Guitar Journeyman

Become a Guitar Journeyman

Work your Cowboy guitar skills up from the Straw Hat to the coveted Stetson Boss of the Plains, through 25 guided step by step lessons.

Each of the 5 hat levels contain 5 lessons each focused on key categories of musicianship. The course is included with in All Access Atkins Membership, but currently 2 of 25 are loaded. The Guitar Journeyman is a work in progress. Help forge it and be the first to graduate to the Boss of the Plains

Level 1 - Straw Hat

  1. Picking: Strum Basics, Thumb + Pointer, Tab Reading

  2. Chords: Cowboy Chords/Open Chords

  3. Scales: Open C and G Major

  4. Theory/Fretboard: Notes on the E and A strings

  5. Ear Training: Finding Bass Notes

Level 2 - Felt Montana Peak

  1. Picking: Strumming Missed Beats, Fingerpicking with pointer and middle.

  2. Chords: Thumb over the top, and Barre Chords

  3. Scales: Movable Major Scale

  4. Theory/Fretboard: Notes on all strings via Octaves

  5. Ear Training: Learning simple melodies

Level 3 - Gus Montana

  1. Picking: Complex Strumming Patterns, Fingerpicking Left Hand Melody

  2. Chords: Moving Triad Shapes and inversions all over the neck

  3. Scales: Playing the Major scale by sequences, 3rds, and in triads.

  4. Theory/Fretboard: Connecting CAGED

  5. Ear Training: Transcribing Vocal Melodies

Level 4 - Gambler

  1. Picking: Bass walks and Melody Runs, Fingerpicking Triplets and Ring Finger

  2. Chords: 7th chords

  3. Scales: Minor Scale

  4. Theory/Fretboard: Triads with Melody

  5. Ear Training: Transcribing Fingerpicking

Level 5 - Boss of The Plains

  1. Picking: Advanced Picking - Arranging your own Travis Picked songs

  2. Chords: Chord Extensions 9,11,13 etc

  3. Scales: Major Scale in all 5 positions

  4. Theory/Fretboard: Triads with Melody all over the neck

  5. Ear Training: Transcribing Fingerpicking

Every one of the 25 lessons will include a comprehensive PDF with instruction, explanation, demos, and homework assignments to complete. Before you move on a hat Level you’ve got to get clearance from the Boss Hogg (that’s me!). I’ll give you pointers, feedback, and encouragement as I guide you on your way to being Boss of the Plains. Giddy up, Cowboy.