Regional Styles

All of us have our own favorite musical style, but most guitarists like to be at least conversant with different styles. You never know when you might have to accompany a hoedown or be called on to help out a Spanish dancer in need! But seriously, knowing different styles enables you to expand your technique—and eventually develop your own style. The chapters in this part of the site examine some of the most popular styles around, demystifying them and making them easy to learn.

1. Elements of Travis Picking
• Syncopation
• ”Careless Love”
• Folk and Country
• Keeping It Steady
• Basic Chord Shapes
• Picking a Country Song


2. Introducing Flamenco
• The Flamenco Forms
• Development of the Solo Art
• Technique
• Right-Hand Techniques
• The Rasgueo
• Four-Finger Rasgueo
• Down and Up Rasgueo
• Rhythm of Soleares
• Farruca


3. Latin Rhythms
• Tango
• Rumba
• The Beguine
• The Bossa Nova
• Carnavalitos


4. The Blues
• Taking Measure of the 12-Bar Blues
• Seventh Chords
• Getting Down to the Blues
• Classic Country Blues
• Walkin Blues


5. Rock and Roll
• The Boogie Bass
• A High-Note Solo
• Lead Guitar Solo
• Lead Guitar with Accompaniment