All The Best

by John Prine • Lesson #585 • Mar 12, 2025

About This Lesson

In today’s lesson I’ll teach you how to play John Prine’s classic All The Best. Typical of Prine songs, he uses just three chords — but somehow manages to create an arrangement that’s catchy, fun to play, and never gets boring. I’ll walk you through the fingerstyle-specific chord voicings, introduce the Travs-picking fingerstyle technique he uses, and show a few suggested exercises to learn the main riff. From there, you’ll be set… learning the intro and verse sections will feel like you’re riding a bike down hill. Let’s get into it!

0:00 Lesson Overview
1:29 Travis Picking Basics
6:22 Intro, Part 1
8:58 Intro, Part 2
13:50 Verse, Part 1
15:33 Verse, Part 2

Quick Links

Practice Notes 6 pages

Lesson Discussion

Additional Video Tutorials

Here’s a few extra video lessons for this song, made in thanks to those supporting me with Premium membership here on my Song Notes website. To those showing your support, you have my true thanks and appreciation — and I hope you find these additional videos helpful!

Part 2 - Playthrough (with Tabs & No Singing)

Part 3 - Playthrough (with Lyrics & Singing)

Part 4 - My “Secret Stash” Intro Riff

This shows the slightly modified arrangement of the intro sequence, where I make a few small changes to suit my own tastes. I’m sharing this as an example of what’s possible when it comes to interpreting songs you’re learning as your own… if you want, you’re allowed to change things! Don’t feel boxed in by every last detail the artist plays, if it doesn’t vibe with you. You can hear me using some of these fingerstyle tweaks in my “Part 3” video just above.

Part 5 - Strumming Tutorial

Want to strum this song instead of using fingerpicking? Here’s how I’d go about it. Your mileage may vary, but I’m glad to share in case this gives you any ideas.

Need Help with Travis Picking or Strumming?

If Travis-style fingerpicking is new to you, these two lessons will help get you started. I’ve also included the strumming tutorial I mention in my strumming video above, which helps explain the concept of accenting notes on up-strums.

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All The Best

About This Lesson

Quick Links

Practice Notes 6 pages

Lesson Discussion

Additional Video Tutorials

Part 2 - Playthrough (with Tabs & No Singing)

Part 3 - Playthrough (with Lyrics & Singing)

Part 4 - My “Secret Stash” Intro Riff

Part 5 - Strumming Tutorial

Need Help with Travis Picking or Strumming?

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

Walk Ups & Walk Downs

CAGED Essentials

Fun & Helpful Tools I've Made

Fret Monster

Capo Captain

Key Master

Blank Tabs

Subscribe to my YouTube channel

Recent Lessons