Unleash Your Inner Bluesman: A Beginner's Guide to Blues Guitar

Blues music is the bedrock of much of contemporary Western music, including jazz, rock, pop, soul, funk, and R&B. Its importance simply cannot be overstated. Whether you're a complete beginner or have some guitar experience, learning the blues is a rewarding journey. This article provides a comprehensive guide to get you started, drawing on the wisdom of blues masters and proven teaching methods.

Why Learn Blues Guitar?

If you’re a beginner, learning how to play blues guitar is one of the best ways you can learn guitar. Blues is truly the genre that started it all, and its rich history continues to influence music today. Blues is the musical precursor to so many different genres of music, and it continues to be the starting point for many beginner guitarists (for good reason).

The "Freedom Palette": Understanding the Blues Framework

My old mentor, blues guitar maestro Kenny Burrell, used to call the blues a "Freedom Palette." He saw it as a simple framework that any artist could use. This understanding is fundamental to blues guitar mastery. Without it, learning songs takes a lot longer, and many students end up with "Big Binder Syndrome" - stuck with a huge binder of songs they can barely play. When you understand the underlying patterns, you actually start to side-step memorization. This opens a door where other musicians and listeners can really look at you.

The Frustration of Fragmented Lessons

Many online blues guitar lessons focus on only one area, which can be frustrating for beginners. They may teach you a few licks or scales but fail to show you how it all fits together. This guide aims to provide a more holistic approach.

Essential Elements of Blues Guitar

To embark on your blues journey, you need to become familiar with the basic progressions, chords, rhythms, and how to start incorporating lead guitar. Before diving into scales, there's a way to tap into a true blues sound using simple ideas.

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1. The 12-Bar Blues Form: The First Law

The First Law of the Blues is the 12 Bar Blues Form. The 12-bar blues is a cornerstone of the genre. It consists of a repeating 12-bar chord sequence. In its most basic form, some simple chords and one trusty scale can tap into the age old blues tradition of translating emotion through music.

2. Mastering Blues Chords

In this tutorial we'll learn how to play 12 bar blues using barre chords. We'll get plenty of practice changing chords in time along with a 12 Bar Blues backing track while using barre chords. We'll also learn our 5th and 6th string root major and dominant 7th barre chord shapes, and learn how to lock into a bluesy rhythm by strumming with a shuffle feel. For these lessons, you can use either an electric guitar or an acoustic guitar.

In this tutorial we'll learn how to use some open dominant 7th chords to play 12 bar blues in a few different keys. We're trying to get familiar with the sound of a I-IV-V chord progression over the basic blues form of 12 measure or bars. We also want to get more comfortable with strumming in an 1/8th note triplet rhythm.

Here are some concepts to explore:

Barre Chords: Learn the 5th and 6th string root major and dominant 7th barre chord shapes.
Open Dominant 7th Chords: Get familiar with using open dominant 7th chords to play 12 bar blues in different keys.
Shuffle Feel: Lock into a bluesy rhythm by strumming with a shuffle feel.

3. Blues Rhythms and Grooves

In this set of beginner blues lessons, I'll teach you how to play a simple blues in E. I'll start off with the riff and the triplet shuffle rhythm in E, then move it to A. Next I'll show you how to change those chords in time, then we'll learn the B7 chord. I'll go over the 12 bar form before I show you some fills you can play to spice things up.

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Understanding this, will not only bring more clarity to point #1. Next, start working bass lines and riff patterns through the blues. In this tutorial we'll combine a walking bass line with upper chord tones. The end result is two parts playing together at the same time. We'll also add a variety of classic blues walking bass lines.

Triplet Shuffle: Master the triplet shuffle rhythm, a fundamental blues groove.
Walking Bass Lines: Learn to combine walking bass lines with upper chord tones for a fuller sound.

4. Dominant 7th Chords and Shell Voicings

In this tutorial we'll boost your blues rhythm playing by exploring a handful of extremely useful dominant 7 chords and combine those with a simple but powerful right hand approach. The dominant 7 chords are the ones we write out by simply adding the number 7 after the letter name. They hold a lot of bluesy tension and they're some of the most common chord type used in this style of music.

In this tutorial we'll level up our blues rhythm playing by exploring some extremely precise and punchy voicings of our dominant 7 and 9 chords. These chords are stripped down to a minimum number of notes for a maximum impact, and they're often referred to as shell voicings. In this tutorial we'll explore some more stripped down, precision chords that use a minimum number of notes for a maximum impact or shell voicings as they're often called. Not only are the chords boiled down to the essence, the movement between the I, IV and V chord voicings is also optimized, so each of the notes within the chords move as little as possible. This gives our rhythm playing a very deliberate and mature sound.

Dominant 7th and 9th Chords: Explore dominant 7th and 9th chords to add bluesy tension to your playing.
Shell Voicings: Learn to use stripped-down, precision chords for maximum impact.

5. Riffs and Diads

In this tutorial we'll learn a classic bluesy diad riff that's a solid part of every blues player's vocabulary. We'll break the riff down step by step and learn to apply it to a 12 bar blues form with some rhythmic and phrasing variations to get more mileage out of it.

Classic Blues Riffs: Learn essential blues riffs that form the foundation of blues vocabulary.
Diads: Incorporate diads (two-note chords) into your playing.

6. Solo Guitar Arrangements

Christopher will show you a new way to play a blues arrangement for solo guitar. This involves combining a bass line with middle chord tones as well as upper chord tones. In this way we get a very full sound and suggest three separate voices or things happening at once! Christopher will show a new way to play a blues type arrangement for solo guitar. Christopher will show you how to move the familiar pattern of the earlier solo guitar blues orchestration tutorials to any fretboard position by barring with the index finger and using it as a sort of movable capo. Christopher will show you new ways to play a blues type arrangement for solo guitar. To orchestrate means to put many parts together. In this tutorial we'll combine a walking bass line with upper chord tones. The end result is two parts playing together at the same time.

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Orchestration: Learn to combine bass lines, chord tones, and upper chord tones for solo guitar arrangements.
Movable Capo: Use your index finger as a movable capo to play blues arrangements in any fretboard position.

Lead Guitar Techniques

1. Basic Blues Licks and Soloing Vocabulary

The following sections is all about how to play lead Blues guitar. Christopher will show you some basic blues licks that form the foundation of blues soloing vocabulary. This includes the following characteristics of blues lead playing: using the blues scale (minor pentatonic scale with flat 5th "blue note"), triplet swing phrasing, dynamics and articulations like sliding and bending. Christopher will show you some basic blues licks that form the foundation of blues soloing vocabulary. This includes the following characteristics of blues lead playing: using the blues scale (minor pentatonic scale with flat 5th "blue note"), triplet swing phrasing, dynamics and articulations like sliding and bending.

Blues Scale: Master the blues scale (minor pentatonic scale with flat 5th "blue note").
Triplet Swing Phrasing: Develop a feel for triplet swing phrasing.
Dynamics and Articulations: Incorporate dynamics and articulations like sliding and bending.

2. Double Stops and Chord Progressions

In this tutorial we will learn to play a lead fill that uses double stops in a basic 12 bar blues in C major. Christopher will show you how to really spice up your blues rhythm and lead playing with some interesting chord progressions, chord voicings and lead licks! First we'll look at a chord progression that's not the standard 12 bar form. Next we'll add some extended chord voicings. Next, we'll add some licks that are more chord tone based than standard pentatonic.

Double Stops: Learn to play lead fills using double stops.
Non-Standard Progressions: Explore chord progressions that deviate from the standard 12-bar form.
Chord-Tone Based Licks: Add licks that are based on chord tones rather than just the pentatonic scale.

3. Bread and Butter Blues Licks

In this set of lessons, I'll teach you a "bread and butter" blues lick that you can use in almost any blues solo. I'll start with an introduction to the lick, then how to do the tricking picking and bending. The we'll play the lick using the IV and V chords, then we'll review the whole 12 bar form before we do two play alongs in different tempos. In this next set of lessons on bread and butter blues licks, I'll teach you a major pentatonic lick. I'll introduce you to the concepts and lessons and show you the basis of the lick, then how to apply the picking and bending. We'll then play the lick over the IV and V chords, then add some variation. We'll do play alongs in two different tempos before we examine the lick in a straight 8th rhythm. Bread & butter means the central or fundamental part of a thing. It also means how you earning a living; how you earn you bread to pay for your bread & butter!

Fundamental Licks: Master essential "bread and butter" blues licks.
Major Pentatonic Licks: Learn to incorporate the major pentatonic scale into your solos.
Picking and Bending: Refine your picking and bending techniques.

4. Combining Major and Minor Pentatonic Scales

In this set of lessons, Ry Kihn will teaching you how to play major and minor pentatonic scales in a solo. Ry will introduce you to the tutorial, then examine major pentatonic licks. In the next lesson, we'll be learning how to switch between these scales; then Ry will take a look at the extended major scale with the flat third, making things bluesy.

Scale Switching: Learn to seamlessly switch between major and minor pentatonic scales.
Extended Major Scale: Explore the extended major scale with the flat third for a bluesy sound.

5. Targeting Chord Tones

In this third tutorial of the series we will focus only on targeting chord tones in order to learn more ways to spice up the minor pentatonic "box" blues shape with notes from the major scales. The lessons in this series are based on a lot of the ideas we already learned in the previous tutorials from the series on "Major Notes in Pentatonic Minor". In this tutorial we will learn to spice up the minor pentatonic "box" blues shape with notes from the major scale. For these example exercises we will use the A minor pentatonic scale and a 12 bar blues form in A major. The central idea is to use the pentatonic box as a visual reference while targeting chord tones. Christopher will show you how to really spice up your blues lead playing with these advanced licks! First we'll look at the basic pentatonic minor box as scale degrees. Then we'll do the same for the mixolydian mode.

Chord Tone Targeting: Learn to target chord tones to enhance your solos.
Mixolydian Mode: Incorporate the Mixolydian mode for a different flavor.

6. Playing in Every Key

In this tutorial I've created a 12 bar blues backing track in every key and at two tempos (80 BPM and 120 BPM). I play each blues with a different rhythm guitar and lead guitar approach to show how much variation is possible within the 12 bar blues form. This is a valuable way to get used to playing in every key and comfortable with playing anywhere on the fretboard.

Key Transposition: Practice playing in every key to expand your fretboard knowledge.

7. Improvisation and Musicianship

In Blues music there are ‘intangibles’ that aren’t written on sheet music. Things like feel and groove or musicianship and playing with others will be best developed through real-world experience. In this tutorial we'll zoom out and look at the big picture of blues musicianship: improvisation, using backing tracks, playing live, and writing music. These aren't playing lessons per se, although we use a couple of backing tracks for demonstration; these lessons are intended for you to step backk and take a look at the big picture, and put your playing into a context.

Feel and Groove: Develop your feel and groove through real-world experience.
Improvisation: Practice improvising over backing tracks and in live settings.
Writing Music: Try your hand at writing your own blues songs.

8. Building a Blues Arrangement

Christopher will show you how to build a blues arrangement. We'll use various rhythm and lead guitar techniques and combine them in a dramatic way to build and release tension over the course of many repeated passes at a 12 bar blues form. In this tutorial we will learn to build another blues guitar arrangement. We'll use various rhythm and lead guitar techniques and combine them in a dramatic way to build and release tension over the course of many repeated passes at a 12 bar blues form.

Tension and Release: Learn to build and release tension in your arrangements.

9. Expanding Beyond the 12-Bar Blues

In this tutorial we will learn and play an 8 bar blues. We'll use a classic ascending chord progression, then add some circle of fifths motion to give it a slightly R&B or jazzy sound. In this tutorial we'll learn a 16 bar blues in C. We'll play rhythm and lead guitar parts.

8-Bar and 16-Bar Blues: Explore blues forms beyond the standard 12-bar structure.

10. Orchestral and Rock Blues

In these lessons you'll learn some ideas about how to play an orchestral slow blues and solo licks in the key of E. We'll work on some rhythm ideas, talk about timing, sound and feeling, and good combinations of solo licks. In this tutorial you'll learn to play a minor blues with some rock elements, and you'll learn to play dynamically by using specific sound settings and playing techniques to create feeling. We'll talk about sound and tone, then look at the chords.

Orchestral Blues: Learn to create an orchestral sound in your blues playing.
Rock Blues: Incorporate rock elements into your blues style.

11. Original Blues Songs

In this set of lessons I'll teach you a short simple original song, "Arizona Blues". I'll introduce the tune to you, then show you how to play the two main parts. Next I'll put the two parts together for you, then get into the hammer-on and bluesy licks. I'll play the song through for you, then finish by explaining a bit of my philosophy behind it. In "Bad Blues 2", I'll teach you to play a theme I composed. I'll talk a bit about the theme, then show you a vibrato exercise. In lesson 3 I'll show you the first part, using the vibrato. In the next lessons I'll show you parts 2 and 3 and how you can create variations. "Bad Blues" will give you some ideas on how to play blues in a rubato style - without real timing. This gives you freedom to play blues with full expression and dynamics. I'll teach picking technique, then show you several licks to play.

Songwriting: Learn to write your own blues songs.
Rubato Style: Explore playing in a rubato style, without strict timing, for greater expression.

12. Drop D Tuning and Bottleneck Slide

In this set of lessons I'll give you some ideas for playing the blues with a drop D tuning and a bottleneck. I'll cover the drop D tuning, talk about the basic technique, then get into some chords. Then I'll teach some melodic ideas and groove examples, and give you a summary of ideas to create an entire tune.

Drop D Tuning: Experiment with drop D tuning for a different sound.
Bottleneck Slide: Learn to play blues with a bottleneck slide.

13. Fingerstyle Blues

Jorma Kaukonen started here. Taj Mahal, and Keb' Mo' too, plus dozens of other acoustic blues masters. Even if you're new to fingerpicking, this tutorial will walk you step-by-step through learning to play the fingerstyle blues, and load you up with an impressive collection of tricks and riffs you can toss in at any time.

Fingerstyle Technique: Develop your fingerstyle blues playing.

14. Studying the Greats

The best way to learn how to play Blues guitar is by studying the greats. In this tutorial we'll explore a practice tune written in the signature high energy blues-rock style of Joe Bonamassa. This is a fun style to play because it draws from a variety of different blues sounds and combines it with high gain and rock elements. We'll start out with a slow blues, then break into a super fun rock riff and in the middle we'll have an intense and epic solo section. Tome will show you essential aspects of Guy's playing style and music across many decades has inspired players to learn about the blues of the past, bring those traditions to the present and expand on them into the future! Through his playing and showmanship, he directly influenced the early rock legends of the 60s. In this tutorial we'll study the electric guitar playing style made famous by John Mayer. soulful feel, and expressive playing. articulation.

Joe Bonamassa: Explore the high-energy blues-rock style of Joe Bonamassa.
Buddy Guy: Study the playing style of Buddy Guy and his influence on blues and rock.
John Mayer: Learn the electric guitar playing style of John Mayer.

Equipment and Tone

There are many different kinds of amplifiers to choose from. These are 3 primary amp styles on which most models are based, and here we'll look at 2 tube amps and a solid state amp. In this tutorial we'll answer questions about the tonal differences between using your fingers instead of a pick. We'll also look at the bottleneck slide, then how to use a capo. In this tutorial we'll walk you through the sounds and electronic configurations available on the most popular guitars in the market: semi-hollow body, Les Paul, SG, Telecaster, and more.

Amplifiers: Understand the different types of amplifiers and their tonal characteristics.
Fingers vs. Pick: Explore the tonal differences between playing with your fingers and a pick.
Guitars: Learn about the sounds and configurations of popular guitar models.

The Intangibles: Feeling and Connection

That moment taught me that authentic blues isn’t about complexity - it’s about feeling and connection. People tend to over think the blues. The blues is not about the notes a person plays. It is about the notes a person does not play.

Blues music is the foundation of contemporary western music (jazz, rock, pop, soul, funk, RnB and more). Like this blog post? That’s why we’ve put together the Blues Style page. If you ever get tripped up with any of these techniques, you should definitely head to Blues Style Course 1 and Blues Style Course 2. In these courses you will be shown everything Blues guitar from fundamentals to advanced techniques in an easy to follow step-by-step curriculum. Need a refresher on the fundamentals?

A Step-by-Step Approach to Soloing

Step 1. If you’re looking to learn how to play guitar solos, the minor pentatonic scale will be your new best friend. If someone plays a 12-bar blues in the key of A, you can play any notes in this scale, and they’ll all sound great. Step 2. Step 3. Once you learn the blues scale, you’re off to the races! Step 4. You won’t always encounter blues progressions in the key of A. Luckily, it’s easy to adjust your soloing to a new key. Find out which key your blues progression is in. (Ex. That’s it! You’re ready to shred in a new key. You can do this for any key, you just need to memorize the notes on your low E string. Step 5. At a certain point, simply playing notes in a scale will only get you so far. Blues guitar is all about making your guitar sound like a human voice.

The Importance of Learning Scales

Learning the most important scale patterns for the blues is essential. It’s also a great tool for understanding and unlocking the fretboard. This helps you not get stuck in certain “boxes” on the neck. This is important for not only your lead guitar playing but also your rhythm. Once you start plucking through the basic scale patterns, then you want to add some vocabulary. This is where you start learning to speak the true language of the blues. But without vocabulary, you’ll end up with dull and boring solos.

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