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Who doesn’t love the honky-tonk sound with pure, blood and guts country roots? Check out these free online guitar lessons from Bill Kirchen’s 30 Hot Rod Guitar Licks You MUST Know, in which Bill shares 30 of his favorite “hot rod” guitar licks from a variety of styles ranging from rockabilly and country to roots rock and swing.

Plus, there are more licks where these came from as well in the full course. So grab your guitar and get your rockabilly on!

Hot Rod Guitar Lick #4: Hot Rod Lincoln

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This is my guitar hook from our Commander Cody hit, “Hot Rod Lincoln”. A couple of challenges here: moving between from 2nd to 4th position, and getting that left-hand pinky up to speed. And it’s all about the groove. It’s got to subtly swing, and the only way to do that is to stick to the alternating right hand. May the Forearm of Doom be with you.

Hot Rod Guitar Lick #8: Popcorn

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I was doing some chicken pickin’ with bare fingers, and started making this popping noise in the middle of the licks. Eventually I had to figure out how I did it. It’s a false harmonic plucked with the right index finger on the (let’s say) 5th string, damped with the knuckle of the right thumb which rests on, and then plays the 4th string. Does that help? Didn’t think so. Let’s watch.

Hot Rod Guitar Lick #13: Truckin’

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From Gene Moles, an important part of the Bakersfield country sound. This is from the cut “Truck Driving Man” on Red Simpson’s Roll Truck Roll. The whole disc is chock full great country guitar from Mr. Moles.

Hot Rod Guitar Lick #23: Keep It Together

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Let’s look at one inspired by Tom Brumley’s pedal steel solo on “Together Again” by Buck. It covers a lot of ground with various steel-like bends. We’re in the key of C, using either hybrid picking or thumb and fingers

Hot Rod Guitar Lick #26: Poultry In Motion

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I went to the Grammys with this, Country Instrumental of the Year in 2001. Lost to Earl Scruggs, what are you gonna do?

Chicken pickin’ in A played with bare fingers. The index and thumb work the same note, damping the sound for a percussive effect. Made this up at a session when I lost my voice and had to do something. My wife had to talk me into releasing it. Thank you Louise!

Dig these lessons? Download Bill Kirchen’s Bill Kirchen’s 30 Hot Rod Guitar Licks You MUST Know for much more including tab, notation, and jam tracks!