How Three Simple Chords Can Create a Solo Flatpicking Tune (A–Amaj7–Dmaj7)

If you enjoy playing solo flatpicking and want something simple that still sounds musical, this exercise is a great place to start. It uses only three chords — A, Amaj7, and Dmaj7 — but the magic comes from exploring them in three different positions on the neck.

Each position has its own color. When you add a few short connecting phrases, everything comes together as a small but complete piece you can play on your own. It’s a great way to practice chord knowledge, tone, and phrasing without getting lost in complicated licks.

Watch the video here: https://youtu.be/MlT1UwQPyDw?si=X8ZwT1cBu3Mt7CIL

If you’d like the TAB for this study, just leave a comment saying “Major Seventh” and I’ll send it your way.

A Crosspicking Exercise That Does More Than One Job

As I get older, I’ve become more selective about how I practice. Time is short, energy isn’t endless, so I look for exercises that make the most of both. My favorite ones are those that help you grow in multiple areas at the same time — not just dry drills, but things that connect technique with real music.

In my latest YouTube lesson, I teach a very common crosspicking pattern (on strings 4, 3, and 2) and show how to apply it across the fretboard to all the shapes of C, F, and G chords.

It’s a simple idea, but very effective:

• You work on your right-hand picking

• You learn chord shapes in the key of C

• You stay connected to the sound and feel of real music

There’s no tab, but the video is easy to follow by watching and listening.

▶️ Watch the video here: https://youtu.be/sMI1UhVgJNQ

And if you’d like more lessons like this — including breakdowns, exercises, and in-depth videos — come visit my TrueFire channel:
🎸 https://www.truefire.com/h2343

Hope you enjoy it,
Roberto