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Blues music, having diffused into all parts of the world, comes in many shapes in forms. Thus, many places have they own adaptations of this American style. Kentucky is one of those places, and Greg Martin is one to know a thing or two about it. As a guitar player for the award-winning American country-rock band, The Kentucky Headhunters, Greg has mastered a style he affectionately refers to as “Kentucky Backcountry Blues.”

In his course, Kentucky Backcountry Blues, Greg Martin gives you technique tips for soloing, playing slide, and building rhythms for this unique style.

Here are 10 video country blues guitar lessons from the course. For the full course, check out Greg Martin’s Kentucky Backcountry Blues on TrueFire!

Country Blues Guitar Lesson – Market Street Groove: Overview


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“Market Street Groove” is a Jimmy Reed inspired shuffle, played in the key of E. We’ll be tuned standard for both takes, utilizing ‘Hybrid Picking’ on take # 1, and ‘standard key slide’ on take #2. Playing slide in standard key is one of my favorite styles. Since you’re familiar with the notes on the fretboard, it’s easy to adapt slide accordingly. Also, notice the Jimmy Reed five chord demonstrated in the video. As with most great Blues songs, it’s based on three chords and the truth.

Country Blues Guitar Lesson – Market Street Groove: Lead Performance


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Let’s have a look at the lead part. I’ll perform it here for you, and then we can break it down.

Country Blues Guitar Lesson – Market Street Groove: Lead Breakdown


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Now, let’s break down the lead part. We’ll take it in pieces, and you can string these ideas together after.

Country Blues Guitar Lesson – Market Street Groove: Slide Performance


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This was a bit of a last minute decision, but we thought it would sound really cool to try this lead part as a slide part too. So, I’ll perform that for you, and then we’ll break it down again.

Country Blues Guitar Lesson – Market Street Groove: Slide Breakdown


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Finally, let’s get into the technique of turning this lead part into a slide guitar line!

Country Blues Guitar Lesson – Slow Blues in C: Overview


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We’ll be playing a slow blues in C, utilizing the slide 6th chord throughout the progression. For inspiration, we’re drawing heavily from Michael Bloomfield, BB King, Freddy King, Billy F. Gibbons. Dynamics, phrasing and finger vibrato are very important when playing the Blues. Also, feel it!

Country Blues Guitar Lesson – Slow Blues in C: Performance


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Let’s see how this one sounds all together!

Country Blues Guitar Lesson – Walkin’ D Shuffle: Overview


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It’s time to play some barnyard blues in the style of Elmore James. Get that slide out, tune the guitar to Open D (D-A-F#-D-A-D), and get into the groove! Remember, try keep the rhythm going between phrases, groove is very important. Be sure to to grab a good Elmore James collection and study his style.

Country Blues Guitar Lesson – Walkin’ D Shuffle: Performance


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Once again, I’ll perform this one up to speed for you. Then, we’ll break it down in pieces.

Country Blues Guitar Lesson – Walkin’ D Shuffle: Breakdown


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Let’s break this barnyard blues down!

Digging these free video country blues guitar lessons? Check out Greg Martin’s Kentucky Backcountry Blues.