Lesson 3: Outlining the IV and V Chords

Questions & Answers

1 week ago

Hi Guys can you explain what Anders means about playing this lick over any chords in blues did I miss this in a past lesson if so can you direct me back to that lesson , also there's so much to learn how do I make it stick in my muscle memory im a 68 retired truck driver starting late with this I really enjoy guitar tricks great site. Thanks

Mike Olekshy 1 week ago

Hey there - thanks so much for your kind words and question! To build lasting muscle memory at 68, the trick is to practice in micro-sessions of 5 to 10 minutes spaced throughout the day, rather than one long, exhausting block, because the brain processes and locks in mechanical movements much faster during the rest periods between sessions. Focus heavily on ultra-slow practice—move your fingers into a chord shape in slow motion, ensuring perfect form without tension, because your muscles remember accuracy, not speed. Hope this helps!!

2 weeks ago

Hi Guys I need some help I've got to this point ok I think,when Anders was showing the Freddy king lesson 13499 im very lost with these nine chords I can play this pattern but I'm not really understanding how this goes together if you look at my account to see the lesson,s I've done for the last year I feel like I should understand this lesson do I need a updated lesson plan I will submit another one if I need to like a reboot let me no what direction I should go Thanks Shawn

Mike Olekshy 1 week ago

Hey there - thanks so much for your question! I don't really think it's your fault, because Anders doesn't really explain how the notes from the lick outline the 9th chord. You should be familiar with 9th chords from Blues Level 1 - if not, go back to Chapter 3 and refresh there. For this lesson, we are in the key of E - so the I chord is E, IV chord is A, and V chord is B. Usually in blues, you would use the 7th chords, but it is also common to use the 9th chords - especially for the IV and V chord. Notice how he starts with the IV chord in the 5th position - playing off the A major triad (6th fret of the G string, 5th fret of the B and high E strings). He explains how he starts by sliding into the 3rd of the chord, then goes to the "9" at the 7th fret of the high E string, then comes down chromatically to the root (A), then pulls off on the B string from there. Then to apply the lick to the 5 chord - he moves up to the 7th position and plays off the B triad there. Hope this helps!!

1 year ago

I am doing a Blues Guitar course as well as working on Guitar Tricks, and so I am going back through Anders Blues Licks. I am slightly confused about what is going on in the Freddie King Style lesson 3 lick. Anders at the start says it in the key of E, So E is I Chord, A is IV and C is V. One would normally expect in blues that the main scale to be the Minor Pentatonic or the Blues scale, I know the is a sweeping statement, but would you confirm this is generally the case? In this example Freddie is using the E Blues scale, am I correct that it works tonally because the F# (string 2, fret 7), is the 2nd note in E Major or ninth if you wish, or could be considered the 4th note in the C# minor pentatonic scale? Sorry if this seems a silly question, I find this stuff can be confusing. Thanks Adrian

Mike Olekshy 1 year ago

Hello - thanks so much for your question! You are correct - generally speaking, the main scales used for blues are the Pentatonic Minor and the Blues scale - but it's also common to use the Major Pentatonic scale as well. In this lesson, Anders is showing a lick that works great over the I, IV, and V chord in E, specifically giving the sound of 9th chords. So for example, you could be playing the blues rhythm using E9, A9, and B9 - and then use this lick to highlight the sound of the 9th chords in the rhythm - since the lick contains the note you referenced (F# over the A chord) which is the 9. But also, this lick works great even if you're not using 9th chords in the rhythm, because it still gives you the flavor and sound of the 9 chords. Hope this isn't too confusing and you find it helpful!!!