Active Melody

Learn to play blues guitar.

Blues Guitar Lesson – Solo Composition in E – Jam By Yourself on Guitar – EP238

Description

In this week’s guitar lesson, I’ll show you how to play a fun blues (with jazz influence) composition that requires no accompaniment. You can play this one by yourself and will learn how to play chord changes and how to connect licks back to basic chord shapes. These solo composition lessons are popular because they give you something that you can perform for others, to showcase your progression.

Part 1 - Free Guitar Lesson

Part 2 - For Premium Members

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Slow Walk-Through

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Video Tablature Breakdown

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Comments

        • Nick P says

          It depends what level you’re at Kathy… some people need a lot of explanation, others don’t. I don’t, but Brian talks so much sense I’m happy to listen through it for the gems that I find.
          This is one more GREAT lesson Brian. Keep it up.

        • SubmarinerJim says

          The ‘talking’ is the explanation of how and why things work on the guitar, in the context of the lesson. It is the actual teaching bit. The practice bit comes later on my own, helped by the full understanding of what Brian has explained so clearly., and the ‘tools’ provided on the website. One of the main reason I subscribe to this site, is the clear and easily understandable explanations that I can take away and incorporate into my own playing.

          Having said this, and perhaps stated the obvious, everybody learns in a different way and at a different rate, so I can perhaps understand ( kathy b.I says) frustration, but could never agree with her sentiment that ‘you talk too much’ Keep up the great teaching Brian, I’m learning so much.

        • Maurice G says

          Brian – I love listening to the explanations. But let’s face it: you don’t need to explain where every note comes from, or what scales are in play in [every] video. Some of that could be reduced. After all, we are here to watch you play — not get a theory lesson. I think Kathy might mean ‘addition by subtraction’. Instead of walking us thru an explanation of the theory, just play it again. I doubt that the kids who need the theory have the patience to absorb it. For the rest of us, we get it. Kathy–does that help? (–: cheers, everyone!

        • Murray K says

          Part of what Brian does is called general marketing and there’s the value add of educating his members. Your issue Kathy is one of a minority. These lessons are short and sweet and the explanations are purposeful to provide some fundamental understanding of both the technical and theory of his lesson.
          My take is hey Brian keep up the good work …

    • Scott S says

      Unbelievably tasty. Delicious really. This is the kind of thing I’ve been looking for for 20 years, these no accompaniment tasty jams. And you sir, are the master. THANK YOU!

  9. StratPlus66 says

    Hey Brian,

    Nice lesson. Love the new Les Paul (what year is it ?). I noticed you shifting it about on your lap a lot during the video. Is it bottom heavy like one of mine or is it just a natural twitch?

    Will have to start on it tomorrow!

    Andrew

  13. Lefteris B says

    These are my favorite lesson compositions (blues with a little bit of jazz). Again we have a very nice composition and very helpful, too. I admit I ‘ve made a lot of progress with your lessons, Brian and I am very thankful for that. But you have to admit that you have made a lot of progress as a teacher, too. And the site as a whole also. So nice. I’ m very proud to be one of your students. Keep the nice work!

  15. Lights says

    Very good lesson, theres no any chance not to recognize Robben Ford anywhere he is. I suspect that I’m not so advanced player to get this lesson this year. Maybe next.
    Can’t wait anybody post it in “Showcase” soon!

  16. Rip says

    Hello Brian. Please explain in more detail the comment you made at time 4:04 in Part 1. You said something to the effect that you only played the G note on the first string which is part of the 4 chord; you cited the reason as since there were no other accompanist in this piece you did not need to play the chord. OK, would you elaborate on this a little either on this site or an email? Thanks as always. Rip

  18. jimbostrat says

    This may be Brian’s finest piece thus far and I’d definitely rate it his best electric piece (right next to his Robben Ford style funk rhythm……Brian has indeed a knack for Robben!!) as it’s just pure guitar! Think about it…….electric guitar usually compliments a tune and this ditty shows us how to showcase our playing with emphasis on touch and feel and even emotion! So bravo, Brian!! It’s pretty evident that providing now more than 5 years of steady lessons to the world has certainly benefitted in your own playing which also shows us that steady work and concentration plus joy of practicing does certainly pay off!! This new Les Paul is a definite keeper!! Jim C.

  21. wrightclick says

    nice to see the 4 fret stretch E9 and the diminished 7th higher string shape coming back in to play , i am starting to get my head around it . This piece is quite challenging but i got it to an acceptable standard .

  23. Philippe G says

    Thanks a lot Brian, each lesson is a great motivation to take the guitar and learn . I’m french , even if I understand your language, i just disvcovered that you put subtitles in the lesson, thank you for that, now even if you speak too quickly sometimes (LOL) i ‘ll read you !!!!

  25. drlknstein says

    I think your explanations are excellent and helpful..I wouldn’t change a thing in your teaching methods..it helps to know where all these things are coming from so we can use them in other settings-

    the slow walk through should be good for those who object to the explanations- I use it alot after going thru the lesson

    I still struggle mightily with the hybrid picking. I usually use my self taught finger picking method with a lesson like this and it sounds awesome.

  26. WarrenB says

    Brian, started on Friday, and now am playing this from memory and enjoying this one as much as any lesson to date. I just about have this one nailed, and I know that when I start to feel like I’m playing with it instead of just playing. It combines so many of elements that we’ve worked on for the past 18+ mos (finger-style/hybrid picking, diminished scales/chords, jazz/extended chords etc. etc.) I’m enjoying it most playing on my Martin, with an acoustic amp, a little chorus and reverb and boy, does it sound great!! Nice work and congrats on this piece. Keep up the great work Brian.

  30. Griffin F says

    Just curious how well your Les Paul stays in tune. I just recently got one, I find myself tuning a lot more than I usually do. I’ve heard lots of talk about Gibson and their ability to keep in tune. any tips or tricks would be helpful! Really enjoying this lesson!!!!

    • Brian says

      I haven’t had any issues with it. I know the G string will typically go out of tune – there are some workarounds for that including filing the nut and there’s even a device you can buy which reroutes the strings making them stay in tune better – can’t remember the name of it though!

      • JohnStrat says

        The string Butler is what I supect you mean. There are some posts about it in the forum. All good as I recall. My Strat stays in tune day after day.

        This lesson is just fantastic Brian.
        JohnStrat

  32. houliAK says

    Just wanted to add my thumbs up on this lesson. Your format is outstanding. I look forward each week for your new lesson. Im glad Im retired and can put the hours in. So much music. so little time.

  34. pheartscott says

    I came back to Active Melody after a over a year of trying other lessons. Ultimately, I learned that I was learning to play guitar from Brian and not just learning a song. I don’t learn super easy, definitely don’t pick up things on the first or second go around ever, and I like that Brian constantly says why he is doing what he’s doing. It’s take many times for it to finally click with some of us, especially those of us who don’t spend hours every day on our guitars. So lease don’t ever change a thing Brian. For those so advanced that they don’t want or need to hear why you played a certain way, they can watch the play only video with no talking.
    I started with an acoustic and love your acoustic lessons. But I must say that I now like your electric lessons even more. I need to get an effects pedal or some individual stomp boxes cause my amp (Princeton Reverb Reissue) doesn’t break up at lower volumes so I tend to gravitate to the more clean tone stuff. I’m thinking of getting a boss me 80 or something along those lines cause I want something easy and that I don’t have to buy a ton of different pedals.
    Anyhow, keep up the good work Brian. You inspire me to play my guitars and get better.

  35. Gary Boats'Blues. says

    Brian, There is years of playing experience in that lesson and I am grateful to you for teaching this one and all the lessons that you teaching us. I won’t get all of this under my fingers this year and that’s ok because there are so many takeaways in this one that it is teaching me riffs that I have always wanted to learn. Thanks you very much for your hard work,
    Gary.

  37. Peter B says

    This is a great lesson Brian! It has taken me until now to get it all sounding something like but I just love that feeling of being able to play tunes that seemed daunting in the beginning. I’m learning all the time thank you.
    Peter

  38. wayne l says

    I always learn something new from your lessons and compositions. Many times it is a certain feel or style and I will think “so that’s how it’s done!”

    Thanks for all you do.

    Wayne Lazar

  43. Ronald W says

    Brian, You are the man! With your patience (and the internet) I have a chance to be interested enough to spend alot of time thrashing around because it’s very difficult for me to comprehend this here guitar stuff. With your help I have acquired 2-upgraded guitars (thinking maybe that’s the problem) and it helped alot because of the easier action and sort of the psychology of playing the guitars instead of procrastinating and they just stay on the rack. You do wonders for the whole guitar and music interest all over the www. Thanks so much

  44. Alexandre F says

    This is one of the best songs in the key of E ever… and it was so great to start with my new guitar a epiphone les paul custom pro… so now I can understand the importance of a D flat neck and vintage pick ups altogether which creates a beautifull sound so easy to play with…This way I´m living a modern classic for sure THANKS a lot indeed

  46. David L says

    Fantastic composition! I love the mix of blues and jazz runs and I’m addicted to that arpeggio lick in the second “verse”. It adds such a novel surprise into the standard blues runs.

    I gravitate towards the more jazz blues tunes so I love the search function that gets me all kinds of compositions from the years.

    Really glad I joined and really improving my playing since I did. Thanks Brian!

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