Using a G minor pentatonic scale, we are going to use this scale in a blues context incorporating some position changing. This allows for us to see other possibilities within the scale and also puts us in a position to try new ideas. Let's try it slowly, than work it up to speed with a full backing track. Remember to use the AB looping player below the video player if you need further assistance.

In this lesson you will be introduced to the song "I Ain't Drunk" as made famous by Albert Collins and learn why this will be a great and unique blues tune for you to learn!

Albert King is one of great inspiration to many of the guitar players that we know and love. His playing has inspired the likes of Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, and Stevie Ray Vaughn amongst many others. The goal for our lessons in this tutorial is for him to inspire you as well. Remember, the goal is not to have you sound just like Albert King but to work his ideas into your own voice. Let's get started!

In this lesson we are gonna talk about how to play in an open minor tuning and use a capo to change the key, how to play with your fingers and what tone to dial for this song.

Demonstrating use of the G minor blues scale, we are going to learn a useful lick in the style of Stevie Ray Vaughn. We will be integrating double stops as well as the "blue" note, or flat 5, into our example. Once we break it down, we will try it slowly and if you need help hearing it, use the AB looping tool below the video player. Once you have it down, we will try it with a full backing track up to speed. I will play four bars with the lick, than you will play four bars. Remember to try and solo and play rhythm guitar throughout the form as well. Let's check it ou...

In this example, we are going to try playing a G minor lick utilizing the minor pentatonic scale. This lick is in the style of BB King and Albert King, and utilizes a very useful pattern of the scale. Let's try it slowly to get it under our fingers, than work it up to speed with a full backing track.

BB King is one of the most well known figures in the world of guitar. His playing and image are synonymous with the blues, and in these lessons we are going to show you some of his techniques and approaches. It is important to note that in any of these artist example lessons, it is encouraged that you find a way to express yourself musically while using these ideas. The goal here is to not have you sound like BB King, but to take his ideas and work them into your own playing. Let's see how we can do that!

In this lesson we are going to play through the song with our backing track, and you will hear how the two guitar parts sound together. We will also talk a little bit about learning blues songs in general.

BB King is one of the few players that rarely worries about tone. He is known to simply show up at any venue he is playing and play whatever amp they have around. While playing, he also has several common patterns he uses while soloing; most notably the BB King box. Let's introduce you to a few of his approaches in this short introduction.

In this video, I am going to show you a blues lick that emulates how BB King would start off almost any slow and/or medium tempo blues. It incorporates many of his signature sounds, and will involve three different licks that all sit nicely in the "BB King Box" in Bb. Let's take a look.

In this lesson, I am going to show you a signature bending lick in the style of Albert King. We will take a look at how to play this lick at three different places on the neck. This will help you find the best place for you to play these examples. Again, this will include Albert Kings aggressive bends and approaches. Let's see how we can play these licks while also jamming with some licks of our own.

One of the unique things about Albert King was that he played a right handed guitar left handed. This enabled him to bend the guitar strings very aggressively in a way that most of us cannot do. Through the years though players have found ways to play his licks in different places on the guitar neck, and in this tutorial I will teach you to do the same.

In this lesson you will learn how to play the legendary guitar riff from Free Ride. We will talk about how it is recorded and mixed as well as how to play it. I will also show you some alternative and easier ways to play it!

In this lesson we will cover some of the tools, tricks and techniques that are used to play the intro solo, so that you can make it sound authentic and expressive.

In this example, we will look at a G minor pentatonic lick in the style of BB KIng. This will incorporate some position changing using the entire neck of the guitar. We will try playing it slowly, using the AB looping if necessary, and than work it up to speed with a full backing track. Let's check it out!

In this video, we are going to look at another lick that utilizes many of BB Kings' signature sounds. These include the root-to-root slide, his chicks-n-fills, as well as his great use of space between the phrases. At the end of the lesson we will jam together using this phrase along with some ideas of your own. Let's play!

In this example, we will examine the common "boogie pattern" often used in blues. We will take a look at how to approach the familiar shape all over the neck, starting in the key of G. After that, we will than take the pattern and play it in a straight feel, a swing feel, and a shuffle feel.

In this next example using our G minor blues scale, we are going to try a horn inspired lick that integrates some hammer ons and pull off. Some of this may be a little tricky so make sure to work through it slowly and to also use the AB looping tool below the video player. We will try it slowly first a few times, than play it up to speed with a full backing track. Let's get started.

Using the G minor blues scale, we are going to try a lick that incorporates some position changing. This allows for us to move around the neck and become more familiar with different territory on the instrument. Once we break it down, we will try it slowly a few times than work it up to speed with a full backing track. Let's check it out!

While it is always important to learn licks and better your soloing ability, it is also important to figure out what you want to say with those skills. This is called "phrasing," and it can take a lifetime to truly get this concept down; communicating a unique voice on the instrument. In this tutorial, we are going to teach you how you can assemble all of those licks and skills into a meaningful vocabulary on the instrument that is unique to you. Let's get started.

In this example, we will be playing a 12 Bar Blues in the key of E using all 7th chords. We will be using the following open position chords: I - E7 IV - A7 V - B7

In this lesson we are going to talk a little bit about the song Free Ride, as made famous by the Edgar Winter Group, and all the musical elements that make this a classic hit-song of the 70's.

In this lesson we are gonna break down the rhythm guitar part of the song. We will cover the chord voicings and the strumming as well as the embellishments that are used throughout the song!

In this section we will take a basic chord progression and then show how some well-known classic rock guitarists would use it in their rhythm playing.

One of the many common habits of guitar players is the tendency to play too many notes. To help aid in playing fewer, more meaningful notes; let's take a look at a unique exercise that involves actually holding your breath while you play. You will find that holding your breath between phrases is a great way to play more like a vocalist, as that is what they have to sing between. Let's jam together over a blues in Ab, taking turns soloing in between holding your breath. You will be amazed at how much clarity results from this exercise. Let's check it out!

This classic rock song incorporates elements from rock and funk with a legendary rhythm guitar hook and two wailing lead guitars. We'll show you how to play all of them, then you can play along with an authentic, full length backing track.

In this song tutorial we will look at the open minor tuning used by Albert Collins. We'll also show you how to combine the use of a capo with finger picking to get that dirty blues sound in the solo. We'll also explore the rhythm guitar techniques used, then put it all together in a play-along performance.

British Blues is a style of music that was not only important musically, but had strong social impact as well. The popularity of American blues artists such as John Lee Hooker and Muddy Waters in the U.K had a huge impact on the culture, and eventually the blues was no longer strictly a black style of music. The player with the strongest impact on the British Blues Movement of the 60's and 70's was Jon Mayall, whose band the Bluesbreakers went on to springboard the careers of Eric Clapton, Mick Taylor, and Peter Greene amongst many others. In this tutorial, we are going to ...

While it is always important to learn licks and better your soloing ability, it is also important to figure out what you want to say with those skills. This is called "phrasing," and it can take a lifetime to truly get this concept down; communicating a unique voice on the instrument. In this tutorial, we are going to teach you how you can assemble all of those licks and skills into a meaningful vocabulary on the instrument that is unique to you. Let's get started.

Bring your blues scale into a performance context.

Learn what you can do to start finding your own voice in your soloing, using the minor scale.

Freddie King is another one of the essential figures in blues history. His playing has inspired many of the greats that we know today, most notably Eric Clapton. This is so much so that when we look at our examples today, you may feel as if you we are learning Eric Clapton licks. That shows the strength of King's influence along with his reputation as being a great singer and songwriter as well. King's sound was achieved by his use of a thumb pick and a metal pick on his first finger. In this tutorial, we are going to take a look at some ways that we can work Freddie King's...

No matter what style of music it is, it seems as though blues works it's way into it in some way or another. When it comes to soloing, blues licks are prominent in everything from pop to metal and beyond. In this tutorial, I am going to show you how you can apply your blues licks to other styles of music. This will help see the connection and history behind the power of the blues, and work to show you how you might already have the blues in your playing already. Let's get started.

Albert King is one of great inspiration to many of the guitar players that we know and love. His playing has inspired the likes of Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, and Stevie Ray Vaughn amongst many others. The goal for our lessons in this tutorial is for him to inspire you as well. Remember, the goal is not to have you sound just like Albert King but to work his ideas into your own voice. Let's get started!

BB King is one of the most well known figures in the world of guitar. His playing and image are synonymous with the blues, and in these lessons we are going to show you some of his techniques and approaches. It is important to note that in any of these artist example lessons, it is encouraged that you find a way to express yourself musically while using these ideas. The goal here is to not have you sound like BB King, but to take his ideas and work them into your own playing. Let's see how we can do that!

While soloing is an ever important part of playing the guitar, roughly 90% of the time as guitar players we are playing rhythm. In this tutorial, we are going to take a look some advanced rhythmic concepts and chord licks that you can use in your rhythm playing in not just blues, but in all styles. It is important to note too that you can use these skills in your soloing as well. Let's take a look.

Description.

The use of vibrato is an effect that is unique to all string instruments and all the more effective when used on the guitar. In blues playing, the use of vibrato is key and each blues player has his or her own vibrato. When used wisely, it can make even the simplest phrases and solos sound very effective. In this tutorial we are going to take a look at a few different types of vibrato that are both artist specific and usable by any guitarist at any level. Let's get started!

As many techniques, scales, and chords that are used in blues music; at it's core blues was developed by players whom were self taught and played without these concepts in mind. In this tutorial, we are going examine some unique techniques and ideas that are used often by blues players. This will include using a capo, blues shredding, using your fingers to solo, along with hybrid picking techniques. All of these ideas will help you sound more authentic when playing the blues and will carry over into other areas of your playing as well. Let's get started!

We are all familiar with a 12 Bar Blues. This widely used form has crossed genres and borders into what is probably the most common musical form we are all familiar with. Although the 12 form is the dominant force in blues (among other styles), their also exists many other blues forms that are used quite often as well. In this tutorial, we will take a look at some of these varied forms and see what we can do to integrate them into our playing. This includes the 8 Bar Blues and a swing blues as well as working with other chords instead of the I, IV, and V. Let's take a look!...

In this tutorial, we are going to examine the technique of playing chord tones in our soloing. This essentially means that we are going to solo playing only the notes in the chords we are playing over, as opposed to just running scales. This technique is very helpful in aiding the listener in hearing the chords you are playing over. This gets you out of the habit of just running scale patterns, and also helps you to sound more authentic in your soloing. In this tutorial, we will be playing these licks without a backing track and will outline the notes in our I, IV, and V ch...

A technique unique to the guitar, bending in blues is almost as key as the 12 bar form itself. Used primarily in soloing, this technique can be explored in a variety for different to create vocal like lines and memorable hooks. We will be exploring multiple techniques with bending in this tutorial, including bending major/minor thirds, bending up one note and down another, among others. All examples are in the key of C and we will play along to some backing tracks to hear how these sound in our solos. Let's get started.

The "turnaround" is an essential part of playing blues of any style or region. The turnaround is essentially an end lick you play to show you are at the end of your 12 Bar Blues, and that you are ready to start the progression again. You can play this with chords, solo licks, and a wide variety of other approaches. In this tutorial, we will take a look at a few different turnarounds you can use in your blues playing to really showcase your own authenticity. Again, the turnaround really shows other players you know your blues and it also helps you to know where you are in th...

The roots of electric blues are found in the sounds of the Windy City; also known as Chicago. The sounds of Chicago Blues trace back to when migrant workers from the south moved north to bigger cities to seek employment. What they brought with them was a rich tradition of Delta blues, but than amplified that with an electric guitar along with added instrumentation. Some key players to this style include Muddy Waters, Buddy Guy, and many many more. In this tutorial, we will look at the grooves and chordal concepts of this style; focusing on rhythm guitar techniques and artis...

The roots and origin of the blues language are firmly planted in the players of the Mississippi Delta area. Players such as Robert Johnson and Son House shaped the style to come and paved the way for a musical tradition that changed the entire world. The roots of almost every style of modern music can be traced back to the Delta, and our lessons today will give you an introduction to this all too important region. Using an acoustic guitar, open tunings, and a slide; let's explore this style.

Jazz, like most modern music styles, is rooted in the blues tradition. Having an understanding of Jazz Blues is a great introduction to the world of jazz and it's wide world of possibilities. In this tutorial, we will break down how to turn your standard 12 Bar Blues into a Jazz Blues via a step by step process. Each lesson will take the form a step further, introducing you to some new chords and ideas within the blues. Explore each lesson thoroughly and work to fully understand how to turn your standard blues into a Jazz Blues.

Dominant 7th chords in three keys.

A first look at New Orleans, Delta, Chicago, Texas, Modern, and Jazz Blues styles.

This tutorial shows how to play a basic shuffle boogie blues, plus some rhythmic variations using 2 and 3 note chord voicings.

Texas is home to many legends of the blues such as Stevie Ray Vaughn, Lightnin' Hopkins, T-Bone Walker, and many more. In this tutorial, we will examine both the acoustic and electric sides of this style; focusing on players in the genre and their approaches to the instrument. All examples are in the key of E.