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3 Killer Chuck Berry Blues Guitar Licks

blues Sep 12, 2023

Today I want to share 3 essential Chuck Berry-style blues guitar licks with you. These 3 licks will give you immediate insight into some of his signature guitar moves, including tricks like staccato bends, double-stops, and repetitive phrases.

All of these licks are in the key of Bb major. But once you get them down, you can move them to any key you want by simply changing the fret they start on.

So make sure you’re tuned up and let’s get started!

Lick # 1

Lick #1 starts off with a quick bend on the 8th fret of the 3rd string. Here we are right away going to be a signature Berry technique, staccato bends. A staccato bend is a bending technique where the bent note is played with short and distinct, separated articulation. 

So instead of sustaining the bent note, it is played briefly and quickly released, creating a crisp and punchy effect. The staccato bend adds rhythmic emphasis and can be used to create a dynamic and expressive playing style. This note is going...

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EASY 12 Bar Blues Guitar Lesson In C

blues Sep 10, 2023

The 12-bar blues is one of the most used chord progressions of all time. In fact, if you’re a guitarist who wants to play popular music, this is one of the most valuable things you can study.

So today I want to share with you an easy 12-bar blues guitar lesson in C. The key of C is a perfect key to start with because it uses all-natural notes. This means these notes are not modified by accidentals such as sharps (#) or flats () etc.

We’ll cover the chords and how to remember a 12-bar blues. Plus how to take a riff through the blues progression, and even end with learning the blues scale in C.

So make sure you’re tuned up and let’s get started!

What are the 3 chords used in the 12-bar blues? 

The 3 core chords to a standard 12-bar blues in C are C7, F7, and G7.

Here is how I would play each of these shapes. 

C7 is like a typical open-position C chord, but here we’ll put our pinky finger (in the fretting hand) down on the 3rd fret of the 3rd...

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Unlock John Lee Hooker's Blues Guitar Tricks With This "Dimples" Guitar Lesson

blues Sep 09, 2023

One of the secrets to John Lee Hooker’s sound is how he played fingerstyle on electric guitar. Today I’ll break down some of his exact techniques in this “Dimples” guitar lesson.

The combination of fingertips and electric guitar with a bit of breakup to the sound is a magical tone for blues guitar. There are two main sections we are going to cover in this lesson, the blues groove and an 8-bar blues chord progression. So tuneup, and let’s get started!

Who wrote Dimples?

"Dimples" was written by blues legend John Lee Hooker. The original version featured Jimmy Reed’s backup band. John Lee Hooker played the riff on slide guitar in the original version.

Dimples Chords

“Dimples” is in the key of E and uses just 3 chords E7, A7, and B7. These 3 chords are 3 most common chords in blues tunes and are often referred to as the I, IV, and V chords in the key.

E7 = I chord

A7 = IV chord

B7 = V chord

Also, check out how all the chords are dominant...

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The Ultimate Hey Joe Guitar Lesson (Jimi Hendrix)

blues Sep 07, 2023

Today I want to share with you how I play the very first single released by the Jimi Hendrix Experience in 1966, “Hey Joe”.

In this “Hey Joe” guitar lesson, I’m going to break down key insights into Hendrix’s signature guitar style as well as discuss the background of this song. It is most commonly associated with Hendrix but it was actually originally written by Billy Roberts. 

It’s relatively simple. You’ll only need 5 chords to play the whole thing. I’ll walk you through it step-by-step. So make sure you’re tuned up and let’s get started.

Who originally sang Hey Joe?

"Hey Joe" is a song that is most associated with the legendary guitarist Jimi Hendrix. But it was actually written by Billy Roberts, an American folk musician, in the early 1960s. 

The first known recording of "Hey Joe" was made by Roberts. He performed the song in a simple acoustic arrangement. Yet this version formed the basis for...

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10 EASY Blues Songs on Guitar

blues Sep 05, 2023

Hey Friend! 

Today I want to share with you 10 easy blues songs on guitar. When I was starting out with blues guitar. I didn’t know which tunes to focus on. 

Many times I would start one and then get frustrated if it was too hard.

I see this all the time with students. In fact, a big tip for progressing faster with guitar and staying motivated is making sure you pick the right songs to work. We don’t want it to be too hard or we can easily feel discouraged. 

So below is a list of 10 easy blues guitar songs for beginners. To help avoid that pitfall.

Are you ready? You are. Great.

Let’s go!

1. Green Onions” – Booker T. & the M.G.'s

"Green Onions" is an instrumental blues that was released in 1962 by Booker T. & the M.G.'s. The track is widely recognized for its distinctive Hammond organ riff, played by Booker T. Jones, which serves as the song's main hook. It was a major hit, reaching number three on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and...

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Rare Stevie Ray Vaughan Acoustic (Blues Guitar Lesson)

blues Aug 31, 2023

I’ve noticed over the years with guitar players that a lot of them are afraid to play acoustic.

Of course, there are a ton of amazing electric-only players. Like B.B. King. I remember years ago reading an interview with King. In the story, he talked about how Clapton invited him over to work on some songs and just play acoustic. King did it. 

But then he said he didn’t want to do it again after. Now obviously King is a master. But there is just something about acoustic guitar that keeps us all honest. And if you don’t have this muscle built up it can be rough. But I’ve also noticed that some of the most heavy-hitting guitar players of all time do both really well.

They can pick up an electric, or unplug and sound amazing either way. 

And this is exactly what you will see in this rare Stevie Ray Vaughan acoustic guitar lesson. Now, for the first time ever, I’ll break down this rare acoustic video.

So grab your guitar and let’s dive...

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EASY Robert Johnson Guitar Lesson (They're Red Hot)

blues Aug 27, 2023

If you like ragtime blues guitar then today I’ve got you covered with this lesson on how to play the amazing tune “They’re Red Hot” by Robert Johnson. 

This song is a 9-bar blues progression. It’s essentially an 8-bar progression plus a little one-bar tag at the end of the vocal phrase, which brings it up to 9 bars total. 

There are two parts we are going to cover the intro and the verse progression. 

So get tuned up and let’s dive into this Robert Johnson guitar lesson!

Who originally wrote, “They're Red Hot”?

“They’re Red Hot” is a blues song written and performed by the legendary Delta blues musician Robert Johnson. It was recorded in 1936 and released as part of Johnson's influential body of work. The song showcases his distinctive guitar style. Particularly his driving guitar accompaniment and bluesy vocal performances.

"They're Red Hot" is an upbeat tune with lyrics that revolve around the theme...

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The Ultimate Black Magic Woman Guitar Lesson (Santana, Eric Clapton)

blues Aug 19, 2023

Today let’s dive into a “Black Magic Woman” guitar lesson. "Black Magic Woman" is a song that has captivated music lovers for decades. It started with Peter Green and the British blues rock band Fleetwood Mac. 

But the song found its true magic in the hands of Santana, becoming one of his most iconic and beloved tracks.  

In this post, I’ll break it down for you step-by-step. So make sure you’re tuned up, and let’s get started! 

Who is Black Magic Woman originally by?

"Black Magic Woman" was originally written and recorded by the British blues rock band Fleetwood Mac. The song was released as a single in 1968 and was included on their album English Rose in the United Kingdom. 

But Santana's cover of "Black Magic Woman" is undoubtedly the most famous and well-known version of the song. It was included on his 1970 album titled Abraxas and released as a single. Santana's interpretation of the song took a different direction...

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How to Play Folsom Prison Blues on Guitar

blues Aug 12, 2023

Today I want to share with you a “Folsom Prison Blues” guitar lesson. This song is a great example of a 12-bar blues chord progression. Learning it will help you with both your rhythm and lead guitar playing.

Now for this lesson, I will be using a capo on the 1st fret. With the capo on I will be playing in the key of E. But the concert pitch (the actual key) is F major. But for this lesson, I will be referring to “capo chords”. 

If you don’t have a capo. You can play the same thing without one. You just won’t be able to play along with the recording as all the recordings that I have heard are in F.

Ok! Are you ready? Cool.

Onward.

Who wrote Folsom Prison Blues?

"Folsom Prison Blues" is a renowned country and blues song written and originally recorded by the legendary American singer-songwriter Johnny Cash. Released in 1955, the song became one of Cash's signature tunes in his career. 

The lyrics of "Folsom Prison Blues" tell a...

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Money Guitar Lesson (Pink Floyd)

blues rock Aug 10, 2023

Do you have the courage to play the blues in a 7/4 time signature?

Well, that’s exactly what we are going to do in this “Money” guitar lesson. 

"Money" by Pink Floyd is an iconic masterpiece from the legendary album The Dark Side of the Moon, released in 1973. 

It's got a super catchy bassline and some unique time signature changes that really set it apart for a rock song. Plus the solo sections of the song follow standard blues progressions!

I’m going to break down for you the chords, soloing, time signatures, and even how to capture that iconic Pink Floyd guitar tone. 

So make sure you’re tuned up and let’s dive in!

Who wrote Money? 

The song "Money" by Pink Floyd was written by the band's bassist Roger Waters. It was included on their iconic album "The Dark Side of the Moon," released in 1973. "Money" became one of Pink Floyd's most popular and recognizable songs. Its catchy bass line and thought-provoking lyrics about...

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