Cigar Box Guitar · Country & Bluegrass
Cigar Box Guitar Country & Bluegrass
The Cigar Box Guitar Country & Bluegrass Method is a three-book teaching series for 3-string cigar box guitar in Open G (G–D–G), covering chords, rhythm, riffs, backup, flatpicking, lead playing and jam repertoire. The Foundations video course teaches the same core skills as Book 1 through guided demonstrations and lessons. Players who want an additional goal can also work toward the optional Grade 1 assessment.
Start here
Book 1: Foundations
Cigar Box Guitar Country & Bluegrass Method, Book 1: Foundations
Chords, Rhythm, Riffs and First Solos for 3-String Open G
Book 1 establishes the playing vocabulary used throughout the Method. It moves from your first chords and rhythm patterns into short country and bluegrass riffs, backup playing, Carter-style melody, scales and your first lead breaks — then puts all of it to work on real jam tunes.
- Twenty essential country and bluegrass riffs — one-bar and two-bar, in C, G, D and A
- Core chords, chord shapes and progressions in Open G
- Fundamental rhythm, strumming and backup patterns
- Carter-style melody playing and playing behind a singer
- Scales, target notes and your first simple breaks
- Five traditional beginner jam tunes, each in two arrangement levels
Book 1 includes companion audio for the musical examples, exercises and tunes, so you can hear how each one should sound and play along at your own pace.
Two ways in
Learn from the book, the video course, or both
The book and the video course teach the same Foundations skills in different formats. Each one is complete on its own. Use whichever suits how you learn, or use them together.
Book 1: Foundations
The printed and digital book, with companion audio included. Work at your own pace, and return to earlier sections whenever you need them.
You do not need the video course to use the book.
Foundations video course
A guided video course covering the same Foundations skills, with demonstrations, closeups, slow and full-tempo examples and play-along material.
The course is self-contained: it includes its own written and video resources, so the book is a companion rather than a requirement.
Who it is for
A country and bluegrass path for the 3-string CBG
This is for players who want to move past isolated cigar box guitar riffs and build usable rhythm, backup and lead skills in a country and bluegrass setting. It is beginner-friendly at the start, and the progression continues into stronger jam and performance skills.
Blues players are welcome, but the Method stays in country and bluegrass territory throughout.
Worth knowing
Before you begin
- Tablature is the main playing reference. Standard notation is included alongside much of the material, but you do not need to read it to begin
- Everything is in 3-string Open G (G–D–G). Nothing you learn early gets discarded later
- The Grade 1 assessment is entirely optional. You can work through the whole series without ever taking one
- You do not need the video course to use the book, or the book to take the course
The Method
Three books, one progression
The three books together form one complete Method, all in the same Open G tuning. Because the tuning never changes, the fretboard, chord and scale relationships you learn in Book 1 carry straight through the rest of the series, the video material and the optional assessments — each new skill builds on the last instead of restarting.
Book 1: Foundations
Chords, rhythm, riffs, backup, Carter-style melody, scales, first solos and five traditional beginner jam tunes.
Book 2: Lead Playing & Jam Skills
Flatpicking, crosspicking, longer phrases, fills, melodic soloing, stronger backup and expanded jam repertoire — building your own breaks and holding your own in a jam.
Book 3: Advanced Lead & Performance
Advanced lead ideas, developed and harmonized solos, slide, solo arrangements and a complete set list.
Optional assessment pathway
Cigar Box Guitar Exam Book, Grade 1
Country & Bluegrass Repertoire, Technique and Requirements for Beginners — Kalymi Music Assessments
Want a clear goal to work toward?
Kalymi Music Assessments are optional practical assessments built around real playing skills. Cigar box guitar is the first pathway, beginning at Grade 1.
All candidates receive a result and written feedback. Candidates who achieve the required standard receive a Kalymi Music Certificate of Achievement, awarded through Kalymi Music Assessments.
Book 1: Foundations supports Grade 1 preparation and develops many of the same skills, but it is not required. You can prepare with a teacher, with the video course, with another suitable resource or independently, provided you meet the published requirements.
Full Grade 1 information, current candidate information and Exam Entry status are maintained on the dedicated Cigar Box Guitar assessment pathway page.
Grade 1 covers
- Tuning & Technique
- Riffs
- Scales & Arpeggios
- Chords, Rhythm & Capo
- Improvisation
- Repertoire
- Listening & Playback
- Sight Reading & Note Finding
How the pieces fit together
The Method is the instructional path. It is where you learn and develop the playing skills; taking an assessment is optional.
- Exam Book
- The official publication containing the Grade 1 requirements, repertoire and preparation material.
- Exam Entry
- The separate registration and payment used when you are ready to take the assessment.
- The assessment
- The graded performance itself, marked against the published requirements.
- Certificate
- Candidates who achieve the required standard receive a Kalymi Music Certificate of Achievement, awarded through Kalymi Music Assessments.
Elsewhere on the site
More cigar box guitar material
If you are new to cigar box guitar generally, or you play other styles alongside country and bluegrass, these cover tunings, technique and free playing material across the whole instrument rather than this Method alone.
Common questions
Before you start
Do I need previous cigar box guitar experience?
No. Book 1 is the starting point and begins with basic chords and rhythm. If you have played for a while but never worked through country or bluegrass material systematically, it also works well as a way to fill in the gaps.
What tuning does the Method use?
Everything is written for 3-string cigar box guitar in G–D–G, often called Open G. All three books stay in this tuning, as do the video course and the assessments.
Is the music in TAB or standard notation?
Tablature is the main playing reference, and standard notation is included alongside much of the musical material. You do not need to read standard notation to use the book.
Does Book 1 come with audio?
Yes. Book 1 includes companion audio for the musical examples, exercises and tunes, so you can hear how each one should sound and play along.
Do I need both the book and the video course?
No. They teach the same Foundations skills in different formats. The video course is self-contained and includes its own written and video resources; the book stands on its own with its companion audio. Many players will want both, but either one is complete on its own.
Is this mainly a blues cigar box guitar method?
No. The focus here is country and bluegrass — rhythm, backup, riffs, flatpicking, jam repertoire, melodic lead playing and improvisation in that setting. Blues players are welcome, but the material stays in country and bluegrass territory.
Do I have to take the Grade 1 assessment?
Not at all. The assessment pathway is optional, for players who like having something specific to work toward and would value written feedback on their playing. You can work through the entire series without ever taking one.
Cigar box guitar updates
Get Book 1 and Cigar Box Guitar Updates
Get an email when Book 1: Foundations is released, plus occasional updates about the Foundations video course, Grade 1 assessments, new cigar box guitar lessons, tabs and resources.