Workin' Man Blues by Merle Haggard - Guitar Lesson Breakdown

"Workin' Man Blues" by Merle Haggard is a quintessential country tune that showcases not only Haggard's lyrical prowess but also the driving guitar work that makes this song a timeless piece. Our note-for-note guitar lesson at Licklibrary.com focuses on teaching you how to play this song accurately, while emphasising the key techniques used by the guitar players to bring this iconic track to life.

The "Workin' Man Blues" guitar lesson will take you through the fundamental techniques that define the song’s sound. As you progress through the lesson, you’ll not only learn how to play the song but also gain a deeper understanding of essential country guitar techniques that are widely applicable across genres. Erik Holmbom breaks down this classic track in this exclusive Lick Library video tutorial.

The Guitarists Behind "Workin' Man Blues"

Merle Haggard's "Workin' Man Blues" features the guitar work of two major players: James Burton and Roy Nichols. James Burton is a legendary session player known for his work with Elvis Presley, Ricky Nelson, and a range of country artists. His unique style of chicken picking and hybrid picking shaped country guitar playing for generations. Roy Nichols, Haggard's longtime bandmate, was known for his mastery of the Telecaster and his ability to blend country, jazz, and blues influences, creating a style that defined the Bakersfield sound.

Their playing on "Workin' Man Blues" brought a distinctive, punchy, and driving energy to the song. Learning this track will give you insight into the influence of both players on country music and the techniques they popularized, such as string bending and hybrid picking.

Guitar Techniques Covered in "Workin' Man Blues"

String Bending

String bending is a key feature in country guitar, and "Workin' Man Blues" is no exception. The lesson covers how to effectively bend strings to reach precise pitches. This technique adds a vocal-like expressiveness to your playing and is essential for achieving that quintessential country twang.

Benefit:

Mastering string bending will greatly improve your ability to add emotional depth and precision to solos. It also helps develop your ear for pitch, which is critical in all styles of lead guitar playing.

Hybrid Picking

One of the signature techniques you’ll learn is hybrid picking, where you use a combination of your pick and fingers to pluck the strings. This allows for more intricate, faster, and cleaner picking patterns that can’t be achieved with just a pick or fingers alone.

Benefit:

Hybrid picking allows for greater versatility and speed in your playing, especially when alternating between lead lines and rhythm parts. It’s a key technique for developing control and precision in your picking hand.

Open String Riffs

"Workin' Man Blues" employs open string riffs, which give the song its driving, energetic feel. Learning these riffs will teach you how to use open strings effectively to create rich, resonant tones while maintaining a quick pace.

Benefit:

Open string riffs help you create a fuller sound with minimal movement on the fretboard. They are an essential tool for improving speed and efficiency in your playing.

Alternate Picking

To maintain the song's fast tempo, alternate picking is crucial. This technique involves alternating between downstrokes and upstrokes with your pick, allowing for rapid note articulation and smoother phrasing.

Benefit:

Alternate picking enhances your speed and fluidity, enabling you to play complex passages with greater accuracy. It’s a fundamental skill for any guitarist looking to improve their technical prowess.

Double Stops

Double stops are two notes played simultaneously, often used to add harmonic richness to lead lines. "Workin' Man Blues" incorporates several instances of double stops, contributing to its punchy and rhythmic feel.

Benefit:

Learning double stops will improve your ability to add harmony to your solos. They also help you develop finger independence and a greater understanding of chord voicings across the fretboard.

Vibrato

Vibrato is used in this lesson to add subtle expression to bent notes and sustained tones. By mastering vibrato, you’ll be able to inject more emotion and dynamics into your playing, making your solos more engaging.

Benefit:

Vibrato adds a personal touch to your sound, making it feel more vocal and expressive. It’s a key technique in almost every genre, helping you create more nuanced and soulful performances.

Conclusion

Mastering the techniques in "Workin' Man Blues" will enhance not only your country guitar skills but also your overall musicality. Whether you are a beginner looking to expand your technique library or an advanced player refining your skills, this lesson offers a detailed and practical approach to playing the song note-for-note. The techniques you’ll learn in this lesson are applicable far beyond country music and will help you become a more versatile guitarist.

Guitar Techniques in This Lesson:

• String Bending
• Hybrid Picking
• Open String Riffs
• Alternate Picking
• Double Stops
• Vibrato

Dive into our comprehensive lesson on Merle Haggard’s "Workin' Man Blues" and start building these essential guitar techniques today!