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Flatpicking is a technique for playing the steel-stringed acoustic guitar using a plectrum or flatpick. Although the term is used in other genres, it is probably best known as the lead guitar style in bluegrass music and old-time country music. Probably starting around 1930, flatpicking was developed when guitarists began arranging old-time American fiddle tunes as featured guitar breaks, rather than using the instrument for simple rhythmic accompaniment and the occasional bass run.
The melodic style in bluegrass is often fast and dynamic, with slides, hammer-ons, pull-offs, powerful strumming and rapid crosspicking. Bluegrass flatpickers often play with a medium to heavy flatpick or plectrum and often prefer heavily-strung flat-top guitars such as the 'Dreadnought' models made by C.F Martin & Company.
Early Styles
The chief exponents of the early country and bluegrass styles included Riley Puckett, George Shuffler, Alton Delmore, Don Reno and Bill Napier. The lead guitar was sparsely used, and sometimes was considered a novelty.
1960s
The foundation of Puckett, Reno and others were built upon heavily in the 1960s by Doc Watson and the late Clarence White. Watson and White both legitimized the acoustic guitar as a lead instrument in bluegrass and old-time country music. White brought the lead guitar to the forefront of bluegrass, while Watson brought the lead guitar to folk audiences as he played fiddle tunes, blues, country, and gospel songs throughout America.
1970s-1980s
Building on the contributions of Doc Watson and Clarence White, artists such asNorman Blake, Dan Crary, Mark O'Connor, Russ Barenberg, Larry Sparks, and Tony Rice further developed the art of flatpicking. Rice likely had the most profound impact on bluegrass guitar playing of anyone since his musical hero, Clarence White. Rice's tone, rhythm, phrasing, and improvisational skills have influenced an entire generation of bluegrass guitarists.
1990s-2000s
In more recent years, players such as David Grier, Bryan Sutton and Tim Stafford have carried the guitar into the next millennium. These players are still defining new standards and reaching wider audiences. Pioneers Rice, Blake, Barenberg, Crary, and Watson continue to produce fine music as well.
The National Flatpicking Championship is held in Winfield, Kansas.
See also
"Flatpicking"