Nitty Gritty Dirt Band Guitar Lessons – 7 Acoustic Songs
The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band has been entertaining audiences for decades with a distinctive blend of country, folk, bluegrass and Americana music. From their early roots in the 1960s to their success on the country charts, the band has built an impressive collection of memorable songs that continue to appeal to acoustic guitar players.
This collection of seven Nitty Gritty Dirt Band guitar lessons includes favorites such as Fishin' in the Dark, Dance Little Jean, Long Hard Road and Modern Day Romance, along with Colorado Christmas, Girl from the North Country and I Find Jesus. Each lesson features a step-by-step video tutorial and printable chord sheet, covering the chords, strumming patterns and additional guitar techniques needed to build a complete solo acoustic arrangement.
🎸 Watch The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band Guitar Lessons Overview
performance clips taken directly from the complete lesson videos.
Click Play, then drag the timeline to quickly preview any Nitty Gritty Dirt Band lesson featured on this page.
Note: Every arrangement has been personally created, recorded and taught by Kirby
using teaching methods refined through decades of acoustic guitar instruction.
What's Included With Every Lesson
📦 Your Lesson Package Includes
✓ 8–12 minute HD video lesson so you can learn each song step-by-step.
✓ Printable chords & lyrics PDF for easy practice away from the screen.
✓ Instant download—start playing in minutes.
✓ Learn at your own pace on any device.
New to the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
If you're new to playing Nitty Gritty Dirt Band songs on acoustic guitar, a good place to start is Girl From the North Country. With just four chords and a steady country-folk rhythm, it's a comfortable introduction to their acoustic style. You can begin with the basic strumming and add the guitar riffs and melody picking break as your confidence grows.
For something a little more upbeat, try Dance Little Jean or Modern Day Romance. Both offer opportunities to develop your country rhythm playing, with connecting riffs, different strumming techniques and melodic touches that make the arrangements more interesting.
If you're ready for a bigger challenge, move on to Fishin' in the Dark or I Find Jesus. These lessons introduce techniques such as Drop D tuning, hammer-ons, bass runs and more involved picking sections.
Whichever song you choose, my suggestion is to learn the chords and rhythm first, then gradually work in the riffs, fills and lead picking. That approach will help you build a complete acoustic performance without trying to learn everything at once.
The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band Guitar Lessons Included On This Page
Dance Little Jean Guitar Lesson
Fishin' In The Dark Guitar Lesson
Girl From North Country Guitar Lesson
I Find Jesus Guitar Lesson
Long Hard Road Guitar Lesson
Modern Day Romance Guitar Lesson
Colorado Christmas - Learn To Play On Acoustic Guitar
Colorado Christmas was written by singer-songwriter Steve Goodman and recorded by the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band for their 1997 holiday release, The Christmas Album. The recording features Alison Krauss on backing vocals, adding her distinctive bluegrass harmonies to the band's warm acoustic sound.
Rather than celebrating the hustle and bustle of a traditional Christmas, the song paints a quieter picture of the holiday season in the Colorado mountains. Its imagery of snowy landscapes and the comforts of home captures the peaceful, nostalgic side of Christmas.
Goodman, who also wrote classics such as City of New Orleans, had a gift for combining simple storytelling with heartfelt emotion. The Dirt Band's rendition carries that same spirit, making it a fitting addition to their holiday collection.
What You'll Learn From This Lesson
In this Colorado Christmas guitar lesson, you'll learn a country-folk acoustic arrangement by the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band using standard tuning and the chords C, Dm, G, F, A# (Bb) and Cmaj7.
The song uses one consistent root-down-up, root-up-down-up strumming pattern, giving you a steady rhythm to follow throughout. We'll also work through the opening guitar riff and main picking section, adding some melody to the arrangement.
Practice Tip: Get comfortable with the root-down-up, root-up-down-up rhythm and chord changes before tackling the picking sections. Once the rhythm feels natural, practice the intro riff and main lead break separately, then work them into the complete arrangement.
Guitar Lesson Details - (chords & lyrics sheet incl with lesson)
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Dance Little Jean
- Learn To Play On Acoustic Guitar
Dance Little Jean was written by Nitty Gritty Dirt Band member Jimmy Ibbotson and released in October 1983 as the second single from the band's album Let's Go. The song reached No. 9 on the Billboard country chart, helping establish the group as a major presence in country music.
The touching story follows a musician whose cynical attitude toward marriage changes when he watches a little girl dancing joyfully at her parents' wedding.
Interestingly, Ibbotson wrote the song hoping to reconcile with his former wife. Little Jean was inspired by his own daughter, who loved dancing whenever he played guitar. Although the song didn't reunite the couple, it became one of the band's most memorable hits.
What You'll Learn From This Lesson
In this Dance Little Jean guitar lesson, you'll learn an acoustic arrangement by the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band using standard tuning with a capo on the 3rd fret and the chords D, G, A7, A/Gb, Bm and E7. The arrangement features two rhythm patterns: a root-down-up, root-up-down-up country strum and an all-downstroke pattern used in selected sections.
You'll also learn the intro picking riff and several connecting guitar riffs that add character throughout the song. There is no separate lead break, so the focus is on building a smooth, complete acoustic performance while maintaining steady rhythm, clean chord transitions and natural movement between the strumming and picking sections.
Practice Tip: Start by mastering the chord changes and both strumming patterns, paying particular attention to the transitions between them. Once the rhythm feels comfortable, practice the intro picking riff and additional fills separately before adding them to the complete song.
Guitar Lesson Details - (chords & lyrics sheet incl with lesson)
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Fishin' In The Dark - Learn To Play On Acoustic Guitar
Fishin' In The Dark became one of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band's signature songs after its release in June 1987 as the second single from their album Hold On. Written by Wendy Waldman and Jim Photoglo, the song climbed to No. 1 on the country charts in both the United States and Canada.
With Jimmy Ibbotson handling lead vocals, the recording captures the carefree feeling of a summer evening, where a little nighttime fishing provides the perfect excuse for a romantic getaway.
Interestingly, country singer Ed Bruce had recorded the song earlier, but it was the Dirt Band's version that became a lasting favorite. Its infectious rhythm and memorable chorus have helped make it a summertime country classic for generations.
What You'll Learn From This Lesson
In this Fishin' in the Dark guitar lesson, you'll learn an upbeat country acoustic arrangement by the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band using Drop D tuning and just four chords: D, G, A and Em. The main rhythm relies on downstrokes with hammer-ons to create that lively, bouncy country feel, while the chorus offers an alternative down-down-up-down-up strumming pattern.
You'll also learn the opening bass riff, which takes advantage of the lower D string, along with several guitar riffs throughout the song. I've also included a melody-line picking break to give the arrangement an additional musical dimension. It's a great lesson for developing country rhythm, hammer-on technique and the ability to combine strumming, bass movement and melodic picking into a complete solo acoustic performance.
Practice Tip: Start by getting comfortable with Drop D tuning and the opening bass riff. Next, work on the downstroke rhythm and hammer-ons until you can maintain a steady country bounce. Practice the chorus strumming separately, then add the shorter riffs and melody picking break once the rhythm feels natural.
Guitar Lesson Details - (chords & lyrics sheet incl with lesson)
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Girl From North Country - Learn To Play On Acoustic Guitar
Girl From North Country was written by Bob Dylan and first appeared on his 1963 album The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan. Nearly six decades later, the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band recorded their own interpretation for the 2022 tribute album Dirt Does Dylan, celebrating the legendary songwriter's influence on American music.
The Dirt Band's version features Jeff Hanna sharing lead vocals with his son Jaime Hanna, creating a touching father-and-son performance. Their harmonies and the recording's gentle acoustic atmosphere bring a fresh warmth to Dylan's nostalgic lyrics about remembering a former love.
Interestingly, Dylan revisited the song himself in 1969, recording a famous duet with Johnny Cash for his album Nashville Skyline, giving the composition another connection to country music history.
What You'll Learn From This Lesson
In this Girl From North Country guitar lesson, you'll learn a country-folk acoustic arrangement of the Bob Dylan classic as performed by the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. We'll use standard tuning with a capo on the 2nd fret and just four chords: G, Em, D/Gb and C.
The accompaniment follows a steady root-down, root-up-down-up rhythm pattern, creating a gentle folk feel that supports the melody. You'll also learn several guitar riffs throughout the song before tackling the main lead picking break, which adds another melodic dimension to the arrangement. This is a good lesson for developing smooth chord transitions, bass-note rhythm playing and the ability to blend short guitar riffs with a complete solo acoustic performance.
Practice Tip: Start by mastering the four chords and the root-down, root-up-down-up rhythm until you can play through the song smoothly. Next, work the shorter riffs into their proper places without interrupting the rhythm. Finally, practice the main picking break separately before bringing the complete arrangement together.
Guitar Lesson Details - (chords & lyrics sheet incl with lesson)
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I Find Jesus - Learn To Play On Acoustic Guitar
I Find Jesus appeared on the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band's 2002 album Will the Circle Be Unbroken, Volume III, the third installment in their celebrated series bringing together country, bluegrass and traditional American roots music.
The song explores finding faith and comfort during life's difficult moments, with its lyrics describing the presence of Jesus in times of loneliness, uncertainty and even the approach of death. Its gentle, reflective message fits naturally alongside the gospel traditions that have long influenced the band's music.
The Dirt Band also performed the song in connection with Bill and Gloria Gaither's Homecoming series, introducing it to another audience of gospel music fans. It's a heartfelt example of the group's connection to spiritual music.
What You'll Learn From This Lesson
In this I Find Jesus guitar lesson, you'll learn an upbeat gospel and bluegrass-style acoustic arrangement by the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band using standard tuning with a capo on the 2nd fret. The chords include G, C, A7, D and C/G, played with a root-down-up, root-up-down-up rhythm pattern that provides a lively country feel. In the chorus, you'll add hammer-ons to the strumming pattern for extra rhythmic movement.
You'll also learn several guitar riffs and connecting bass runs that help smooth out the chord transitions, along with a main melody-line picking break. This lesson is a great opportunity to develop bluegrass-influenced rhythm playing while combining chord changes, bass movement and melodic picking into a complete solo acoustic performance.
Practice Tip: Start by learning the five chords and getting comfortable with the main strumming pattern and the chorus variation with hammer-ons. Once both rhythms feel natural, work the shorter riffs and bass runs into the chord changes. Save the main melody picking break for last, practicing it separately before bringing everything together.
Guitar Lesson Details - (chords & lyrics sheet incl with lesson)
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Long Hard Road
- Learn To Play On Acoustic Guitar
Long Hard Road (The Sharecropper's Dream) was written by Rodney Crowell and released by the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band in May 1984 as the lead single from their album Plain Dirt Fashion. The song became the band's first No. 1 hit on the Billboard country chart, marking an important milestone in their career.
Crowell drew inspiration from stories his parents told about their years working as sharecroppers before moving to Houston, Texas. The lyrics reflect on a childhood filled with hard work, family memories and dreams of a better future.
An interesting musical detail is that country star Ricky Skaggs played fiddle on the recording. The album's title, Plain Dirt Fashion, was also taken from the song's lyrics.
What You'll Learn From This Lesson
In this Long Hard Road (The Sharecropper's Dream) guitar lesson, you'll learn a roots-country acoustic arrangement by the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band using standard tuning with a capo on the 2nd fret. The song uses just four chords — C, F, G and Am — along with a steady root-down-up, root-up-down-up strumming pattern that creates a rolling country-folk rhythm.
You'll also learn connecting bass runs between the chords, helping the progression flow naturally without interrupting the groove. A main melody picking section adds another dimension to the arrangement, allowing you to combine rhythm guitar, bass movement and melodic picking into a complete solo acoustic performance. It's a useful lesson for developing smooth chord transitions and confident country-style accompaniment.
Practice Tip: Begin by mastering the four chords and the root-down-up, root-up-down-up rhythm until you can play through the song comfortably. Next, practice the bass runs between individual chord changes, keeping the rhythm steady as you connect them. Finally, work through the main picking section separately before blending it into the complete arrangement.
Guitar Lesson Details - (chords & lyrics sheet incl with lesson)
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Modern Day Romance - Learn To Play On Acoustic Guitar
Modern Day Romance was released in 1985 as the lead single from the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band's album Partners, Brothers and Friends. Written by Kix Brooks and Dan Tyler, the song became the band's second No. 1 hit on Billboard's country chart, reaching the top in September 1985.
The lively story follows a man who helps a stranded woman with a flat tire, leading to an unexpected romantic weekend in Reno. Unfortunately, she disappears without saying goodbye, leaving him with a broken heart and a lesson about modern relationships.
Interestingly, Kix Brooks would later find enormous success as one half of the country duo Brooks & Dunn. The Dirt Band had initially passed on the song before eventually recording it.
What You'll Learn From This Lesson
In this Modern Day Romance guitar lesson, you'll learn an upbeat country-pop acoustic arrangement by the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band using standard tuning and four chords: G, D, C and Em.
The song features a lively down-down-up-down-up-down-up strumming pattern that keeps the rhythm moving with a bright country feel. You'll also learn the short opening guitar riff, along with arpeggio picking notes in the second verse and chorus that add melodic texture to the accompaniment. A short ending riff helps bring the song to a close, while the main lead picking break adds another dimension to the arrangement.
It's a great lesson for developing steady country rhythm, clean chord transitions and the ability to blend strumming with melodic picking in a complete solo acoustic performance.
Practice Tip: Begin by mastering the four chords and the main strumming pattern, keeping the rhythm light and consistent. Next, learn the opening riff before working on the arpeggio notes in the second verse and chorus. Add the short ending riff, then tackle the main lead picking break separately before bringing the entire arrangement together.
Guitar Lesson Details - (chords & lyrics sheet incl with lesson)
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Frequently Asked Questions About Nitty Gritty Dirt Band Guitar Lessons
1. Are Nitty Gritty Dirt Band songs difficult to play on acoustic guitar?
Many Nitty Gritty Dirt Band songs are suitable for beginner to intermediate acoustic guitar players. Several of the arrangements use just four or five chords and a repeating strumming pattern. The additional challenge comes from incorporating bass runs, hammer-ons, guitar riffs and melody picking sections. You can learn the basic rhythm first and gradually add these techniques as your playing improves.
2. What is the easiest Nitty Gritty Dirt Band song to learn on guitar?
Girl From the North Country is a good starting point, using four chords — G, Em, D/Gb and C — with a consistent root-based strumming pattern. Long Hard Road is another approachable choice, using C, F, G and Am. Both songs allow you to concentrate on the chords and rhythm before adding the connecting riffs, bass runs and picking sections.
3. Do I need a capo to play Nitty Gritty Dirt Band songs?
Some arrangements use a capo, while others don't. In these lessons, Dance Little Jean uses a capo on the 3rd fret, while Girl From the North Country, I Find Jesus and Long Hard Road use a capo on the 2nd fret. Modern Day Romance is taught without a capo. A capo can also help you adjust the song's key to suit your singing voice while keeping familiar chord shapes.
4. What strumming patterns are used in these Nitty Gritty Dirt Band guitar lessons?
Several lessons use a country-style rhythm that alternates bass notes with down-up strumming. Colorado Christmas, Dance Little Jean, Girl From the North Country and Long Hard Road all feature variations of this approach. Modern Day Romance uses a lively down-down-up-down-up-down-up pattern, while Fishin' in the Dark combines downstrokes, hammer-ons and an alternative chorus rhythm. Learning these patterns will help you develop a variety of country, folk and bluegrass rhythm techniques.
5. Do these lessons include guitar riffs, bass runs and lead picking?
Yes. All seven arrangements include additional guitar work beyond basic chord strumming. Depending on the song, you'll learn opening riffs, connecting bass runs, hammer-ons, arpeggio notes and melody picking breaks. Modern Day Romance includes arpeggio notes in the second verse and chorus, while I Find Jesus combines gospel-bluegrass rhythm with bass runs and a main melody picking section. These techniques help create a fuller solo acoustic performance.
6. Do I need alternate guitar tuning to play these songs?
Most of these arrangements use standard guitar tuning, so there's no need to retune your guitar. The exception is Fishin' in the Dark, which is taught in Drop D tuning. This involves lowering the sixth string from E to D, giving the opening bass riff a deeper sound. If you're unfamiliar with Drop D, the lesson provides a good opportunity to explore this commonly used acoustic guitar tuning.
Whether you enjoy the upbeat country rhythms of Fishin' in the Dark and Modern Day Romance, the storytelling of Dance Little Jean and Long Hard Road, the gentle folk sound of Girl from the North Country, or the gospel-bluegrass energy of I Find Jesus, these Nitty Gritty Dirt Band songs offer plenty of variety for acoustic guitar players.
Browse the lessons above, choose a favorite and enjoy learning some of the band's best-loved music at your own pace. From steady country strumming and connecting bass runs to guitar riffs and melody picking, each arrangement is designed to help you bring these classic songs to life on a single acoustic guitar.
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Kirby Swinemar is an acoustic guitar instructor, performer and song arranger who has taught online for 21 years and created more than 4,000 original acoustic guitar lessons. He specialises in song-based acoustic guitar instruction, rhythm guitar techniques, and creating full-sounding solo arrangements that help beginner and intermediate players move beyond basic strumming.
Explore more of Kirby's work at Kirby's Guitar Lessons, watch his performances and tutorials on his YouTube Channel or follow him on Facebook. You can also learn more about his teaching background on the About Me page.
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