Go from an unspecialized beginner to a highly stylized folk/singer-songwriter guitarist
in just 10 weeks.
Who is The MasterClass Right For?
The Folk Guitar Masterclass is designed for beginner and intermediate-beginner singer-songwriter guitarists who feel stuck circling the same cowboy chords and strumming patterns, and want to become a highly-stylized folk/singer-songwriter guitarist.
You’re a perfect fit if you:
- Want to add that heart-wrenching, nostalgic folk sound to your playing
- Feel overwhelmed, confused, or stuck in a beginner rut
- Aspire to play like your folk heroes but don’t know the next step
- Want to create music that resonates with your listeners, fast (without it taking 10 years)
- Finally want to learn the iconic Travis picking technique and play lead melodies at the same time
- Want to bring your progressions to a whole new level of emotional depth with chord inversions
- Want to learn how to add a deeper level of expression to your playing with expressive strumming, folk ornamentations/chord voicings, and Travis picking—without shelling out thousands on private lessons
When you join The Folk Guitar Masterclass, you’ll get access to the exact techniques to master the 5 Pillars of Folk Guitar:
01
Expressive Pick
Strumming
Mastering expressive pick strumming adds the dynamics and emotion that make folk songs memorable.
You'll learn patterns and muting techniques to bring your strumming to life, giving your songs that timeless folk feel.
Ornamentations turn basic chords into something unforgettable.
You'll learn hammer-ons, pull-offs, and drones, adding subtle flourishes that give your playing a melodic voice, transforming simple progressions into something emotionally rich.
02
Folk
Ornamentations
03
Folk Chord
Voicings
The beauty of folk music lies in its chord voicings.
You'll learn the CAGED system (for songwriters), inversions, and miracle shapes to craft intricate progressions, perfect for adding rich textures and second guitar parts to your songs.
Travis picking is essential for any folk guitarist.
You’ll master the iconic picking pattern, add melodies while simultaneously playing chord progressions, and develop fluid, natural fingerstyle skills—just like the folk legends.
04
Travis
Picking
05
Expressive Finger
Strumming
If you want your strumming hand to work like a percussion section, this pillar is for you.
You’ll master bass note isolation, palm clicks, chop chords, and rasgueados, turning your strumming into a rhythm machine full of texture and groove.
The course material will be released gradually at a pace of five new modules (one module from each pillar) each week for 10 weeks.
In ten weeks, you’ll:
- Learn the "Pendulum Strumming" principle, so you'll never be out of sync with a strumming pattern ever again.
- Master forward and backward rolls in Travis picking so you can seamlessly create flowing, rhythmic melodies.
- Learn to finger-pick melodies and chords simultaneously so that you can sound like a one-person band, adding richness and depth to your playing.
- Master chord inversions to expand your chord vocabulary and achieve that distinctive folk “hurts-so-good” sound that captivates listeners.
- Add tasteful chord ornamentations and inter-chord melodies in popular folk keys so your progressions pop out of the speakers and grab attention immediately.
- Use hammer-ons and pull-offs to create smoother, more expressive transitions between chords, so your playing feels more fluid and dynamic.
- Learn the Capo/CAGED system to create unique, beautiful progressions without needing to learn complex chord shapes.
- Transform your strumming with percussive techniques like palm clicks and muting, so your guitar becomes a complete rhythm section.
- Learn to incorportate voice-leading and bass movement so your chord progressions feel more mature and emotionally resonant.
- Learn slow syncopated strumming patterns to add complexity and rhythmic interest, elevating even simple songs.
You’ll emerge as a transformed artist, able to play with the emotional depth your songs deserve and the immediacy your listeners crave.
You can learn folk guitar like your heroes without wasting years wandering aimlessly on YouTube.
You’ve Got (Worse) Options
The truth is…
There are countless ways to dive deeper into that nostalgic folk sound and elevate your playing beyond those days of punishing your acoustic with Oasis covers in your dorm room… but let’s be real: most of them are just surface-level hacks.
You’ve probably already:
- Spent countless late-night hours on random YouTube tutorials, hoping this time something would finally click.
- Tried to crack the code on fingerpicking or fancy strumming patterns, only to end up with your fingers tied in knots.
- Bought books that promised to 'revolutionize your playing,' but left you more confused and overwhelmed than ever.
And none of that actually brought you closer to playing like your folk heroes… that sound that just makes you wanna cry in your beer.
But that's not your fault — it's because no one ever showed you the complete picture, the roadmap that ties it all together.
You can channel that same nostaglic sound of your folk heroes and finally share your songs with the world -or become the life of the campfire.
So are you ready to…
- Ditch the robot vibe and start expressing your soul in every note?
- Channel your inner Paul Simon, Joan Baez, or Noah Kahan to become the life of the campfire?
- Turn your guitar into more than just an instrument — make it an extension of yourself, your voice, and your creativity?
…all without spending years in frustration, stuck in the same monotonous, mind-numbing loop.
What my students say
I'm all excited about the guitar again!
It's been feeling really bored and now I'm all excited about the guitar again soo thank you!
Ruth B.
They said, ‘Man, you’ve gotten so much better'
"Yesterday, I played with the band, and they said, ‘Man, you’ve gotten so much better at your rhythm guitar playing. I threw in pull-offs and hammer-ons, and even the bass player stopped to ask what I was doing. It’s an incredible feeling to know the work I’ve put in is really working."
Dave K.
So freaking helpful!!
Ahhh yes. My strumming has been so weak as far as dynamics and variety. Loved learning this technique with the thumb, fingers, nails. So freaking helpful!!
Jim M.
Lightbulb Moment!
"I loved this lesson- the drones are so simple yet effective! When you played the Tonic Drone in the lesson, I immediately had to think of Donovan's "Catch The Wind". A song I have loved forever and never knew why it is played as it is played. Lightbulb moment!"
Almut S.
Folk Guitar Masterclass
Stop feeling stuck in beginner mode, and unlock the "hurts-so-good" sound of folk guitar by mastering the five pillars of expressive pick strumming, folk ornamentations, chord voicings, Travis picking, and expressive finger strumming.
What You Get & Course Breakdown
Here’s what you’ll get when you join my Folk Masterclass
5 Pillars of Folk Guitar Curriculum (50+ Modules)
When you enroll, you’ll get access to the exact techniques to master the 5 Pillars of Folk Guitar:
01
Expressive Pick
Strumming
Mastering expressive pick strumming adds the dynamics and emotion that make folk songs memorable.
You'll learn patterns and muting techniques to bring your strumming to life, giving your songs that timeless folk feel.
Ornamentations turn basic chords into something unforgettable.
You'll learn hammer-ons, pull-offs, and drones, adding subtle flourishes that give your playing a melodic voice, transforming simple progressions into something emotionally rich.
02
Folk
Ornamentations
03
Folk Chord
Voicings
The beauty of folk music lies in its chord voicings.
You'll learn the CAGED system (for songwriters), inversions, and miracle shapes to craft intricate progressions, perfect for adding rich textures and second guitar parts to your songs.
Travis picking is essential for any folk guitarist.
You’ll master the iconic picking pattern, add melodies while simultaneously playing chord progressions, and develop fluid, natural fingerstyle skills—just like the folk legends.
04
Travis
Picking
05
Expressive Finger
Strumming
If you want your strumming hand to work like a percussion section, this pillar is for you.
You’ll master bass note isolation, palm clicks, chop chords, and rasgueados, turning your strumming into a rhythm machine full of texture and groove.
You'll also get 👇
Daily
Practice Plan
So you know exactly what to do every time you sit down to play guitar
Synchronized Tablature/Video Play Along Exercises
Practice with me at any speed, in a format that ensures you never get lost
Basement
Dwellers Club - Private FB Group
Meet other artists and get direct feedback from me through content reviews in an unlimited Q&A forum
Worried about getting stuck or overwhelmed?
I’ve got your back with this sweet bonus:
SWEET BONUS #1:
Weekly LIVE Group Lessons
Every week, you’ll join a community of like-minded guitarists for live group Q&A Zoom sessions where you’ll get personalized feedback, share your progress, and learn from each other. You’re never alone on this journey.
*Call time subject to change
Weekly LIVE Group Q & A Sessions
will be held
Wednesdays, 8:30-9:30pm EST
SWEET BONUS #2:
Home Recording Jumpstart
In this bonus workshop, you'll learn:
- What gear you actually need—skip the pricey extras.
- Top recording practices for a killer sound at home.
- Crucial Mixing/Editing tips to make your recordings polished and ready to share with the world!
After almost 3 decades of playing,
this is what I know...
After years of trial and error, I realized that unlocking that soulful, “hurts-so-good” folk sound isn’t about flashy techniques. It’s about mastering the foundational pillars that make both you and your listeners feel the music by bringing all the pieces together.
The problem with most “expert” advice? It lacks the larger framework that connects everything into a cohesive, beautiful whole. We’ll do that inside of The Folk Guitar Masterclass.
What my students say
You made me think in a new and different way!
“You made me think about strumming in a new and different way. In addition to being an accomplished musician, you are an excellent teacher and communicator.”
Richard N.
It’s going to add so much color to my chord progressions!
"I so appreciate this module. So excited to be learning these ornamentations and the usage of them. It’s going to add so much color to my chord progressions!"
Katie L.
Easy to understand!
“You explain things in a way that makes my idiot brain understand. Haha.”
Jeff L.
Break out of the beginner’s box and play with the folk sound that pulls your listeners' heartstrings by mastering the techniques that matter most—without any guesswork.
Course Breakdown
Curious about what you’ll find inside Folk Guitar Masterclass?
Each day includes a focused training module paired with a play-along exercise
from one of the Five Pillars of Folk Guitar.
With five sessions each week over 10 weeks, every lesson builds on the progress you made
in the previous week, guiding you step by step toward mastering the timeless folk sound.
In Week 1, we’ll build the skills that will take your guitar playing from flat and basic to expressive and full of life. This week is all about giving you the tools to start sounding like the folk musicians you love:
Day 1 - Mastering Dynamics:
Imagine your playing coming alive with emotion. You’ll learn how to control volume and intensity to make your strumming and picking feel powerful and engaging.
Day 2 - Exploring Drones:
Discover the secret to creating that rich, full sound that makes folk music so timeless. Droning notes will add depth to your progressions, making your guitar resonate like never before.
Day 3 - Unlocking the CAGED System for Chord Shapes:
Stop feeling stuck playing the same chords over and over. With the CAGED system, you’ll unlock the fretboard, giving you more variety and freedom in your playing.
Day 4 - Forward and Backward Rolls:
Want your picking to flow effortlessly? Learn simple patterns that blend rhythm and melody seamlessly, laying the groundwork for beautiful fingerpicking.
Day 5 - Basic Hand Mechanics for Expressive Finger Strumming:
Say goodbye to awkward hand movements when trying to strumming with your fingers. You’ll master positioning and coordination, making your figne strumming smoother and your playing more comfortable.
In Week 2, we’ll take things up a notch, introducing techniques that make your playing more dynamic and give it the character of true folk music:
Day 1 - Low/High Strumming: Part 1:
Add a new layer of interest to your strumming by alternating between low and high strings. You’ll create more texture and depth, making your rhythms truly stand out.
Day 2 - Mastering Hammer-Ons:
Learn how to use hammer-ons to add emotion and fluidity to your playing. This simple but powerful technique will bring life to your chord changes and progressions.
Day 3 - Harmonizing the Major Scale:
Bring melody to your music by learning to harmonize the major scale, an essential skill for choosing the best chords for your songs.
Day 4 - Learning the Classic Travis Picking Pattern (Part 1):
Start mastering the iconic Travis Picking pattern that forms the backbone of many beloved folk songs.
Day 5 - Isolating Bass Notes:
Focus on creating a strong foundation by isolating bass notes. This skill is essential for fingerpicking patterns that combine rhythm and melody.
Week 3 is all about adding layers to your playing. You’ll dive into more advanced rhythms and melodic techniques that will make your guitar truly sing:
Day 1 - 16th Note Pendulum Strumming: Part 1:
Discover how to bring energy and groove to your strumming with rhythmic 16th note patterns that make your playing stand out.
Day 2 - Mastering Pull-Offs:
Add flair to your progressions with pull-offs. This technique creates smooth, flowing sounds that make your music more expressive.
Day 3 - Sliding Shapes (E):
Learn chord shapes in the key of E that make it easy to replace boring cowboy chords, giving your playing a seamless and polished feel.
Day 4 - Learning the Classic Travis Picking Pattern: (Part 2)
Build on what you learned last week by adding complexity and variation to this timeless fingerpicking pattern.
Day 5 - 16th Note Finger Strumming:
Combine rhythm and melody with advanced finger strumming techniques that create a full and rich sound.
In Week 4, we’ll focus on smooth transitions and rhythmic techniques to make your playing more polished and professional:
Day 1 - Chord Change Anticipation:
Add a melodic flow to your progressions that your listeners will be drawn to. Learn how to anticipate chord changes with these simple melodic tricks.
Day 2 - Hammer-On/Pull-Off Combo:
Combine these two essential techniques to create dynamic, flowing embellishments that elevate your playing.
Day 3 - Sliding Shapes (A & D):
Explore sliding techniques with chord shapes in the keys of A & D, replacing boring cowboy chords, and unlocking smooth transitions and melodic movement on the fretboard, expanding your ability to create movement and emotion in your music.
Day 4 - Changing Chord Positions:
Learn how to move between different chord positions smoothly, giving your progressions variety and sophistication.
Day 5 - The Half-Time Groove:
Discover how to slow things down with a half-time rhythm that adds contrast and feel, making your playing more impactful.
Week 5 introduces advanced techniques to make your playing richer, more versatile, and more emotionally powerful:
Day 1 - Low/High Strumming (Part 2):
Build on what you’ve learned to create even more dynamic and textured rhythms that bring your songs to life.
Day 2 - Ornamentation Rhythms:
Add rhythmic variations to your ornamentations, making your progressions more interesting and expressive.
Day 3 - Sliding Shapes (C):
Learn how to slide effortlessly between shapes in the key of C, adding smoothness and emotion to your playing.
Day 4 - Travis Picking Variations:
Take your Travis picking to the next level with variations that add complexity and richness to your fingerpicking.
Day 5 - Bass Note Melodies (Fingers):
Combine bass notes and melody lines with your fingers, creating a full, layered sound that feels like an entire band.
In Week 6, we’ll focus on adding melodic movement and exploring chord inversions to give your playing even more depth. Also, this week, we'll start our journey of learning to fingerpick chords and play lead melodies at the same time:
Day 1 - Bass Note Melodies (Pick):
Use a pick to create clean, precise bass note melodies that anchor your progressions and give your chord changes a beautiful sense of melodicism.
Day 2 - Inversions Introduction:
Discover how chord inversions can transform your progressions, making them sound more dynamic and interesting. Move over, cowboy chords!
Day 3 - Inversions (Key of C):
Apply inversion techniques in the key of C, creating fresh and unique sounds in your music.
Day 4 - Adding Melodies (Accented Upstrokes):
Combine melodies with accented upstrokes to add flair and emphasis to your strumming.
Day 5 - Palm Muted Finger Strumming:
Master palm-muted finger strumming to create a rhythmic, percussive feel in your playing.
In Week 7, we’ll work on smoother transitions, anticipating melodies, and adding unique rhythmic touches to bring your music to life. We'll also add a crucial technique in helping you fingerpick chords and play lead melodies at the same time:
Day 1 - Strumming Transitions:
Draw your listeners in by creating strumming transitions between song sections.
Day 2 - Melodic Anticipation:
Learn how to add subtle sophistication to your progressions with a trick called Melodic Anticipation, making your transitions smoother and your music more cohesive.
Day 3 - Inversions (Key of G):
Explore inversions in the key of G, giving you even more tonal variety in your progressions.
Day 4 - Adding Melodies (Thumb/Finger Pinch):
Combine thumb and finger pinches with melodies to create intricate, layered picking patterns.
Day 5 - Adding the Fingernail Snare:
Incorporate the fingernail snare technique to add sharp, percussive accents to your strumming.
In Week 8, we’ll focus on techniques that bring depth, resonance, and percussive flair to your playing. And we'll continue our journey of learning how to finger pick chords and play melodies simultaneously. These skills will add polish and emotion to every note:
Day 1 - Palm Muting (for Resonance):
Learn how to use palm muting to control resonance, creating a warm, rhythmic tone that gives your playing a professional edge.
Day 2 - Diatonic Dyads:
Discover how to use diatonic dyads to add melodic harmony, enhancing your progressions with rich, layered sounds.
Day 3 - Inversions (Key of A):
Explore inversions in the key of A to bring fresh perspectives and tonal variety to your chord progressions.
Day 4 - Adding Melodies (Hammer-Ons / Pull-Offs):
Combine hammer-ons and pull-offs with Travis Picking melodies to create smooth, flowing phrases that captivate listeners.
Day 5 - Percussive Thumb Click:
Add rhythmic energy to your playing with the thumb click technique, giving your music a distinct percussive groove.
In Week 9, you’ll work on integrating rhythm and melody seamlessly while mastering techniques that enhance your control and expression:
Day 1 - Muting (for Dampening):
Master the art of dampening strings for a controlled, rhythmic feel that gets you that "chucking" sound, adding dynamic contrast to your playing.
Day 2 - Playing Melodies While Strumming:
Learn how to weave melodies into your strumming patterns, creating a full, layered sound that makes your guitar feel like a one-person band.
Day 3 - Inversions (Key of E):
Unlock new tonal options by mastering inversions in the key of E, adding more color and variety to your progressions.
Day 4 - Adding Melodies (High E Neighbor String):
Learn how to travis pick chords while playing melodies that incorporate notes on the high E string to add sparkle and depth to your arrangements.
Day 5 - Percussive Fingernail Mute:
Use your fingernails to create rhythmic mutes, adding sharp, "chucking" percussive accents that make your strumming stand out.
In Week 10, we’ll combine everything you’ve learned, focusing on techniques that integrate rhythm, melody, and harmony for a complete folk guitar sound:
Day 1 - Travis Sound with a Pick:
Learn how to achieve the signature Travis picking sound using a pick, blending rhythm and melody effortlessly.
Day 2 - Creating Lead Melodies in Progressions:
Discover how to craft lead melodies that flow naturally within your chord progressions, making your playing more dynamic and memorable.
Day 3 - Inversions (Key of D):
Explore chord inversions in the key of D, adding depth and sophistication to your arrangements.
Day 4 - Adding Extended Melodies:
Expand your melodic range by integrating extended melodies into your progressions, creating lush, expressive sounds.
Day 5 - Putting It All Together:
Tie everything from the Expressive Finger Strumming pillar of the course into one cohesive style.
Even after the first module, you’ll already feel a shift in your playing. You’ll be playing with intention, adding emotion to each chord, and that much closer to unlocking the soul of folk guitar and get the "hurts so good" sound by following a proven path that ensures you’re never left wondering what to play next.
Break free from monotony and get the nostalgic folk magic your songs deserve
for only $398
Hi, I'm James
I’m James Downes, a professional singer-songwriter and folk guitarist.
I’ve shared stages with some of the biggest names in folk music—Beck, Graham Nash, Deertick, and The Jayhawks, to name a few.
I have over 20 years of experience performing across the U.S. and around the world. But like many of you, I started from scratch, learning on my own with no formal lessons. My journey into folk guitar began when albums like Freewheelin’ by Bob Dylan and Rust Never Sleeps by Neil Young knocked me off my feet, and I became obsessed with capturing that raw, emotional folk sound.
After my Instagram page, Guitar Lessons with James, exploded to over 27,000 followers in just a few weeks, I realized something important: beginner and intermediate-beginner singer-songwriter guitarists are hungry for folk guitar tips that make a real difference in bringing their songs to life.
I spent years struggling on my own without a guide to piece together the techniques that give folk guitar its heart and soul. I finally figured it out, but I certainly took the long way.
Since then, I've started teaching my methodology, and through more than a thousand private lessons and online course sales, I’ve distilled everything down into the Folk Guitar Masterclass—so you don’t have to go through the same slow, frustrating process.
Whether you’re at the beginning of your guitar journey, or you've been stuck at a plateau for years, this course will give you the tools and techniques to unlock the rich, nostalgic sound that defines folk guitar.
What my students say
Easy to follow along
Love this lesson so much. You explain things so well upfront making it easy to follow along as usual!!
Katie L.
Makes simple progressions sound so much better!
Love how much this strumming technique makes simple progressions sound so much better!
Richard M.
Super useful!
Oh wow, those [exercise module play-along] chord progressions sound so great and wanting to hear them makes me want to play them more :-)
Jenn C.
You made a huge impact in my life!
"You have made a freaking huge impact in my life. That is the truth. You're making it so I can actually do this. That's so freaking cool.”
J. Logan
You've made me more complete!
“You’re awesome! I thought I was pretty good but the things you’ve unlocked for me have made me so much more complete.”
Hugh H.
This takes the guesswork out of it!
“This takes the guesswork out of it. Before this, [strumming] was sort of a mystery.”
David H.
I think it's incredibly high value.
I just wanted to reach out to say, first off, I think you're a fantastic teacher. The stuff we're doing in this class is the stuff I wish I had learned literally 30-40 years ago! I really appreciate what youv'e put together here and I think it's incredibly high value.
Mark M.
Really helps me fill in a lot of blanks...
I'm really loving the Inversions part. I've been playing - and writing/recording - for years, but this course really helps me fill in a lot of blanks...
Michael G.
Increased my awareness of how indiscriminately I strum
This [Low/High Strumming Module] was a great lesson. [It] increased my awareness of how indiscriminately I strum sometimes, and that so much of a song’s message can come from being choosy with the strings.
Becca R.
Outstanding format!
"The picking lesson was great! Outstanding format with the visuals, your oration, and demonstrations! You are an exceptional teacher!"
Virginia C.
It just makes sense now!
"I feel like I’m more prepared, like I can actually do it. All the stuff you were talking about, having it explained in a very easy way... It just makes sense now."
Becca R.
Adds a unique sound to my songs!
This course helped to understand better how to use chord inversions and how to incorporate them into my playing. It really does make a difference and adds a unique sound to my songs. Thanks.
GV
FAQs
When you sign up for the Folk Guitar Masterclass, you get instant access to the complete curriculum for life. Inside the program, there are 10 weeks of sequential daily lessons + killer play-along exercises.
YouTube, Instagram, Facebook... they're all incredible resources, packed with free guitar tutorials that could keep you busy for years.
There’s no shortage of videos on folk guitar techniques, from Travis picking to expressive strumming.
I've shared a lot of free tips and tricks on my Instagram page, which now has over 28,000 followers.
But here’s the catch: relying on something like YouTube alone often means wasting hours searching for the right tutorials, only to find incomplete answers or techniques taught out of context.
You’re left without a clear roadmap, and no precise exercises tailored to help you truly master the skills or understand how to sequence your progress.
If you want to see results FAST and play guitar with confidence, the Folk Guitar MasterClass is the solution.
So, what’s your time worth?
This program will save you months of trial and error, frustration, and second-guessing.
No more bouncing between random videos or feeling stuck in practice routines that go nowhere. Instead, you’ll follow a proven step-by-step system designed to get you from “stuck” to “strumming like a pro.”
For many students, that’s $397 well spent.
If your time isn’t worth that yet?
Stick with YouTube for now. The MasterClass will be here when you’re ready to take things to the next level.
Nope! While this course is designed for beginners and intermediate-beginners who have a handle on open chords and basic strumming but want to go from unstylized to highly specialized in folk and singer-songwriter guitar, even experienced players will find valuable techniques and insights here to take their folk guitar playing to a deeper, more emotional level.
Although, I must say that if you've never picked up a guitar before, this course will be too advanced at this time.
That doesn't mean you can get in at this lower price now and let it sit on the shelf for a few months while you build your foundational skills, then come back to it when you're ready (after all, you get lifetime access to the curriculum).
If you're curious about whether you're at the right level of experience for this course, I'd be happy to watch of video of your playing and give you my honest feedback as to whether or not I think this MasterClass will help you. Just reach out at james@guitarlessonswithjames.com.
I get it—random YouTube tutorials can leave you feeling stuck. The Folk Guitar Masterclass is different because it’s a structured, step-by-step roadmap that connects all the dots. You’ll have synchronized video/tablature play-along exercises, live support via Q&A Zoom calls or the private Facebook Group, and a clear path to progress, so there’s no more guessing what to practice next.
Good news—the course is designed with short, focused lessons that fit into your schedule.
It’s about quality, not quantity, so you’ll still make real progress without feeling overwhelmed. Plus, you’ll have lifetime access to the course so you can learn at your own pace.
That being said, learning an instrument can't be "mind-downloaded" like in The Matrix. The programs on social media that promise overnight results because of "new scientific approaches to learning" feel like bullshit to me.
It'll require dedication and practice. However, everyone's life looks different - so no judgment if you have less time to dedicate than someone else. That's why I'm offering lifetime access to the curriculum so you can move at a pace that works for you.
Yes! I taught myself guitar without any formal lessons, and I designed this course with that in mind. It’s beginner-friendly and accessible (assuming you can play basic chords and strumming patterns), free of unnecessary theory, with clear, step-by-step guidance and play-along exercises that make it easy to follow along, no matter if you've taken a formal lesson before or not.
This MasterClass is perfect for those who have a basic grip on open chords and strumming but feel stuck in the beginner phase.
If you're brand new to guitar, it's important to build those foundational skills before taking this MasterClass.
However, this is the lowest price the MasterClass will ever be, so if you're serious about mastering that nostalgic folk sound, you can enroll now and dive in when you're ready.
You'll have lifelong access to the course!
Absolutely! The Folk Guitar MasterClass has a 7-Day Satisfaction Guarantee. If you are not completely SATISFIED and STOKED with the MasterClass, then get in touch within 7 Days for a full refund, no questions asked!
Weekly LIVE Group Q & A Sessions will be held Wednesdays, 8:30-9:30pm EST on Zoom.
Can’t make it? No problem—each call is recorded and saved in an easy-to-access archive, where you’ll find answers to common questions and insights that can apply to your own playing journey.
You’ll also be able to submit videos and questions in the private Facebook group to help you get unstuck and keep progressing.
After enrolling in the Folk MasterClass and nailing that nostalgic folk sound, you’ll want to share it with the world, right? That’s exactly why we're creating the Home Recording Jumpstart workshop. It’s designed to take you from zero recording experience to producing killer solo singer-songwriter tracks.
The workshop is set to release in late January, early February 2025, which is when you’ll gain full access.
5 Pillars of Folk Guitar Curriculum (50+ Modules)
Get access to the exact techniques to master the 5 Pillars of Folk Guitar:
01
Expressive Pick
Strumming
Mastering expressive pick strumming adds the dynamics and emotion that make folk songs memorable.
You'll learn patterns and muting techniques to bring your strumming to life, giving your songs that timeless folk feel.
Ornamentations turn basic chords into something unforgettable.
You'll learn hammer-ons, pull-offs, and drones, adding subtle flourishes that give your playing a melodic voice, transforming simple progressions into something emotionally rich.
02
Folk
Ornamentations
03
Folk Chord
Voicings
The beauty of folk music lies in its chord voicings.
You'll learn the CAGED system (for songwriters), inversions, and miracle shapes to craft intricate progressions, perfect for adding rich textures and second guitar parts to your songs.
Travis picking is essential for any folk guitarist.
You’ll master the iconic picking pattern, add melodies while simultaneously playing chord progressions, and develop fluid, natural fingerstyle skills—just like the folk legends.
04
Travis
Picking
05
Expressive Finger
Strumming
If you want your strumming hand to work like a percussion section, this pillar is for you.
You’ll master bass note isolation, palm clicks, chop chords, and rasgueados, turning your strumming into a rhythm machine full of texture and groove.
You'll also get 👇
Daily
Practice Plan
So you know exactly what to do every time you sit down to play guitar
Synchronized Tablature/Video Play Along Exercises
Practice with me at any speed, in a format that ensures you never get lost
Basement
Dwellers Club - Private FB Group
Meet other artists and get direct feedback from me through content reviews in an unlimited Q&A forum
Worried about getting stuck or overwhelmed?
I’ve got your back with these sweet bonuses:
SWEET BONUS #1:
Weekly LIVE Group Lessons
Every week, you’ll join a community of like-minded guitarists for live group Q&A Zoom sessions where you’ll get personalized feedback, share your progress, and learn from each other. You’re never alone on this journey.
*Call times subject to change
Weekly LIVE Group Q & A Sessions
will be held
Wednesdays, 8:30-9:30pm EST
SWEET BONUS #2:
Home Recording Jumpstart
In this bonus workshop, you'll learn:
- What gear you actually need—skip the pricey extras.
- Top recording practices for a killer sound at home.
- Crucial Mixing/Editing tips to make your recordings polished and ready to share with the world!
...all for just $398
Not sure?
No worries, you're covered.
The Folk Guitar MasterClass has a 7-Day Satisfaction Guarantee. If you're not completely SATISFIED and STOKED with the MasterClass, then get in touch within 7 Days for a full refund, no questions asked.
You can stop sounding like everyone else by following the five pillars of folk guitar, becoming a true specialist in the style.
The Folk Guitar Masterclass is your guide to mastering the five pillars of folk guitar: expressive pick strumming, folk ornamentations, folk chord voicings, Travis picking, and expressive finger strumming.
In 10 weeks, you’ll go from a frustrated beginner to a highly stylized folk guitarist, playing with the emotional depth your songs deserve and your listeners demand.
If you’re still reading this, I’m guessing it’s because you’ve felt that deep frustration of playing with the same bland, un-specialized sound, knowing there’s something more inside of you that wants to be expressed.
And I want you to know — I created the Folk Guitar Masterclass for you.
It’s for the person who’s tired of being tied down by their own limitations and wants to break free to create something truly unique and powerful. It’s for the guitarist who’s got a solid grasp of basic chords and strumming but is stoked to zip beyond that early phase, or the one who's been uncommitted for years and finally wants to break out of the beginner’s box.
Either way, it's for those ready to create music that makes people stop and listen. It’s for the person who dreams of hearing their songs echo through spaces, not just in their own living room.
I’ve spent the last decade crafting and refining my own style, writing music that’s been played on over 250 NPR stations, touring the world, and performing with some of my childhood heroes.
And I’ve spent months distilling the most essential techniques and principles into this step-by-step course. You don’t have to worry about piecing it all together on your own anymore — just follow the steps and let the music flow.
You’re just 10 weeks away from unlocking the folk sound that’s been inside you all along.
I can’t wait to hear how this transformation impacts not just your guitar playing, but your creative confidence and the way you share your music with the world.
Here’s to unlocking that voice that’s been waiting to come alive.
Disclaimer: your results may vary based on individual commitment and practice habits. You’ll get out of it what you put into it. The Folk Guitar Masterclass is designed for educational purposes, and progress is dependent on the time and effort you invest.
The Folk Guitar MasterClass