Blues Guitar Mastery

Lesson 2: The 12-Bar Blues

In Lesson 2, we’ll explore the essential 12-bar blues progression.

Understanding this structure is vital for blues guitarists.

We’ll learn the basic chords and practice a simple 12-bar blues progression./

Part 1: What is the 12-Bar Blues?

The 12-bar blues is a fundamental blues song structure, consisting of 12 bars with a specific chord progression.

It forms the foundation of many blues songs and allows for improvisation.

Part 2: Basic Chords for the 12-Bar Blues

In the key of E blues, we’ll use three primary chords: G7, C7, and D7, played as dominant 7th chords

Part 3: Playing a 12-Bar Blues Progression

Follow this 12-bar blues structure in the key of G:

Part 4: Homework Assignment

Practice the 12-bar blues progression in E, focusing on timing and strumming.

Gradually increase your speed.

In the next lesson, we’ll explore blues rhythms and variations within this structure.

Keep practicing and enjoy!

Lesson 3: The Shuffle Rhythm

In Lesson 3, we’ll explore the essential shuffle rhythm that defines blues music.

This rhythm is what gives blues its distinct groove.

Part 1: What is the Shuffle Rhythm?

The shuffle rhythm is a syncopated and swinging pattern that defines blues music.

It emphasizes the second and fourth beats of each measure and is essential for the blues feel.

Part 2: Playing the Shuffle Rhythm

To play the shuffle, use a simple strumming pattern with an emphasis on the upstrokes.

Part 3: Incorporating Shuffle into 12-Bar Blues

Apply the shuffle rhythm to the 12-bar blues progression from Lesson 2.

Play each chord with the shuffle rhythm for a bluesy feel.

Part 4: Homework Assignment

Practice the shuffle rhythm with the 12-bar blues progression in G and work on the shuffle blues lick provided.

Focus on getting a consistent and swinging feel.

In the next lesson, we’ll dive into the blues scale for more bluesy expression.

Keep practicing and groove on!

Lesson 4: The Blues Scale

In Lesson 4, we’ll delve into the blues scale, a fundamental scale for blues guitar playing.

This scale forms the basis for many bluesy melodies and solos.

Part 1: What is the Blues Scale? 

The blues scale is a pentatonic scale with added “blue” notes, giving it that unmistakable bluesy sound.

In the key of G, it consists of the following notes: G, Bb, C, Db, D, Bb.

Part 2: Playing the Blues Scale

Learn the blues scale pattern (in G)

Part 3: Using the Blues Scale

Practice playing the blues scale up and down the neck.

Experiment with bending and sliding notes for that bluesy phrasing.

Part 4: Homework Assignment

Your assignment is to practice the blues scale pattern in G and experiment with creating bluesy melodies.

In Lesson 5, we’ll explore blues phrasing techniques to add expression to your playing.

Keep the blues alive!

Lesson 5: Blues Phrasing

In Lesson 5, we’ll dive into the art of blues phrasing.

Phrasing is how you give your blues guitar playing emotion, soul, and a unique voice.

We’ll explore essential techniques for adding expression to your blues guitar solos.

Part 1: Understanding Blues Phrasing

Blues phrasing is about conveying emotion and storytelling through your guitar playing.

It’s not just about the notes you play but how you play them.

Think of it as a conversation with your guitar.

Part 2: Bends and Slides

Two crucial techniques for blues phrasing are bends and slides.

Practice bending strings to create those soulful, crying notes.

Slides add smooth transitions between notes, lending a vocal-like quality to your playing.

Part 3: Vibrato

Vibrato is a subtle, controlled oscillation of a note.

It adds warmth and character to your playing.

Learn different vibrato techniques and practice them to develop your unique vibrato style.

Part 4: Dynamics and Timing

Pay attention to dynamics, which means playing with varying levels of volume and intensity.

Experiment with your picking hand to create dynamics and master the art of timing—pausing and emphasizing certain notes for dramatic effect.

Part 5: Homework Assignment

Your assignment is to practice the techniques covered in this lesson.

Play around with bends, slides, vibrato, dynamics, and timing.

Try to convey different emotions through your playing, from sadness to joy.

In Lesson 6, we’ll explore string bending in greater detail, so keep honing your phrasing skills!

Lesson 6: String Bending

In Lesson 6, we’ll focus on an essential technique in blues guitar—string bending.

String bending adds expressive and emotive qualities to your playing, allowing you to infuse your solos with character and soul.

Part 1: Understanding String Bending

String bending is the process of pushing or pulling a string while fretting it to raise the pitch of the note.

This technique mimics the vocal quality of blues music, giving your guitar a voice of its own.

Part 2: Basic String Bending Technique

Start with the basics of string bending:

• Choose a target note that you want to bend to.
• Use multiple fingers for strength, typically the index and middle fingers.
• Place the fingers behind the fret you’re bending to.
• Push or pull the string upwards towards the ceiling.
• Maintain control and precision over the bend.

Part 3: Half-Step and Whole-Step Bends

Practice half-step bends (one fret higher) and whole-step bends (two frets higher). Pay attention to the pitch accuracy and control while bending.

Part 4: Combining Bends with Other Techniques

Explore incorporating bends into your blues phrasing.

Combine them with slides, vibrato, and other techniques we’ve covered in previous lessons for expressive solos.

Part 5: Homework Assignment

Your assignment is to practice string bending with both half-step and whole-step bends.

Work on controlling the pitch and making your bends sound expressive and vocal-like.

In Lesson 7, we’ll delve into the double stop technique to add even more flavor to your blues playing.

Keep bending those strings and adding emotion to your music!

Lesson 7: The Double Stop

Lesson 7 introduces the double stop technique, a powerful tool for creating rich and harmonically interesting sounds in your blues guitar playing.

Double stops add depth and complexity to your solos, making them sound more expressive and dynamic.

Part 1: Understanding Double Stops

Double stops involve playing two notes simultaneously on adjacent strings.

They can be used to create harmony, add color, and emphasize certain notes within a melody or solo.

Part 2: Basic Double Stops

Start with some basic double stop patterns.

Common double stops include:

• Playing two notes on the same fret of adjacent strings.
• Playing a note on one string and its neighboring string open (unfretted).
• Playing intervals like thirds, fourths, or sixths.

Part 3: Incorporating Double Stops into Blues Licks

Learn how to include double stops within your blues licks and phrases.

Experiment with sliding into and out of double stops to create smooth transitions and bluesy effects.

Part 4: Double Stop Bending

Explore the technique of bending one note in a double stop while keeping the other note stationary.

This adds a unique twist to your blues solos.

Part 5: Homework Assignment

Your assignment is to practice playing various double stop patterns and incorporate them into your blues playing.

Experiment with bending in double stops to add expression.

In Lesson 8, we’ll explore the slide technique, another valuable tool for enhancing your blues guitar skills.

Keep practicing and have fun with those double stops!

Lesson 8: The Slide Technique 

Welcome to Lesson 8!

In this session, we’ll delve into the slide technique, a fundamental skill in blues guitar playing.

Sliding between notes creates a smooth, fluid sound that adds character and soulfulness to your solos.

It’s an essential technique to master for expressing emotion and creating seamless transitions in your blues repertoire.

Part 1: Understanding Slides

Slides involve transitioning between two notes by using the fretting finger to smoothly glide along the fretboard, starting from one fret and ending at a target fret.

This technique allows for a continuous, connected sound without distinct breaks between notes.

Part 2: Basic Slide Exercises

Begin by practicing basic slide movements:

1. Single string slides: Use one finger to slide up or down a single string, maintaining a consistent pressure for a smooth transition.

2. Multi-string slides: Slide between notes on adjacent strings, paying attention to maintaining even pressure across both strings for a seamless sound.

Part 3: Incorporating Slides into Blues Phrases

Explore how slides can enhance your blues licks and phrases:

1. Slide into and out of notes within a blues scale to add a vocal-like quality to your playing.

2. Experiment with sliding into double stops, combining the slide technique with the double stop technique learned in the previous lesson.

Part 4: Slide Variations

Discover variations within sliding techniques:

1. Quick slides: Practice short, rapid slides for accenting notes within a solo.

2. Long slides: Try longer slides for dramatic effect, spanning several frets to create a sense of tension and release.

Part 5: Homework Assignment

Your assignment is to incorporate slides into your blues improvisation.

Experiment with sliding between different notes of the blues scale and integrate slides into your existing licks.

Challenge yourself by combining slides with double stops to create dynamic and expressive phrases.

Practice different slide lengths and speeds to develop control and versatility.

Lesson 9: The Major Pentatonic Scale

In Lesson 9, we’ll explore the major pentatonic scale, a versatile scale that adds a brighter and happier dimension to your blues guitar playing.

While blues often features the minor pentatonic scale, the major pentatonic scale provides a different color to your musical palette.

Part 1: Introduction to the Major Pentatonic Scale

The major pentatonic scale is derived from the major scale but consists of only five notes, making it more straightforward and easy to use.

It has a cheerful and uplifting quality, in contrast to the bluesy, minor feel of the minor pentatonic scale.

Part 2: Major Pentatonic Scale Patterns

Learn the major pentatonic scale patterns in different positions on the guitar neck.

Focus on patterns in the key of G, as it’s commonly used in blues.

Part 3: Creating Major Blues Sounds

Explore how to use the major pentatonic scale to create major blues sounds in your solos.

Experiment with bending notes and phrasing techniques to achieve that signature bluesy feel.

Part 4: Major Pentatonic Scale Exercises

Practice scale exercises to build dexterity and familiarity with the major pentatonic scale patterns.

These exercises will help you navigate the scale effortlessly during your solos.

Part 5: Homework Assignment

Your assignment is to practice the major pentatonic scale patterns and create your own major bluesy licks using this scale.

Experiment with incorporating major pentatonic phrases into your blues guitar playing.

In Lesson 10, we’ll explore the pull-off technique for smoother and more fluid licks.

Keep practicing and embracing the major blues vibe!

Lesson 10: The Pull-Off

In Lesson 10, we’ll focus on the pull-off technique, a vital skill for creating smooth, fluid, and expressive blues guitar licks.

Pull-offs add a dynamic dimension to your playing, allowing you to effortlessly transition between notes.

Part 1: Introduction to Pull-Offs

A pull-off is a technique where you pluck a note with your fretting hand, creating a second note without picking the string again.

It’s an essential technique for achieving a legato, connected sound in your blues solos.

Part 2: Basic Pull-Off Technique

Learn the basic mechanics of performing a pull-off:

• Start by fretting a note on a higher string.
• Pluck the string with an upstroke.
• While the note is ringing, quickly release the finger to reveal the lower note.

Part 3: Building Pull-Off Dexterity

Practice simple pull-off exercises to build finger strength and dexterity.

Start with two adjacent notes and gradually incorporate more notes for longer pull-off sequences.

Part 4: Applying Pull-Offs to Blues Licks

Explore how to use pull-offs within your blues licks and phrases.

Incorporate them into your scale patterns and experiment with different rhythms and combinations.

Part 5: Homework Assignment

Your assignment is to practice the pull-off technique using various combinations of notes and incorporate pull-offs into your blues guitar playing.

Focus on achieving smooth and connected pull-offs for fluid solos.

In Lesson 11, we’ll delve into vibrato, a technique that adds depth and emotion to your notes.

Keep practicing and let those notes sing!

Lesson 11: Vibrato

In Lesson 11, we’ll explore the art of vibrato, a technique that adds character, emotion, and depth to your blues guitar playing.

Vibrato is a crucial tool for infusing your notes with feeling and expression.

Part 1: Understanding Vibrato

Vibrato is a technique that involves oscillating the pitch of a note slightly, giving it a pulsating or wobbling effect.

It mimics the natural variations in pitch that occur in vocal and expressive instrumental performances.

Part 2: Basic Vibrato Technique

Learn the fundamental mechanics of vibrato:

• Begin by holding a note with a finger on the fretboard.
• While sustaining the note, move your finger back and forth along the string, causing the pitch to fluctuate.
• Control the speed and width of the vibrato to match the desired emotional intensity.

Part 3: Developing Vibrato Control

Practice vibrato control by varying the speed and width of your vibrato.

Experiment with slow, wide vibrato for a soulful, bluesy effect, and faster, narrower vibrato for more intensity.

Part 4: Vibrato in Phrasing

Explore how vibrato can be used within your blues phrasing.

Apply it to sustained notes and bends to add expressiveness and vocal-like qualities to your solos.

Part 5: Homework Assignment

Your assignment is to practice vibrato techniques on sustained notes and bends.

Work on achieving control and consistency in your vibrato.

Experiment with using vibrato to convey different emotions in your blues guitar playing.

In Lesson 12, we’ll explore open position patterns and expand your blues vocabulary.

Keep practicing and let your notes sing with vibrato!

Lesson 12: Open Position Patterns and Beyond

In Lesson 12, we’ll explore open position blues patterns and expand your blues guitar vocabulary.

Open position patterns are essential for creating unique and soulful blues solos.

We’ll also introduce the extended blues scale for even more expressive possibilities.

Part 1: Understanding Open Position Patterns

Open position patterns are scale patterns that use open strings and frets in the first few positions of the guitar neck.

These patterns provide a bluesy and resonant sound that’s perfect for blues guitar.

Part 2: Open Position Blues Patterns

Learn open position blues patterns in the key of E, A and D.

Practice these patterns up and down the neck to get comfortable with their shapes and sounds.

Open Shuffle in E

Open Shuffle in A

Open Shuffle in D

Part 3: Combining Open Position Patterns

Explore how to seamlessly combine open position patterns to create extended blues phrases.

This approach allows you to navigate the fretboard effectively and create fluid blues solos.

Part 4: Homework Assignment

Your assignment is to practice open position blues patterns in the keys of E, A and D.

Experiment with combining these patterns to create melodic phrases.

Start exploring the extended blues scale and how it can enhance your blues vocabulary.

In Lesson 13, we’ll dive deeper into the hammer-on technique to add even more dynamics to your blues licks.

Keep practicing and expanding your blues horizons!

Lesson 13: The Extended Blues Scale

In Lesson 13, we’ll explore the extended shape of the blues scale, a versatile scale that expands your blues guitar vocabulary and offers new melodic possibilities.

This extended scale adds depth and sophistication to your blues solos.

Part 1: Introduction to the Extended Blues Scale

The extended blues scale builds upon the standard blues scale by incorporating additional notes.

These added notes introduce fresh tonalities and opportunities for expressive playing, expanding your blues palette.

Part 2: Extended Blues Scale Patterns

Learn the pattern of the extended blues scale in the key of G.

Explore the fretboard positions to become comfortable with these patterns.

Part 3: Using the Extended Blues Scale

Discover how to incorporate the extended blues scale into your blues phrasing and solos.

Experiment with bending, sliding, and hammer-ons to create expressive, bluesy licks.

Part 4: Blues Licks with the Extended Scale

Practice playing blues licks that prominently feature the extended blues scale.

These licks will help you integrate the additional notes seamlessly into your blues guitar playing.

Part 5: Homework Assignment

Your assignment is to practice the extended blues scale patterns and create your own blues licks using this scale.

Experiment with the added notes to craft melodic and expressive solos.

In Lesson 14, we’ll explore the hammer-on technique to further enhance your blues phrasing.

Keep practicing and embrace the expanded blues sound!

Lesson 14: The Hammer-On

In Lesson 14, we’ll explore the hammer-on technique, a valuable tool for adding smoothness and fluidity to your blues guitar playing.

Hammer-ons allow you to create quick, legato transitions between notes, enhancing your phrasing and soloing abilities.

Part 1: Understanding Hammer-Ons

A hammer-on is a technique where you produce a second note by tapping or “hammering” your finger onto the fretboard, creating a seamless connection between two or more notes without picking the string again.

Part 2: Basic Hammer-On Technique

Learn the fundamental mechanics of performing a hammer-on:

• Start by fretting a note on the string.
• Use another finger to tap or “hammer” down onto the next higher fret.
• The result should be a clear and distinct note, produced without picking.

Part 3: Building Hammer-On Dexterity

Practice hammer-on exercises to develop finger strength, speed, and accuracy.

Begin with simple hammer-ons between two adjacent notes and progress to more complex patterns.

Part 4: Incorporating Hammer-Ons into Blues Licks

Explore how to integrate hammer-ons into your blues licks and phrases.

Experiment with applying hammer-ons within scales and scale patterns for expressive and dynamic solos.

Part 5: Homework Assignment

Your assignment is to practice the hammer-on technique using various combinations of notes.

Work on developing clear and controlled hammer-ons.

Incorporate hammer-ons into your blues guitar playing and create your own licks that utilize this technique.

Lesson 15: Final Words

In this final lesson, we’ll wrap up your blues guitar journey by offering some parting thoughts and guidance.

Your blues guitar education is an ongoing adventure, and this lesson serves as a closing note to inspire your continued growth and passion for the blues.

Part 1: Reflect on Your Journey

Take a moment to reflect on how far you’ve come since the beginning of this course.

Celebrate your progress and the skills you’ve acquired, from mastering the 12-bar blues to exploring advanced techniques and scales.

Part 2: The Blues as a Language

Remember that blues music is a language of emotion and storytelling.

Use your guitar to express your feelings and share your stories through the blues.

The more you play and feel, the more authentic your blues will become.

Part 3: Keep Exploring

Your blues guitar journey doesn’t end here.

Continue to explore new techniques, scales, and styles. Listen to blues legends and contemporary blues artists to draw inspiration and expand your musical horizons.

Part 4: Jam and Collaborate

Find opportunities to jam with other musicians.

Playing with others can deepen your understanding of blues music and enhance your improvisational skills.

Don’t be afraid to collaborate and share your love for the blues.

Part 5: Keep Practicing

Consistent practice is the key to mastering any musical instrument.

Dedicate time to your guitar regularly, and always strive to improve your skills and expressiveness.

Part 6: Enjoy the Journey

Above all, remember that the blues is about feeling and soul.

Enjoy the journey of playing the blues, and don’t be discouraged by challenges.

The blues is a lifelong passion, and every note you play adds to your own blues story.

Part 7: Conclusion

Thank you for embarking on this blues guitar course.

We hope it has ignited your passion for the blues and equipped you with the tools to continue your blues guitar journey.

Keep playing, keep feeling, and keep the blues alive.

We wish you endless inspiration and fulfillment on your musical path.

Farewell, and may your blues always ring true!

Backing Tracks

Blues Backing Track in E

Blues Shuffle in G

Blues Backing Track in G

Bonus Reports

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