Country guitar is one of the most exciting musical genres of all. Fast and furious, country guitar is generally regarded as something that should be explored only by experienced players. This is definitely something we’d endorse, as just picking up your guitar and getting started with country music isn’t something that is easy to do.

Although the diversity of country music is such that there are many different styles you can learn to play, there are a number of must learn country guitar licks that will help you to become proficient in this style.

Traditional Country Lick

The first essential country guitar lick is a simple lick that you play in A. Play notes on the fourth and second fret followed by an open string on the G string, followed by the same on the D string. Follow this by playing the third and fourth frets on the A string, then the second fret and open string back on the D. Return to the A string and play the second fret with a downward bend, and you have a simple and traditional country lick.

Other than the second two notes on the D string, play this lick with upstrokes.

Double Stops (E)

This is a great lick that brings the blues sound to your country music. Beware that this is a fast lick so you should already be confident playing country style guitar before trying this chord sequence.

Play the 14^th fret on the B and G strings together followed by the 12^th fret on the same strings. Then, play the 14^th fret on the D string.

Perform this sequence a second time, but after the D string play the 12^th fret on B and G once more.

Still playing B and G, again play the 14^th and 12^th frets followed by the 14^th on the D, followed by a quick 14^th on B and G and back to the 14^th fret on D. Now, play the 12^th on B and G and bend the strings downward, and lick complete!

Western Swing

Our final must learn lick suggestion is a great one for those who want a more jazz and blues inspired country sound. The key to getting the western swing sound right is to start with an upstroke and then play alternate up and down strokes throughout this lick.

Start on the e and play the 8^th, 5^th, 6^th, and 7^th frets, before moving onto the B and playing the 8^th, 7^th, 6^th, and 5^th. Then play the 7^th fret on the G before moving back to the B and playing the 10^th, 7^th, and 8^th frets.

Finish back on the e playing the 8^th, 6^th, 7^th, and then 5^th, before a final 8^th fret on the B to complete this country guitar lick.