John Henry

This lesson is part of the course Dobro Workshop with Mike Witcher.

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About This Course

Explore a variety of dobro styles, from bluegrass and fiddle tunes to blues and contemporary sounds, and get insights on technique that will help you clean up your playing, while learning the techniques of Jerry Douglas, Josh Graves, and other dobro greats.

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Shuckin' the Corn

The Flatt and Scruggs instrumental “Shuckin’ the Corn” features a classic dobro solo by Josh Graves. You’ll learn a break to “Shuckin’ the Corn” inspired by Josh’s solo in this lesson. Mike plays the whole solo through slowly and then takes it apart, measure by measure. You’ll learn the first part of “Shuckin’ the Corn,” which includes some typical Josh Graves roll patterns and one variation, in this video.

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John Henry

Josh Graves’ solo on “John Henry” on the Flatt and Scruggs’ Foggy Mountain Banjo album is a must-learn solo for bluegrass dobroists. Not only is it a great tune to play, but it includes some classic licks that most of the great modern dobro players have stolen and adapted for their own uses. It’s in the key of D, so Mike starts by reminding you of the D major scale, starting at the seventh fret of the low G string, and also shows you a few chord shapes you’ll use, including a D double-stop slant shape at the 12th and 11th frets. Then he walks you through the solo, phrase by phrase. You’ll also learn a cool bluesy variation Josh played on another recording of “John Henry.”

"John Henry" (Available to subscribers)

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← Foggy Mountain Rock

Next Lesson

Dig a Hole in the Meadow →

Previous Lesson

← Foggy Mountain Rock

Next Lesson

Dig a Hole in the Meadow →

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John Henry

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