Active Melody

Learn to play blues guitar.

Basic 12 Bar Blues Rhythm (Easy) – BLG005

by 61 Comments

I received an email from a site member this week stating that he was recently at a jam session and wasn’t sure what to do when it came to playing rhythm. He knew the key the song was in and new how to make chords, but didn’t feel like he knew how to play a blues rhythm, so I’ve decided to create a very simple blues rhythm guitar lesson in the key of E with two variations, so that you can mix and match them. I wanted to make the MP3 jam tracks, tablature and all lesson content for this lesson FREE so that people can hopefully refer back to this post and recommend it to others that need it.

Blues Rhythm Guitar Lesson – Variation 1

In order to view the Part 2 video and to download the MP3 jam tracks and the tablature, you need to be logged in with either a Free Account or a Premium Account. Click here to log in, or if you’re not already a member and would like to join, click here to sign up.

Comments

  4. charjo says

    Thanks, Brian, really great lesson. Bryce and I were just talking yesterday how we need to concentrate more on playing rhythm. I think the better you understand and hear the underlying chords, the better your lead playing will become. I wonder if you could start to incorporate a little more information on the chord structure of the backing tracks for the weekly lessons, I know that would be helpful for me.
    John

  12. Manley says

    Stupid me! I saw this posted all week, maybe just last couple day. But anyway I thought it was just something Brian reposted from the blues course and just waived kit off as that. I was way off track, this is so cool I learned more from this than I did in my other studies I do. Thanks Brian!!

    • Brian says

      That’s ok, we accept lurkers around here – if I’m doing my job correctly I’ll EVENTUALLY convince you to convert to a premium member 😉 As for your question, there’s not a “correct” pattern, other than making sure you’re in tune and playing in the righty key. I like to learn different variations on blues rhythm so that I can use them when I’m playing – to break things up and keep it interesting.

  15. Don D. says

    Thank you, really top-notch stuff! I’m impressed as always by the content and the presentation, this AND that blues in G in the same week.

    I would like to be able to file these blog post lessons as favorites.

  23. Bob T says

    I recently turned 83 and there is so much I could tell however I was just introduced to your site a few days ago by a “Lurker” and hope this is what I’ve been looking for. I am
    anxious to get started – If I learn as I expect to, I will not be a “Lurker”. Will keep you
    posted. Thanks Brian !! — Bob T.

  24. StratPlus66 says

    Have practised this over and over but I can’t make the B chord stretch! Maybe its my arthritis but my little finger just won’t reach. If anyone else is having problems with this I have resorted to playing the power chord up at the 7th fret on the 6th string otherwise I’d have to pass on it. See how you get on if you have the same restriction as me!

    Brian doesn’t seem to have big hands but he makes the stretch look easy. Young man though!

    Cheers,

    Andrew

    • kevin c says

      Just noticed your posting. Same problem here. Try this: B chord (first position), then E chord (D shape 5th fret), then slide down to A B F# on the G B E strings respectively. It’s not as smooth but it is an acceptable substitute (in my opinion).
      Kevin

  26. Guy Philippe L says

    Brian,
    The fact that you recognized the need for this kind of rhythm lesson is the reason why you and ActiveMelody are head and shoulders above the rest. As always, you took the time to explain the chord progression, the licks and the relationship to the pentatonic shapes. you put things in perspective properly. Thanks.
    Guy

  27. Giovanni M says

    Dear Brian, I would like to know which scale is this rhithm. The notes near the nut aren’t on the E minor pentathonic or blues scale. Is it the E Major pentathonic, or a combination of Major and minor. Sincerely, GM.

  29. Bagz B says

    Hi Brian…a million thanks for the awesome FREE lesson…hopefully in 2017 I can upgrade to premium status..????

    LOVELY LISA….tears in my eyes…a goal to work on…!!!!

    Regards

    Bagz B

  31. kevin c says

    I have fairly small hands and my fingers are no longer real flexible so I have trouble with the little “walk up” from the B chord on rhythm two. However, I work around this by playing the B chord, then an E chord (5th fret D shape) , then slide down to the notes A B F# on the G B E strings respectively. It sounds a little “thin” and it doesn’t flow as well but at least this work around makes it playable for me.

  32. Marco M says

    Hi this is one of those lessons which convinced me that I really should become premium member … so i did, didnot regret it for any moment, feel like a child in the Toy Store and can grab all I see 😛

    Thans Brian, as you not only show things but also explain WHY that works, makes it soo valuable for me 🙂

  36. Bryan L says

    Hi, awesome lesson!
    I like to add lessons to my custom collections under my favorites, but I can’t see how to do that with a blog video. Is there a way to do this.
    Sorry if it’s obvious but I’m a newbie to this great website.
    Thanks!!!

  37. Vince J says

    A note of clarification for those who like me could not initially figure out what Brian is doing at 7:20 in the video.

    He is in fact fingering the E & A together, then he plays open G&B with a hammer on to the Ab, back to G, then E.

    Hope that helps someone else

  39. drutgat says

    I love this lesson, Brian.

    Thanks so much.

    However, when I searched for this here on the AM site, I could not find it, regardless of how pedantic and accurate I was about the search term.

    The link on youtube worked, but no luck searching on the AM site.

  40. Joe Q says

    Fantastic! I’m getting back into playing guitar after a long time off and this is perfect! This lesson has everything all in one place. Thank you for making this one free! Bravo on your content and your straight forward delivery.

  43. Robert P says

    Hi Brian,
    that is the lesson I was looking for, thanks!

    Would it be possible that you make one more rhythm lesson with basic blues chord progression but with barre chords? So it would be easy possible to use it for any key

    Thanks
    Best regards
    Robert

  46. David S says

    Found the Blog by mistake and glad I did.No end to this great site. Learning more every day. Retirement is great and I thought I
    would be bored with retirement. No way hosea! LOVE IT! LOVE IT! LOVE IT!! Keep up the good work Brian You Da Best
    Dave

  49. Thomas B says

    Hi there,
    same with me; found it by chance when looking at the suggestions when finishing another lesson and can neither find it via the website nor save it to my favourites.
    Cheers Tom

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