Ron Block - Part 1

Ron Block - Part 1

Steve sits down with Ron Block, Grammy winning guitarist for Alison Krauss & Union Station, Vince Gill, and Brad Paisley.

For the past twenty years, Ron Block has been the spiritual touchstone of Alison Krauss and Union Station, contributing sterling musicianship on banjo, guitar, vocals, and songwriting.

Alison Krauss and Union Station have recorded 10 of Block’s songs since 1992. His songs have also been recorded and performed by Rhonda Vincent ("You're In My Heart"), Randy Travis ("Which Way Will You Choose"), Dan Tyminski ("Be Assured," "The One You Lean On," and "It All Comes Down To You"), Michael W. Smith ("Loving You Eternally"), Rhonda Vincent ("You're In My Heart"), the Cox Family, and the Forbes Family. Block has also recorded with Dolly Parton, Brad Paisley, Vince Gill, Clint Black, Dan Tyminski, Bill Frisell, Josh Turner, and many other country, bluegrass, and Christian artists.

Ron received an Album of the Year Grammy Award for his work on the O Brother, Where Art Thou soundtrack where he played on the song "Man of Constant Sorrow" and "In the Jailhouse Now."

In this interview, Ron gives valuable tips to building a song arrangement. He discusses flatpicking guitar picking and fingering technique.

In the first part of the interview, Ron plays a beautiful arrangement of the hymn "This is My Father's World." It is played in drop D tuning meaning that the 6th string is tuned down a whole step. He uses slides and hammer-ons to create a characteristic bluegrass sound.

The full arrangement of this beautiful song including the sheet music and TAB is available Ron plays a Gibson J-45 Standard during this interview.

Steve plays his Gibson USA Les Paul Supreme.

Check out Gibson's Learn & Master Guitar course for more great instruction.

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