Blues 1-4-5 alternatives.


1966flyingV
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1966flyingV
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06/05/2021 10:07 am

Hi all,

Just have a couple of questions in regards to playing Blues/Blues Rock.

I understand the 1-4-5 (12 Bar) progression,but what other options are there ?

Surely not all Blues songs follow this format.

Does anyone have any examples of well known Blues songs that clearly demonstrate different ways of playing chord progressions and Rythmic patterns that sound "bluesy" ?

either slow or more up tempo.

I like the Texas Shuffle and also listen to Clapton,SRV,Johnny Winter,the 3 Kings,Savouy Brown,Billy Gibbons,Bonamassa just to name a few....

I understand the 12 Bar can be played numerous different ways and other things can be added such as turn arounds etc,but just looking for a different feel and way to play Blues at the moment.

Anyway I hope I've explained myself well enough and any advice or help is much appreciated.

Thanks

Phil


# 1
ChristopherSchlegel
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ChristopherSchlegel
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06/05/2021 1:48 pm
Originally Posted by: 1966flyingVI understand the 1-4-5 (12 Bar) progression,but what other options are there ?[/quote]

You can shorten the form (8 bars for example), or make it longer (16 or 32 bars for example). Some of the older, original blues artists had irregular forms throughout their arrangement, essentially just staying on a chord as long as they needed to for the lyrics story to happen. Then changing chords whenever it fit the lyrics.

You can simplify the chord progression down to just one or 2 chords like some of the older Delta guys did. Or you can play in a minor key, add a dramatic flat VI chord.

[quote=1966flyingV]Does anyone have any examples of well known Blues songs that clearly demonstrate different ways of playing chord progressions and Rythmic patterns that sound "bluesy" ?

BB King's 'Thrill Is Gone' is a great minor blues with a flat VI & a straight 1/8th groove.

https://www.guitartricks.com/songs/artist/muddy-waters

For simplfied chords & form you can't do better than Muddy Waters!

https://www.guitartricks.com/songs/artist/muddy-waters

For a modern take Robert Cray's 'Right Next Door'.

https://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=2064

Anders covers regional blues styles in his Blues 1 course.

https://www.guitartricks.com/lesson.php?input=14485&s_id=947

And alternative blues forms in Blues 2.

https://www.guitartricks.com/lesson.php?input=13283&s_id=757

I have a few tutorials that cover slightly more advanced blues.

16 Bar Blues

https://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=1342

Jazz Blues in B-flat

https://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=2595

Jazz Blues In F

https://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=2605

Hope that helps!


Christopher Schlegel
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1966flyingV
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1966flyingV
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06/06/2021 3:54 am

Thank you Christopher I'll look into your suggestions.


# 3
ChristopherSchlegel
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ChristopherSchlegel
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06/06/2021 2:53 pm
Originally Posted by: 1966flyingV

Thank you Christopher I'll look into your suggestions.

You're welcome. Please ask more if necessary!


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1966flyingV
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1966flyingV
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06/07/2021 1:40 am

Hi again Christopher,

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 ?

At this stage I've only learnt Bar chords,open chords and Power chords.

Thanks again

Phil


# 5
ChristopherSchlegel
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ChristopherSchlegel
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06/07/2021 11:19 am
Originally Posted by: 1966flyingV

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 ?

[p]

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!


Christopher Schlegel
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1966flyingV
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1966flyingV
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06/07/2021 11:49 pm

Thanks again,I think I've got this one sorted now.Over the 1 chord I'm going to play a Riff then a shuffle on 4-5 and finish with a turn around.....

Thanks for your help.


# 7
ChristopherSchlegel
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ChristopherSchlegel
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06/08/2021 11:22 am
Originally Posted by: 1966flyingV

Thanks again,I think I've got this one sorted now.Over the 1 chord I'm going to play a Riff then a shuffle on 4-5 and finish with a turn around.....

Thanks for your help.

You're welcome! Glad you found a way to keep it interesting.


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ashleylopez199581
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ashleylopez199581
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07/19/2021 4:16 am

I am stuck in a rut of only playing, improvising, and thinking about the 1-4-5. I need some variety because im sure it is driving my mom and my friends that I jam with crazy. For years, all I've mainly been focused on is improvising in the 1-4-5. Well I love the blues, can you blame me? But I would like to switch it up a bit.

What are some more blues progressions other than the 1-4-5? Looking for any types of blues: soul blues, jazz blues, you mame it. Really into soul right now.

Would really like to try out some new stuff, thanks!


# 9
ChristopherSchlegel
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ChristopherSchlegel
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07/19/2021 11:46 am
Originally Posted by: ashleylopez199581

What are some more blues progressions other than the 1-4-5? Looking for any types of blues: soul blues, jazz blues, you mame it. Really into soul right now.

Would really like to try out some new stuff, thanks!

You can play just about any progression in a blues style. Jazz & R&B in particular have plenty of chord progressions that are adaptable to blues style playing.

I add some circle of 5th motion to the basic blues in this tutorial.

16 Bar Blues

https://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=1342

These tutorials in a jazz-blues style add a lot to the basic I-IV-V progression.

Jazz Blues In F

https://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=2605

Jazz Blues in B-flat

https://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=2595

These tutorials in an R&B style do the same!

Soulful R&B 1

https://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=1316

Soulful R&B 2

https://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=1454

Hope that helps!


Christopher Schlegel
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# 10

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