Alan Barnosky

Alan Barnosky is a guitarist based in Durham, NC. He performs solo as a songwriter as well as in bluegrass and folk bands.

Flatpicking, Instrumentals

Learn to Play “Big Sciota,” a Traditional Fiddle Tune Popularized by Flatpicking Master Russ Barenberg

“Big Sciota” is not necessarily easy to play, but if you stick with it, you'll learn a fun and well-known tune and develop some powerful chops in both hands.

September 6, 2023

Flatpicking, Play Like Your Favorite Guitarists

Doc Watson performing on acoustic guitar. Photo by Blair Jensen

An Exploration of Doc Watson’s Innovative and Joyful Guitar Stylings

This lesson breaks down Watson’s acoustic flatpicking, beginning with rhythm and backup, transitioning to his lead playing, and ending with the combination of the two.

July 19, 2023

Flatpicking, Instrumentals

billy strings with stepdad terry barber holding guitars

How to Play Billy Strings’ Fleet-Fingered Solos on “Way Downtown”

Strings' version of this traditional song includes two solos that quote some signature Doc Watson licks.

June 16, 2023

Flatpicking, Instrumentals

Alan Barnosky bach prelude flatpicking guitar lesson

“Prelude No. 1 in C Major”—Transforming a Bach Keyboard Work into a Flatpicking Guitar Study

As this arrangement shows, Bach's Prelude No. 1 in C Major works quite well as a flatpicking etude.

March 26, 2023

Flatpicking, Instrumentals

Flatpicking Guitar Lesson: Learn Courtney Hartman’s Arrangement of “Cumberland Gap”

Learn to play this expressive and understated flatpicking guitar rendition of the classic tune “Cumberland Gap,” from Courtney Hartman’s 2016 Nothing We Say.

January 15, 2023

Country, Bluegrass, Americana, Instrumentals

jon stickley blackberry blossom guitar lesson

Learn Jon Stickley’s Clever Guitar Reimagining of the Classic Fiddle Tune “Blackberry Blossom”

Learn to play the Jon Stickley Trio's unique interpretation of the bluegrass tune “Blackberry Blossom” on guitar.

November 23, 2022

Instrumentals

Learn a Beautiful Open-G Guitar Arrangement of ‘Sally Ann’

Dudley Hill was a beloved guitarist in the Pacific Northwest with great rhythm and time. Here's how to play his version of the tune "Sally Ann" on guitar.

November 3, 2022

Flatpicking, Play Like Your Favorite Guitarists

How to Flatpick Like Roots Legend Norman Blake

Norman Blake is one of the great unsung heroes of 20th-century folk music. Here's a look at his life, music, and what you can learn from his guitar playing.

October 14, 2022

Flatpicking

Alan Barnosky demonstrating flatpicking on acoustic guitar

Learn the Fundamentals of Flatpicking on Guitar

What is flatpicking on guitar? Despite the name, it’s more than simply playing with a pick. Flatpicking refers to the acoustic guitar style, heard primarily in the bluegrass and folk idioms, of playing individual notes with a pick to form melodies, solos, and fills.

October 7, 2022

Instrumentals

pickin guitar lesson classical bluegrass

Classical Bluegrass? Learn How to Flatpick a Matteo Carcassi Etude

Matteo Carcassi’s 25 Etudes, Op. 60 are a rite of passage for the advancing classical guitarist. Learn how to flatpick this classic on acoustic guitar.

September 23, 2022

Flatpicking, Instrumentals

Reimagining a Fernando Sor Etude as a String-Crossing Guitar Workout

This guitar lesson breaks down the mechanics of string crossing and applies it all to a classical guitar etude by Fernando Sor to help build up picking-hand precision.

September 9, 2022

Instrumentals

Flatpicking Guitar Lesson: Learn the Traditional Fiddle Tune “Bill Cheatham”

“Bill Cheatham” is the perfect example of a fiddle tune that's also a great way to learn flatpicking on guitar.

August 3, 2022

Flatpicking, Play Like Your Favorite Guitarists

Flatpicking Master Class: Learn to Think and Play Like the Greats

Here we’ll explore flatpicking guitar through some musical examples based on its key practitioners from Doc Watson to Molly Tuttle and identify some of the genre's essential recordings.

July 3, 2022

Flatpicking

Doc Watson in 1994 playing his guitar and singing into a mic at a concert

Tips for Tackling the Flatpicking Bluegrass of Doc Watson and Clarence White on “Footprints in the Snow”

The 1964 performance by Doc Watson and Clarence White together at the Newport Folk Festival is a stellar demonstration of flatpicking. As heard on a series of duets on the album Treasures Untold, the recording captures both players early in…

December 19, 2021

Flatpicking, Instrumentals

‘Home Sweet Home’: Try a Flatpicking Workout Inspired by a Banjo Classic

Try this flatpicking acoustic guitar workout for "Home Sweet Home," inspired by the banjo classic.

October 15, 2021

Flatpicking, Instrumentals

Chris Eldridge (left) and Julian Lage by Devin Pedde

Learn to Play the Traditional Flatpicking Duet ‘Old Grimes’ on Acoustic Guitar

Guitarist Alan Barnosky teaches an acoustic guitar arrangement of the melodic fiddle tune “Old Grimes,” as interpreted by Julian Lage and Chris Eldridge

October 3, 2021

Flatpicking, Instrumentals

“Salt Creek” Bluegrass Flatpicking Guitar Lesson

A common question advancing flatpickers have is how and when to play up the guitar neck. The old favorite "Salt Creek" gives a good example of how to do it.

July 28, 2021

Flatpicking, Instrumentals

Alan Barnosky Flatpicking Guitar Lesson video still

Learn to Play ”Leather Britches”: A Classic Fiddle Tune, Arranged for Flatpicking Guitar

Despite its popularity among fiddlers, “Leather Britches” is less known with flatpickers—surprisingly so, as it is fun to play and lands well on the guitar.

June 20, 2021

Flatpicking, Instrumentals

“Beaumont Rag”: How to Play Tony Rice’s Take on a Classic Fiddle Tune

Many guitarists flock to Tony Rice because of his jaw-dropping leads. However, Rice’s epic solos are only a small element of what made his music so special.

April 8, 2021