Playback Sessions

Billy Strings vs The Hardest Bluegrass Tune Ever Written

Playback Sessions

Show Notes

Billy Strings sits down with his teacher Robb to break down one of the toughest bluegrass tunes ever written. In the process they break down the playing of Tony Rice -- from tone to touch, to the subtle moves that redefined acoustic guitar. If you’re a flatpicker, this is essential viewing. ____________________

Book a Free Skills Assessment with Sonora. https://www.learnwithsonora.com/skills-assessment

Want to go deeper? Join the Playback Sessions community for tabs, breakdowns, and more. https://www.skool.com/playback-community-9570

Free Tool for looping videos on YouTube and Instagram https://looper.sonoraintensive.com/ ______________________ 0:00 - Intro 1:45 - Winterhawk Recording 1990 7:56 - Theory Breakdown of Fishscale 11:57 - Billy and Robb Play Fishscale 16:55 - Tony's Technique Influence on Billy 30:17 - Billy and Robb Play Bye Bye Blues ___________________ Follow Playback Sessions on socials: -Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/playbacksessions/ -Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/playbacksessions -YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Playback-Sessions -Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@playbacksessionspodcast -Spotify: @ Playback Sessions Podcast ________________ Filmed live at Carter Vintage Guitars in Nashville, Tennessee. Host: Spencer Handley Guest: Billy Strings & Rob Cappelletto Editor: Carl Reeverts Executive Producer: Spencer Handley Camera/Sound: Mitch Goudy

#BillyStrings #TonyRice #Flatpicking #Playpacksessions #GuitarTone #AcousticGuitar #DocWatson #BluegrassGuitar #Grisman #GuitarNerd #VintageGear #GuitarPodcast #vintageguitar #guitar #guitarist #guitarlesson #SpencerHandley #Rob Cappalletto

More from Playback Sessions

Oct 18, 2026

Oz Noy, a Berklee professor and NYC veteran joins Playback Sessions for a masterclass on finding your unique voice in a crowded room. From the terrifying reality of his first nights in the NYC jazz scene to the brutal decision to sell his prized Gibson 175 to survive it, the Berklee professor holds nothing back.

Oct 18, 2026

Patreon CEO Jack Conte joins Playback Sessions and addresses the existential threat generative AI poses to the creative economy. After facilitating over $11 billion in payouts to creators, Conte details the raw reality of discovering generative models scraping and cloning his band's signature sound without consent, credit, or compensation.

Oct 18, 2026

Guitar legend Al Di Meola joins Playback Sessions to deconstruct the surreal launch of his career: from the LSD-fueled demo tape, to a sold-out Carnegie Hall debut at just 19 years old. He breaks down his strict compositional rules, explains why modern technology is destroying guitar progress, and reveals the untold history behind the legendary Guitar Trio with Paco de Lucía and John McLaughlin.

Oct 18, 2026

Mentor: Robb Cappelletto who taught Billy Strings joins Playback Sessions to share the teaching philosophy behind one of the greatest players alive and why most guitar teachers are wasting their students' time.

Oct 18, 2026

Patreon CEO Jack Conte joins Playback Sessions and reveals the brutal reality of navigating a multi-billion-dollar tech platform through an era of total disruption. After building a network that has paid out over $11 billion to online creators over the last 13 years, Jack pulls back the curtain on the chaotic operational realities of executive leadership.

See all episodes →