Welcome back to Guitardoor.com, where we celebrate the true, undiluted originals who define their own genres. Today, we pay tribute to one of the most iconic, beloved, and enduring figures in the history of American music: the legendary Willie Nelson. He is a master songwriter, a cultural icon, and the universally recognized face of the “Outlaw Country” movement. But for guitar lovers, he is also a brilliantly unique and utterly captivating guitarist whose instantly recognizable, jazz-inflected playing on his famously battered nylon-string guitar, “Trigger,” is as essential to his sound as his iconic, time-worn voice.
Willie Nelson’s musical style is a uniquely American blend of traditional country, Western swing, blues, and his deep love for the Great American Songbook of traditional pop standards. His genius as a songwriter is monumental; he penned some of the most perfect and timeless songs in history, including “Crazy,” “Funny How Time Slips Away,” and “Night Life.” His ability to craft a timeless and emotionally resonant story puts him in the pantheon of the greatest writers, a master of the narrative form like Patty Griffin. In the 1970s, he became a central figure in the “Outlaw” movement, a rebellion against the slick, string-laden productions of Nashville. Along with artists like Waylon Jennings, he forged a rawer, more personal, and artist-driven sound that was as much about the spirit of rock and roll as it was about country.
The guitar playing of Willie Nelson is a beautiful and eccentric anomaly, a complete departure from the clean, lightning-fast “chicken pickin'” of his Nashville contemporaries. His style is a deeply personal and conversational language that owes far more to the free-spirited, improvisational gypsy jazz of Django Reinhardt than to anyone in country music. The absolute core of his genius is his signature behind-the-beat phrasing. He famously plays his solos with a relaxed, conversational feel, lagging dramatically behind the rhythm of his band, creating a unique and wonderful sense of tension and release. It is the polar opposite of the tight, in-the-pocket precision of a player like Steve Cropper. His note choice is equally unique, full of sophisticated jazz chords, chromatic runs, and complex arpeggios that bring a rich harmonic depth to his music. This one-of-a-kind style is channeled through one of the most famous and beloved guitars in the world: his battered 1969 Martin N-20 nylon-string classical guitar, famously nicknamed “Trigger.” For over 50 years, this Martin guitar, with its beautiful, warm tone, its famously worn-out top, and the signatures of his friends scrawled across its body, has been his constant companion and his unmistakable voice.
Willie’s catalogue is a masterclass in songwriting and his unique, idiosyncratic guitar style. To get inside his sound, these three songs are a perfect starting point.
“Crazy”
While Patsy Cline’s version is the definitive vocal performance, Willie’s own renditions of his masterpiece showcase his brilliant guitar work. This is a lesson in playing over a complex, jazz-influenced chord progression. To approach it, a guitarist should first learn the beautiful, descending chords of the song. To solo like Willie, one must abandon traditional country scales and think like a jazz player, using arpeggios and chromatic passing tones to elegantly outline the sophisticated chord changes.
“On the Road Again”
This is Willie’s most joyous and beloved anthem, a pure celebration of the musician’s life. The song is built on a simple, driving, “train beat” rhythm. To approach playing the iconic solo, the challenge is to capture that signature laid-back, conversational feel. You must intentionally play your licks slightly after the beat. Start your phrases a little late and end them a little early. The magic is in the relaxed tension you create against the song’s driving rhythm.
“Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain”
The beautifully sparse and simple song that defined his landmark album, Red Headed Stranger, and launched him into outlaw superstardom. This is the ultimate lesson in minimalist, emotional playing. The solo is incredibly simple, melodic, and full of heartfelt space. To play it, use a gentle, fingerstyle touch on a nylon-string guitar. The key is the phrasing and the timing. Don’t rush a single note. Let each one hang in the air and tell its own sad, simple story.
In the end, Willie Nelson’s legacy is that of a true American original and a national treasure. He is a brilliant paradox: a writer of perfectly crafted, universally beloved songs, and at the same time, a brilliantly eccentric and freewheeling improvisational guitarist who has always broken the rules. He is an artist whose profound authenticity, timeless music, and one-of-a-kind guitar voice have brought comfort and joy to millions, securing his place as one of the most important and beloved figures in American music history.
Cover Photo Credit “Willie Nelson” by John Pozadzides is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0
