A step-by-step video/tab lesson on how to use drones to make your acoustic playing richer, fuller, and way more expressive.

If you’ve ever wondered why songs like “Wish You Were Here,” “Wonderwall,” “Wildflowers,” or “Free Fallin’” feel so damn good — even though the chords are simple — you’re about to learn the secret.

It’s drones.

Drones are one of the easiest ways to make your chord progressions sound emotional, connected, and instantly more “pro.” And they work beautifully in folk, singer-songwriter, and acoustic storytelling guitar.

Below is a free video + synced-tabs module (pulled straight from the Folk Guitar MasterClass) that shows you exactly how to use drones in all the most common folk keys.

👉 Hop the lesson or keep reading to understand the magic behind the technique.

A drone is a sustained note (or notes) that rings out while your chords move underneath it.

It creates a constant harmonic thread — this warm, bittersweet shimmer that pulls the listener straight into the emotion of your song.

The key thing that makes drones so powerful:

• they make simple progressions sound layered,

• they add movement without adding complexity,

• and they give your playing that “timeless folk” vibe.

Think:

• Tom Petty – Wildflowers

• Oasis – Wonderwall

• Pink Floyd – Wish You Were Here

These are all drone-heavy songs, whether you realized it or not.

If you're a beginner or intermediate guitarist, drones might be the easiest “instant upgrade” to your sound.

With drones, you can take a simple G–C–D progression and suddenly it feels…

• bittersweet

• open

• nostalgic

• bigger than one guitar should sound

The best part? You barely change your chord shapes. You’re just keeping one or two notes ringing out. That’s it.

If you enjoy theory, great. If not, I’ll keep it simple.

Tonic Drone (the “1”)

This is the first note of your major scale.

In the key of G, that’s G.

Dominant Drone (the “5”)

This is the fifth note of the scale.

In the key of G, that’s D.

These two notes — the tonic and the dominant — are the most common drones in folk and singer-songwriter guitar.

Wonderwall uses BOTH at once.

That’s why it feels so iconic.

The Magic Combo: Tonic + Dominant Drones

When you keep both the 1 and the 5 ringing while your chords move?

You get that:

• “epic but intimate” sound

• “bittersweet warmth”

• “melodic glue”

It’s a sound that’s shown up in folk music for centuries.

👉 Watch the Drone Lesson Module (FREE - No Login Required)

This free module walks you through:

• What drones are (with examples)

• How tonic & dominant drones work

• How to play drones in C, A, G, E, D

• How singer-songwriters use drones to make simple chords sound cinematic

If you're a songwriter, adding drones is one of the fastest ways to make your chord progressions feel emotional and meaningful.

Once your chords are shimmering and connected with drones, there’s an easy next step…

Your strumming needs to match the vibe.

If you want to instantly clean up your rhythm, add movement, and stop strumming all six strings like a lawnmower, check out this free tutorial:

👉 The Low–High Strum Trick (Video + Tabs)

It’s another beginner-friendly upgrade that makes your playing sound smoother, lighter, and more musical.

This drone lesson is taken directly from the Folk Ornamentation Pillar of my MasterClass — where we cover the techniques that bring emotional life into your playing:

• Pick Strumming

• Ornamentations

• Chord Voicings

• Finger Picking

• Finger Strumming

If you love this lesson, you’ll probably love the rest of the MasterClass too — and you can try all 17+ hours of content free for 7 days.

👉 Try the Folk Guitar MasterClass Free for 7 Days
(Full access, easy cancel anytime.)

If your playing ever feels…

• too plain,

• too predictable,

• not emotional enough,

• like “just chords,”

…drones are your new best friend.

They’re simple. They’re expressive. They instantly elevate your sound.

And honestly — they just feel good under your fingers.

👇 Dive into the drone module now and hear the difference.

👉 Watch the Free Drone Video + Tabs

May the folk be with you,

// James