The Tony Rice Guitar Method

You?ll gain insights into important elements, such as Tony?s method for getting his guitar in tune, how he warms up for a show, the correct way to put on a capo, proper left hand fretting technique, advice about speed and dexterity, the secrets of Tony?s guitar micing and how he plays some of his signature licks.

Tony plays and breaks down some relatively easy songs, including "The Last Thing on My Mind," "Bury Me Beneath the Willow" and "Wildwood Flower," showing how these country-folk standards can evolve from basic Carter Family style to an arrangement utilizing Tony?s unique embellishments. You?ll see, up close, the details of his right hand technique ? his fluidity of motion and how he holds the pick, adjusting its angle to give him his trademark cross-picking sound.

Clarence White was Tony?s first major influence, and he relates how his own sound was derived from the rhythm patterns and licks of his early idol. He slows down astonishing solos they each played on "Nine Pound Hammer,"and describes the scales he uses for his improvisations both in basic G position and up the neck. Tony also discusses Doc Watson?s powerful role in his musical development, launching into an exploration of fiddle tunes "Stony Lonesome" and "Billy in the Lowground."

Tony Rice?s uniquely beautiful ballad arrangements of "Shenandoah" and "Danny Boy" (both in dropped D tuning) combine chord-melody style, improvised scales, the use of harmonics and other lyrical techniques that will give you endless pleasure in guitar exploration. Wyatt Rice then joins his brother in a demonstration of how to play minor key tunes "Little Sadie" and "Jerusalem Ridge." Finally, Tony uses "Salt Creek" to demonstrate his highly regarded back up technique, with Wyatt playing lead. The brothers then go out with a version of the classic "I Am a Pilgrim" to finish the set.  more