Featured Articles
MORE GUITAR LESSONS!
If you’re ready for more in-depth lessons and tutorials on Roots Music, Blues Guitar, Slide Guitar, Fingerpicking, and more… Check Justin Johnson’s Complete Guitar Lesson Video Series. Available at: www.JustinJohnsonLive.com
Like us on Facebook
-
Recent Posts
- FREE GUITAR WORKSHOPS, LIVE STREAMS, AND 20% OFF EVERYTHING!
- Everything Capo! How, When, and Why to Use a Guitar Capo
- Tone Tour Through Martin Guitars’ Nashville Showroom
- Have you been GOOD this year?
- Check out the new “B-Side Gold” LIMITED EDITION Shovel Guitar with GOLD HARDWARE!
- TIME IS RUNNING OUT on our Biggest Savings of the Year!
- Biggest Savings of the Year on Signature Shovel Guitars, Whiskey Barrel Guitars, & One-String Diddley Bows!
- Justin Johnson Releasing “Bootleg Series Vol. 1” – Live and Unreleased Recordings
- HIGH VOLTAGE ROCKABILLY! “All I Can Do Is Cry” from Justin Johnson’s Upcoming “B-Side Gold” Album
- NEW ALBUM by JUSTIN JOHNSON – “B-Side Gold” Rock and Roll Album by Justin Johnson
- Swampy Rhythm Guitar Tone Walkthrough
- Justin Johnson Interview with Now Hear This Entertainment
- Dialing in Blues Fingerpicking Guitar Tone
- Brand New Guitar Bundles to Save you Money and Get you Extras!
- Justin Johnson Signature Guitar String Sets
- JUSTIN JOHNSON’S FULL 6-STRING GUITAR LESSON SERIES JUST RELEASED
- Blues Fingerpicking Techniques – with Tablature
- Learn Guitar in One Minute! …well, kinda…
- Fingerpicking Tips To Save Years of Guitar Practice
- Killer New Guitar Slide Designs!
- “3-String Guitar” Instructional Video Series now available via Digital Download!
- “Slide Technique for 4-String Guitar” now available via digital download!
- Jack Daniel’s Whiskey Barrel Guitar: How It’s Made and What it Sounds Like
- Go-To Tunings for Blues Slide Guitar
- Over Two Continuous Hours of Cigar Box Guitar and Roots Music!
- The 12-String Guitar ~ The Heavy-Hitter of Acoustic Blues Instruments
- How To Play Any Song on the 3-String Guitar with One Finger
- How to Play THE BEATLES’ “Come Together” on the 3-String Guitar
- 3-String or 4-String? How to Decide Which is Right for You!
- How to Play “Sleepwalk” on the 3-String Guitar! Guitar TABs Included!
- How to Use Your “Open G Tuning” Riffs in Any Key: Tuning Guide for 3- & 4-String Guitar
- How to Play Mississippi Hill Country Blues: Break it Down, and Build it Back Up!
- How to Play Slide Guitar: The Essential Secrets!
- Building Community… One Guitar at a Time: Interview with MRWS Instruments
- Handmade Guitars with a Blues Bias – Interview with Little Crow Guitars
- Twelve-Bar Blues for the 3-String Guitar: Explanations, Chords Charts, Video, and More…
- Classic Melodies on the Godfather of American Roots Instruments – The One-String Diddley Bow
- “Dust My Broom” 3-String & 4-String Lesson ~ Slide and Fretted Arrangements
- “Hoochie Coochie Man” 3-String & 4-String Lesson ~ Slide and Fretted Arrangements
- 3-String Guitar Lesson – Pink Floyd’s “Wish You Were Here”
- What is the Best Way to Learn Guitar?
- Blues Guitar Soloing is Easier Than You Think
- What is the Key to Learning How to Improvise on Guitar?
- “Comprehensive Reference of Scales & Chords for 3-String & 4-String Guitar” • Now available as a downloadable eBook!
- How To Read Scale Diagrams …and Why?
Why not turn the workshop into a jam?
LikeLike
Much love and success justin
LikeLike
Justin you are a Great musician I love the Blues and other then B.B. King you are one of the Best I’ve seen so far.
LikeLike
talent beyond words.
LikeLike
Very cool Justin. much love from Kentucky Hope to meet ya on the road
LikeLike
Thanks Summer, Hope to see you at a show!
LikeLike
I was always told I could never play my fingers was too short lol
LikeLike
Thank you so much! I am 76 yrs. old and am just learning the 4 string so when I get old, I will have something nice to do!
LikeLike
That’s awesome to hear, Mary! Enjoy the journey!
LikeLike
When will your one string diddley bow instructional dvd be avaiable again?
I buily myself one following the Blind Kiwi video instructions – awesome.
Would now love to be able to play it.
Thank you.
LikeLike
Hi Sue, I expect to make the One-String Diddley Bow instruction available as a digital download within the next month or so. I will make a post here when that’s available, so if you’re subscribed to the blog here on Roots Music School, you’ll get the notice when that is available. Thanks!
LikeLike
Hi Justin,
First, thank you for the instructional videos you have done which got my attention, enthusiasm and then started. I couldn’t find the shipping cost to UK for the shovel guitar anywhere on the site, how much would it be please and a little request please, would you consider doing an online video lesson breaking down how to play the ace of spades please.
Thanks again for all your instructional videos, I would never have got started without them
All best wishes,
Dominic.
LikeLike
Hi Dominic, International Shipping/Handling/Insurance on a Shovel Guitar from the US to the U.K. is a flat rate of $100, which is added at checkout when you order the guitar at http://www.justinjohnsonlive.com/shovel-guitar.html
As far as the Ace of Spades tutorials, If you’re interested in specific instruction on a specific song that’s not in the tutorials I’ve put out, you can always reach out by email (justin@justinjohnsonlive.com). When I’m not on tour or in the middle of a recording project, I often offer Skype lessons.
Thanks!
Justin Johnson
LikeLike
Have you ever made a tab for a 3-string guitar of, “While My Guitar Gently Weeps? I enjoyed your “Sleepwalk”.
LikeLike
No tab for that arrangement yet, but I’ll keep it in mind!
LikeLike
Justin, thank you for all you’ve done to bring cigar box instruments to the people. You’ve taught me so much in such a short time, and re-awoke a love of music in me.
Question, the Diddley Bow instructional DVD is sold out on your store, will you be getting more in?
LikeLike
Hi, Thanks for the comment. I’m glad to have been a part of reigniting the fire for music!
We will be making the 1-string instruction available as a digital download very soon. Keep an eye on the store page at http://www.justinjohnsonlive.com/store.html or if you are subscribed to the blog here on http://www.RootsMusicSchool.org, we will send out a notice when those digital downloads are available. Thanks!
LikeLike
Hello Justin was just looking around the store was just wondering if your going to ever have 3 and 4 string CBG for sale any time?
LikeLike
Hi Don, I am currently building a limited run of 3-String and 4-String guitars. The guitars have Justin Johnson Signature Engraved Headstocks, Justin Johnson Signature Humbucker Pickups, and I personally set the string height, intonation, and electronics to my personal specs. I also autograph them. Email me at justin@justinjohnsonlive.com if you’re interested. Thanks!
LikeLike
I’m absolutely in love with your music — so much so that I bought a kit to make a 3-string guitar. I’m so excited — but a bit nervous too! Looking forward to learning the 3 string. And hey, I listen to so much of your music. Thank you. 🙂
LikeLike
All the best
LikeLike
Wondering where you learned to play guitar.
Mike
LikeLike
Hi,
Any chance that your instructional videos will be available online rather than DVD? I hope so.
Thanks for what you do, love the music.
LikeLike
Hi Justin. I have been following you for about a year now. Your love of craft shows and your zeal to promote Root and Blue is infectious. Thank you.
My question concerns the usual when one falls in love with the Blue and the rest. I have recently purchased a gently used Gretsch semi-hollow body. However, at 59, my hand are not that nimble. I realize that learning to master the fret board will be a greater challenge. And so I was especially encouraged to read your suggestions that one should begin learning on either a 3- or 4-string guitar to find more enjoyment and success during this lifelong journey. I will probably follow with a 3-strung 4-string cigar box.
Thus my questions. Having put the cart before the horse with the Gretsch can the bottom 3 or 4 strings on a 6-string be tuned and played in a similar manner, e.g., G-D-G-B or is this problematic given their higher register?
Also, what are your thoughts on supplemental resources such as the Carl Fischer’s Guitar Grimoire – The Fingerpicking Book and Progressions & Improvisation. Or are these books a likely hindrance to your instructional series at this time and I would be better served with their purchase later when I am further along in my learning.
LikeLike
Hey,
I’m glad to hear that you are digging’ Blues and Roots music, and I would definitely encourage you to experiment with different string and tuning options as you are getting to know the different techniques. If you would like to remove some strings from your Gretch to simulate a 3-string or 4-string I would leave the A-D-G strings on for the 3-string, and the A-D-G-B strings on for the 4-string. Make sure you keep the strings in the original string slots (on the nut). These nut slots are cut to fit the relative size of each string, and you want to keep that consistent. One downside to playing the 6-string with less strings is that you have a lot of extra fretboard space that is not being used, so it’s easy to fret out if you are playing the slide, and it’s a little unnatural feeling to play at first.
I cannot personally vouch for either of those books you mentioned, since I haven’t seen them or used them, but I really like the Hal Leonard books I have seen, especially the ones for beginner theory and Jazz.
LikeLike
Justin, thank you for the timely response. I will get some of Hal Leonard’s works for guitar. I have decided to follow your more beneficial advice to stick with a 3-strung 4-string and leave the Gretsch as is. I’ll be getting two 3-string kits for my grandsons too and make some memories. Hopefully, we can give them the life long gift of music appreciation for Blue and Roots.
Peace.
LikeLike
do you have continued courses on fingerpicking from beginner to advanced
LikeLike
Yes, I have a full set of instructional videos in production now and due out in February. You can preorder by emailing contact@justinjohnsonlive.com
LikeLike
Love playing along with u guys on the cajon. really able to up my game tnx JD
LikeLike
tried to print of some tabliture…I assume this is not possible?
LikeLike
Not sure which tablature you’re referring to, but all of the DVD and Digital Download Courses come with easy-to-print PDF tablature, and all of those courses are available at http://www.justinjohnsonlive.com/store.html. If you’re referring to the tabs on this specific website, they are generally JPEG files that are formatted to be easy to read online, as opposed to being print-ready documents.
LikeLike
Love your work Justin, I’m 68 and would like to see more one string Diddly Bow blues tabs please
LikeLike
Thanks for post this informative. I’m a long time reader
but ive never commented till now.
Thanks again for the awesome post.
LikeLike
Can I do this with a 7 string James dean “Vendetta” guitar?
LikeLike
Justin,
You already know that you cruise on that finboard man!Just want to let you know I dig what you do Bluesman!I’d love to jam with you sometime!Rocket & Roll…it!
LikeLike
hello
i saw you using a roland cube in some videos. can you show a cube setup for showel guitar?
LikeLike
I use the Classic Stack setting, with all 3 tone knobs around 60%, Gain around 40%, and Reverb 40%.
LikeLike
Hi Justin, I’m really looking forward to getting Bootleg Series Vol 1. My question is can I get a full download of these anywhere? I just love them.
LikeLike
Hi Richard, Sorry, I’m not sure what you’re asking about full downloads of? The lessons on this site? Or the Bootleg Series album?
LikeLike
The Bootleg album Justin, I just love those tunes.
LikeLike
If you’ve pledged to the Kickstarter, You will receive the full “Bootleg Series: Volume 1” album in Digital Download format as soon as the Kickstarter ends and the tracks are all mastered. At this point, we only plan to release that particular album in digital download format. Thanks again for your support of the music! We appreciate it!
LikeLike
I have indeed pledged to the Kickstarter, I thought when you described the Bootleg Series: Volume 1 as an EP it may be shortened versions of the tunes. If they are full length I shall be over the moon. Peace and love and a Happy Christmas to you and yours.
LikeLike
Ah! I actually wrote that wrong. They are all full length songs, and will make up a full-length album. I apologize for the confusion! Peace & Merry Christmas to you and yours as well!
LikeLike
I am a beginner with damaged hands but I still love to play. When I feel sorry for myself I listen to Django. Do you have beginners courses? Maybe some exercises that can build up my hands. I just love your playing, so calm and relaxed.
LikeLike
Django is one of my favorites, and he is such an inspiration for anyone who feels like an injury is holding them back from playing great guitar. I’ll bet you would get a lot from my Fingerpicking Foundations video course. It focuses on introductory fingerpicking patterns, and how to apply them musically. Also, you might also like the 3-string guitar, or my Signature 3-string shovel guitar. The fact that they have less strings makes them much more accessible, and easy to play, for people with limited dexterity. I have a lot of instruction on how to play slide and fretted guitar on the 3-string. All of my instruction can be found at http://www.justinjohnsonstore.com. Thanks!
LikeLike
Thank you so much for the help and I will check
all your suggestions out. Love watching your videos!
LikeLike