Licks & Fills in the style of Dave Rawlings

Lesson #451 • Aug 31, 2022

Description

In this week’s lesson I’m excited to dive into the guitar stylings of Dave Rawlings, and walk you through three sequences that are filled with licks & fills inspired by his playing. Rawlings’ playing style could be described as folk / country / Americana, with heavy doses of bluegrass, gospel, and the blues all mixed in. His playing often combines loose rhythm with “slippery”-sounding licks, and he’s known for embracing dissonance, cross-picking, chromatic runs, and using other bits of related flair — all of which create a truly magical sound. Many of you have requested Dave Rawlings tunes over the last couple years, the most recent request coming Roy (thanks!) who asked that I make a video on his unique style. Here it is… I hope you enjoy!

Free Video Lesson

Gives an overview on Dave Rawlings’s style, and teaches sequences #1 and #2.

Extended Video Lesson

Members only. Teaches sequence #3 (picked and fingerstyle).

Playthrough with Tabs

Members only. Plays sequences #1-3, all combined together. Includes a picked version, as well as a fingerstyle version — with tabs shown on screen for both.

Instructional PDF 3 pages

Lesson Discussion

Jam Track

Drums only, played at 130 bpm. This is the track you hear in my full playthrough video above. You can use this to keep time while playing any (or all) of the three sequences I teach above. Stream below or download mp3 for offline use.

The Inspiration For This Lesson

The song that inspired this lesson above all other is “Ruby” by Dave Rawlings Machine — an excellent live version of which can be watched below. Gillian is playing no capo, Key of A… while Dave is playing chords in the Key of G (similar to my lesson) but with a capo on the 2nd fret. Aside from his guitar playing, I just love the full package here (lyrics, full band arrangement, etc).

Similarly, here’s a few lessons from other YouTubers I want to share.

Other Dave Rawlings & Gillian Welch Suggestions

Here’s a few other songs that feature Dave Rawlings excellent guitar work:

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Licks & Fills in the style of Dave Rawlings

Description

Free Video Lesson

Extended Video Lesson

Playthrough with Tabs

Instructional PDF 3 pages

Lesson Discussion

Jam Track

The Inspiration For This Lesson

Other Dave Rawlings & Gillian Welch Suggestions

Unlock My Secret Stash!

Browse Related Lessons

Enjoy My Lessons? Show Your Support!

Looking for More Song Lessons?

Featured Courses

Strumming & Rhythm

Fingerstyle & Travis Picking

Blues Starter Kit

Reading Music for Guitarists

Learning Lead Guitar

Beginner Chord Guide

Practical Music Theory

Using a Capo

Fun & Helpful Tools I've Made

Fret Monster

Capo Captain

Key Master

Blank Tabs

Subscribe to my YouTube channel

Recent Lessons