boogie style

Hi,

I'm on lesson 1 of blues with Anders. Any advice to get the boogie rythm ? The one that goes like this :

                                                                                                                                                                      5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5

                                                                                                                                                                      7 7 9 9 7 7 9 9

which is presently for me an impossible strecht of my left hand.

best, 

Steve

You can play those exact same notes in the open position using the open A string.  

|-----------------------------|
|-----------------------------|
|-----------------------------|
|-2-2-4-4-2-2-4-4----------|
|-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0----------|
|-----------------------------|

Anders does it in this lesson in the Blues 1 style course.

https://www.guitartricks.com/lesson/14436

You could also just play the whole thing an octave higher where the frets are closer together.  Same basic sound but higher on the fretboard.

|--------------------------------------|
|--------------------------------------|
|--------------------------------------|
|-14-14-16-16-14-14-16-16---------|
|-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12---------|
|--------------------------------------|

Alternately you can play just the A note an octave higher.  So instead of playing the A note on the 5th fret of the low E string, play it on the 7th fret of the D string.  Barre across the 7th fret on the A and D strings.  Include the notes E & F# on the A string and you get this.

|-----------------------------|
|-----------------------------|
|-----------------------------|
|-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-7----------|
|-7-7-9-9-7-7-9-9----------|
|-----------------------------|

Same basic sound but slightly inverted and easier to play.

Finally, keep working at playing it as Anders does.  You might find these exercises on increasing finger strength and dexterity helpful.

https://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial/1829

https://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial/1292

Hope that helps.  Keep practicing!

Hi,

Oh! Thanks a lot! I will!

best,

Steve

You're welcome!

I listen to your tuto. Great work and humorous also !

To thank you I found this exercices right from ChatGPT :

Starfish Exercise (Off-Guitar Finger Stretch)

Goal: Improve finger flexibility, independence, and strength without a guitar.

Steps:

1. 
   

   Open your left hand wide — spread your fingers as far apart as possible, like a starfish 🖐.

   
   


2. 
   

   Thumb to Pinky:

   
   
   
   
   • 
     

     Pinch your pinky with your thumb, applying gentle pressure.

     
     
   
   
   • 
     

     Hold for 2–3 seconds.

     
     
   
   
   
   


3. 
   

   Thumb to Ring Finger:

   
   
   
   
   • 
     

     Pinch and hold for 2–3 seconds.

     
     
   
   
   
   


4. 
   

   Thumb to Middle Finger:

   
   
   
   
   • 
     

     Same, 2–3 seconds.

     
     
   
   
   
   


5. 
   

   Thumb to Index Finger:

   
   
   
   
   • 
     

     Same, 2–3 seconds.

     
     
   
   
   
   


6. 
   

   Return to full starfish stretch and repeat the cycle 5–10 times.

   
   

Tips:

• 
  

  Keep movements slow and controlled — no snapping fingers together.

  
  


• 
  

  You should feel a mild stretch, not pain.

  
  


• 
  

  Do this a few times a day (you can do it while watching TV or waiting in line).

  
  

Benefits:

• 
  

  Warms up the hand before playing.

  
  


• 
  

  Increases reach for wide chords and scales.

  
  


• 
  

  Reduces stiffness if you’ve been playing a lot.

  
  

Hopefuly, you'll enjoy it !

Best,

Steve

Hey, thanks!  That reminded me of these warmup stretches in this tutorial.

https://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial/1525/

Those can also be helpful in this process.  Enjoy!