Premium
VIP
Beta Tester
About This Lesson
To learn any extended riff, solo, or instrumental section, a terrific way to learn faster and with less frustration is breaking things into small chunks. Learn each chunk by itself, and then chain them together.
In this lesson, I show a specific example of this approach using the intro sequence to Johnny Cash’s classic I Walk The Line. Instead of powering through measure by measure, I break things into six manageable chunks. After learning the basics of each chunk, I teach you how to chain them all together.
You can apply this technique to almost anything you learn. It will get you to your end goal much more quickly, with far less headaches along the way. Let’s dive in!
- 0:00 Overview
- 1:26 Chunks 1-6 (Basic)
- 6:39 Playthrough (Basic)
- 7:13 Alternating Bass Notes
- 8:27 Chunks 1-6 (Alt. Bass Notes)
- 11:45 Playthrough (Alt. Bass Notes)
- 12:35 Conclusion & Final Tips
Instructional PDF 5 pages
Extended Video Lessons
Here’s a few extra videos, 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!
Full Intro Playthrough: Simple Strumming
Here’s the complete intro to I Walk the Line, played with a single strum of each chord. This matches what I teach in the lesson. When first learning this sequence, I recommend starting with this strumming approach (as it’s much easier than the boom-chicka version, shown below).
Full Intro Playthrough: Boom-Chicka Strumming
Here’s the complete intro to I Walk the Line, played with boom-chicka strumming approach. This is characterized by adding an up-strum on each chord just after each downstrum. All strums are also favoring the thickest 3-4 strings of each chord. I’m also using palm muting throughout the intro. This is much trickier to play, but a fun version to build up to! See my full lesson teaching I Walk the Line (linked below) to learn everything I’m playing here.
Related & Recommended
Looking to learn the full song I Walk The Line? See my lesson linked below. That page actually has two lessons I’ve made teaching this song. I also link out to my practice guide and the lyric sheet I made.
Interested in learning more about the tips & techniques used in my main lesson? Here’s a handful of lessons I’d recommend, each of which will help with this song.
Lastly, if you’re interested in learning more about musical keys and the most common chords in each key (including the 1-4-5 chords), see my lesson page linked below — which has plenty of cheat sheets for you.
- View my Musical Key Cheat Sheets
Browse Related Lessons
Click any tag below to view other lessons I've made in that category:
Enjoy My Lessons? Show Your Support!
Most of the lessons on my website are 100% free. If you have the means, please show your support with a tip jar contribution. I put many hours into every lesson — but it only takes you a minute to make a donation. You have my thanks!
Looking for More Song Lessons?
Featured Courses
Fun & Helpful Tools I've Made
Coming soon is Jambox – which shows all the video jam tracks I've made. It's note quite ready for the spotlight, but check it out if you like!
Subscribe to my YouTube channel
Be sure to never miss a lesson by subscribing on YouTube. I put out 2-3 new videos every week. These include full song lessons, as well as covers, practice tips, behind-the-scenes updates. Thanks!
Recent Lessons
-
August 28, 2026
Learn Riffs Faster Using Chunking & Chaining (ft. I Walk the Line)
-
August 20, 2026
[Updated] Chord Changes & Learning New Chords
-
August 19, 2026
Practice Guide for "I Walk the Line" by Johnny Cash
-
August 14, 2026
Strum & Sing "Runaway" by Del Shannon
-
August 7, 2026
Practice Guide for "Brown Eyed Girl"
-
July 31, 2026
"Ohio" by Crosby Stills Nash & Young
-
July 17, 2026
Travis Picking Essentials: 10 New Pages of PDF Guides!
-
July 16, 2026
[Updated] How I Learned to Travis Pick with John Prine ft. Clay Pigeons
-
July 3, 2026
"Ramble On" by Led Zeppelin (full song lesson)
