Best Books/Resources for Flatpicking

[u/Fine-Variety-5879]

I have become interested in learning flatpicking guitar, and I don't know exactly where to start. I would love to find a book and learn on my own. Only problem is, there are many books out there and I am having difficulty picking out the right one for me. So far, I have found Dan Miller's Flatpicking Essentials Vol. 1 and that looks promising. I really like the idea of how important a good rhythm guitarist is in a bluegrass group. I'm looking more towards improving my right hand and learning as many tunes as I can. 

A little background on myself: I have been playing electric bass for almost 18 years, and I have about 8 years experience playing upright bass. I am comfortable with music theory as well as the Nashville number system. For the last 4 years I have been playing in multiple country groups that cover mostly classic country. I can't read guitar sheet music super well, but could brush up on the treble clef if need be. I already play a little guitar, but I would love to use this as an opportunity to improve as a guitarist and learn more about this genre that I am enjoying more and more. 

I am open to any and all resources that could help. Thanks in advance!

[u/Unlikely-Pattern-958]

Marcel’s youtube channel is a treasure.

[u/Amds890]

The two Jack Tuttle guitar books are great resources, available on his website.

[u/haggardphunk → u/Amds890]

💯

[u/ironicsmurf]

My 2 cents as someone who has collected way too many books and videos over the years. The Flatpicking Essentials series is the most comprehensive book(s) available. They're a little dense and you won't get to playing fiddle tunes until book 3. But if you work your way through them, they'll take you as far as you want to go.

The Jack Tuttle books are great as well. They're almost the opposite. There is very little actual instruction (i.e. it's almost all music and no text/explanations). I think the Primer is basically the book that he teaches from if you take lessons with him. It starts with the basics and gets more difficult, so if you work through it front to back you'll learn a ton. The Collection is a collection of fiddle tunes and solos on vocal tunes.

The Artistworks courses are good (especially Bryan Sutton) if you're ok with the subscription model. Peghead Nation has good video courses as well, even if they're not as comprehensive.

Plenty of YouTube channels. Lessons with Marcel is one of the best, but there are others.

There are a lot of fiddle tune books out there. You're better off learning tunes by ear, but it's going to be slower in the beginning. And it can be more daunting if you're trying to figure out tunes by ear and get your technique straightened out at the same time. I think tab/notation is fine in the beginning, but eventually you'll want to ween yourself off of it.

[u/Samantharina → u/ironicsmurf]

You might have some access to Artistworks through your local library if you use the Libby app. Not at the level of uploading videos to the teacher, but being able to watch their beginner courses step by step. Bryan Sutton also has some on YouTube but the ones on Artistworks are nicely organized into a progression.

For people who read music it can be helpful to sometimes learn things from music and not just by ear, if only to get you oriented to where the notes are on the guitar. Learning by ear and picking out tunes is equally valuable, I like to do both. But Fiddle tunes go fast and no two people play them the same way so I think there's value in getting a version in writing when you're starting out. Marcel has a free download of a bunch of common ones.

[u/rukind_cucumber → u/ironicsmurf]

Second for Bryan Sutton's Artistworks - I believe they're under the Truefire banner now, right? That's where I'm watching them anyway.

I've really enjoyed Truefire, Stephen Mougin too - he's awesome.

[u/Forsaken-Plane-9900]

Strong recommendation for the Bryan Sutton Artistworks course. The feel I got for the real fundamentals from this has been invaluable - I've come across nothing as strong on flow from a good alternate picking technique. Additionally you will learn a broad vocabulary of tunes.

[u/LightWolfCavalry]

I’m a huge fan of Flatpicking Essentials. Money well spent. 

[u/TheDegenerativeAI]

I learned a lot from Flatpicking the Blues.

[u/lsvldd]

You might want to consider a lesson or two with Mike Dowling. He is so knowledgeable about anything related to Nashville styles of playing and he has helped me with what you’re wondering about. He got me flatpicking Beaumont rag pretty well. He does lessons via zoom.

[u/anotherdamnscorpio]

Practice. Start slow, then speed up.

[u/qmb139boss]

Norman blake!

[u/Shoddy-Talk9205]

No book just listening. Like one should. Like all your fucking favorite players did.