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Acoustic blues played in the 1-5-4 chord format – Guitar Lesson – EP461

Description

In this week’s guitar lesson, you’ll learn how to play an acoustic blues over a 1-5-4 chord structure. This is one you can play by yourself, no jam track required.

Part 1 - Free Guitar Lesson

Part 2 - For Premium Members

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Slow Walkthrough

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Video Tablature Breakdown

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Comments

  1. Michael Allen says

    April 15, 2022 at 3:35 pm

    Great song with the perfect amount of theory! Thanks Brian

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  2. John B says

    April 15, 2022 at 6:47 pm

    You must have been reading my mind this week. I’ve been noodling around (As you say, ha ) with these blues pieces. I never thought about doing a 1-5-4. I also like the fact of playing the lead in the key of the chord that is being played at the time. Really cool how you led into the chord before the chord was played also. Nice alternate to the 1-4-5

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  3. Theodore J says

    April 15, 2022 at 9:37 pm

    Right on….

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    • David P says

      May 2, 2022 at 4:12 pm

      Hey Brian, great lesson. It really makes sense and sounds good. My question, am I able to download the video for second half of this lesson for premium members? I live in the mountains and live off of utube premium….and without downliad id be lost. Thanks again for clear and concise guitar lessons

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  4. Theodore J says

    April 15, 2022 at 9:38 pm

    Right on….thats one for the porch….

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  5. San Luis Rey says

    April 15, 2022 at 10:24 pm

    Was just thinking about getting the acoustic out for a spin. Like the format and the runs.
    Thanks Brian!

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  6. Malcolm D says

    April 16, 2022 at 3:09 am

    Very enjoyable lesson yet again.

    Thanks Brain 🙂

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  7. Yves M says

    April 16, 2022 at 5:27 am

    Hello from France. It’s been a year since i progressed thanks to your lessons and i look forward to your new piece every week. And bravo for the tablature displayed at the same time as your explanations. Really great. A big thank-you.

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  8. Lights says

    April 16, 2022 at 6:16 am

    Hooray, I´m in!

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  9. Jeff H says

    April 16, 2022 at 6:34 am

    I love this lesson, so many Great Licks. Thanks again Brian.

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  10. Rickie L says

    April 16, 2022 at 6:56 am

    EP461/ part 2/ Is it possible to print the tablature in section 2 of this lesson?

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  11. Daniel H says

    April 16, 2022 at 7:16 am

    Brian, the last run through in part 1 somehow didn’t make the final cut. Sucks for non-subscribers. No big deal for premium members.
    Good lesson!

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  12. Stephen K says

    April 16, 2022 at 8:13 am

    Another alternative to the standard 1-4-5 blues progression. Also, more bending in this lesson than many but that is a blessing too! Great stuff as always Brian! Keep it authentic and genuine – you are the best!

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  13. Lyn C says

    April 16, 2022 at 10:22 am

    Very fun to play.. bring on more acoustic style compositions!

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  14. Steve M says

    April 16, 2022 at 2:31 pm

    Right up my alley, can’t wait to dive into it!

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  15. Rajiv J says

    April 16, 2022 at 7:05 pm

    This is great – really enjoying it. And appreciate having the tab displayed as part of the video. That’s a big help.

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  16. San Luis Rey says

    April 16, 2022 at 7:37 pm

    Just went through the lesson today and I just love it! We have done similar things before but this seems to put things together for me. I can see putting this in the arsenal and messaging it constantly to keep it fresh! You are the best Brian!

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  17. RANDY M says

    April 16, 2022 at 9:18 pm

    I just signed up for my second year.
    Well worth it.

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  18. Will L says

    April 17, 2022 at 6:11 am

    13.38 in part 2 “it’ll surprise you when happens and it’s actually very a rewarding thing”.
    Is exactly my experience on this fine sunny Sunday morning 👍

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  19. Jim M says

    April 17, 2022 at 8:26 am

    Thank you Brian. You never let us down.

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  20. Rich F says

    April 18, 2022 at 4:02 am

    Hi Brian!

    We are just back from our Easter Weekend away by the sea… with lots of live music in the bars there… and catching up now on Active Melody… brilliant lesson to come back to! Lookng forward to grabbing my guitar and trying this one!

    At 6:57 minutes in: just imagining Brian with 4 arms and two necks… 👽

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  21. brian-belsey says

    April 18, 2022 at 5:43 am

    I found this one just quietly drew me in. Very good.

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  22. Barry Marsden says

    April 18, 2022 at 9:05 am

    Great lesson, had trouble getting my head around the 154 groove, but went to leason EP129 “key to the high way” rhythm section. In fact I find it helpful to go through the rythum cords in most of Brian’s leasons before plunging into learning the lead.

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    • Robin S says

      April 24, 2022 at 1:11 pm

      I am having trouble getting my head around this format too. Can’t “reconcile with it at all. The 1:5:4 pattern doesn”t resonate with anything with which I am familiar. This has never happened with any of Brian’s previous compositions but it probably just demonstrates my ignorance as everything else going back to the year dot has been stylistically brilliant. So I’m not complaining !

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      • Robin S says

        April 25, 2022 at 11:15 am

        As an afterthought can anyone guide me to a commercially successful song/tune using the 1:5:4 sequence please.

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        • Robin S says

          April 25, 2022 at 5:03 pm

          Just listened to EP129 as mentioned above by Barry Marsden. That does sound a bit more familiar though I still can’t relate it to anthiing I’m familiar with..Have to pass on this one !

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      • David D says

        June 2, 2024 at 9:01 pm

        Key to the highway

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  23. MYRX says

    April 19, 2022 at 1:22 pm

    Great lesson and it was posted at the right time for me. Always my favorite type. Love the play alone acoustic lessons. I guess I have been a member for what, five years maybe more. Great work as always.

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  24. Michael H says

    April 19, 2022 at 2:00 pm

    Just bought a new acoustic so this is perfect timing!

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  25. JULIAN C says

    April 19, 2022 at 7:28 pm

    There is no right or wrong way to create / filling in the Lego’s
    like it

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  26. Larry K says

    April 19, 2022 at 7:54 pm

    This is great! I’ve been looking for ideas to build on with Dylan’s version of “It Hurts Me Too.” This has lots of ideas I can use…

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  27. Steve says

    April 20, 2022 at 5:43 pm

    Great lesson Brian! You’re an awesome teacher! Were you planning on posting the tab for the second half? Thank you!

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    • Brian says

      April 20, 2022 at 6:35 pm

      It’s all there Steve.

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  28. Gunther D says

    April 21, 2022 at 3:25 pm

    Thanks Brain ! A great lesson and a great teacher with a new hairstyle !

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  29. Kenneth S says

    April 22, 2022 at 11:27 am

    Thanks Brian… I have been a Premium for a little over a year. So glad to have found you. After being a member of a couple other sites, your teaching method and theory breakdown totally resonates with me. You’ve become almost a daily activity here in retirement.

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  30. pan054 says

    April 25, 2022 at 6:37 am

    Nice laidback piece, great to hear and to study.
    Does anybody know what Martin guitar this is (d28 maybe)?

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  31. Aaron P. says

    May 1, 2022 at 9:18 pm

    Another PERFECT lesson!

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  32. DanielSeanKenny_music says

    May 20, 2022 at 9:16 am

    Hey Brian,

    Great lessons man, just wondering what strings you are using here. My Taylor is a little tight when it comes to bending just wondering if you have any string size or brand recommendations for playing blues bends etc. on the acoustic.

    Cheers.

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  33. Martin P says

    August 10, 2022 at 4:10 pm

    Great lesson, many thanks Brian

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  34. David P says

    October 22, 2022 at 6:09 pm

    I asked for a subscription to your site over 2 years ago for a Christmas present and it has become the best annual gift. This 1-5-4 has become a favorite mentally and physically to play. Love this stuff, keep it coming and we can all grow from your teachings.

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  35. Ryan H says

    October 30, 2022 at 5:09 pm

    Super simple for a beginner

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  36. T-Bish says

    October 17, 2023 at 5:35 am

    I love taking the time to learn these compositions. Very gratifying. You’re a true artist.

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  37. Martin P says

    January 31, 2025 at 8:50 am

    Sounds great on electric also, great lesson thanks Brian

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