Tennessee Whiskey - Easy 2 Chord Song! - Rhythm + Lead Guitar | Chris Stapleton

Hey everyone! Welcome to my "Tennessee Whiskey" Easy Guitar Lesson + Tutorial - Rhythm & Lead Riff! This easy 2 chord song for guitar is great for beginners. We will improve chord switching and practice rhythm to improve your basic guitar skills, using a real song!

I'm going to show you 3 things in this lesson:

1) How to play the song using basic chord shapes (requires a Capo at the 2nd fret)

2) How to play the lead guitar part

3) How to play the song WITHOUT a capo (requires the use of a BARRE CHORD)

This easy guitar song for beginners was written by Dean Dillon and Linda Hargrove. Originally performed by David Allan Coe. George Jones' version is also notable.

"Tennessee Whiskey" Sheet Music/TAB no longer available due to copyright issues, but I have something even better!
► FULL PLAY-THROUGH (entire song, start to finish) available on my Patreon page:

If you're just getting started you might need some extra help. I have 2 resources for that:

We start off by learning 2 chord shapes: G and Am. We strum through them to practice switching, and then learn a simple strumming pattern. This one is in 3/4 time, so we count it out "1 + 2 + 3 +" - make sure you take it slow and work it out just like we talk about in the lesson. Once you have it down, we put it together with the chords and play through the verse. Be sure to check out my Tennessee Whiskey Chords PDF (link above) if you need help with the chord shapes!

Next we learn the lead guitar part, which is pretty simple but requires the use of SLIDES. I recommend practicing slides from the 2nd to 4th fret (and back) on the A string, OVER and over again.

After putting the lead guitar part together, we finally learn how to play this song without using a capo. This means using the Bm barre chord. I go over a good way to visualize it, and then go over a few tips for making sure you don't hurt your wrist and can properly develop the right technique to play it.

Finally, as an added bonus, I show you how to play a nifty rhythm guitar embellishment that spices up the tune a little bit - just in case the rest was a bit too easy for you ;)

Enjoy the lesson, I'll see you soon!
-James

TABLE OF CONTENTS

0:00 - INTRO
2:13 - EASY CHORDS & SWITCHING PRACTICE
3:55 - STRUMMING PATTERN
5:42 - EASY PLAY-ALONG
7:08 - LEAD GUITAR RIFF
10:46 - INTERMEDIATE VERSION CHORDS
12:40 - EMBELLISHMENT ON A CHORD
14:42 - INTERMEDIATE PLAY-ALONG

Tennessee Whiskey Lyrics

Used to spend my nights out in a barroom
Liquor was the only love I've known
But you rescued me from reachin' for the bottom
And brought me back from being too far gone

You're as smooth as Tennessee whiskey
You're as sweet as strawberry wine
You're as warm as a glass of brandy
And honey, I stay stoned on your love all the time

I've looked for love in all the same old places
Found the bottom of a bottle's always dry
But when you poured out your heart I didn't waste it
'Cause there's nothing like your love to get me high

You're as smooth as Tennessee whiskey
You're as sweet as strawberry wine
You're as warm as a glass of brandy
And honey, I stay stoned on your love all the time

You're as smooth as Tennessee whiskey
You're as sweet as strawberry wine
You're as warm as a glass of brandy
And honey, I stay stoned on your love all the time

You're as smooth as Tennessee whiskey
Tennessee whiskey
Tennessee whiskey

You're as smooth as Tennessee whiskey
Tennessee whiskey
Tennessee whiskey

---

#tennesseewhiskey #chrisstapleton #guitarlesson

[romulusdorin]

It's a guitar lesson that I think especially beginners in guitar solos like me will appreciate! Superb! Thank you!

[rosyposie]

This song is good, and the fact that it’s easy to play makes it even better.

[Smokey.]

Was struggling with the 2/4 2/4 4\2 part before this video. Your tip with using a 2nd finger helped tons

[bradymusic]

I appreciate how thoughtful and well organized your song lessons are. 🙏🏼

[joehensley]

The best beginner version I seen so far thank you

[gibsonshaw]

TYSM this is my sister and dads song and i needed to be able to play it

[infernalbird]

2020 watching.
Let me tell you if you're reading this comment. The free E-book is amazing! There are a lot of resources out on the internet, but the E-book from good guitarist is amazing, its full of the information you want if your beginning. I have started my guitar learning on a Montana classical guitar and its because of the free E-book that i've been able to gain the confidence in my chord shapes and strumming exercises that I'm able to follow along with MANY of Justin's videos on so many songs. I'm telling you, if you want to learn guitar and your a beginner like me, you need his book.

[gregus]

Thanks from France.
David Allan Coe for president !

[Michael-jvcn]

Ok I just started learning how to play 2 days ago. After watching this I can play that lead all the way through pretty darn good for beginner. This was very easy to follow. Nice video!

[tman]

You have a gift for instruction young man, very well done!!

[brandoncgharrison]

finally a tutorial where i don't feel rushed or stressed!!

[christinelavoie]

You are amazing! Just became a patreon. I started 2 weeks ago and Learned 2 songs in 2 weeks. I’m 57 years old. Your methodology work perfectly for me..thank you!

[timhunter]

Absolutely one of the best guitar instructional video pages on you tube, the detail and the speed at which he teaches is perfect for both experienced and beginner
Thank you

[TheWagoneer]

i, m impressed with all the folks who have shown interest in playing a Guitar...keep it up ...

[sdjturner]

I have struggled with the on and off method of trying to learn to play songs on my guitar for decades. Your style and methods have given me so much more clarity and progressive steps that I am feeling more motivation and control. Thank you from the Kootenays!

[albertvejil]

I know that I can learn because your are a good teacher

[dennisbaus]

Such great video's and song sheets. I would love to see a complete song sheet tabs putting together all Intro licks, strumming etc, together in a tab sheet. As a beginner I've got the pieces and parts but can't transition from one to the other. Great Work!

[dallasalltheway_]

Just started learning last night. Started with Em and Am. Tip of my fingers hurt 😢. Virgin fingers

[valc]

I never knew how easy that intro was. Or at least your version of it.

[mmartinez]

I like the way you teach your straight up and know some will not be able too do some of it as quick.