Originally Posted by: 1966flyingV[p]I was just reading over my post and one thing I was trying to convey was that Instead of playing the same strumming pattern over the 1-4-5 chord progression what are some other options to change it up so it doesn't just sound bland and repeadative ?
Exactly what strumming pattern are you currently using?
There are basically 2 different rhythmic approaches to most blues: swing or straight. Most people associate the sound of blues with 1/8th note triplet swing. You can of course use other subdivsions & apply any strumming pattern you can think of.
I cover basic 1/8th note triplet swing using a boogie diad pattern in this tutorial. Is that the basic pattern you are already playing? Even if it is I show how to spice it up playing some basic fills!
https://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=189
Caren has a good acoustic basic strumming version of some blues tunes.
Sweet Home Chicago Made Easy is swing 1/8ths rhythm strumming.
https://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=2257
The Thrill Is Gone (Made Easy) is straight 1/8ths rhythm strumming.
https://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=2328
Aside from all that, you can also change your picking pattern to something besides stumming just chords or diads. These tutorials cover playing a bass line with chord tones & adding a variety of fills.
Blues Orchestration 1
https://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=151
Blues Orchestration 2
https://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=274
Maybe some of that helps!
