EP517 – A minor Blues on Highway 1

[Austin T. Walden]

Hey friends –

I learned a lot in this one. I didn’t know that the minor blues would often start on the 6ths, or a half step up from the minor 5 chord. And then I really never noticed that in a minor blues the Five chord, which should be a minor in a minor key, could be changed to a Major 5 or Dominant 5th chord…..That really opened up some eyes for me.

I think I got this one mostly right………

—-

[James B]

Nice picking, Austin. Brian’s explanation’s and ‘takeaways’ are really helpful. If only I could remember them after moving on to the next lesson. 🤔

James

[charjo]

Nicely done, Austin, inspired me to look over this lesson a little more carefully. I thought your bright tone suited the piece. Looks like you’ve got a nice collection of amps behind you.
John

[San Luis Rey]

You got it right Austin! Been playing that tune all week until my bending pinky finger told me to take a break. There are some cool changes in there for sure.

Mike

[JoLa]

This is fantastic, Austin!
You couldn’t have performed this any better, great tone, too! Yes, I love all the a-ha moments, wish I could remember them all.

🎸JoLa

[Garry]

Great Austin, this lesson has become my favourite and you’ve nailed it with ease. Accurate and nice tone from your Strat. Keep on pickin’ and all the best! 🥸🎸🥸

[Guido]

Great rendition, Austin! You learned this very nice lesson very quickly and very well: you absolutely nailed and brilliantly played it! And your Strat tone sounds very nice! I wish I could learn a lesson like this one so quickly and well! Great job!

Guido

[John H]

Hey Austin-
Tasty! Your passion for guitar shines through! Well played and a fun listen.

John

[JoeD1]

Nicely played!

Joe

The sight of a touch, or the scent of a sound,
Or the strength of an Oak with roots deep in the ground.
--Graeme Edge

[Geoff]

First off, fantastic rendition Austin. It is pretty clear that you are not coming into this forum with nothing behind you – sounds like you have been playing for a long time.

I am not really big on theory but, as someone working on this lesson, I will pay attention to what you said about the 5 chord. I never really thought about it.

I have never liked a tone that is too “trebly” but you have mastery to pull it off. I assume you are playing a Strat – nice guitar too.

[Geoff]

I couldn’t help throwing in a comment again now that I am actually working on this lesson, I realize how much you have done with this one Austin. Some of the things I struggling with you seem to pull of with ease.

– I loved the way you pulled off that natural major run around the 021 mark. You just did that so smoothly.
– Really nice bends around the 25 second Mark.
– wonderful little vibratos at the end of some of the phrases.
– Nice slides.

Always great to throw in a smile at the end saying “Oh I just had so much fun doing this.”. Its the subtle things that make all the difference and you clearly have that ability – respect.

Geoff.

[Austin T. Walden]

Thanks Geoff. If we’re being real, I completely goofed up the Eric Clapton style lick using the major pentatonic position 3. The one that starts with the bend on the 13th fret.

Eric Clapton is my HERO and I still am not sure I’ve got the timing on that lick in the right spot. Oh well! More practice?

—-

[Manfred M]

I like this minor blues stuff, Austin. And your playing gives it the right vibe. Isn‘t it great how motivating these „Aha“ moments are!

Take the chance to meet your AM friends on Zoom
The next Meetup will be on February 28, 2026

For more information click here

I look forward to meet you.
Manfred

[Author]

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