Jam Track: Modern-folk

Refine your strumming technique and try your hand at some melodic lead lines over TG’s modern-folk style backing track

Since the late noughties a new wave of modern-folk and folk-rock has gained popularity with acts like Bon Iver, The Lumineers and Ben Howard putting their individual stamp on the traditional sounds of folk music.

Typical band line-ups are based around a core of drums, bass and acoustic guitars with a selection of traditional instruments such as violins, cellos, banjos and brass in the mix. Generally, folk doesn’t have a lot of lead guitar. When there are lead parts, they tend to be melodies that complement the music and enhance the songs. Playing standard rock or blues pentatonic licks may work, but often won’t fit the style of the track. As you’re jamming over this month’s track, aim to play melodic phrases that someone could sing after hearing them. When you take rhythm guitar duties, use simple open chords played with a fast 16th-note strumming pattern to drive the track along. Keep your wrist relaxed and aim for a smooth, light strumming movement.