Active Melody

Learn to play blues guitar.

  • Log In
  • Weekly Lessons
  • Take The Tour
  • Forum
  • Hear From Our Members
  • Membership Sign Up

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

Only available to premium members.
Register for premium access

Slow Walk-Through

Only available to premium members.
Register for premium access

Video Tablature Breakdown

Only available to premium members.
Register for premium access
Curious about the benefits of
Premium Membership?
Try it for FREE!
arrow_downYou need to be logged in as a premium member to access the tab, MP3 jam tracks, and other assets. Learn More

Add to "My Favorites"

You need to login or register to bookmark/favorite this content.

Comments

  1. Strykerward says

    January 5, 2018 at 8:01 pm

    Brian… What can I say man, every time Im in a little guitar slump, you put up a lesson that motivates me to get back at it. Thank you for another classic!
    Steve

    Log in to Reply
    • kathy b. l says

      January 9, 2018 at 8:53 am

      Brian Sherill, u talk too much! It is unnecessary! Play more, talk less! Please!

      Log in to Reply
      • Brian says

        January 9, 2018 at 11:47 am

        Says who?

        Log in to Reply
        • Nick P says

          January 9, 2018 at 3:22 pm

          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.

          Log in to Reply
          • Edgee says

            January 9, 2018 at 8:25 pm

            +1 on Brian’s method. I dig the explanations. If I want to go faster, I just go to the walk-through or the tabs. Great lessons and style.

          • Michael M says

            January 23, 2020 at 3:54 pm

            Couldn’t agree more!

        • SubmarinerJim says

          January 11, 2018 at 5:26 am

          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.

          Log in to Reply
          • Rob S says

            July 21, 2020 at 8:06 pm

            Well said Subm. Keep up the good work Brian.

        • peter24 says

          January 21, 2018 at 6:24 pm

          then just go to the tab,, these lessons are for all many different levels of players

          Log in to Reply
        • Robin S says

          March 11, 2018 at 4:36 pm

          +1[000]

          Log in to Reply
        • Maurice G says

          January 23, 2020 at 1:13 pm

          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!

          Log in to Reply
        • Murray K says

          July 28, 2020 at 5:32 am

          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 …

          Log in to Reply
      • William A says

        January 9, 2018 at 6:00 pm

        If he moves too slow for you, just fast forward. His pace is excellent.

        Log in to Reply
      • PeBe says

        January 10, 2018 at 4:37 am

        What’s your problem? He does it right for those who are less advanced, just skip it.

        Log in to Reply
      • Scott S says

        May 26, 2018 at 3:00 am

        I am a relative beginner, I need the explanations, sorry Kathy. Fast forward is a great new technological advancement 😉

        Cheers Kathy and happy picking!

        Log in to Reply
      • Mike S says

        January 31, 2019 at 4:37 pm

        Kathy – What r u talking about? Brian starts off playing the first part of the lesson and then explains it. He doesn’t talk too much. Your comment is unnecessary.

        Log in to Reply
      • Michael M says

        August 3, 2019 at 4:01 pm

        I disagree. And so does just about everyone else on here, so…you’re WAY outnumbered! Oh, and…you can always mute the sound, and then just guess what Brian is trying to TEACH us!

        Log in to Reply
    • Anne says

      January 10, 2018 at 3:38 pm

      Brian, tasty as always. Is there a way that I can resize the onscreen tab viewer to fullscreen. It’s now very small on my ipad. Can only see a few measures. Best, anne

      Log in to Reply
      • dan l says

        February 21, 2018 at 9:31 am

        Hi Anne, Look for the Gear icon at the bottom right. Click on it, then look for the ‘Full Screen’ button, just above the word “Recordings”. That ought to do it!
        Enjoy.

        Log in to Reply
    • Scott S says

      May 26, 2018 at 3:08 am

      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!

      Log in to Reply
  2. Michael H. says

    January 5, 2018 at 8:18 pm

    Dang, another one for the “favorites” pile. Good thing I’m retired now.
    Nice job Brian.

    Log in to Reply
  3. Michael Allen says

    January 5, 2018 at 8:19 pm

    Thanks Brian for another great lesson. Beautiful Les Paul!

    Log in to Reply
  4. rogerk62 says

    January 5, 2018 at 8:36 pm

    ok

    Log in to Reply
  5. madams says

    January 5, 2018 at 8:37 pm

    These are my favorite!

    Thank you,
    Michael

    Log in to Reply
  6. sunburst says

    January 5, 2018 at 8:54 pm

    I really am going to enjoy this..as always great lessons!

    Log in to Reply
  7. JohnStrat says

    January 5, 2018 at 9:09 pm

    Brian what a tasty start got 2018. Yet another lesson I absolutely wamt to master.
    Thank you.
    John Strat

    Log in to Reply
  8. Robert J says

    January 5, 2018 at 11:44 pm

    cool stuff. reminds me bit of Cream. thanks!

    Log in to Reply
  9. StratPlus66 says

    January 6, 2018 at 3:34 am

    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

    Log in to Reply
    • Brian says

      January 6, 2018 at 4:45 pm

      Hey Andrew, it’s a 2010 – very bottom heavy 🙂 I should have used a strap

      Log in to Reply
      • StratPlus66 says

        January 7, 2018 at 9:36 am

        That’s really interesting. My 2003 always tries to slide off my lap but the 2015 and my two Epiphones balance beautifully. Maybe our difficult ones aren’t chambered? The strap in the answer,

        Log in to Reply
  10. brian-belsey says

    January 6, 2018 at 6:52 am

    Another great one! I can’t wait to start on this. I really like the not-overdriven Les Paul sound here.

    Log in to Reply
  11. Houseman says

    January 6, 2018 at 10:05 am

    There’s an error in bar eleven. The C played thru the side. Eliminate the C.

    Log in to Reply
    • Houseman says

      January 6, 2018 at 10:06 am

      Actually make that bar 12

      Log in to Reply
  12. sunburst says

    January 6, 2018 at 10:11 am

    Really hear Robbin Ford in the second half,,at least that is the only artist I know that mixes the blues and jazz chords.. really fun lesson and very a cool ! Les Paul sounds great too!

    Log in to Reply
    • Brian says

      January 6, 2018 at 4:44 pm

      good ear 😉

      Log in to Reply
  13. Lefteris B says

    January 6, 2018 at 4:24 pm

    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!

    Log in to Reply
    • Brian says

      January 6, 2018 at 4:44 pm

      Thank you – yes it seems we’re all progressing here 🙂

      Log in to Reply
      • StratPlus66 says

        January 7, 2018 at 9:40 am

        Yes, I watched a guy on Guitar World the other day who was very pleasant but his teaching was so complicated I wouldn’t be able to watch him or learn. Maybe, he was only preaching to the advanced player but it goes to show just how good your method is!

        Log in to Reply
    • wrightclick says

      January 7, 2018 at 2:24 pm

      Yes you can definitely see how Brain has vastly improved on delivering a lesson in all aspects when you you compare to those early videos .

      Log in to Reply
  14. San Luis Rey says

    January 6, 2018 at 5:24 pm

    This is going right into my favorites! I know the major scale is supposed to be happy but last week was a struggle. This is the perfect remedy. Thanks Brian!

    Log in to Reply
  15. Lights says

    January 7, 2018 at 7:43 am

    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!

    Log in to Reply
  16. Rip says

    January 7, 2018 at 7:47 am

    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

    Log in to Reply
  17. MYRX says

    January 7, 2018 at 8:57 am

    Wow! These lessons are the best

    Log in to Reply
  18. jimbostrat says

    January 7, 2018 at 9:33 am

    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.

    Log in to Reply
  19. Nick_66 says

    January 7, 2018 at 4:32 pm

    These are the kind of lessons I like the most! Love that Les Paul of yours Paul! An affordable Gibson LP is still on my wishlist!

    Log in to Reply
  20. Tillman W says

    January 7, 2018 at 8:50 pm

    Bryan what kind of app are you playing

    Log in to Reply
  21. wrightclick says

    January 8, 2018 at 11:27 am

    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 .

    Log in to Reply
  22. drutgat says

    January 9, 2018 at 9:29 pm

    Fantastic, Brian.

    Another one for the ages.

    Log in to Reply
  23. Philippe G says

    January 10, 2018 at 2:34 am

    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 !!!!

    Log in to Reply
  24. Ian R says

    January 10, 2018 at 7:47 am

    HI Brian love the new lesson thank ,just wondering if the tab is little off in places?

    Log in to Reply
    • Brian says

      January 10, 2018 at 11:16 am

      Not that I know of. I try to be as accurate as possible. Occasionally i’ll miss marking a hammer on or pull off here or there

      Log in to Reply
    • Ian R says

      January 11, 2018 at 4:04 am

      Your quite right, it was me not paying enough attention (sometimes I’m just to keen to get to the end :))

      Log in to Reply
  25. drlknstein says

    January 10, 2018 at 10:56 am

    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.

    Log in to Reply
  26. WarrenB says

    January 10, 2018 at 1:09 pm

    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.

    Log in to Reply
  27. Tony G says

    January 11, 2018 at 7:36 am

    Thanks Brian -just great. Tony. UK

    Log in to Reply
  28. André Schrade says

    January 11, 2018 at 9:06 am

    Dear Brian

    Please don’t change the way you talk to us – I find it helpful.

    Another great lessons, thanks (from Switzerland)!

    André

    Log in to Reply
  29. dirkvi says

    January 11, 2018 at 9:15 am

    Dear Brian, I follow your lessons almost from the beginning and I can assure you, you are simply the best ! Thanks for all those years. Dirk from Belgium.

    Log in to Reply
  30. Griffin F says

    January 11, 2018 at 7:19 pm

    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!!!!

    Log in to Reply
    • Brian says

      January 11, 2018 at 7:55 pm

      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!

      Log in to Reply
      • JohnStrat says

        January 22, 2018 at 4:08 am

        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

        Log in to Reply
  31. fondstring says

    January 12, 2018 at 3:34 pm

    So many comments I agree with (most imortantly included those which give support to your teaching method …), I just wanted to say that this is an absolutely beautiful composition!

    Log in to Reply
  32. houliAK says

    January 12, 2018 at 3:45 pm

    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.

    Log in to Reply
  33. Michael G says

    January 13, 2018 at 11:05 am

    Love the out of the box licks! And the fact that they still fit perfectly within the blues framework.

    Log in to Reply
  34. pheartscott says

    January 13, 2018 at 10:11 pm

    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.

    Log in to Reply
  35. Gary Boats'Blues. says

    January 14, 2018 at 10:20 pm

    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.

    Log in to Reply
  36. Mathew F says

    January 15, 2018 at 9:02 am

    Hi Brian: Will be 77 in May and still learn something new every day thanks to you. KEEP IT UP! thnx. Mathew

    Log in to Reply
  37. Peter B says

    January 17, 2018 at 3:25 pm

    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

    Log in to Reply
  38. wayne l says

    January 20, 2018 at 11:47 am

    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

    Log in to Reply
  39. Habakkuk says

    January 25, 2018 at 6:45 am

    The first half of this piece goes nicely on my acoustic, and can then be combined with aspects of other major blues in E such as EP214 to make a really nice composition.

    Log in to Reply
  40. Doug Harrison says

    February 2, 2018 at 11:59 am

    Hey Brian, This is a perfect example of one of those pieces you can play when someone says “show me what you can do”. And don’t pay any attention to the guys that say there’s too much dialogue. They either don’t want to know theory (a mistake), or not capable of fast forwarding and pausing. Great work man!

    Log in to Reply
  41. Billy R says

    February 9, 2018 at 8:34 pm

    UGH… this one is tough! I’m terrible with this harmonizing concept. Sounds SO cool, but so hard for me to grasp.

    Log in to Reply
  42. Jeff B says

    February 26, 2018 at 1:38 pm

    I dont know what is wrong but the videos are all staticy and jump or skip every few beats.

    Log in to Reply
    • Brian says

      February 27, 2018 at 11:24 am

      Try clearing your browser cache and restarting your browser – otherwise, you might try a different browser (Google Chrome, Firefox, etc)

      Log in to Reply
  43. Jeff B says

    February 26, 2018 at 1:40 pm

    Oh and not just this video its all of them.

    Log in to Reply
  44. Ronald W says

    August 4, 2018 at 11:01 am

    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

    Log in to Reply
  45. Alexandre F says

    December 19, 2018 at 9:58 am

    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

    Log in to Reply
  46. Mike S says

    August 2, 2019 at 4:46 pm

    Great lesson as usual Brian. But your blues are always, or almost always, in the key of E. Please give us blues in other keys, not just E.

    Log in to Reply
  47. David L says

    February 19, 2020 at 10:18 am

    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!

    Log in to Reply
  48. Jennifer Ruby says

    July 21, 2020 at 3:25 am

    Thanks Brian. I really love your tab viewer and the fact that the speed can be altered. I appreciate all the work you put into your teaching!

    Log in to Reply
  49. Theodore J says

    December 1, 2020 at 10:33 pm

    What an excellent composition Brian…..Love it.

    Log in to Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Don’t have an ActiveMelody account? Sign Up.

Links

  • Blog
  • Resources
  • About
  • Contact
  • FAQ
  • Refunds & Cancellations
  • Sitemap

Recent Lessons

How to fit into a busy song and avoid “getting in the way” – Guitar Lesson on Improvising – EP510

Acoustic Rhythms: Creative ways to fill the space – Acoustic rhythm guitar ideas – EP509

Why guitar players LOVE the pentatonic scales for the blues. Lesson – EP508

Contact

For all support questions email: [email protected]
For all other inquires email: [email protected]
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

© 2023 · Active Melody LLC. All Rights Reserved. | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use

Free Weekly Guitar Lessons
Enter your email address below to have the weekly guitar lesson delivered to your email address. I take privacy very seriously and will not share your email address.
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Active Melody
  • Weekly Lessons
  • Take The Tour
  • Forum
  • Hear From Our Members
  • Membership Sign Up
  • Log In