Welcome to Lesson 7 of this Country Guitar Bootcamp! The lesson marks the half way point and we are going to be diving into a 12-bar blues progression, now in the key of A! While the chord progression remains the familiar 12-bar blues format, our approach to strumming and rhythm will transform it to the classic Country style!
This strumming pattern is inspired by Johnny Cash's signature "train beat" and will be the heart of this chord progression until Lesson 12! This strumming pattern goes: Down, Down, Up, Down, Up, Down, Up, with accents on beats 2 and 4.

Start by muting the strings then work on the movements in this pattern to get comfortable with the rhythm. Once you feel the groove, try add the open A chord! We’re aiming for a lively tempo but we need to build up to it and always remember to keep the strumming relaxed with minimal tension in the shoulder, arm and wrist!
12-Bar Blues Progression in A
The chord progression follows the 12-bar blues pattern:
1. 4 bars of the I chord (A)
2. 2 bars of the IV chord (D)
3. 2 bars back on the I chord (A)
4. 2 bars of the V chord (E)
5. 2 bars back to the I chord (A) for the turnaround
Focus on driving forward with the rhythm, but don’t worry about being too precise—there’s a free and wild feeling in this style. The key is to keep that train-like momentum chugging along.
Adding the Country Touch - Chords and bass notes

Try working in alternating bass notes in the chords while you're strumming, as seen in the image above the pick is ready even while strumming. Then, experiment with connecting bass runs between chords, much like Johnny Cash does in "I Walk the Line." These little fills give your playing that classic country character and keep things very interesting musically.
Exploring Chord Variations
Once the above steps are feeling comfortable - the strumming is smooth with the bass notes, the chord changes are on point and we have some connecting bass note - start experimenting with different chord voicings to bring more colour to your playing. For example, using barre chords over open chords and/or using an E7 chord for the V chord (E). Switching up chord voicings adds variety and can make your playing more dynamic and expressive.
Have fun exploring this iconic Country style! Remember, it’s all about capturing that lively, driving rhythm and adding your own flair with bass notes, runs, and chord variations. Keep that train beat steady, and let the music roll down the tracks!