share-dialog-fb-app-id-value="286076425227">
  <a class="button button-tertiary zoogle-share pdf__hide" title="Share Chord Substitutions and Walking Bass Lines: Three Concepts Every Bluegrass Guitarist Should Know" data-action="click-&gt;share-dialog#open" href="javascript:void(0)">
    <i class="icon-share"></i>Share
</a>
  <dialog data-share-dialog-target="dialog" data-action="click->share-dialog#clickOutside" class="dialog dialog-share style-section-style-1">
    <button class="dialog-close" data-action="click-&gt;share-dialog#close" aria-label="close">
      <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 11 11" class="icon" width="12px" height="12px"><path d="M6.755 5.502l3.836 3.97-1.438 1.39-3.81-3.942-3.926 3.942L0 9.452 3.953 5.48 0 1.39 1.438 0l3.927 4.064L9.41 0l1.417 1.411-4.073 4.091z" fill-rule="evenodd"></path></svg>
</button>    <div class="share_desc">
      <div>
        <span data-share-dialog-target="title">Chord Substitutions and Walking Bass Lines: Three Concepts Every Bluegrass Guitarist Should Know</span>
        <br>
        <span class="byline" data-share-dialog-target="byline">
        </span>
      </div>
    </div>

    <ul class="share_icons">
      <li class="threads">
        <a href="#" data-share-dialog-target="threadsLink" data-controller="popup-window" data-action="click->popup-window#open" data-popup-window-width-value="550" data-popup-window-height-value="357" target="_blank" rel="noopener">
          <div class="share_icon">
            <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 36 36" class="icon">
<path fill-rule="evenodd" d="M36 18C36 8.05887 27.9411 0 18 0C8.05887 0 0 8.05887 0 18C0 27.9411 8.05887 36 18 36C27.9411 36 36 27.9411 36 18ZM23.7524 16.9806C23.8587 17.0263 23.9638 17.074 24.0671 17.1235C25.5284 17.8245 26.597 18.8859 27.1575 20.1926C27.9387 22.0149 28.0101 24.9832 25.6397 27.3514C23.828 29.1615 21.6287 29.9784 18.5087 30H18.4946C14.9852 29.9757 12.2865 28.7948 10.4735 26.4901C8.86024 24.4393 8.02805 21.5855 8.00009 18.0084L8 18L8.00009 17.9916C8.02805 14.4145 8.86024 11.5608 10.4735 9.50991C12.2865 7.20522 14.9852 6.02431 18.4946 6H18.5087C22.0252 6.02439 24.7545 7.20084 26.6206 9.49675C27.5414 10.6295 28.218 11.9953 28.648 13.5803L26.6296 14.1188C26.2749 12.8311 25.7368 11.7267 25.023 10.8485C23.5674 9.05767 21.3735 8.13891 18.5016 8.11756C15.6505 8.13875 13.4942 9.05311 12.0923 10.8353C10.7794 12.5042 10.101 14.9147 10.0757 18C10.101 21.0853 10.7794 23.4958 12.0923 25.1646C13.4942 26.9469 15.6505 27.8612 18.5017 27.8824C21.072 27.8635 22.7728 27.252 24.1876 25.8385C25.8025 24.225 25.7724 22.2459 25.2559 21.0415C24.9521 20.333 24.4021 19.7436 23.66 19.2957C23.4792 20.6429 23.0699 21.712 22.4226 22.537C21.5704 23.6234 20.3487 24.2175 18.7915 24.3029C17.6124 24.3673 16.4778 24.0829 15.5969 23.5014C14.555 22.8135 13.9452 21.7605 13.8799 20.5365C13.7514 18.1235 15.6656 16.3869 18.6431 16.2154C19.7001 16.1548 20.6889 16.2026 21.6031 16.358C21.4818 15.6156 21.2366 15.0274 20.8701 14.6018C20.3665 14.0171 19.5884 13.7173 18.5572 13.7107L18.5286 13.7106C17.7006 13.7106 16.5765 13.9423 15.8601 15.0291L14.1378 13.8476C15.0966 12.3926 16.6546 11.593 18.5278 11.593L18.5702 11.5931C21.702 11.6131 23.5671 13.5673 23.7524 16.9806ZM15.9524 20.4215C16.0193 21.6761 17.3751 22.2619 18.6801 22.1884C19.9578 22.1182 21.408 21.6169 21.6553 18.5291C20.9924 18.3842 20.2633 18.3085 19.4839 18.3085C19.247 18.3085 19.0059 18.3154 18.7602 18.3296C16.6145 18.4533 15.9029 19.4913 15.9524 20.4215Z"></path>
</svg>
          </div>
        </a>
      </li>

      <li class="facebook">
        <a href="#" data-share-dialog-target="facebookLink" data-controller="popup-window" data-action="click->popup-window#open" data-popup-window-width-value="550" data-popup-window-height-value="357" target="_blank" rel="noopener">
          <div class="share_icon">
            <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 18 18" class="icon"><path fill-rule="evenodd" d="M9 0a9 9 0 110 18A9 9 0 019 0zm2.606 4H10.24c-1.575 0-2.17.77-2.215 2.076l-.002.166v1.034H7V9h1.023V14h2.046V9h1.365l.181-1.724H10.07l.003-.862c0-.417.036-.655.553-.687l.128-.003h.853V4z"></path></svg>
          </div>
        </a>
      </li>

      <li class="twitter">
        <a href="#" data-share-dialog-target="twitterLink" data-controller="popup-window" data-action="click->popup-window#open" data-popup-window-width-value="685" data-popup-window-height-value="246" target="_blank" rel="noopener">
          <div class="share_icon">
            <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 36 36" class="icon">
<path fill-rule="evenodd" d="M36 18C36 8.05887 27.9411 0 18 0C8.05887 0 0 8.05887 0 18C0 27.9411 8.05887 36 18 36C27.9411 36 36 27.9411 36 18ZM26.4163 9L19.7142 16.6226L27.0001 27H21.6396L16.7316 20.0104L10.5876 27H9L16.0278 19.0075L9 9H14.3604L19.0068 15.6173L24.8287 9H26.4163ZM13.5996 10.1714H11.1606L22.3878 25.8861H24.8275L13.5996 10.1714Z"></path>
</svg>
          </div>
        </a>
      </li>

      <li class="email">
        <a href="#" data-share-dialog-target="emailLink" target="_blank" rel="noopener">
          <div class="share_icon">
            <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 18 18" class="icon">
<path fill-rule="evenodd" clip-rule="evenodd" d="M18 9C18 4.02944 13.9706 0 9 0C4.02944 0 0 4.02944 0 9C0 13.9706 4.02944 18 9 18C13.9706 18 18 13.9706 18 9ZM4.02511 5.73566C4.00872 5.77691 4.00004 5.82153 4.00004 5.86854L4 12.1317C4 12.1897 4.0135 12.2449 4.03762 12.2938C4.04581 12.2775 4.05691 12.2621 4.07041 12.2482L7.39793 8.87439L4.0772 5.81961C4.05116 5.79611 4.0338 5.76684 4.02511 5.73566ZM4.34327 12.4991L4.34195 12.499L7.67 9.12427L8.60412 9.98343C8.86598 10.2242 9.26962 10.2228 9.52956 9.98007L10.4564 9.11563L13.768 12.4736C13.7251 12.4904 13.6783 12.5 13.6296 12.5H4.3704C4.3612 12.5 4.35243 12.4996 4.34327 12.4991ZM13.9971 12.1795L10.727 8.86376L13.9913 5.81857C13.9932 5.81713 13.9947 5.81569 13.9961 5.81425C13.9986 5.832 14 5.85023 14 5.86846V12.1315C14 12.1478 13.999 12.1637 13.9971 12.1795ZM13.7686 5.52686C13.7257 5.50959 13.6789 5.5 13.6297 5.5L4.37041 5.50006C4.33617 5.50006 4.30338 5.50486 4.27155 5.5135C4.29229 5.52117 4.31158 5.53316 4.32846 5.549L8.85585 9.71283C8.97448 9.8222 9.15822 9.82172 9.27637 9.71139L13.7382 5.54989C13.7479 5.54077 13.758 5.5331 13.7686 5.52686Z"></path>
</svg>
          </div>
        </a>
      </li>

    </ul>
    <div class="permalink" data-controller="clipboard">
      <p>Share link</p>
      <div class="control -has-addons">
        <input type="text" value="https://alexgrafmusic.com/blogs/guitar-tips/posts/7736853/chord-substitutions-and-walking-bass-lines-three-concepts-every-bluegrass-guitarist-should-know" data-clipboard-target="source" data-share-dialog-target="urlInput" data-action="click->share-dialog#selectUrl" readonly="true">
        <span class="control__suffix">
          <a class="button -simple -compact -icon-only" data-clipboard-target="button" data-action="clipboard#copy">
            <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 16 16" class="icon" width="16px" height="18px"><path d="M4.166.597c-.184 0-.369.15-.369.342v1.365c0 .191.185.341.369.341h9.189v9.216c0 .191.15.342.341.342h1.365c.191 0 .342-.15.342-.342V.94a.338.338 0 00-.342-.342H4.166zm7.44 3.798H.34A.338.338 0 000 4.736v10.923c0 .19.15.341.341.341h10.923c.191 0 .341-.15.341-.341V4.395z" fill-rule="evenodd"></path></svg>
          </a>
        </span>
      </div>
    </div>
  </dialog>
</div></li>
  </ul>

  <p class="post-info"></p>
</footer>


</article>  <article class="post blog-article full-item post-full" data-controller="zoogle-video" data-action="message@window-&gt;zoogle-video#handleVimeoPostMessage">
    
<h2 class="heading-secondary heading-blog alt-font">
  <a href="/alex-s-teaching-blog/blog/7736854/how-to-play-faster-on-guitar-the-unglamorous-answer-every-flatpicker-needs-to-hear">How to Play Faster on Guitar: The Unglamorous Answer Every Flatpicker Needs to Hear</a>&nbsp;
</h2>

<div class="post">
  <div class="message"><p>How do I play faster? It's the never-ending athletic question about flatpicking.</p><p>There are specifics worth knowing — pick angle, right hand technique, double escape vs. single escape, left hand efficiency, hammer-ons and pull-offs. But really, it comes down to one unglamorous answer: time spent practicing.</p><h3>The One-Tune Challenge</h3><p>Try this: spend the next week or two focusing on increasing the speed on just one fiddle tune you already know. Every day, spend 15 minutes with the metronome pushing your boundaries. Consistency is the key — every day.</p><p>Consistency equals an increase in speed.</p><h3>A Real Example</h3><p>Here's a firsthand example. Larry Sparks' "Slow Train" sits around 170 BPM — that's really pushing it. At first, brushing up on this tune, 170 BPM wasn't there. But with steady daily practice, what once felt like dragging along at that tempo started to feel comfortable.</p><p>That's the point. You don't get faster all at once. You get faster every day.</p><hr><p>Want structured help developing your bluegrass guitar vocabulary — phrasing, rhythm, fretboard navigation, and more? Alex's Acoustic Club is a membership community for serious flatpickers at every level. Join 325+ guitarists working on the same things you are.</p><p>Learn more: https://www.skool.com/alexs-acoustic-club-5005/about</p></div>
</div>


<footer class="meta blog-footer clearfix">
    <p class="post-info"><span data-time="2026-05-13T09:00:00-06:00" title="May 13, 2026 09:00">05/13/2026</span></p>

  <ul class="blog-actions pdf__hide">
    <li class="comment-count"><a title="Leave a comment" class="comment-link button button-secondary" href="/alex-s-teaching-blog/blog/how-to-play-faster-on-guitar-the-unglamorous-answer-every-flatpicker-needs-to-hear#comments">Leave a comment</a></li>
      <li><div data-controller="share-dialog" data-share-dialog-url-value="https://alexgrafmusic.com/blogs/guitar-tips/posts/7736854/how-to-play-faster-on-guitar-the-unglamorous-answer-every-flatpicker-needs-to-hear" data-share-dialog-title-value="How to Play Faster on Guitar: The Unglamorous Answer Every Flatpicker Needs to Hear" data-share-dialog-text-value="" data-share-dialog-fb-app-id-value="286076425227">
  <a class="button button-tertiary zoogle-share pdf__hide" title="Share How to Play Faster on Guitar: The Unglamorous Answer Every Flatpicker Needs to Hear" data-action="click-&gt;share-dialog#open" href="javascript:void(0)">
    <i class="icon-share"></i>Share
</a>
  <dialog data-share-dialog-target="dialog" data-action="click->share-dialog#clickOutside" class="dialog dialog-share style-section-style-1">
    <button class="dialog-close" data-action="click-&gt;share-dialog#close" aria-label="close">
      <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 11 11" class="icon" width="12px" height="12px"><path d="M6.755 5.502l3.836 3.97-1.438 1.39-3.81-3.942-3.926 3.942L0 9.452 3.953 5.48 0 1.39 1.438 0l3.927 4.064L9.41 0l1.417 1.411-4.073 4.091z" fill-rule="evenodd"></path></svg>
</button>    <div class="share_desc">
      <div>
        <span data-share-dialog-target="title">How to Play Faster on Guitar: The Unglamorous Answer Every Flatpicker Needs to Hear</span>
        <br>
        <span class="byline" data-share-dialog-target="byline">
        </span>
      </div>
    </div>

    <ul class="share_icons">
      <li class="threads">
        <a href="#" data-share-dialog-target="threadsLink" data-controller="popup-window" data-action="click->popup-window#open" data-popup-window-width-value="550" data-popup-window-height-value="357" target="_blank" rel="noopener">
          <div class="share_icon">
            <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 36 36" class="icon">
<path fill-rule="evenodd" d="M36 18C36 8.05887 27.9411 0 18 0C8.05887 0 0 8.05887 0 18C0 27.9411 8.05887 36 18 36C27.9411 36 36 27.9411 36 18ZM23.7524 16.9806C23.8587 17.0263 23.9638 17.074 24.0671 17.1235C25.5284 17.8245 26.597 18.8859 27.1575 20.1926C27.9387 22.0149 28.0101 24.9832 25.6397 27.3514C23.828 29.1615 21.6287 29.9784 18.5087 30H18.4946C14.9852 29.9757 12.2865 28.7948 10.4735 26.4901C8.86024 24.4393 8.02805 21.5855 8.00009 18.0084L8 18L8.00009 17.9916C8.02805 14.4145 8.86024 11.5608 10.4735 9.50991C12.2865 7.20522 14.9852 6.02431 18.4946 6H18.5087C22.0252 6.02439 24.7545 7.20084 26.6206 9.49675C27.5414 10.6295 28.218 11.9953 28.648 13.5803L26.6296 14.1188C26.2749 12.8311 25.7368 11.7267 25.023 10.8485C23.5674 9.05767 21.3735 8.13891 18.5016 8.11756C15.6505 8.13875 13.4942 9.05311 12.0923 10.8353C10.7794 12.5042 10.101 14.9147 10.0757 18C10.101 21.0853 10.7794 23.4958 12.0923 25.1646C13.4942 26.9469 15.6505 27.8612 18.5017 27.8824C21.072 27.8635 22.7728 27.252 24.1876 25.8385C25.8025 24.225 25.7724 22.2459 25.2559 21.0415C24.9521 20.333 24.4021 19.7436 23.66 19.2957C23.4792 20.6429 23.0699 21.712 22.4226 22.537C21.5704 23.6234 20.3487 24.2175 18.7915 24.3029C17.6124 24.3673 16.4778 24.0829 15.5969 23.5014C14.555 22.8135 13.9452 21.7605 13.8799 20.5365C13.7514 18.1235 15.6656 16.3869 18.6431 16.2154C19.7001 16.1548 20.6889 16.2026 21.6031 16.358C21.4818 15.6156 21.2366 15.0274 20.8701 14.6018C20.3665 14.0171 19.5884 13.7173 18.5572 13.7107L18.5286 13.7106C17.7006 13.7106 16.5765 13.9423 15.8601 15.0291L14.1378 13.8476C15.0966 12.3926 16.6546 11.593 18.5278 11.593L18.5702 11.5931C21.702 11.6131 23.5671 13.5673 23.7524 16.9806ZM15.9524 20.4215C16.0193 21.6761 17.3751 22.2619 18.6801 22.1884C19.9578 22.1182 21.408 21.6169 21.6553 18.5291C20.9924 18.3842 20.2633 18.3085 19.4839 18.3085C19.247 18.3085 19.0059 18.3154 18.7602 18.3296C16.6145 18.4533 15.9029 19.4913 15.9524 20.4215Z"></path>
</svg>
          </div>
        </a>
      </li>

      <li class="facebook">
        <a href="#" data-share-dialog-target="facebookLink" data-controller="popup-window" data-action="click->popup-window#open" data-popup-window-width-value="550" data-popup-window-height-value="357" target="_blank" rel="noopener">
          <div class="share_icon">
            <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 18 18" class="icon"><path fill-rule="evenodd" d="M9 0a9 9 0 110 18A9 9 0 019 0zm2.606 4H10.24c-1.575 0-2.17.77-2.215 2.076l-.002.166v1.034H7V9h1.023V14h2.046V9h1.365l.181-1.724H10.07l.003-.862c0-.417.036-.655.553-.687l.128-.003h.853V4z"></path></svg>
          </div>
        </a>
      </li>

      <li class="twitter">
        <a href="#" data-share-dialog-target="twitterLink" data-controller="popup-window" data-action="click->popup-window#open" data-popup-window-width-value="685" data-popup-window-height-value="246" target="_blank" rel="noopener">
          <div class="share_icon">
            <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 36 36" class="icon">
<path fill-rule="evenodd" d="M36 18C36 8.05887 27.9411 0 18 0C8.05887 0 0 8.05887 0 18C0 27.9411 8.05887 36 18 36C27.9411 36 36 27.9411 36 18ZM26.4163 9L19.7142 16.6226L27.0001 27H21.6396L16.7316 20.0104L10.5876 27H9L16.0278 19.0075L9 9H14.3604L19.0068 15.6173L24.8287 9H26.4163ZM13.5996 10.1714H11.1606L22.3878 25.8861H24.8275L13.5996 10.1714Z"></path>
</svg>
          </div>
        </a>
      </li>

      <li class="email">
        <a href="#" data-share-dialog-target="emailLink" target="_blank" rel="noopener">
          <div class="share_icon">
            <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 18 18" class="icon">
<path fill-rule="evenodd" clip-rule="evenodd" d="M18 9C18 4.02944 13.9706 0 9 0C4.02944 0 0 4.02944 0 9C0 13.9706 4.02944 18 9 18C13.9706 18 18 13.9706 18 9ZM4.02511 5.73566C4.00872 5.77691 4.00004 5.82153 4.00004 5.86854L4 12.1317C4 12.1897 4.0135 12.2449 4.03762 12.2938C4.04581 12.2775 4.05691 12.2621 4.07041 12.2482L7.39793 8.87439L4.0772 5.81961C4.05116 5.79611 4.0338 5.76684 4.02511 5.73566ZM4.34327 12.4991L4.34195 12.499L7.67 9.12427L8.60412 9.98343C8.86598 10.2242 9.26962 10.2228 9.52956 9.98007L10.4564 9.11563L13.768 12.4736C13.7251 12.4904 13.6783 12.5 13.6296 12.5H4.3704C4.3612 12.5 4.35243 12.4996 4.34327 12.4991ZM13.9971 12.1795L10.727 8.86376L13.9913 5.81857C13.9932 5.81713 13.9947 5.81569 13.9961 5.81425C13.9986 5.832 14 5.85023 14 5.86846V12.1315C14 12.1478 13.999 12.1637 13.9971 12.1795ZM13.7686 5.52686C13.7257 5.50959 13.6789 5.5 13.6297 5.5L4.37041 5.50006C4.33617 5.50006 4.30338 5.50486 4.27155 5.5135C4.29229 5.52117 4.31158 5.53316 4.32846 5.549L8.85585 9.71283C8.97448 9.8222 9.15822 9.82172 9.27637 9.71139L13.7382 5.54989C13.7479 5.54077 13.758 5.5331 13.7686 5.52686Z"></path>
</svg>
          </div>
        </a>
      </li>

    </ul>
    <div class="permalink" data-controller="clipboard">
      <p>Share link</p>
      <div class="control -has-addons">
        <input type="text" value="https://alexgrafmusic.com/blogs/guitar-tips/posts/7736854/how-to-play-faster-on-guitar-the-unglamorous-answer-every-flatpicker-needs-to-hear" data-clipboard-target="source" data-share-dialog-target="urlInput" data-action="click->share-dialog#selectUrl" readonly="true">
        <span class="control__suffix">
          <a class="button -simple -compact -icon-only" data-clipboard-target="button" data-action="clipboard#copy">
            <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 16 16" class="icon" width="16px" height="18px"><path d="M4.166.597c-.184 0-.369.15-.369.342v1.365c0 .191.185.341.369.341h9.189v9.216c0 .191.15.342.341.342h1.365c.191 0 .342-.15.342-.342V.94a.338.338 0 00-.342-.342H4.166zm7.44 3.798H.34A.338.338 0 000 4.736v10.923c0 .19.15.341.341.341h10.923c.191 0 .341-.15.341-.341V4.395z" fill-rule="evenodd"></path></svg>
          </a>
        </span>
      </div>
    </div>
  </dialog>
</div></li>
  </ul>

  <p class="post-info">in <a href="/guitar-tips/blog/blog_categories/72728">Bluegrass Guitar</a></p>
</footer>


</article>  <article class="post blog-article full-item post-full" data-controller="zoogle-video" data-action="message@window-&gt;zoogle-video#handleVimeoPostMessage">
    
<h2 class="heading-secondary heading-blog alt-font">
  <a href="/alex-s-teaching-blog/blog/7736852/how-to-improvise-on-bluegrass-guitar-10-categories-for-approaching-a-solo">How to Improvise on Bluegrass Guitar: 10 Categories for Approaching a Solo</a>&nbsp;
</h2>

<div class="post">
  <div class="message"><div><div class="standard-markdown grid-cols-1 grid [&amp;_&gt;_*]:min-w-0 gap-3"><p>Learning to improvise is a really complex subject, and the truth is: there is no one way to go about it. But having a framework — a set of categories to draw from — can help you remember what you have available and give your practice more direction.</p></div></div><div><div class="standard-markdown grid-cols-1 grid [&amp;_&gt;_*]:min-w-0 gap-3">
<p>Here are the general categories for approaching a solo in a bluegrass setting. You can practice sticking to one category at a time, or mix and match.</p>
<p> </p>
</div></div><div><div class="standard-markdown grid-cols-1 grid [&amp;_&gt;_*]:min-w-0 gap-3">
<h3>10 Approaches to Improvising in Bluegrass</h3>
<p> </p>
</div></div><div><div class="standard-markdown grid-cols-1 grid [&amp;_&gt;_*]:min-w-0 gap-3"><p><strong>1. Quoting the Melody</strong> Start with the song itself. Quoting the melody is one of the most direct and musical ways to open a solo.</p></div></div><div><div class="standard-markdown grid-cols-1 grid [&amp;_&gt;_*]:min-w-0 gap-3"><p><strong>2. Variations on the Melody</strong> Take the melody and alter it — through rhythmic variation, different note choices, or both.</p></div></div><div><div class="standard-markdown grid-cols-1 grid [&amp;_&gt;_*]:min-w-0 gap-3"><p><strong>3. Bluegrass Language / Vocabulary / Licks</strong> The idiomatic phrases and licks that define the bluegrass sound. Building this vocabulary through listening and transcription is essential.</p></div></div><div><div class="standard-markdown grid-cols-1 grid [&amp;_&gt;_*]:min-w-0 gap-3"><p><strong>4. Making the Changes</strong> Landing lines and phrases on the corresponding chord tones of the respective chord as it goes by — following the harmony closely.</p></div></div><div><div class="standard-markdown grid-cols-1 grid [&amp;_&gt;_*]:min-w-0 gap-3"><p><strong>5. Zones on the Fretboard</strong> Working with shapes, patterns, and the associated licks and ideas you know in a given area of the neck.</p></div></div><div><div class="standard-markdown grid-cols-1 grid [&amp;_&gt;_*]:min-w-0 gap-3"><p><strong>6. Modal Thinking Across the Fretboard</strong> Taking one sound, flavor, or scale and staying there without worrying about making the changes. For example: G major up and down the neck, or superimposing a Lydian Dominant sound (major scale with a sharp 4 and flat 7).</p></div></div><div><div class="standard-markdown grid-cols-1 grid [&amp;_&gt;_*]:min-w-0 gap-3"><p><strong>7. V Chord Tension</strong> This is where the "weird" stuff can go — altered scale, whole tone, diminished — used over the V chord to create and release tension.</p></div></div><div><div class="standard-markdown grid-cols-1 grid [&amp;_&gt;_*]:min-w-0 gap-3"><p><strong>8. Bebop Language</strong> Vocabulary transcribed from bebop players and applied in a bluegrass context.</p></div></div><div><div class="standard-markdown grid-cols-1 grid [&amp;_&gt;_*]:min-w-0 gap-3"><p><strong>9. Outside Playing While Maintaining Bluegrass 8th Note Flow</strong> Playing "outside" harmonically while keeping the idiomatic rhythmic feel of bluegrass intact.</p></div></div><div><div class="standard-markdown grid-cols-1 grid [&amp;_&gt;_*]:min-w-0 gap-3">
<p><strong>10. Your Own Licks and Tendencies</strong> The phrases and ideas you've developed yourself over the years. These are worth identifying and cultivating deliberately.</p>
<p> </p>
</div></div><div><div class="standard-markdown grid-cols-1 grid [&amp;_&gt;_*]:min-w-0 gap-3"><h3>How to Use These Categories</h3></div></div><div><div class="standard-markdown grid-cols-1 grid [&amp;_&gt;_*]:min-w-0 gap-3"><p>These categories are useful because they help you remember what you have available. Practice sticking to one at a time, or experiment with mixing and matching.</p></div></div><div><div class="standard-markdown grid-cols-1 grid [&amp;_&gt;_*]:min-w-0 gap-3"><p>Then, when actually improvising, rely on the practice — and try to let everything go and see what comes out.</p></div></div><div><hr></div><div><div class="standard-markdown grid-cols-1 grid [&amp;_&gt;_*]:min-w-0 gap-3">
<p>Want structured help developing your bluegrass guitar vocabulary — phrasing, rhythm, fretboard navigation, and more? Alex's Acoustic Club is a membership community for serious flatpickers at every level. Join 325+ guitarists working on the same things you are.</p>
<p>Learn more here: https://www.skool.com/alexs-acoustic-club-5005/about</p>
</div></div></div>
</div>


<footer class="meta blog-footer clearfix">
    <p class="post-info"><span data-time="2026-05-06T09:00:00-06:00" title="May 06, 2026 09:00">05/06/2026</span></p>

  <ul class="blog-actions pdf__hide">
    <li class="comment-count"><a title="Leave a comment" class="comment-link button button-secondary" href="/alex-s-teaching-blog/blog/how-to-improvise-on-bluegrass-guitar-10-categories-for-approaching-a-solo#comments">Leave a comment</a></li>
      <li><div data-controller="share-dialog" data-share-dialog-url-value="https://alexgrafmusic.com/blogs/guitar-tips/posts/7736852/how-to-improvise-on-bluegrass-guitar-10-categories-for-approaching-a-solo" data-share-dialog-title-value="How to Improvise on Bluegrass Guitar: 10 Categories for Approaching a Solo" data-share-dialog-text-value="" data-share-dialog-fb-app-id-value="286076425227">
  <a class="button button-tertiary zoogle-share pdf__hide" title="Share How to Improvise on Bluegrass Guitar: 10 Categories for Approaching a Solo" data-action="click-&gt;share-dialog#open" href="javascript:void(0)">
    <i class="icon-share"></i>Share
</a>
  <dialog data-share-dialog-target="dialog" data-action="click->share-dialog#clickOutside" class="dialog dialog-share style-section-style-1">
    <button class="dialog-close" data-action="click-&gt;share-dialog#close" aria-label="close">
      <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 11 11" class="icon" width="12px" height="12px"><path d="M6.755 5.502l3.836 3.97-1.438 1.39-3.81-3.942-3.926 3.942L0 9.452 3.953 5.48 0 1.39 1.438 0l3.927 4.064L9.41 0l1.417 1.411-4.073 4.091z" fill-rule="evenodd"></path></svg>
</button>    <div class="share_desc">
      <div>
        <span data-share-dialog-target="title">How to Improvise on Bluegrass Guitar: 10 Categories for Approaching a Solo</span>
        <br>
        <span class="byline" data-share-dialog-target="byline">
        </span>
      </div>
    </div>

    <ul class="share_icons">
      <li class="threads">
        <a href="#" data-share-dialog-target="threadsLink" data-controller="popup-window" data-action="click->popup-window#open" data-popup-window-width-value="550" data-popup-window-height-value="357" target="_blank" rel="noopener">
          <div class="share_icon">
            <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 36 36" class="icon">
<path fill-rule="evenodd" d="M36 18C36 8.05887 27.9411 0 18 0C8.05887 0 0 8.05887 0 18C0 27.9411 8.05887 36 18 36C27.9411 36 36 27.9411 36 18ZM23.7524 16.9806C23.8587 17.0263 23.9638 17.074 24.0671 17.1235C25.5284 17.8245 26.597 18.8859 27.1575 20.1926C27.9387 22.0149 28.0101 24.9832 25.6397 27.3514C23.828 29.1615 21.6287 29.9784 18.5087 30H18.4946C14.9852 29.9757 12.2865 28.7948 10.4735 26.4901C8.86024 24.4393 8.02805 21.5855 8.00009 18.0084L8 18L8.00009 17.9916C8.02805 14.4145 8.86024 11.5608 10.4735 9.50991C12.2865 7.20522 14.9852 6.02431 18.4946 6H18.5087C22.0252 6.02439 24.7545 7.20084 26.6206 9.49675C27.5414 10.6295 28.218 11.9953 28.648 13.5803L26.6296 14.1188C26.2749 12.8311 25.7368 11.7267 25.023 10.8485C23.5674 9.05767 21.3735 8.13891 18.5016 8.11756C15.6505 8.13875 13.4942 9.05311 12.0923 10.8353C10.7794 12.5042 10.101 14.9147 10.0757 18C10.101 21.0853 10.7794 23.4958 12.0923 25.1646C13.4942 26.9469 15.6505 27.8612 18.5017 27.8824C21.072 27.8635 22.7728 27.252 24.1876 25.8385C25.8025 24.225 25.7724 22.2459 25.2559 21.0415C24.9521 20.333 24.4021 19.7436 23.66 19.2957C23.4792 20.6429 23.0699 21.712 22.4226 22.537C21.5704 23.6234 20.3487 24.2175 18.7915 24.3029C17.6124 24.3673 16.4778 24.0829 15.5969 23.5014C14.555 22.8135 13.9452 21.7605 13.8799 20.5365C13.7514 18.1235 15.6656 16.3869 18.6431 16.2154C19.7001 16.1548 20.6889 16.2026 21.6031 16.358C21.4818 15.6156 21.2366 15.0274 20.8701 14.6018C20.3665 14.0171 19.5884 13.7173 18.5572 13.7107L18.5286 13.7106C17.7006 13.7106 16.5765 13.9423 15.8601 15.0291L14.1378 13.8476C15.0966 12.3926 16.6546 11.593 18.5278 11.593L18.5702 11.5931C21.702 11.6131 23.5671 13.5673 23.7524 16.9806ZM15.9524 20.4215C16.0193 21.6761 17.3751 22.2619 18.6801 22.1884C19.9578 22.1182 21.408 21.6169 21.6553 18.5291C20.9924 18.3842 20.2633 18.3085 19.4839 18.3085C19.247 18.3085 19.0059 18.3154 18.7602 18.3296C16.6145 18.4533 15.9029 19.4913 15.9524 20.4215Z"></path>
</svg>
          </div>
        </a>
      </li>

      <li class="facebook">
        <a href="#" data-share-dialog-target="facebookLink" data-controller="popup-window" data-action="click->popup-window#open" data-popup-window-width-value="550" data-popup-window-height-value="357" target="_blank" rel="noopener">
          <div class="share_icon">
            <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 18 18" class="icon"><path fill-rule="evenodd" d="M9 0a9 9 0 110 18A9 9 0 019 0zm2.606 4H10.24c-1.575 0-2.17.77-2.215 2.076l-.002.166v1.034H7V9h1.023V14h2.046V9h1.365l.181-1.724H10.07l.003-.862c0-.417.036-.655.553-.687l.128-.003h.853V4z"></path></svg>
          </div>
        </a>
      </li>

      <li class="twitter">
        <a href="#" data-share-dialog-target="twitterLink" data-controller="popup-window" data-action="click->popup-window#open" data-popup-window-width-value="685" data-popup-window-height-value="246" target="_blank" rel="noopener">
          <div class="share_icon">
            <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 36 36" class="icon">
<path fill-rule="evenodd" d="M36 18C36 8.05887 27.9411 0 18 0C8.05887 0 0 8.05887 0 18C0 27.9411 8.05887 36 18 36C27.9411 36 36 27.9411 36 18ZM26.4163 9L19.7142 16.6226L27.0001 27H21.6396L16.7316 20.0104L10.5876 27H9L16.0278 19.0075L9 9H14.3604L19.0068 15.6173L24.8287 9H26.4163ZM13.5996 10.1714H11.1606L22.3878 25.8861H24.8275L13.5996 10.1714Z"></path>
</svg>
          </div>
        </a>
      </li>

      <li class="email">
        <a href="#" data-share-dialog-target="emailLink" target="_blank" rel="noopener">
          <div class="share_icon">
            <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 18 18" class="icon">
<path fill-rule="evenodd" clip-rule="evenodd" d="M18 9C18 4.02944 13.9706 0 9 0C4.02944 0 0 4.02944 0 9C0 13.9706 4.02944 18 9 18C13.9706 18 18 13.9706 18 9ZM4.02511 5.73566C4.00872 5.77691 4.00004 5.82153 4.00004 5.86854L4 12.1317C4 12.1897 4.0135 12.2449 4.03762 12.2938C4.04581 12.2775 4.05691 12.2621 4.07041 12.2482L7.39793 8.87439L4.0772 5.81961C4.05116 5.79611 4.0338 5.76684 4.02511 5.73566ZM4.34327 12.4991L4.34195 12.499L7.67 9.12427L8.60412 9.98343C8.86598 10.2242 9.26962 10.2228 9.52956 9.98007L10.4564 9.11563L13.768 12.4736C13.7251 12.4904 13.6783 12.5 13.6296 12.5H4.3704C4.3612 12.5 4.35243 12.4996 4.34327 12.4991ZM13.9971 12.1795L10.727 8.86376L13.9913 5.81857C13.9932 5.81713 13.9947 5.81569 13.9961 5.81425C13.9986 5.832 14 5.85023 14 5.86846V12.1315C14 12.1478 13.999 12.1637 13.9971 12.1795ZM13.7686 5.52686C13.7257 5.50959 13.6789 5.5 13.6297 5.5L4.37041 5.50006C4.33617 5.50006 4.30338 5.50486 4.27155 5.5135C4.29229 5.52117 4.31158 5.53316 4.32846 5.549L8.85585 9.71283C8.97448 9.8222 9.15822 9.82172 9.27637 9.71139L13.7382 5.54989C13.7479 5.54077 13.758 5.5331 13.7686 5.52686Z"></path>
</svg>
          </div>
        </a>
      </li>

    </ul>
    <div class="permalink" data-controller="clipboard">
      <p>Share link</p>
      <div class="control -has-addons">
        <input type="text" value="https://alexgrafmusic.com/blogs/guitar-tips/posts/7736852/how-to-improvise-on-bluegrass-guitar-10-categories-for-approaching-a-solo" data-clipboard-target="source" data-share-dialog-target="urlInput" data-action="click->share-dialog#selectUrl" readonly="true">
        <span class="control__suffix">
          <a class="button -simple -compact -icon-only" data-clipboard-target="button" data-action="clipboard#copy">
            <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 16 16" class="icon" width="16px" height="18px"><path d="M4.166.597c-.184 0-.369.15-.369.342v1.365c0 .191.185.341.369.341h9.189v9.216c0 .191.15.342.341.342h1.365c.191 0 .342-.15.342-.342V.94a.338.338 0 00-.342-.342H4.166zm7.44 3.798H.34A.338.338 0 000 4.736v10.923c0 .19.15.341.341.341h10.923c.191 0 .341-.15.341-.341V4.395z" fill-rule="evenodd"></path></svg>
          </a>
        </span>
      </div>
    </div>
  </dialog>
</div></li>
  </ul>

  <p class="post-info">in <a href="/guitar-tips/blog/blog_categories/72728">Bluegrass Guitar</a></p>
</footer>


</article>  <article class="post blog-article full-item post-full" data-controller="zoogle-video" data-action="message@window-&gt;zoogle-video#handleVimeoPostMessage">
    
<h2 class="heading-secondary heading-blog alt-font">
  <a href="/alex-s-teaching-blog/blog/7736849/why-bluegrass-guitarists-need-to-go-back-to-basics-the-case-for-mastering-rhythm-fundamentals">Why Bluegrass Guitarists Need to Go Back to Basics: The Case for Mastering Rhythm Fundamentals</a>&nbsp;
</h2>

<div class="post">
  <div class="message"><p>So many top-tier musicians share one thing in common: they have spent a lot of time on the basics, the fundamentals. Focusing on the "simple stuff" is crucial — and it can be a secret weapon that allows you to leap to a higher level than you thought possible.</p><h3>The Hole in Your Playing</h3><p>If you're asking yourself why you should focus on the basics and foundations of bluegrass rhythm guitar, the answer is: to truly improve.</p><p>If you haven't honestly focused on the most essential components of bluegrass rhythm guitar, there will be a hole in your playing — something missing. Sure, you might have a Tony Rice G7sus chord that sounds really cool, but can you truly accompany your fellow musicians? Does your rhythm playing actually elevate the sound? Are you known for your rhythm playing and your ability to serve the song?</p><p>This all comes down to a healthy fixation on the fundamentals of rhythm guitar and a genuine interest in understanding how, at a simple level, we can truly be accompanists.</p><h3>Simple Can Be the Most Beautiful</h3><p>The best thing about focusing on basics in bluegrass rhythm: even the most simple accompaniment can be the most beautiful and grooving if it is polished and professional. Case in point: Del McCoury.</p><hr><p>Want structured help developing your bluegrass guitar vocabulary — phrasing, rhythm, fretboard navigation, and more? Alex's Acoustic Club is a membership community for serious flatpickers at every level. Join 325+ guitarists working on the same things you are.</p></div>
</div>


<footer class="meta blog-footer clearfix">
    <p class="post-info"><span data-time="2026-05-02T09:00:00-06:00" title="May 02, 2026 09:00">05/02/2026</span></p>

  <ul class="blog-actions pdf__hide">
    <li class="comment-count"><a title="Leave a comment" class="comment-link button button-secondary" href="/alex-s-teaching-blog/blog/why-bluegrass-guitarists-need-to-go-back-to-basics-the-case-for-mastering-rhythm-fundamentals#comments">Leave a comment</a></li>
      <li><div data-controller="share-dialog" data-share-dialog-url-value="https://alexgrafmusic.com/blogs/guitar-tips/posts/7736849/why-bluegrass-guitarists-need-to-go-back-to-basics-the-case-for-mastering-rhythm-fundamentals" data-share-dialog-title-value="Why Bluegrass Guitarists Need to Go Back to Basics: The Case for Mastering Rhythm Fundamentals" data-share-dialog-text-value="" data-share-dialog-fb-app-id-value="286076425227">
  <a class="button button-tertiary zoogle-share pdf__hide" title="Share Why Bluegrass Guitarists Need to Go Back to Basics: The Case for Mastering Rhythm Fundamentals" data-action="click-&gt;share-dialog#open" href="javascript:void(0)">
    <i class="icon-share"></i>Share
</a>
  <dialog data-share-dialog-target="dialog" data-action="click->share-dialog#clickOutside" class="dialog dialog-share style-section-style-1">
    <button class="dialog-close" data-action="click-&gt;share-dialog#close" aria-label="close">
      <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 11 11" class="icon" width="12px" height="12px"><path d="M6.755 5.502l3.836 3.97-1.438 1.39-3.81-3.942-3.926 3.942L0 9.452 3.953 5.48 0 1.39 1.438 0l3.927 4.064L9.41 0l1.417 1.411-4.073 4.091z" fill-rule="evenodd"></path></svg>
</button>    <div class="share_desc">
      <div>
        <span data-share-dialog-target="title">Why Bluegrass Guitarists Need to Go Back to Basics: The Case for Mastering Rhythm Fundamentals</span>
        <br>
        <span class="byline" data-share-dialog-target="byline">
        </span>
      </div>
    </div>

    <ul class="share_icons">
      <li class="threads">
        <a href="#" data-share-dialog-target="threadsLink" data-controller="popup-window" data-action="click->popup-window#open" data-popup-window-width-value="550" data-popup-window-height-value="357" target="_blank" rel="noopener">
          <div class="share_icon">
            <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 36 36" class="icon">
<path fill-rule="evenodd" d="M36 18C36 8.05887 27.9411 0 18 0C8.05887 0 0 8.05887 0 18C0 27.9411 8.05887 36 18 36C27.9411 36 36 27.9411 36 18ZM23.7524 16.9806C23.8587 17.0263 23.9638 17.074 24.0671 17.1235C25.5284 17.8245 26.597 18.8859 27.1575 20.1926C27.9387 22.0149 28.0101 24.9832 25.6397 27.3514C23.828 29.1615 21.6287 29.9784 18.5087 30H18.4946C14.9852 29.9757 12.2865 28.7948 10.4735 26.4901C8.86024 24.4393 8.02805 21.5855 8.00009 18.0084L8 18L8.00009 17.9916C8.02805 14.4145 8.86024 11.5608 10.4735 9.50991C12.2865 7.20522 14.9852 6.02431 18.4946 6H18.5087C22.0252 6.02439 24.7545 7.20084 26.6206 9.49675C27.5414 10.6295 28.218 11.9953 28.648 13.5803L26.6296 14.1188C26.2749 12.8311 25.7368 11.7267 25.023 10.8485C23.5674 9.05767 21.3735 8.13891 18.5016 8.11756C15.6505 8.13875 13.4942 9.05311 12.0923 10.8353C10.7794 12.5042 10.101 14.9147 10.0757 18C10.101 21.0853 10.7794 23.4958 12.0923 25.1646C13.4942 26.9469 15.6505 27.8612 18.5017 27.8824C21.072 27.8635 22.7728 27.252 24.1876 25.8385C25.8025 24.225 25.7724 22.2459 25.2559 21.0415C24.9521 20.333 24.4021 19.7436 23.66 19.2957C23.4792 20.6429 23.0699 21.712 22.4226 22.537C21.5704 23.6234 20.3487 24.2175 18.7915 24.3029C17.6124 24.3673 16.4778 24.0829 15.5969 23.5014C14.555 22.8135 13.9452 21.7605 13.8799 20.5365C13.7514 18.1235 15.6656 16.3869 18.6431 16.2154C19.7001 16.1548 20.6889 16.2026 21.6031 16.358C21.4818 15.6156 21.2366 15.0274 20.8701 14.6018C20.3665 14.0171 19.5884 13.7173 18.5572 13.7107L18.5286 13.7106C17.7006 13.7106 16.5765 13.9423 15.8601 15.0291L14.1378 13.8476C15.0966 12.3926 16.6546 11.593 18.5278 11.593L18.5702 11.5931C21.702 11.6131 23.5671 13.5673 23.7524 16.9806ZM15.9524 20.4215C16.0193 21.6761 17.3751 22.2619 18.6801 22.1884C19.9578 22.1182 21.408 21.6169 21.6553 18.5291C20.9924 18.3842 20.2633 18.3085 19.4839 18.3085C19.247 18.3085 19.0059 18.3154 18.7602 18.3296C16.6145 18.4533 15.9029 19.4913 15.9524 20.4215Z"></path>
</svg>
          </div>
        </a>
      </li>

      <li class="facebook">
        <a href="#" data-share-dialog-target="facebookLink" data-controller="popup-window" data-action="click->popup-window#open" data-popup-window-width-value="550" data-popup-window-height-value="357" target="_blank" rel="noopener">
          <div class="share_icon">
            <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 18 18" class="icon"><path fill-rule="evenodd" d="M9 0a9 9 0 110 18A9 9 0 019 0zm2.606 4H10.24c-1.575 0-2.17.77-2.215 2.076l-.002.166v1.034H7V9h1.023V14h2.046V9h1.365l.181-1.724H10.07l.003-.862c0-.417.036-.655.553-.687l.128-.003h.853V4z"></path></svg>
          </div>
        </a>
      </li>

      <li class="twitter">
        <a href="#" data-share-dialog-target="twitterLink" data-controller="popup-window" data-action="click->popup-window#open" data-popup-window-width-value="685" data-popup-window-height-value="246" target="_blank" rel="noopener">
          <div class="share_icon">
            <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 36 36" class="icon">
<path fill-rule="evenodd" d="M36 18C36 8.05887 27.9411 0 18 0C8.05887 0 0 8.05887 0 18C0 27.9411 8.05887 36 18 36C27.9411 36 36 27.9411 36 18ZM26.4163 9L19.7142 16.6226L27.0001 27H21.6396L16.7316 20.0104L10.5876 27H9L16.0278 19.0075L9 9H14.3604L19.0068 15.6173L24.8287 9H26.4163ZM13.5996 10.1714H11.1606L22.3878 25.8861H24.8275L13.5996 10.1714Z"></path>
</svg>
          </div>
        </a>
      </li>

      <li class="email">
        <a href="#" data-share-dialog-target="emailLink" target="_blank" rel="noopener">
          <div class="share_icon">
            <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 18 18" class="icon">
<path fill-rule="evenodd" clip-rule="evenodd" d="M18 9C18 4.02944 13.9706 0 9 0C4.02944 0 0 4.02944 0 9C0 13.9706 4.02944 18 9 18C13.9706 18 18 13.9706 18 9ZM4.02511 5.73566C4.00872 5.77691 4.00004 5.82153 4.00004 5.86854L4 12.1317C4 12.1897 4.0135 12.2449 4.03762 12.2938C4.04581 12.2775 4.05691 12.2621 4.07041 12.2482L7.39793 8.87439L4.0772 5.81961C4.05116 5.79611 4.0338 5.76684 4.02511 5.73566ZM4.34327 12.4991L4.34195 12.499L7.67 9.12427L8.60412 9.98343C8.86598 10.2242 9.26962 10.2228 9.52956 9.98007L10.4564 9.11563L13.768 12.4736C13.7251 12.4904 13.6783 12.5 13.6296 12.5H4.3704C4.3612 12.5 4.35243 12.4996 4.34327 12.4991ZM13.9971 12.1795L10.727 8.86376L13.9913 5.81857C13.9932 5.81713 13.9947 5.81569 13.9961 5.81425C13.9986 5.832 14 5.85023 14 5.86846V12.1315C14 12.1478 13.999 12.1637 13.9971 12.1795ZM13.7686 5.52686C13.7257 5.50959 13.6789 5.5 13.6297 5.5L4.37041 5.50006C4.33617 5.50006 4.30338 5.50486 4.27155 5.5135C4.29229 5.52117 4.31158 5.53316 4.32846 5.549L8.85585 9.71283C8.97448 9.8222 9.15822 9.82172 9.27637 9.71139L13.7382 5.54989C13.7479 5.54077 13.758 5.5331 13.7686 5.52686Z"></path>
</svg>
          </div>
        </a>
      </li>

    </ul>
    <div class="permalink" data-controller="clipboard">
      <p>Share link</p>
      <div class="control -has-addons">
        <input type="text" value="https://alexgrafmusic.com/blogs/guitar-tips/posts/7736849/why-bluegrass-guitarists-need-to-go-back-to-basics-the-case-for-mastering-rhythm-fundamentals" data-clipboard-target="source" data-share-dialog-target="urlInput" data-action="click->share-dialog#selectUrl" readonly="true">
        <span class="control__suffix">
          <a class="button -simple -compact -icon-only" data-clipboard-target="button" data-action="clipboard#copy">
            <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 16 16" class="icon" width="16px" height="18px"><path d="M4.166.597c-.184 0-.369.15-.369.342v1.365c0 .191.185.341.369.341h9.189v9.216c0 .191.15.342.341.342h1.365c.191 0 .342-.15.342-.342V.94a.338.338 0 00-.342-.342H4.166zm7.44 3.798H.34A.338.338 0 000 4.736v10.923c0 .19.15.341.341.341h10.923c.191 0 .341-.15.341-.341V4.395z" fill-rule="evenodd"></path></svg>
          </a>
        </span>
      </div>
    </div>
  </dialog>
</div></li>
  </ul>

  <p class="post-info">in <a href="/guitar-tips/blog/blog_categories/72728">Bluegrass Guitar</a></p>
</footer>


</article>  <article class="post blog-article full-item post-full" data-controller="zoogle-video" data-action="message@window-&gt;zoogle-video#handleVimeoPostMessage">
    
<h2 class="heading-secondary heading-blog alt-font">
  <a href="/alex-s-teaching-blog/blog/7736848/how-to-practice-rhythm-guitar-methods-that-actually-translate-to-improvement">How to Practice Rhythm Guitar: Methods That Actually Translate to Improvement</a>&nbsp;
</h2>

<div class="post">
  <div class="message"><p>Do you even need to practice rhythm guitar? The answer, for almost everyone, is yes — but knowing you should practice rhythm guitar is a whole different thing from knowing how to practice it.</p><p>So the real question is: how do <i>you</i> practice rhythm guitar?</p><p>If you don't have a good answer for that, it's a good indication that you should give some thought to it. Brainstorm some ideas, some methods for practice that will actually translate to improvement.</p><h3>Some Ways to Practice Rhythm Guitar</h3><p>A few approaches that work well:</p><ul>
<li>Playing rhythm along to a metronome</li>
<li>Playing along to backing tracks — mandolin and bass backing tracks in particular</li>
<li>Playing along to <i>The Bluegrass Album Band</i> records</li>
</ul><h3>The Voice Memo Assessment</h3><p>One of the most useful techniques for getting a good assessment of what actually needs work: take a voice memo recording of a practice session.</p><p>It's hard to listen back, and it requires the ability to self-critique from a place of honesty in pursuit of improvement — not a place of self-hatred, not as a way to convince yourself you're not good enough. Improvement requires this honesty and the ability to accept failure as a necessary hurdle to take things to the next level.</p><hr><p>Want structured help developing your bluegrass guitar vocabulary — phrasing, rhythm, fretboard navigation, and more? Alex's Acoustic Club is a membership community for serious flatpickers at every level. Join 325+ guitarists working on the same things you are.</p></div>
</div>


<footer class="meta blog-footer clearfix">
    <p class="post-info"><span data-time="2026-04-18T09:25:00-06:00" title="April 18, 2026 09:25">04/18/2026</span></p>

  <ul class="blog-actions pdf__hide">
    <li class="comment-count"><a title="Leave a comment" class="comment-link button button-secondary" href="/alex-s-teaching-blog/blog/how-to-practice-rhythm-guitar-methods-that-actually-translate-to-improvement#comments">Leave a comment</a></li>
      <li><div data-controller="share-dialog" data-share-dialog-url-value="https://alexgrafmusic.com/blogs/guitar-tips/posts/7736848/how-to-practice-rhythm-guitar-methods-that-actually-translate-to-improvement" data-share-dialog-title-value="How to Practice Rhythm Guitar: Methods That Actually Translate to Improvement" data-share-dialog-text-value="" data-share-dialog-fb-app-id-value="286076425227">
  <a class="button button-tertiary zoogle-share pdf__hide" title="Share How to Practice Rhythm Guitar: Methods That Actually Translate to Improvement" data-action="click-&gt;share-dialog#open" href="javascript:void(0)">
    <i class="icon-share"></i>Share
</a>
  <dialog data-share-dialog-target="dialog" data-action="click->share-dialog#clickOutside" class="dialog dialog-share style-section-style-1">
    <button class="dialog-close" data-action="click-&gt;share-dialog#close" aria-label="close">
      <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 11 11" class="icon" width="12px" height="12px"><path d="M6.755 5.502l3.836 3.97-1.438 1.39-3.81-3.942-3.926 3.942L0 9.452 3.953 5.48 0 1.39 1.438 0l3.927 4.064L9.41 0l1.417 1.411-4.073 4.091z" fill-rule="evenodd"></path></svg>
</button>    <div class="share_desc">
      <div>
        <span data-share-dialog-target="title">How to Practice Rhythm Guitar: Methods That Actually Translate to Improvement</span>
        <br>
        <span class="byline" data-share-dialog-target="byline">
        </span>
      </div>
    </div>

    <ul class="share_icons">
      <li class="threads">
        <a href="#" data-share-dialog-target="threadsLink" data-controller="popup-window" data-action="click->popup-window#open" data-popup-window-width-value="550" data-popup-window-height-value="357" target="_blank" rel="noopener">
          <div class="share_icon">
            <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 36 36" class="icon">
<path fill-rule="evenodd" d="M36 18C36 8.05887 27.9411 0 18 0C8.05887 0 0 8.05887 0 18C0 27.9411 8.05887 36 18 36C27.9411 36 36 27.9411 36 18ZM23.7524 16.9806C23.8587 17.0263 23.9638 17.074 24.0671 17.1235C25.5284 17.8245 26.597 18.8859 27.1575 20.1926C27.9387 22.0149 28.0101 24.9832 25.6397 27.3514C23.828 29.1615 21.6287 29.9784 18.5087 30H18.4946C14.9852 29.9757 12.2865 28.7948 10.4735 26.4901C8.86024 24.4393 8.02805 21.5855 8.00009 18.0084L8 18L8.00009 17.9916C8.02805 14.4145 8.86024 11.5608 10.4735 9.50991C12.2865 7.20522 14.9852 6.02431 18.4946 6H18.5087C22.0252 6.02439 24.7545 7.20084 26.6206 9.49675C27.5414 10.6295 28.218 11.9953 28.648 13.5803L26.6296 14.1188C26.2749 12.8311 25.7368 11.7267 25.023 10.8485C23.5674 9.05767 21.3735 8.13891 18.5016 8.11756C15.6505 8.13875 13.4942 9.05311 12.0923 10.8353C10.7794 12.5042 10.101 14.9147 10.0757 18C10.101 21.0853 10.7794 23.4958 12.0923 25.1646C13.4942 26.9469 15.6505 27.8612 18.5017 27.8824C21.072 27.8635 22.7728 27.252 24.1876 25.8385C25.8025 24.225 25.7724 22.2459 25.2559 21.0415C24.9521 20.333 24.4021 19.7436 23.66 19.2957C23.4792 20.6429 23.0699 21.712 22.4226 22.537C21.5704 23.6234 20.3487 24.2175 18.7915 24.3029C17.6124 24.3673 16.4778 24.0829 15.5969 23.5014C14.555 22.8135 13.9452 21.7605 13.8799 20.5365C13.7514 18.1235 15.6656 16.3869 18.6431 16.2154C19.7001 16.1548 20.6889 16.2026 21.6031 16.358C21.4818 15.6156 21.2366 15.0274 20.8701 14.6018C20.3665 14.0171 19.5884 13.7173 18.5572 13.7107L18.5286 13.7106C17.7006 13.7106 16.5765 13.9423 15.8601 15.0291L14.1378 13.8476C15.0966 12.3926 16.6546 11.593 18.5278 11.593L18.5702 11.5931C21.702 11.6131 23.5671 13.5673 23.7524 16.9806ZM15.9524 20.4215C16.0193 21.6761 17.3751 22.2619 18.6801 22.1884C19.9578 22.1182 21.408 21.6169 21.6553 18.5291C20.9924 18.3842 20.2633 18.3085 19.4839 18.3085C19.247 18.3085 19.0059 18.3154 18.7602 18.3296C16.6145 18.4533 15.9029 19.4913 15.9524 20.4215Z"></path>
</svg>
          </div>
        </a>
      </li>

      <li class="facebook">
        <a href="#" data-share-dialog-target="facebookLink" data-controller="popup-window" data-action="click->popup-window#open" data-popup-window-width-value="550" data-popup-window-height-value="357" target="_blank" rel="noopener">
          <div class="share_icon">
            <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 18 18" class="icon"><path fill-rule="evenodd" d="M9 0a9 9 0 110 18A9 9 0 019 0zm2.606 4H10.24c-1.575 0-2.17.77-2.215 2.076l-.002.166v1.034H7V9h1.023V14h2.046V9h1.365l.181-1.724H10.07l.003-.862c0-.417.036-.655.553-.687l.128-.003h.853V4z"></path></svg>
          </div>
        </a>
      </li>

      <li class="twitter">
        <a href="#" data-share-dialog-target="twitterLink" data-controller="popup-window" data-action="click->popup-window#open" data-popup-window-width-value="685" data-popup-window-height-value="246" target="_blank" rel="noopener">
          <div class="share_icon">
            <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 36 36" class="icon">
<path fill-rule="evenodd" d="M36 18C36 8.05887 27.9411 0 18 0C8.05887 0 0 8.05887 0 18C0 27.9411 8.05887 36 18 36C27.9411 36 36 27.9411 36 18ZM26.4163 9L19.7142 16.6226L27.0001 27H21.6396L16.7316 20.0104L10.5876 27H9L16.0278 19.0075L9 9H14.3604L19.0068 15.6173L24.8287 9H26.4163ZM13.5996 10.1714H11.1606L22.3878 25.8861H24.8275L13.5996 10.1714Z"></path>
</svg>
          </div>
        </a>
      </li>

      <li class="email">
        <a href="#" data-share-dialog-target="emailLink" target="_blank" rel="noopener">
          <div class="share_icon">
            <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 18 18" class="icon">
<path fill-rule="evenodd" clip-rule="evenodd" d="M18 9C18 4.02944 13.9706 0 9 0C4.02944 0 0 4.02944 0 9C0 13.9706 4.02944 18 9 18C13.9706 18 18 13.9706 18 9ZM4.02511 5.73566C4.00872 5.77691 4.00004 5.82153 4.00004 5.86854L4 12.1317C4 12.1897 4.0135 12.2449 4.03762 12.2938C4.04581 12.2775 4.05691 12.2621 4.07041 12.2482L7.39793 8.87439L4.0772 5.81961C4.05116 5.79611 4.0338 5.76684 4.02511 5.73566ZM4.34327 12.4991L4.34195 12.499L7.67 9.12427L8.60412 9.98343C8.86598 10.2242 9.26962 10.2228 9.52956 9.98007L10.4564 9.11563L13.768 12.4736C13.7251 12.4904 13.6783 12.5 13.6296 12.5H4.3704C4.3612 12.5 4.35243 12.4996 4.34327 12.4991ZM13.9971 12.1795L10.727 8.86376L13.9913 5.81857C13.9932 5.81713 13.9947 5.81569 13.9961 5.81425C13.9986 5.832 14 5.85023 14 5.86846V12.1315C14 12.1478 13.999 12.1637 13.9971 12.1795ZM13.7686 5.52686C13.7257 5.50959 13.6789 5.5 13.6297 5.5L4.37041 5.50006C4.33617 5.50006 4.30338 5.50486 4.27155 5.5135C4.29229 5.52117 4.31158 5.53316 4.32846 5.549L8.85585 9.71283C8.97448 9.8222 9.15822 9.82172 9.27637 9.71139L13.7382 5.54989C13.7479 5.54077 13.758 5.5331 13.7686 5.52686Z"></path>
</svg>
          </div>
        </a>
      </li>

    </ul>
    <div class="permalink" data-controller="clipboard">
      <p>Share link</p>
      <div class="control -has-addons">
        <input type="text" value="https://alexgrafmusic.com/blogs/guitar-tips/posts/7736848/how-to-practice-rhythm-guitar-methods-that-actually-translate-to-improvement" data-clipboard-target="source" data-share-dialog-target="urlInput" data-action="click->share-dialog#selectUrl" readonly="true">
        <span class="control__suffix">
          <a class="button -simple -compact -icon-only" data-clipboard-target="button" data-action="clipboard#copy">
            <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 16 16" class="icon" width="16px" height="18px"><path d="M4.166.597c-.184 0-.369.15-.369.342v1.365c0 .191.185.341.369.341h9.189v9.216c0 .191.15.342.341.342h1.365c.191 0 .342-.15.342-.342V.94a.338.338 0 00-.342-.342H4.166zm7.44 3.798H.34A.338.338 0 000 4.736v10.923c0 .19.15.341.341.341h10.923c.191 0 .341-.15.341-.341V4.395z" fill-rule="evenodd"></path></svg>
          </a>
        </span>
      </div>
    </div>
  </dialog>
</div></li>
  </ul>

  <p class="post-info">in <a href="/guitar-tips/blog/blog_categories/72728">Bluegrass Guitar</a></p>
</footer>


</article>  <article class="post blog-article full-item post-full" data-controller="zoogle-video" data-action="message@window-&gt;zoogle-video#handleVimeoPostMessage">
    
<h2 class="heading-secondary heading-blog alt-font">
  <a href="/alex-s-teaching-blog/blog/7736847/finding-your-sweet-spot-how-picking-position-affects-tone-on-acoustic-guitar">Finding Your Sweet Spot: How Picking Position Affects Tone on Acoustic Guitar</a>&nbsp;
</h2>

<div class="post">
  <div class="message"><p>When first starting out with flatpicking, it's easy to dismiss tone entirely — it's all about volume, cutting through the mix with the loudest attack possible. But picking position is one of those things that, once you notice it, changes everything.</p><h3>How Picking Position Shapes Your Sound</h3><p>Some players don't realize how much their picking position — as it relates to the sound hole — affects their tone. Move closer to the sound hole, and you'll get a warmer, bass-heavy, buttery sound. Shift toward the bridge, and the tone gets thinner and punchier.</p><p>This can totally change the expressiveness of your guitar when playing bluegrass and other genres, both while strumming and picking single note lines.</p><h3>Finding Your Sweet Spot</h3><p>Every guitar has a sweet spot. For many players it's right behind the sound hole, but some pickers play exclusively over the sound hole to get that warm, sweet sound.</p><p>We all have a default picking spot we go to without thinking. Many times this is naturally where the sweet spot is on a given instrument. But taking a moment to experiment might reveal a secondary sweet spot — or a tone your instrument can express that you hadn't considered before.</p><p>Try it out and let your ears guide you. Small adjustments can lead to big breakthroughs.</p><hr><p>Want structured help developing your bluegrass guitar vocabulary — phrasing, rhythm, fretboard navigation, and more? Alex's Acoustic Club is a membership community for serious flatpickers at every level. Join 325+ guitarists working on the same things you are.</p></div>
</div>


<footer class="meta blog-footer clearfix">
    <p class="post-info"><span data-time="2026-04-15T09:00:00-06:00" title="April 15, 2026 09:00">04/15/2026</span></p>

  <ul class="blog-actions pdf__hide">
    <li class="comment-count"><a title="Leave a comment" class="comment-link button button-secondary" href="/alex-s-teaching-blog/blog/finding-your-sweet-spot-how-picking-position-affects-tone-on-acoustic-guitar#comments">Leave a comment</a></li>
      <li><div data-controller="share-dialog" data-share-dialog-url-value="https://alexgrafmusic.com/blogs/guitar-tips/posts/7736847/finding-your-sweet-spot-how-picking-position-affects-tone-on-acoustic-guitar" data-share-dialog-title-value="Finding Your Sweet Spot: How Picking Position Affects Tone on Acoustic Guitar" data-share-dialog-text-value="" data-share-dialog-fb-app-id-value="286076425227">
  <a class="button button-tertiary zoogle-share pdf__hide" title="Share Finding Your Sweet Spot: How Picking Position Affects Tone on Acoustic Guitar" data-action="click-&gt;share-dialog#open" href="javascript:void(0)">
    <i class="icon-share"></i>Share
</a>
  <dialog data-share-dialog-target="dialog" data-action="click->share-dialog#clickOutside" class="dialog dialog-share style-section-style-1">
    <button class="dialog-close" data-action="click-&gt;share-dialog#close" aria-label="close">
      <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 11 11" class="icon" width="12px" height="12px"><path d="M6.755 5.502l3.836 3.97-1.438 1.39-3.81-3.942-3.926 3.942L0 9.452 3.953 5.48 0 1.39 1.438 0l3.927 4.064L9.41 0l1.417 1.411-4.073 4.091z" fill-rule="evenodd"></path></svg>
</button>    <div class="share_desc">
      <div>
        <span data-share-dialog-target="title">Finding Your Sweet Spot: How Picking Position Affects Tone on Acoustic Guitar</span>
        <br>
        <span class="byline" data-share-dialog-target="byline">
        </span>
      </div>
    </div>

    <ul class="share_icons">
      <li class="threads">
        <a href="#" data-share-dialog-target="threadsLink" data-controller="popup-window" data-action="click->popup-window#open" data-popup-window-width-value="550" data-popup-window-height-value="357" target="_blank" rel="noopener">
          <div class="share_icon">
            <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 36 36" class="icon">
<path fill-rule="evenodd" d="M36 18C36 8.05887 27.9411 0 18 0C8.05887 0 0 8.05887 0 18C0 27.9411 8.05887 36 18 36C27.9411 36 36 27.9411 36 18ZM23.7524 16.9806C23.8587 17.0263 23.9638 17.074 24.0671 17.1235C25.5284 17.8245 26.597 18.8859 27.1575 20.1926C27.9387 22.0149 28.0101 24.9832 25.6397 27.3514C23.828 29.1615 21.6287 29.9784 18.5087 30H18.4946C14.9852 29.9757 12.2865 28.7948 10.4735 26.4901C8.86024 24.4393 8.02805 21.5855 8.00009 18.0084L8 18L8.00009 17.9916C8.02805 14.4145 8.86024 11.5608 10.4735 9.50991C12.2865 7.20522 14.9852 6.02431 18.4946 6H18.5087C22.0252 6.02439 24.7545 7.20084 26.6206 9.49675C27.5414 10.6295 28.218 11.9953 28.648 13.5803L26.6296 14.1188C26.2749 12.8311 25.7368 11.7267 25.023 10.8485C23.5674 9.05767 21.3735 8.13891 18.5016 8.11756C15.6505 8.13875 13.4942 9.05311 12.0923 10.8353C10.7794 12.5042 10.101 14.9147 10.0757 18C10.101 21.0853 10.7794 23.4958 12.0923 25.1646C13.4942 26.9469 15.6505 27.8612 18.5017 27.8824C21.072 27.8635 22.7728 27.252 24.1876 25.8385C25.8025 24.225 25.7724 22.2459 25.2559 21.0415C24.9521 20.333 24.4021 19.7436 23.66 19.2957C23.4792 20.6429 23.0699 21.712 22.4226 22.537C21.5704 23.6234 20.3487 24.2175 18.7915 24.3029C17.6124 24.3673 16.4778 24.0829 15.5969 23.5014C14.555 22.8135 13.9452 21.7605 13.8799 20.5365C13.7514 18.1235 15.6656 16.3869 18.6431 16.2154C19.7001 16.1548 20.6889 16.2026 21.6031 16.358C21.4818 15.6156 21.2366 15.0274 20.8701 14.6018C20.3665 14.0171 19.5884 13.7173 18.5572 13.7107L18.5286 13.7106C17.7006 13.7106 16.5765 13.9423 15.8601 15.0291L14.1378 13.8476C15.0966 12.3926 16.6546 11.593 18.5278 11.593L18.5702 11.5931C21.702 11.6131 23.5671 13.5673 23.7524 16.9806ZM15.9524 20.4215C16.0193 21.6761 17.3751 22.2619 18.6801 22.1884C19.9578 22.1182 21.408 21.6169 21.6553 18.5291C20.9924 18.3842 20.2633 18.3085 19.4839 18.3085C19.247 18.3085 19.0059 18.3154 18.7602 18.3296C16.6145 18.4533 15.9029 19.4913 15.9524 20.4215Z"></path>
</svg>
          </div>
        </a>
      </li>

      <li class="facebook">
        <a href="#" data-share-dialog-target="facebookLink" data-controller="popup-window" data-action="click->popup-window#open" data-popup-window-width-value="550" data-popup-window-height-value="357" target="_blank" rel="noopener">
          <div class="share_icon">
            <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 18 18" class="icon"><path fill-rule="evenodd" d="M9 0a9 9 0 110 18A9 9 0 019 0zm2.606 4H10.24c-1.575 0-2.17.77-2.215 2.076l-.002.166v1.034H7V9h1.023V14h2.046V9h1.365l.181-1.724H10.07l.003-.862c0-.417.036-.655.553-.687l.128-.003h.853V4z"></path></svg>
          </div>
        </a>
      </li>

      <li class="twitter">
        <a href="#" data-share-dialog-target="twitterLink" data-controller="popup-window" data-action="click->popup-window#open" data-popup-window-width-value="685" data-popup-window-height-value="246" target="_blank" rel="noopener">
          <div class="share_icon">
            <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 36 36" class="icon">
<path fill-rule="evenodd" d="M36 18C36 8.05887 27.9411 0 18 0C8.05887 0 0 8.05887 0 18C0 27.9411 8.05887 36 18 36C27.9411 36 36 27.9411 36 18ZM26.4163 9L19.7142 16.6226L27.0001 27H21.6396L16.7316 20.0104L10.5876 27H9L16.0278 19.0075L9 9H14.3604L19.0068 15.6173L24.8287 9H26.4163ZM13.5996 10.1714H11.1606L22.3878 25.8861H24.8275L13.5996 10.1714Z"></path>
</svg>
          </div>
        </a>
      </li>

      <li class="email">
        <a href="#" data-share-dialog-target="emailLink" target="_blank" rel="noopener">
          <div class="share_icon">
            <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 18 18" class="icon">
<path fill-rule="evenodd" clip-rule="evenodd" d="M18 9C18 4.02944 13.9706 0 9 0C4.02944 0 0 4.02944 0 9C0 13.9706 4.02944 18 9 18C13.9706 18 18 13.9706 18 9ZM4.02511 5.73566C4.00872 5.77691 4.00004 5.82153 4.00004 5.86854L4 12.1317C4 12.1897 4.0135 12.2449 4.03762 12.2938C4.04581 12.2775 4.05691 12.2621 4.07041 12.2482L7.39793 8.87439L4.0772 5.81961C4.05116 5.79611 4.0338 5.76684 4.02511 5.73566ZM4.34327 12.4991L4.34195 12.499L7.67 9.12427L8.60412 9.98343C8.86598 10.2242 9.26962 10.2228 9.52956 9.98007L10.4564 9.11563L13.768 12.4736C13.7251 12.4904 13.6783 12.5 13.6296 12.5H4.3704C4.3612 12.5 4.35243 12.4996 4.34327 12.4991ZM13.9971 12.1795L10.727 8.86376L13.9913 5.81857C13.9932 5.81713 13.9947 5.81569 13.9961 5.81425C13.9986 5.832 14 5.85023 14 5.86846V12.1315C14 12.1478 13.999 12.1637 13.9971 12.1795ZM13.7686 5.52686C13.7257 5.50959 13.6789 5.5 13.6297 5.5L4.37041 5.50006C4.33617 5.50006 4.30338 5.50486 4.27155 5.5135C4.29229 5.52117 4.31158 5.53316 4.32846 5.549L8.85585 9.71283C8.97448 9.8222 9.15822 9.82172 9.27637 9.71139L13.7382 5.54989C13.7479 5.54077 13.758 5.5331 13.7686 5.52686Z"></path>
</svg>
          </div>
        </a>
      </li>

    </ul>
    <div class="permalink" data-controller="clipboard">
      <p>Share link</p>
      <div class="control -has-addons">
        <input type="text" value="https://alexgrafmusic.com/blogs/guitar-tips/posts/7736847/finding-your-sweet-spot-how-picking-position-affects-tone-on-acoustic-guitar" data-clipboard-target="source" data-share-dialog-target="urlInput" data-action="click->share-dialog#selectUrl" readonly="true">
        <span class="control__suffix">
          <a class="button -simple -compact -icon-only" data-clipboard-target="button" data-action="clipboard#copy">
            <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 16 16" class="icon" width="16px" height="18px"><path d="M4.166.597c-.184 0-.369.15-.369.342v1.365c0 .191.185.341.369.341h9.189v9.216c0 .191.15.342.341.342h1.365c.191 0 .342-.15.342-.342V.94a.338.338 0 00-.342-.342H4.166zm7.44 3.798H.34A.338.338 0 000 4.736v10.923c0 .19.15.341.341.341h10.923c.191 0 .341-.15.341-.341V4.395z" fill-rule="evenodd"></path></svg>
          </a>
        </span>
      </div>
    </div>
  </dialog>
</div></li>
  </ul>

  <p class="post-info">in <a href="/guitar-tips/blog/blog_categories/72728">Bluegrass Guitar</a></p>
</footer>


</article>  <article class="post blog-article full-item post-full" data-controller="zoogle-video" data-action="message@window-&gt;zoogle-video#handleVimeoPostMessage">
    
<h2 class="heading-secondary heading-blog alt-font">
  <a href="/alex-s-teaching-blog/blog/7736846/do-the-least-groove-the-most-a-rhythm-guitar-mantra-for-bluegrass-jammers">Do the Least, Groove the Most: A Rhythm Guitar Mantra for Bluegrass Jammers</a>&nbsp;
</h2>

<div class="post">
  <div class="message"><p><strong>Suggested SEO Title:</strong> <i>Do the Least, Groove the Most: A Rhythm Guitar Mantra for Bluegrass Jammer</i></p><p>Have you ever been in a bluegrass jam session where the rhythm felt cluttered? Rhythm guitar at its best adds to the groove. At its worst, it drags.</p><p>Here's a simple mantra for rhythm guitar: <strong>Do the least, groove the most.</strong></p><h3>Why Space Matters in Bluegrass Rhythm</h3><p>In bluegrass, it's all about rhythm. Unlike other genres, there's no drum kit to divide up the rhythmic real estate. That means guitar, bass, mandolin, and banjo are all working together to create the drive and subdivisions. When the rhythm gets too busy — when everyone's doing too much — it's like stuffing too many clothes in a suitcase. Nothing fits, and the groove can't breathe.</p><p>That's where space comes in. Rhythmic space is what gives bluegrass its groove and allows every instrument to shine. As a rhythm guitarist, you're in the perfect position to help define that space for a band.</p><h3>Complex Simplicity</h3><p>With any rhythm advice, the key is context. It's all about knowing what's happening around you and adapting to it.</p><p>Complex simplicity is playing just enough to support the groove without stepping on anyone's toes. Do the least, groove the most.</p><p>That might mean stripping your strumming down to a simple boom-chuck. It might mean leaning into dynamics — accenting certain beats to make the rhythm pop. It might even mean one long strum for a full measure to let the vocals or soloist take up more space.</p><h3>Three Questions to Ask Yourself</h3><p>So the next time you're holding down the rhythm in a jam or a gig, ask yourself:</p><ul>
<li>Am I leaving enough space for the groove to breathe?</li>
<li>Am I listening to what the other instruments are doing?</li>
<li>Am I serving the song with my rhythm?</li>
</ul><h3>A Listening Exercise</h3><p>Want to hear complex simplicity in action? Put on a bluegrass recording you love and focus only on the rhythm guitar. Notice how it interacts with the other instruments and shapes the groove. It's an ear-opening exercise.</p><hr><p>Want structured help developing your bluegrass guitar vocabulary — phrasing, rhythm, fretboard navigation, and more? Alex's Acoustic Club is a membership community for serious flatpickers at every level. Join 325+ guitarists working on the same things you are.</p><p>Learn with me here: https://www.skool.com/alexs-acoustic-club-5005/about</p></div>
</div>


<footer class="meta blog-footer clearfix">
    <p class="post-info"><span data-time="2026-04-11T09:20:00-06:00" title="April 11, 2026 09:20">04/11/2026</span></p>

  <ul class="blog-actions pdf__hide">
    <li class="comment-count"><a title="Leave a comment" class="comment-link button button-secondary" href="/alex-s-teaching-blog/blog/do-the-least-groove-the-most-a-rhythm-guitar-mantra-for-bluegrass-jammers#comments">Leave a comment</a></li>
      <li><div data-controller="share-dialog" data-share-dialog-url-value="https://alexgrafmusic.com/blogs/guitar-tips/posts/7736846/do-the-least-groove-the-most-a-rhythm-guitar-mantra-for-bluegrass-jammers" data-share-dialog-title-value="Do the Least, Groove the Most: A Rhythm Guitar Mantra for Bluegrass Jammers" data-share-dialog-text-value="" data-share-dialog-fb-app-id-value="286076425227">
  <a class="button button-tertiary zoogle-share pdf__hide" title="Share Do the Least, Groove the Most: A Rhythm Guitar Mantra for Bluegrass Jammers" data-action="click-&gt;share-dialog#open" href="javascript:void(0)">
    <i class="icon-share"></i>Share
</a>
  <dialog data-share-dialog-target="dialog" data-action="click->share-dialog#clickOutside" class="dialog dialog-share style-section-style-1">
    <button class="dialog-close" data-action="click-&gt;share-dialog#close" aria-label="close">
      <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 11 11" class="icon" width="12px" height="12px"><path d="M6.755 5.502l3.836 3.97-1.438 1.39-3.81-3.942-3.926 3.942L0 9.452 3.953 5.48 0 1.39 1.438 0l3.927 4.064L9.41 0l1.417 1.411-4.073 4.091z" fill-rule="evenodd"></path></svg>
</button>    <div class="share_desc">
      <div>
        <span data-share-dialog-target="title">Do the Least, Groove the Most: A Rhythm Guitar Mantra for Bluegrass Jammers</span>
        <br>
        <span class="byline" data-share-dialog-target="byline">
        </span>
      </div>
    </div>

    <ul class="share_icons">
      <li class="threads">
        <a href="#" data-share-dialog-target="threadsLink" data-controller="popup-window" data-action="click->popup-window#open" data-popup-window-width-value="550" data-popup-window-height-value="357" target="_blank" rel="noopener">
          <div class="share_icon">
            <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 36 36" class="icon">
<path fill-rule="evenodd" d="M36 18C36 8.05887 27.9411 0 18 0C8.05887 0 0 8.05887 0 18C0 27.9411 8.05887 36 18 36C27.9411 36 36 27.9411 36 18ZM23.7524 16.9806C23.8587 17.0263 23.9638 17.074 24.0671 17.1235C25.5284 17.8245 26.597 18.8859 27.1575 20.1926C27.9387 22.0149 28.0101 24.9832 25.6397 27.3514C23.828 29.1615 21.6287 29.9784 18.5087 30H18.4946C14.9852 29.9757 12.2865 28.7948 10.4735 26.4901C8.86024 24.4393 8.02805 21.5855 8.00009 18.0084L8 18L8.00009 17.9916C8.02805 14.4145 8.86024 11.5608 10.4735 9.50991C12.2865 7.20522 14.9852 6.02431 18.4946 6H18.5087C22.0252 6.02439 24.7545 7.20084 26.6206 9.49675C27.5414 10.6295 28.218 11.9953 28.648 13.5803L26.6296 14.1188C26.2749 12.8311 25.7368 11.7267 25.023 10.8485C23.5674 9.05767 21.3735 8.13891 18.5016 8.11756C15.6505 8.13875 13.4942 9.05311 12.0923 10.8353C10.7794 12.5042 10.101 14.9147 10.0757 18C10.101 21.0853 10.7794 23.4958 12.0923 25.1646C13.4942 26.9469 15.6505 27.8612 18.5017 27.8824C21.072 27.8635 22.7728 27.252 24.1876 25.8385C25.8025 24.225 25.7724 22.2459 25.2559 21.0415C24.9521 20.333 24.4021 19.7436 23.66 19.2957C23.4792 20.6429 23.0699 21.712 22.4226 22.537C21.5704 23.6234 20.3487 24.2175 18.7915 24.3029C17.6124 24.3673 16.4778 24.0829 15.5969 23.5014C14.555 22.8135 13.9452 21.7605 13.8799 20.5365C13.7514 18.1235 15.6656 16.3869 18.6431 16.2154C19.7001 16.1548 20.6889 16.2026 21.6031 16.358C21.4818 15.6156 21.2366 15.0274 20.8701 14.6018C20.3665 14.0171 19.5884 13.7173 18.5572 13.7107L18.5286 13.7106C17.7006 13.7106 16.5765 13.9423 15.8601 15.0291L14.1378 13.8476C15.0966 12.3926 16.6546 11.593 18.5278 11.593L18.5702 11.5931C21.702 11.6131 23.5671 13.5673 23.7524 16.9806ZM15.9524 20.4215C16.0193 21.6761 17.3751 22.2619 18.6801 22.1884C19.9578 22.1182 21.408 21.6169 21.6553 18.5291C20.9924 18.3842 20.2633 18.3085 19.4839 18.3085C19.247 18.3085 19.0059 18.3154 18.7602 18.3296C16.6145 18.4533 15.9029 19.4913 15.9524 20.4215Z"></path>
</svg>
          </div>
        </a>
      </li>

      <li class="facebook">
        <a href="#" data-share-dialog-target="facebookLink" data-controller="popup-window" data-action="click->popup-window#open" data-popup-window-width-value="550" data-popup-window-height-value="357" target="_blank" rel="noopener">
          <div class="share_icon">
            <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 18 18" class="icon"><path fill-rule="evenodd" d="M9 0a9 9 0 110 18A9 9 0 019 0zm2.606 4H10.24c-1.575 0-2.17.77-2.215 2.076l-.002.166v1.034H7V9h1.023V14h2.046V9h1.365l.181-1.724H10.07l.003-.862c0-.417.036-.655.553-.687l.128-.003h.853V4z"></path></svg>
          </div>
        </a>
      </li>

      <li class="twitter">
        <a href="#" data-share-dialog-target="twitterLink" data-controller="popup-window" data-action="click->popup-window#open" data-popup-window-width-value="685" data-popup-window-height-value="246" target="_blank" rel="noopener">
          <div class="share_icon">
            <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 36 36" class="icon">
<path fill-rule="evenodd" d="M36 18C36 8.05887 27.9411 0 18 0C8.05887 0 0 8.05887 0 18C0 27.9411 8.05887 36 18 36C27.9411 36 36 27.9411 36 18ZM26.4163 9L19.7142 16.6226L27.0001 27H21.6396L16.7316 20.0104L10.5876 27H9L16.0278 19.0075L9 9H14.3604L19.0068 15.6173L24.8287 9H26.4163ZM13.5996 10.1714H11.1606L22.3878 25.8861H24.8275L13.5996 10.1714Z"></path>
</svg>
          </div>
        </a>
      </li>

      <li class="email">
        <a href="#" data-share-dialog-target="emailLink" target="_blank" rel="noopener">
          <div class="share_icon">
            <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 18 18" class="icon">
<path fill-rule="evenodd" clip-rule="evenodd" d="M18 9C18 4.02944 13.9706 0 9 0C4.02944 0 0 4.02944 0 9C0 13.9706 4.02944 18 9 18C13.9706 18 18 13.9706 18 9ZM4.02511 5.73566C4.00872 5.77691 4.00004 5.82153 4.00004 5.86854L4 12.1317C4 12.1897 4.0135 12.2449 4.03762 12.2938C4.04581 12.2775 4.05691 12.2621 4.07041 12.2482L7.39793 8.87439L4.0772 5.81961C4.05116 5.79611 4.0338 5.76684 4.02511 5.73566ZM4.34327 12.4991L4.34195 12.499L7.67 9.12427L8.60412 9.98343C8.86598 10.2242 9.26962 10.2228 9.52956 9.98007L10.4564 9.11563L13.768 12.4736C13.7251 12.4904 13.6783 12.5 13.6296 12.5H4.3704C4.3612 12.5 4.35243 12.4996 4.34327 12.4991ZM13.9971 12.1795L10.727 8.86376L13.9913 5.81857C13.9932 5.81713 13.9947 5.81569 13.9961 5.81425C13.9986 5.832 14 5.85023 14 5.86846V12.1315C14 12.1478 13.999 12.1637 13.9971 12.1795ZM13.7686 5.52686C13.7257 5.50959 13.6789 5.5 13.6297 5.5L4.37041 5.50006C4.33617 5.50006 4.30338 5.50486 4.27155 5.5135C4.29229 5.52117 4.31158 5.53316 4.32846 5.549L8.85585 9.71283C8.97448 9.8222 9.15822 9.82172 9.27637 9.71139L13.7382 5.54989C13.7479 5.54077 13.758 5.5331 13.7686 5.52686Z"></path>
</svg>
          </div>
        </a>
      </li>

    </ul>
    <div class="permalink" data-controller="clipboard">
      <p>Share link</p>
      <div class="control -has-addons">
        <input type="text" value="https://alexgrafmusic.com/blogs/guitar-tips/posts/7736846/do-the-least-groove-the-most-a-rhythm-guitar-mantra-for-bluegrass-jammers" data-clipboard-target="source" data-share-dialog-target="urlInput" data-action="click->share-dialog#selectUrl" readonly="true">
        <span class="control__suffix">
          <a class="button -simple -compact -icon-only" data-clipboard-target="button" data-action="clipboard#copy">
            <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 16 16" class="icon" width="16px" height="18px"><path d="M4.166.597c-.184 0-.369.15-.369.342v1.365c0 .191.185.341.369.341h9.189v9.216c0 .191.15.342.341.342h1.365c.191 0 .342-.15.342-.342V.94a.338.338 0 00-.342-.342H4.166zm7.44 3.798H.34A.338.338 0 000 4.736v10.923c0 .19.15.341.341.341h10.923c.191 0 .341-.15.341-.341V4.395z" fill-rule="evenodd"></path></svg>
          </a>
        </span>
      </div>
    </div>
  </dialog>
</div></li>
  </ul>

  <p class="post-info"></p>
</footer>


</article>  <article class="post blog-article full-item post-full" data-controller="zoogle-video" data-action="message@window-&gt;zoogle-video#handleVimeoPostMessage">
    
<h2 class="heading-secondary heading-blog alt-font">
  <a href="/alex-s-teaching-blog/blog/7736845/tone-speed-and-volume-the-guitar-solo-trade-off-every-bluegrass-player-needs-to-understand">Tone, Speed, and Volume: The Guitar Solo Trade-Off Every Bluegrass Player Needs to Understand</a>&nbsp;
</h2>

<div class="post">
  <div class="message"><p>There's a relationship every guitar player wrestles with: the balance between tone, speed, and volume when taking a solo. It's a never-ending cycle of adjustment, and figuring out how to navigate all three is what can separate good players from great ones.</p><h3>Three Ingredients, One Recipe</h3><p>Imagine tone, speed, and volume as ingredients in a recipe. You can add more of one, but it changes the flavor of the dish. If you heap on the speed, your tone might thin out like a sauce that's been stretched too far. Prioritize tone, and you may need to slow things down to let the flavors fully develop. Crank up the volume, and you risk overpowering the whole meal — losing the subtlety of your tone in the process.</p><h3>The Push and Pull in Practice</h3><p>Understanding this relationship and the push and pull between these three factors can help you figure out what to prioritize depending on the context.</p><p>When you're playing fast, it's probably not best to obsess over perfect tone. Same with volume — if you're trying to cut through a band or a jam and you're picking very hard and loud, you're going to lose tone.</p><p>Accepting some of these inevitabilities can actually help you stress less about perfection when taking a solo. Use this idea to help you determine how you will play: whether you will sacrifice some tone in order to play faster, or whether you will play at a lower volume to gain some tone back.</p><h3>Try It Yourself</h3><p>Next time you play, experiment with your "ingredients" and listen to how they affect the final result.</p><hr><p>Want structured help developing your bluegrass guitar vocabulary — phrasing, rhythm, fretboard navigation, and more? Alex's Acoustic Club is a membership community for serious flatpickers at every level. Join 325+ guitarists working on the same things you are.</p><p>Learn with me here: https://www.skool.com/alexs-acoustic-club-5005/about</p></div>
</div>


<footer class="meta blog-footer clearfix">
    <p class="post-info"><span data-time="2026-04-04T09:00:00-06:00" title="April 04, 2026 09:00">04/04/2026</span></p>

  <ul class="blog-actions pdf__hide">
    <li class="comment-count"><a title="Leave a comment" class="comment-link button button-secondary" href="/alex-s-teaching-blog/blog/tone-speed-and-volume-the-guitar-solo-trade-off-every-bluegrass-player-needs-to-understand#comments">Leave a comment</a></li>
      <li><div data-controller="share-dialog" data-share-dialog-url-value="https://alexgrafmusic.com/blogs/guitar-tips/posts/7736845/tone-speed-and-volume-the-guitar-solo-trade-off-every-bluegrass-player-needs-to-understand" data-share-dialog-title-value="Tone, Speed, and Volume: The Guitar Solo Trade-Off Every Bluegrass Player Needs to Understand" data-share-dialog-text-value="" data-share-dialog-fb-app-id-value="286076425227">
  <a class="button button-tertiary zoogle-share pdf__hide" title="Share Tone, Speed, and Volume: The Guitar Solo Trade-Off Every Bluegrass Player Needs to Understand" data-action="click-&gt;share-dialog#open" href="javascript:void(0)">
    <i class="icon-share"></i>Share
</a>
  <dialog data-share-dialog-target="dialog" data-action="click->share-dialog#clickOutside" class="dialog dialog-share style-section-style-1">
    <button class="dialog-close" data-action="click-&gt;share-dialog#close" aria-label="close">
      <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 11 11" class="icon" width="12px" height="12px"><path d="M6.755 5.502l3.836 3.97-1.438 1.39-3.81-3.942-3.926 3.942L0 9.452 3.953 5.48 0 1.39 1.438 0l3.927 4.064L9.41 0l1.417 1.411-4.073 4.091z" fill-rule="evenodd"></path></svg>
</button>    <div class="share_desc">
      <div>
        <span data-share-dialog-target="title">Tone, Speed, and Volume: The Guitar Solo Trade-Off Every Bluegrass Player Needs to Understand</span>
        <br>
        <span class="byline" data-share-dialog-target="byline">
        </span>
      </div>
    </div>

    <ul class="share_icons">
      <li class="threads">
        <a href="#" data-share-dialog-target="threadsLink" data-controller="popup-window" data-action="click->popup-window#open" data-popup-window-width-value="550" data-popup-window-height-value="357" target="_blank" rel="noopener">
          <div class="share_icon">
            <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 36 36" class="icon">
<path fill-rule="evenodd" d="M36 18C36 8.05887 27.9411 0 18 0C8.05887 0 0 8.05887 0 18C0 27.9411 8.05887 36 18 36C27.9411 36 36 27.9411 36 18ZM23.7524 16.9806C23.8587 17.0263 23.9638 17.074 24.0671 17.1235C25.5284 17.8245 26.597 18.8859 27.1575 20.1926C27.9387 22.0149 28.0101 24.9832 25.6397 27.3514C23.828 29.1615 21.6287 29.9784 18.5087 30H18.4946C14.9852 29.9757 12.2865 28.7948 10.4735 26.4901C8.86024 24.4393 8.02805 21.5855 8.00009 18.0084L8 18L8.00009 17.9916C8.02805 14.4145 8.86024 11.5608 10.4735 9.50991C12.2865 7.20522 14.9852 6.02431 18.4946 6H18.5087C22.0252 6.02439 24.7545 7.20084 26.6206 9.49675C27.5414 10.6295 28.218 11.9953 28.648 13.5803L26.6296 14.1188C26.2749 12.8311 25.7368 11.7267 25.023 10.8485C23.5674 9.05767 21.3735 8.13891 18.5016 8.11756C15.6505 8.13875 13.4942 9.05311 12.0923 10.8353C10.7794 12.5042 10.101 14.9147 10.0757 18C10.101 21.0853 10.7794 23.4958 12.0923 25.1646C13.4942 26.9469 15.6505 27.8612 18.5017 27.8824C21.072 27.8635 22.7728 27.252 24.1876 25.8385C25.8025 24.225 25.7724 22.2459 25.2559 21.0415C24.9521 20.333 24.4021 19.7436 23.66 19.2957C23.4792 20.6429 23.0699 21.712 22.4226 22.537C21.5704 23.6234 20.3487 24.2175 18.7915 24.3029C17.6124 24.3673 16.4778 24.0829 15.5969 23.5014C14.555 22.8135 13.9452 21.7605 13.8799 20.5365C13.7514 18.1235 15.6656 16.3869 18.6431 16.2154C19.7001 16.1548 20.6889 16.2026 21.6031 16.358C21.4818 15.6156 21.2366 15.0274 20.8701 14.6018C20.3665 14.0171 19.5884 13.7173 18.5572 13.7107L18.5286 13.7106C17.7006 13.7106 16.5765 13.9423 15.8601 15.0291L14.1378 13.8476C15.0966 12.3926 16.6546 11.593 18.5278 11.593L18.5702 11.5931C21.702 11.6131 23.5671 13.5673 23.7524 16.9806ZM15.9524 20.4215C16.0193 21.6761 17.3751 22.2619 18.6801 22.1884C19.9578 22.1182 21.408 21.6169 21.6553 18.5291C20.9924 18.3842 20.2633 18.3085 19.4839 18.3085C19.247 18.3085 19.0059 18.3154 18.7602 18.3296C16.6145 18.4533 15.9029 19.4913 15.9524 20.4215Z"></path>
</svg>
          </div>
        </a>
      </li>

      <li class="facebook">
        <a href="#" data-share-dialog-target="facebookLink" data-controller="popup-window" data-action="click->popup-window#open" data-popup-window-width-value="550" data-popup-window-height-value="357" target="_blank" rel="noopener">
          <div class="share_icon">
            <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 18 18" class="icon"><path fill-rule="evenodd" d="M9 0a9 9 0 110 18A9 9 0 019 0zm2.606 4H10.24c-1.575 0-2.17.77-2.215 2.076l-.002.166v1.034H7V9h1.023V14h2.046V9h1.365l.181-1.724H10.07l.003-.862c0-.417.036-.655.553-.687l.128-.003h.853V4z"></path></svg>
          </div>
        </a>
      </li>

      <li class="twitter">
        <a href="#" data-share-dialog-target="twitterLink" data-controller="popup-window" data-action="click->popup-window#open" data-popup-window-width-value="685" data-popup-window-height-value="246" target="_blank" rel="noopener">
          <div class="share_icon">
            <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 36 36" class="icon">
<path fill-rule="evenodd" d="M36 18C36 8.05887 27.9411 0 18 0C8.05887 0 0 8.05887 0 18C0 27.9411 8.05887 36 18 36C27.9411 36 36 27.9411 36 18ZM26.4163 9L19.7142 16.6226L27.0001 27H21.6396L16.7316 20.0104L10.5876 27H9L16.0278 19.0075L9 9H14.3604L19.0068 15.6173L24.8287 9H26.4163ZM13.5996 10.1714H11.1606L22.3878 25.8861H24.8275L13.5996 10.1714Z"></path>
</svg>
          </div>
        </a>
      </li>

      <li class="email">
        <a href="#" data-share-dialog-target="emailLink" target="_blank" rel="noopener">
          <div class="share_icon">
            <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 18 18" class="icon">
<path fill-rule="evenodd" clip-rule="evenodd" d="M18 9C18 4.02944 13.9706 0 9 0C4.02944 0 0 4.02944 0 9C0 13.9706 4.02944 18 9 18C13.9706 18 18 13.9706 18 9ZM4.02511 5.73566C4.00872 5.77691 4.00004 5.82153 4.00004 5.86854L4 12.1317C4 12.1897 4.0135 12.2449 4.03762 12.2938C4.04581 12.2775 4.05691 12.2621 4.07041 12.2482L7.39793 8.87439L4.0772 5.81961C4.05116 5.79611 4.0338 5.76684 4.02511 5.73566ZM4.34327 12.4991L4.34195 12.499L7.67 9.12427L8.60412 9.98343C8.86598 10.2242 9.26962 10.2228 9.52956 9.98007L10.4564 9.11563L13.768 12.4736C13.7251 12.4904 13.6783 12.5 13.6296 12.5H4.3704C4.3612 12.5 4.35243 12.4996 4.34327 12.4991ZM13.9971 12.1795L10.727 8.86376L13.9913 5.81857C13.9932 5.81713 13.9947 5.81569 13.9961 5.81425C13.9986 5.832 14 5.85023 14 5.86846V12.1315C14 12.1478 13.999 12.1637 13.9971 12.1795ZM13.7686 5.52686C13.7257 5.50959 13.6789 5.5 13.6297 5.5L4.37041 5.50006C4.33617 5.50006 4.30338 5.50486 4.27155 5.5135C4.29229 5.52117 4.31158 5.53316 4.32846 5.549L8.85585 9.71283C8.97448 9.8222 9.15822 9.82172 9.27637 9.71139L13.7382 5.54989C13.7479 5.54077 13.758 5.5331 13.7686 5.52686Z"></path>
</svg>
          </div>
        </a>
      </li>

    </ul>
    <div class="permalink" data-controller="clipboard">
      <p>Share link</p>
      <div class="control -has-addons">
        <input type="text" value="https://alexgrafmusic.com/blogs/guitar-tips/posts/7736845/tone-speed-and-volume-the-guitar-solo-trade-off-every-bluegrass-player-needs-to-understand" data-clipboard-target="source" data-share-dialog-target="urlInput" data-action="click->share-dialog#selectUrl" readonly="true">
        <span class="control__suffix">
          <a class="button -simple -compact -icon-only" data-clipboard-target="button" data-action="clipboard#copy">
            <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 16 16" class="icon" width="16px" height="18px"><path d="M4.166.597c-.184 0-.369.15-.369.342v1.365c0 .191.185.341.369.341h9.189v9.216c0 .191.15.342.341.342h1.365c.191 0 .342-.15.342-.342V.94a.338.338 0 00-.342-.342H4.166zm7.44 3.798H.34A.338.338 0 000 4.736v10.923c0 .19.15.341.341.341h10.923c.191 0 .341-.15.341-.341V4.395z" fill-rule="evenodd"></path></svg>
          </a>
        </span>
      </div>
    </div>
  </dialog>
</div></li>
  </ul>

  <p class="post-info"></p>
</footer>


</article>

</div></div>
    <nav class="pagination">
    <span class="first">
  <span class='pagination-decoration icon icon-first'></span>First
</span>

    <span class="prev hidden">
  <span class='pagination-decoration icon icon-previous'></span>Prev
</span>
        <span class="page current">
  1
</span>

        <span class="page">
  <a rel="next" data-remote="true" href="/alex-s-teaching-blog/features/load/blog_feature_1308196.turbo_stream?p=2">2</a>
</span>

      <span class="next">
  <a rel="next" data-remote="true" href="/alex-s-teaching-blog/features/load/blog_feature_1308196.turbo_stream?p=2">Next<span class='pagination-decoration icon icon-next'></span></a>
</span>
      <span class="last">
  <a data-remote="true" href="/alex-s-teaching-blog/features/load/blog_feature_1308196.turbo_stream?p=2">Last<span class='pagination-decoration icon icon-last'></span></a>
</span>

  </nav>




</template></turbo-stream>