Guitar Tricks Online Guitar Lessons

Moving Blues Riff To A

 
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Now it's time to try playing this same riff in a different key, which will be incredibly useful going forward. Until now we've played the blues riff on the E- and the A-string. Now let's try and move our fretted notes up to the D-string. And then instead of the low E-string ringing open we'll use the open A-string.

This is pretty tricky for your picking hand at first, but again it helps to make sure your fretting hand index finger is muting the G-string. If you have that down, all you have to do with your picking hand is avoid hitting the low E-string. It doesn't sound terrible if you hit it, but it's definitely better without it.

Now let's practice the blues riff in A together. I'll count us in and then we'll play through it slowly. Feel free to just watch and listen first if you prefer.

Instructor Anders Mouridsen
Tutorial:
Blues Riff #1
Styles:
Any Style
Difficulty:
print notation download lesson open guitar tuner
Moving Blues Riff To A song notation

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Questions & Answers

1 year ago
I find it more natural to use the index finger for both chords, sliding up and down the neck. Is this a bad habit or acceptable in this kind of riff?
Mike Olekshy 1 year ago

Hello - thanks so much for your question! Yes, it is indeed easier to move the index finger back and forth to make the chords, but eventually, this will inhibit the speed at which you can play it. I encourage you to keep practicing this riff with your index finger and either your ring finger or pinky fretting the higher note. Hope this helps!!

1 year ago
I like now that i know how to read the numbers which one we going to play. but in real life we will not be able to see number only will see notes, correct? if so, is there a lesson or something to teach me how to read the notes?
Mike Olekshy 1 year ago

Hello - thanks so much for your question! To start learning how to read music, check out these tutorials: https://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial/271 https://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial/318 Hope this helps!

2 years ago
does the index finger depress the A string at the same time as the ring finger depresses the A string.? It doesn't look like Ander' index finger moves. Thanks!
Mike Olekshy 1 year ago

Hello - thanks so much for your question! You are correct, it does not appear that Anders moves the index finger - he keeps holding that note on the 2nd fret of the A string. However, if you find it easier to lift that note when going for the note on the 4th fret of the A string, that is totally okay!