James Burton

Select A Lesson

• Behind the Nut Bends and Harmonics
• Chicken Pickin and Country Bends
• Cross-String Picking and Licks in A
• Echo Effect Rhythm Technique
• Elvis Sounds
• Hybrid Picking Technique
• Solos
• Steel Guitar Licks
• String Bending and Drop D

Biography

Pioneering rock 'n' roll guitarist James Burton began his professional career at age 15, when he wrote the timeless "Suzie-Q" riff for Dale Hawkins. He next joined Ricky Nelson's band where he recorded classic tracks like "Hello, Mary Lou," "Travelin' Man," and "Fools Rush In." Along the way, he developed a unique attack he dubbed "chicken pickin'," inspiring legendary guitarists such as Roy Buchanan and Albert Lee to turn it into a calling-card artform. A first-call session cat of the era as well, Burton has recorded with Elvis Presley, Gram Parsons, Joni Mitchell, and Merle Haggard, among many others. Fender has honored the legend with the James Burton Signature Telecaster. 

In this lesson series, Burton teaches key aspects of his style and approach to guitar, including chicken pickin', pedal steel bends, behind-the-nut bends, the "Mystery Train" rhythm, and more from his highly regarded Hot Licks instructional video.