Blues Guitar Lessons
-
![]()
3:20
Free
Spicing up the Blues - Sliding 9th Chords
Instructor: Nick Granville
Level: Beginner
Topic: Chords
Style: Blues
Hi everyone! In this lesson, I'm going to show you a basic way to slide 9th chords to create colour when playing the blues. I use this sound often as it is very colourful, yet also very simple and powerful. See the notation below for the voicings.
W...
-
![]()
4:30
Free
Spicing up the Blues - Soloing with Arpeggios
Instructor: Nick Granville
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Scales
Style: Blues
Now I'll show you a simple way to play arpeggios for each chord change over a 12 bar blues. Using arpeggios when soloing over a blues is a great concept as it allows you to 'spell' the chord changes but also creates more colour than using just the mi...
-
![]()
2:26
Blues Basics - The Chords
Instructor: Chris Feener
Level: Beginner
Topic: Chords
Style: Blues
Welcome new guitarists! In this tutorial, I want to focus on getting your first blues progression under your fingers. We'll start by examining three chords (E5, A5 and B5). "5" chords are commonly referred to among guitarists as power chords. These c...
-
![]()
0:32
Blues Basics - The Progression
Instructor: Chris Feener
Level: Beginner
Topic: Chords
Style: Blues
So let's stick these chords together into an eight-bar blues progression.
1) We start by playing our E5 chord 16 times using a down picking motion.
Remember here, the only two strings that should be sounded are the top two.
Count "1 and 2 and ...
-
![]()
1:24
Blues Basics - The Riff
Instructor: Chris Feener
Level: Beginner
Topic: Chords
Style: Blues
So the goal here, is to play the exact same chords, for the exact same durations of time with a slight variance. But before we do that, let's examine this variance...
Below, we see the tablature of the repeating E5 chord, however, on beats two and f...
-
![]()
1:25
Blues Basics - The Blues!
Instructor: Chris Feener
Level: Beginner
Topic: Chords
Style: Blues
So now that we're rockin' the blues riffs, let's stick it back into the blues progression. The same riff variance applies to all three chords.
NOTE: The B5 requires a two fret stretch while maintaining the power chord itself - for those having issue...
-
![]()
0:23
Abusing The Blues - Introduction
Instructor: Chris Feener
Level: Advanced
Topic: Cool Riffs
Style: Blues
Welcome back IGers! This month, I wanted to break down and analyze a few of my "go-to" licks within the blues scale. But before we do, let's expand our harmonic spectrum of the blues scale, to spice things up.
First, let's play through the regular o...
-
![]()
0:49
Abusing The Blues - Lick 1
Instructor: Chris Feener
Level: Advanced
Topic: Cool Riffs
Style: Blues
So this first lick is pretty "twisty" in that it highlights a fair portion of the first position A minor pentatonic scale while adding hints of the major third (C#) through out. This is a great mechanism for adding a more "Down South" kinda vibe to y...
-
![]()
0:51
Abusing The Blues - Lick 2
Instructor: Chris Feener
Level: Advanced
Topic: Cool Riffs
Style: Blues
In much the same descending motion, this lick makes use of the second and third position pentatonic scale. Again, be sure to keep an eye on the techniques involved and execute the lick as cleanly as possible.
-
![]()
0:43
Abusing The Blues - Lick 3
Instructor: Chris Feener
Level: Advanced
Topic: Cool Riffs
Style: Blues
Lick 3 approaches the blues scale from an ascending perspective. With three notes per string, our intervals are spread up to six frets apart. The main "purpose" of this lick is to highlight the #4 (D#) in a pretty blatant way. Be sure to note that th...
-
![]()
0:53
Abusing The Blues - Lick 4
Instructor: Chris Feener
Level: Advanced
Topic: Cool Riffs
Style: Blues
And last but not least, lick 4. This one is very "pentatonicy" in the sense that we see a ton of two-note-per-string-ness. Note the heavy use, again, of the major third interval (C#) on both the D and B strings.
I hope you enjoyed playing through th...
-
![]()
0:44
Robben Ford Style Blues - Intro & Rhythm
Instructor: Martin Miller
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Rhythm
Style: Blues
Hey IG,
We’re here with the second installment of my little blues series. This time we’re dealing with a more sophisticated Robben Ford/Larry Carlton type blues. The phrases in this will be more advanced from both a melodic as well as...
-
![]()
1:02
Robben Ford Style Blues - Solo Example
Instructor: Martin Miller
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Improvising
Style: Blues
So let’s get started with the lead playing! I’ve come up with a blues chorus that features some typical licks for this type of playing. Most of these lines are based on both the major and minor blues scales. I switch back and forth even w...
-
![]()
0:34
Blues Rock Etude - Introduction
Instructor: Martin Miller
Level: Beginner
Topic: Improvising
Style: Blues
Hey IG!
This is the first installment of a three-part series on the good ol’ Blues. We’re going to take three steps, so each of the three tutorials will deal with a different type of blues, increasing in difficulty. This very tutorial is...
-
![]()
0:57
Blues Rock Etude - Rhythm Part
Instructor: Martin Miller
Level: Beginner
Topic: Rhythm
Style: Blues
This is a 12-bar shuffle blues rock in E. The rhythm is based around a riff that repeats over and over and is put of every chord of the form. Be sure to internalize the 12-bar form perfectly until you can play through it in your sleep before attempti...
-
![]()
1:09
Blues Rock Etude - Solo Example
Instructor: Martin Miller
Level: Beginner
Topic: Improvising
Style: Blues
Now on to the lead playing! The lines in this solo etude are based around both the E major (nicer sound) and minor (dirtier, bluesier sound) blues scales. They lead you through several positions over the neck, use different type of rhythms as well as...
-
![]()
1:21
Blues Rock Etude - Backing Track
Instructor: Martin Miller
Level: Beginner
Topic: Improvising
Style: Blues
This is the backing that fits both the rhythm part and the solo example.
-
![]()
0:36
Sweep Picking as a Tool - Example 2
Instructor: Steve Hubbard
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Technique
Style: Blues
This next lick falls into the key of C major, and is also very simple. I have chosen to sweep the first two notes, and 'hybrid pick' the third note. This is purely for tonal reasons, and can just as easily be played with three down strokes.
I won't ...
-
![]()
1:06
Exploring the Sixth - Blues Application
Instructor: Martin Miller
Level: Beginner
Topic: Scales
Style: Blues
Alright, let me show you a pattern now that is really useful for your blues repertoire. Since your average blues is made up of only dominant 7th chords you can apply the pattern over each chord equally. I also added a few chromatic passing tones (not...
-
![]()
1:05
Exploring the Sixth - Blues Solo
Instructor: Martin Miller
Level: Beginner
Topic: Cool Riffs
Style: Blues
To conclude our lesson, here are sixth intervals in an actual “real life” soloing situation. It’s really important to apply these things but mix them up with your other concepts and licks, in order to not sound like you’re pra...
-
![]()
1:29
Exploring the Sixth - Backing (fast)
Instructor: Martin Miller
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Improvising
Style: Blues
Here is the backing track at normal speed. If you need it slower, head on over to the next page.
Have fun!
-
![]()
1:49
Exploring the Sixth - Backing (slow)
Instructor: Martin Miller
Level: Beginner
Topic: Improvising
Style: Blues
Here is the backing track slowed down.
-
![]()
0:46
Adding Interest to the Blues - Example 1
Instructor: Jody Mac
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Cool Riffs
Style: Blues
Lick 1
The first example uses a chromatic run and legato. Use it to break out of the traditional blues box. The chromatic notes add interest and stretch the listener. The tempo is quite fast, so practice it cleanly. Make sure you're hitting all of t...
-
![]()
0:35
Adding Interest to the Blues - Example 2
Instructor: Jody Mac
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Cool Riffs
Style: Blues
Lick 2
This is a unique way to turn ordinary lines into head turning slide emulation. Heavily influenced by Jimmy Herring and Derek Trucks, it uses only a few notes, but wrings every possible sound from them. By staying on only one string and using ...
-
![]()
0:57
Adding Interest to the Blues - Example 3
Instructor: Jody Mac
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Cool Riffs
Style: Blues
Lick 3
This is a lick in the style of Stevie Ray Vaughan. Nothing says blues like an occasional nod to one of the greats. Many players try to emulate Stevie to the point of unoriginality. Be careful to become your own player. This lick is fun to pla...
-
![]()
0:41
Adding Interest to the Blues - Example 4
Instructor: Jody Mac
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Cool Riffs
Style: Blues
Lick 4
This lick is built around an Am arpeggio played over G minor. It sounds fairly outside when played in context due to the first notes in the pattern. Don't overdo it though. An occasional departure from the diatonic key can add interest,...
-
![]()
1:27
Adding Interest to the Blues - Example 5
Instructor: Jody Mac
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Cool Riffs
Style: Blues
Lick 5
This lick requires you to master the art of raking the strings. It's a good transition lick to set up your favourite blues runs. It is derived from the F# Blues scale. Don't let the fact that it's short fool you - it takes work to make this e...
-
![]()
1:23
Finger Tone Part 2 - Lead Lick
Instructor: Jody Mac
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Technique
Style: Blues
The following is a simple lick at first glance, but contains a number of elements which require attention to detail. The lick, which is derived from a Gm Pentatonic scale uses only the right hand fingers. By not using a pick, we are able to anticipat...
-
![]()
1:56
Finger Tone Part 3 - Funky Chord Vamp
Instructor: Jody Mac
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Chords
Style: Blues
This lesson builds on what we learned in the previous video. It vamps on a Dm7 chord to achieve a funky rhythmic sound. Although we are only using one chord, the percussive stops and staccato feel give it an interesting flavour to be used across a nu...
-
![]()
1:24
Joe Bonamassa Style Lick
Instructor: Jody Mac
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Technique
Style: Blues
Hey there! In this video we'll be looking a blues lick inspired by Joe Bonamassa, a modern blues player. Remember to learn it slowly in parts. The lick is played over an Am7 chord. Be sure to execute the 1/2 bend precisely, as it gives the lick its s...
-
![]()
1:41
Funky Blues - Intro
Instructor: Steve Hubbard
Level: Beginner
Topic: Cool Riffs
Style: Blues
Hey guys!
This tutorial will focus on a beginner 'Funky Blues' riff, and will also include a modified example, as well as a short lead run!
As mentioned in the above video, some techniques that may stand out are:
Staccato: Characterize...
-
![]()
1:16
Funky Blues - Example 1
Instructor: Steve Hubbard
Level: Beginner
Topic: Cool Riffs
Style: Blues
Here we have a riff that follows the notes of a minor pentatonic scale. If you are unsure of what that is, there are several tutorials available that will help you get the grasp of it. For this lesson, its not entirely necessary to know; though, it w...
-
![]()
1:14
Funky Blues - Example 2
Instructor: Steve Hubbard
Level: Beginner
Topic: Cool Riffs
Style: Blues
For the second example, we will play the riff over dominant 7th chords, and will slightly change the idea, adding a major 3rd.
If you get this down fairly easy, try switching your techniques, from alternate picking, to legato, etc.
Move on to the t...
-
![]()
0:29
Funky Blues - Simple Lead
Instructor: Steve Hubbard
Level: Beginner
Topic: Cool Riffs
Style: Blues
This lick works well with both example one and two, and follows the E minor blues pentatonic scale.
Try picking every note in the run, using mostly legato, or combining both techniques to achieve what may be the most comfortable for your playing.
Y...
-
![]()
1:39
Funky Blues - Outro
Instructor: Steve Hubbard
Level: Beginner
Topic: Cool Riffs
Style: Blues
Remember, be creative, and use your own 'voice' in music! As always, send questions my way if you have any.
Thanks for checking out this tutorial!
-
![]()
2:13
Slide Guitar - Introduction
Instructor: Richard Lundmark
Level: Beginner
Topic: Reference
Style: Blues
Welcome to this introduction to slide guitar playing!
First of all, this will not be a song tutorial, where you learn to play riffs or solos. Rather, this is a technical overview and reference guide to help you make the most of your slide playing, r...
-
![]()
3:17
Slide Guitar - The Tools of the Trade
Instructor: Richard Lundmark
Level: Beginner
Topic: Reference
Style: Blues
Which type of slide you choose to use are largely a matter of taste. Different materials produce different tones. If you lay acoustic (Dobro, lap, regular acoustic) might mean you choose a copper or metal slide, depending on style. A glass slide is p...
-
![]()
4:55
Slide Guitar - Choosing your Slide Finger and Muting
Instructor: Richard Lundmark
Level: Beginner
Topic: Reference
Style: Blues
Which finger you choose to use your slide with, also affects your playing to a large extent. Traditional blues players often used their slide on their pinky, perhaps not because of technical considerations, but perhaps more because almost all slides ...
-
![]()
4:57
Slide Guitar - Open Tuning pt.1
Instructor: Richard Lundmark
Level: Beginner
Topic: Reference
Style: Blues
In this segment we discuss the open D-tuning and how this is used in slide guitar playing. We also discuss the issues with tuning the major third to equal temperament pitch, or to a harmonically correct pitch.
-
![]()
3:19
Slide Guitar - Open Tuning pt.2
Instructor: Richard Lundmark
Level: Beginner
Topic: Reference
Style: Blues
In this part we discuss how the intonation of your guitar is affected by raising the string height. As I mentioned in my setup tutorial about string height vs. intonation, the pitch of a string raised it the string height is too high, or if the truss...
-
![]()
2:42
Slide Guitar - Pitch Accuracy
Instructor: Richard Lundmark
Level: Beginner
Topic: Technique
Style: Blues
Pitch accuracy is together with correct muting the most important aspect of slide technique. Having bad pitch is like a violinist having bad pitch, it just won’t do! The similarities with violin players do not stop there. When using a slide you...
-
![]()
3:05
Slide Guitar - Separating Lead Lines pt.1
Instructor: Richard Lundmark
Level: Beginner
Topic: Technique
Style: Blues
In this example we take the muting technique a step further by adding individual finger muting techniques in our right hand. This is the key to creating clean and singing lead lines with the slide. It will be difficult in the beginning to adjust from...
-
![]()
5:24
Slide Guitar - Separating Lead Lines pt.2
Instructor: Richard Lundmark
Level: Beginner
Topic: Technique
Style: Blues
In this example we are covering more strings but using the same right and left hand muting technique as in the previous examples. Try using this technique in any type of scale or arpeggio shape to further your technique. And once again, higher ...
-
![]()
0:52
TT-Zop - Performance
Instructor: Richard Lundmark
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Cool Riffs
Style: Blues
Summer-greetings Guitarslingers!
In this song tutorial, we will play through some texas-style blues-rock.
As you might have guessed by the title alone, this track is rather inspired by a certain bearded texas-trio named ZZ-top. However, during the ...
-
![]()
4:33
TT-Zop - Intro Riff
Instructor: Richard Lundmark
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Cool Riffs
Style: Blues
Let's begin with the intro riff.
Here we have a classic type of texas-riff, which lends heavily from country guitar playing, but is played in a shuffle beat. Many country ideas can be used in rock and blues, it's just that most of these country line...
-
![]()
2:02
TT-Zop - Main Riff
Instructor: Richard Lundmark
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Cool Riffs
Style: Blues
Ok guys, in this part we're looking at the main riff during the solo. Pretty much the same thing as the last riff, same chords, just with distortion and more "edge". Don't be afraid to "dig in", this is supposed to be played with a fair amount of att...
-
![]()
2:19
TT-Zop - Solo Part 1
Instructor: Richard Lundmark
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Cool Riffs
Style: Blues
In the first part of the solo, we begin with a classic Texas bluesline, a minor third with some heavy víbrato. It's all in triplets, to keep that groovy shuffle feel.
The second part includes an almost country'esque little idea. As ment...
-
![]()
3:49
TT-Zop - Solo Part 2
Instructor: Richard Lundmark
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Cool Riffs
Style: Blues
In the second part fo the solo, we start out with a more Blackmore-styled ide. The key here is to get that small, but quick and agressive bend going in the first finger. It is easy to slip of the string, especially on a vintage radius tele-neck, so k...
-
![]()
3:39
TT-Zop - Solo Part 3
Instructor: Richard Lundmark
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Cool Riffs
Style: Blues
Ok! This final part introduces a technique of playing harmonics that I personally love!
What I'm doing is playing the harmonics with the side of the nail and the flesh of the side of my fingertip (middle finger). This is a technique that guys like J...
-
![]()
1:15
TT-Zop - Backing Track
Instructor: Richard Lundmark
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Cool Riffs
Style: Blues
And finally, here's the backing track for ya! I've made it a bit longer than the actual song snippet itself, so that you can use it as a practice track for improvisation as well.
-
![]()
1:55
Free
Shell Voicings - Introduction
Instructor: Tom Quayle
Level: Beginner
Topic: Chords
Style: Blues
Hi there everyone and welcome to this tutorial on Shell Voicings.
Shell voicings are chords which contain the minimum number of voices or notes required to outline a particular harmonic sound. In other words, if I wanted to play a Cmaj7 chord for ex...
-
![]()
4:30
Free
Shell Voicings - Roots on the 6th String
Instructor: Tom Quayle
Level: Beginner
Topic: Chords
Style: Blues
So let's map out these shell voicings on the guitar.
The nice thing about these chords is that they only contain 3 notes so they are pretty easy to play. If you're a beginner trying to figure out blues and jazz chord progressions on the guitar then ...
-
![]()
3:56
Free
Shell Voicings - Roots on the 5th String
Instructor: Tom Quayle
Level: Beginner
Topic: Chords
Style: Blues
Now let's do the same thing but for shell voicings rooted on the 5th string - A.
Again, we'll do all these voicings from the note G which is located up at the 10th fret of the A string. Learn each voicing as listed below and in the video and then ex...
-
![]()
2:42
Free
Shell Voicings - Applied to the Blues
Instructor: Tom Quayle
Level: Beginner
Topic: Chords
Style: Blues
Now let's apply these shell voicings we've just learned to a chord progression and specifically a blues pattern.
The blues is a great place to start for this as it usually only contains three chords and they're all dominant 7ths.
For our example he...
-
![]()
1:22
Free
Shell Voicings - Enhancing our Blues
Instructor: Tom Quayle
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Chords
Style: Blues
Our second chord progression is again based in the blues genre but now sounds a lot more like a jazz progression.
As you can see from the TAB below we've added another chord type into the progression in the form of some minor 7th chords and added so...
-
![]()
1:55
Minor Blues - Introduction
Instructor: Tom Quayle
Level: Beginner
Topic: Chords
Style: Blues
Hi everyone! Welcome to this tutorial on the minor blues.
The minor blues is much like our beloved standard blues in many ways. It contains 3 primary chords, is generally 12 bars long and doesn't follow our standard ideas of music theory - in other ...
-
![]()
2:08
Minor Blues - Progression 1
Instructor: Tom Quayle
Level: Beginner
Topic: Chords
Style: Blues
Okay, here we go!
In this first progression we'll only be using our three minor chords in their most basic open string form. All the chord shapes we'll use throughout each progression are given below each example in TAB, standard notation and chord ...
-
![]()
2:38
Minor Blues - Progression 2
Instructor: Tom Quayle
Level: Beginner
Topic: Chords
Style: Blues
The transition from progression 1 to progression 2 is a simple one. It's more usual to play minor 7th chords instead of straight minor chords when playing a blues in this way. This is much the same as with a major blues where we'll play dominant 7th ...
-
![]()
3:01
Minor Blues - Progression 3
Instructor: Tom Quayle
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Chords
Style: Blues
Let's make our chords more sophisticated for this 3rd progression. Open string chords aren't going to cut it any more. In this version we still use minor 7th chords but we're going to move up the neck a little and use shapes more usually associated w...
-
![]()
4:16
Minor Blues - Progression 4
Instructor: Tom Quayle
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Chords
Style: Blues
In progression 3 we had very full sounding chords where we were playing the root note as the lowest note or bass note in each shape. This is fine for solo or duo performances but is a bit of a problem when playing with a bass player. If we have the r...
-
![]()
3:05
Minor Blues - Progression 5
Instructor: Tom Quayle
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Chords
Style: Blues
Right - we're at the final stage now.
Our final alteration will occur in bars 9 and 10 of our progression. We're going to use a classic blues trick using two chords as substitutions for the Dm9 and Em7 already in those bars.
In bar 9 we're going to...
-
![]()
6:35
Minor Blues - Backing Track
Instructor: Tom Quayle
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Chords
Style: Blues
Here's the backing track for progression number 5!
-
![]()
2:08
Open String Blues
Instructor: Richard Lundmark
Level: Advanced
Topic: Technique
Style: Blues
Holiday Greetings guitar slingers!
In this final tutorial of 2008, I will leave you with a blues tune that focuses on combining open strings and hybrid-picking. Pay close attention to the synchronization between the left and right hands, and also on...
-
![]()
2:31
Open String Blues - Breakdown 1
Instructor: Richard Lundmark
Level: Advanced
Topic: Technique
Style: Blues
Okay then, time for the first breakdown. This part covers the first 6 bars of the 12-bar blues. Once you've got the first 2 bars down, the rest should be a breeze. Also, pay attention to my choice of picking in the end of bar 2. I find that starting ...
-
![]()
2:08
Open String Blues - Breakdown 2
Instructor: Richard Lundmark
Level: Advanced
Topic: Technique
Style: Blues
The second breakdown covers bars 7-12. Here we have a slightly different outro-line that is a bit faster, and uses less hybrid-picking but more hammer-ons and pull-offs. Try it out, and make sure to start on the upbeat or you'll run into problems get...
-
![]()
1:05
Open String Blues - Backing Track: 100bpm
Instructor: Richard Lundmark
Level: Advanced
Topic: Technique
Style: Blues
Here's the backing track, in the original tempo, 100bpm. Get right to it, or start with the slower, 60 bpm version.
-
![]()
1:47
Open String Blues - Backing Track: 60bpm
Instructor: Richard Lundmark
Level: Advanced
Topic: Technique
Style: Blues
And here's the slightly slower version, at 60 bpm. I decided not to go any lower than that, since even though it might be technically more comfortable, too slow a tempo will make it very difficult to keep a good shuffle-groove going.
-
![]()
1:18
Blues Cruise - Performance
Instructor: Sean Conklin
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Cool Riffs
Style: Blues
I hope you've packed your suitcase, because we're about to leave on the Blues Cruise! Okay maybe not, but let's learn a cool blues song while we're here. :)
I was in a bluesy mood the other day so I decided to write this little tune. I hope you have...
-
![]()
1:22
Blues Cruise - Exercise 1
Instructor: Sean Conklin
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Cool Riffs
Style: Blues
Before we start, make sure you have a grasp on the song's underlying rhythm. If you haven't already figured it out, this tune has a very heavy triplet feel. So make sure you listen for that triplet pulse throughout the riffs in this tutorial.
In thi...
-
![]()
0:50
Blues Cruise - Exercise 2
Instructor: Sean Conklin
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Cool Riffs
Style: Blues
In the beginning of this exercise, we'll immediately notice more of the fingerpicking that we discussed in the last lesson. In this case, we'll be plucking octave notes with our picking hand fingers.
In the last two bars, we'll close out the exercis...
-
![]()
0:46
Blues Cruise - Exercise 3
Instructor: Sean Conklin
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Cool Riffs
Style: Blues
In exercise 3, we're going to start things out by playing a smooth A minor arpeggio. I'd recommend practicing this arpeggio by itself before moving on to the rest of the exercise.
In bar 11, we'll be playing some nice bends on the 17th fret. As it i...
-
![]()
0:34
Blues Cruise - Exercise 4
Instructor: Sean Conklin
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Cool Riffs
Style: Blues
To start off exercise 4, we'll be playing a blues lick similar to the one I did in this lesson. Practice it very slowly at first. And it may sound silly, but really try to feel the blues "attitude" in this riff. Give that thing some tasty bending and...
-
![]()
0:51
Blues Cruise - Exercise 5
Instructor: Sean Conklin
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Cool Riffs
Style: Blues
Out of all the exercises, this last one has the most bends. Keep those bends in tune! And on a sidenote, if you are a guitarist that isn't very used to bending, make sure you pace yourself and your fingers when getting used to it. You don't want to s...
-
![]()
2:32
Blues Cruise - Backing Track
Instructor: Sean Conklin
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Cool Riffs
Style: Blues
I went ahead and looped this backing track a few times, so feel free to jam to your heart's content. You can either play the actual piece I wrote, or you can also practice your own improvisation in the key of A minor. The pentatonic and blues scales ...
-
![]()
0:46
'Use the Blues' - Solo
Instructor: Rick Graham
Level: Beginner
Topic: Improvising
Style: Blues
Hey people!
In this lesson I'd like to discuss basic 12 bar blues improvisation. Although this element of music is taught all over the world and has been for quite some time, I feel that a lot of players can overlook the solid foundation that blues ...
-
![]()
1:55
'Use the Blues' - breakdown
Instructor: Rick Graham
Level: Beginner
Topic: Improvising
Style: Blues
OK, lets take a look at the solo!
Actually, before we look at the solo, the first thing you'll want to do is familiarise yourself with the chords marked in the notation below. We have:
G7 - C7 - D7
These chords form the I - IV - V of a major key w...
-
![]()
3:37
'Use the Blues' - Backing Track
Instructor: Rick Graham
Level: Beginner
Topic: Improvising
Style: Blues
Have fun with the backing track and try to take what you have learned within this lesson and create your own lines. Be creative!
Best of luck!
-
![]()
0:40
Time Signatures: 9/8 - Example 1 (Easy)
Instructor: Sean Conklin
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Cool Riffs
Style: Blues
Now, we're going to delve into a bit of blues as we explore the 9/8 time signature. This riff will consist primarily of eighth notes. As always, do your best to count along as you play.
-
![]()
0:39
Time Signatures: Backing Track - 9/8 Ex. 1
Instructor: Sean Conklin
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Cool Riffs
Style: Blues
Now, we're going to delve into a bit of blues as we explore the 9/8 time signature. This riff will consist primarily of eighth notes. As always, do your best to count along as you play.
-
![]()
0:44
Fast Blues Bending Lick - John Petrucci Style
Instructor: Sean Conklin
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Cool Riffs
Style: Blues
Although John Petrucci isn't a straight "blues player", he definitely has some cool blues ideas that convey serious attitude. And hey, attitude is what blues is all about right? :) This particular riff was inspired from some of Petrucci's phrasing in...
-
![]()
1:24
"In the style of" Joe Pass - Chordal Blues
Instructor: Mike Edwin
Level: Advanced
Topic: Chords
Style: Blues
Joe Pass Style Blues Guitar
Joe Pass is arguably one of the most important and historically significant Jazz Guitar players, in line with the likes of Wes Montgomery and the great Charlie Christian. More particularly though, when the discussion is a...
-
![]()
1:18
"In the style of" Joe Pass - Part 1
Instructor: Mike Edwin
Level: Advanced
Topic: Cool Riffs
Style: Blues
Hey Guitarist's and Guitarete's.
Here are the first 12 bars of our Chordal Blues. Aside from the novelty of having this broken up into manageable sections, I'll be laying out all the chords and substitutions being used in each part.
I wont be going...
-
![]()
1:23
"In the style of" Joe Pass - Part 2
Instructor: Mike Edwin
Level: Advanced
Topic: Cool Riffs
Style: Blues
Welcome back!
Same deal as before. I have slowed down the next 12 bar segment for you and will post the chord changes below.
Bar 1- Fm7 > E13 Bar 2- Eb9 > Bbdim Bar 3- Bb7 > F altered Bar 4- Fm9 > Bb7 Bar 5- Eb9 > Eb11 > Bbm7
Bar...
-
![]()
1:30
"In the style of" Joe Pass - Part 3
Instructor: Mike Edwin
Level: Advanced
Topic: Cool Riffs
Style: Blues
Continuing from the last chorus.
Bar 1- following through with Bb9 into Fm7 to Bb13 >Bm7 Bar 2- Bm7 > Eb13 > B#9 Bar 3- Bb9 > Fm9 - Bb13 (B13 - Fm9) Bar 4- on beat 3 we have Bb13 > D9 Bar 5- Eb9 ( from here through the next few bars ...
-
![]()
2:10
Chord Inversions - What are they?
Instructor: Mike Edwin
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Chords
Style: Blues
Chord Inversions - What are they ??
An inversion is a name for a chord who's notes have been re-arranged. Lets start by looking at the Bb7 Chord.
For each inversion I will give you a notated example of each chord as you might see it notated for a p...
-
![]()
2:16
Dominant Inversions - 1st Inversion Pt.1
Instructor: Mike Edwin
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Chords
Style: Blues
Dominant Inversions 1st Inversion Part 1.
Enjoy our new riff!!
This demonstration is showing us one possible scenario for using the 1st Inversion.
After you have played through and made some sense of this lesson, have a go at using the inversions ...
-
![]()
1:53
Dominant Inversions - 1st Inversion Pt.2
Instructor: Mike Edwin
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Chords
Style: Blues
This video is a follow up to part1 of the first inversion study. Hence part2.
All I want you to do here is take notice of the similarities between the first inversion and the half diminished chord(aka m7b5)
There are many other chord forms which ca...
-
![]()
2:41
Dominant Inversions - 2nd Inversion
Instructor: Mike Edwin
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Chords
Style: Blues
Dominant Inversions
In this video, I will be giving you a demonstration on using the 2nd Inversion of a Dominant Chord. It is a short riff based on the first few bars of a I-IV-V blues progression.
As we work through this tutorial, I will be giving...
-
![]()
1:44
Chord Inversions - Accompanyment
Instructor: Mike Edwin
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Chords
Style: Blues
Before breaking down this track I want to point out our 3rd Inversion.
As we discussed earlier, the 3rd inversion is a voicing that begins with the 7th degree of the chord as the Root note(bass note) and as it happens, this track begins with said vo...
-
![]()
1:07
Blues - Intros & Endings
Instructor: Mike Edwin
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Cool Riffs
Style: Blues
Blues clichés, although sometimes boring and predictable, are a valuable asset to your musical vocabulary.
Before you can break through the boundaries of pentatonic scales and repetitive 'over used' musical ideas, you need to have a good unde...
-
![]()
1:30
Charlie Parker Blues
Instructor: Mike Edwin
Level: Intermediate
Topic: Cool Riffs
Style: Blues
Welcome!
Today we are looking at a Charlie Parker style approach to 12 bars of the blues. We are sticking to the more simplistic edge of his playing today but in the future ill be adding some of his more wild lines.
In the Video I will play through...
-
![]()
3:25
Backing Tracks - 12 Bar Blues in C
Instructor: Mike Edwin
Level: Beginner
Topic: Exercises
Style: Blues
12 Bar Blues Jam Track in C.
Blues Shuffle Style.
120 bpm.
-
![]()
1:56
6/8 Blues - Miles Davis
Instructor: Mike Edwin
Level: Beginner
Topic: Rhythm
Style: Blues
In this lesson we will look at one rhythmic pattern that can be used when accompanying in 6/8. Our chord progression is based on the tune 'All Blues' by Miles Davis.
Note that in the video I am playing extensions on the D7 and Eb7 chords. For the ti...
-
![]()
2:19
6/8 Blues - Backing Track
Instructor: Mike Edwin
Level: Beginner
Topic: Exercises
Style: Blues
All Blues Jam Track
6/8 Blues in G
140bpm.
