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Blues Lead Guitar in a Minor Key (Key of A) – Guitar Lesson EP249

Description

In this week’s guitar lesson, you’ll learn how to play a blues lead over a minor progression. Most of what you’ll be playing comes from the minor pentatonic scale and you’ll be staying in the key of the song (not playing the chord changes). Lot’s of good blues licks to steal in this one ๐Ÿ™‚

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

  1. jimbostrat says

    March 23, 2018 at 5:02 pm

    Hey!! First to comment!!

    Funny and ironic you put up this lesson Brian because………the last couple of days I’ve been concentrating specifically on the A minor soloing genre!! This one fits in perfectly!! Jim C.

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  2. San Luis Rey says

    March 23, 2018 at 5:34 pm

    That’s nice Brian! I hear some Robert Cray in this one.

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    • Dennis B says

      March 24, 2018 at 6:28 pm

      I’ve heard the little riff in the seventh measure a lot of times but never new where it was. Now, there it is in tablature. Thanks, Brian. Robert Cray and Stevie Ray amongst others have used this riff.

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  3. Michael Allen says

    March 23, 2018 at 5:39 pm

    Extra groovy Brian! Thanks for another great lesson.

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  4. JohnStrat says

    March 23, 2018 at 5:59 pm

    A very tasty bit of playing with lots to learn thanks Brian JohnStrat

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  5. Ronald N says

    March 23, 2018 at 6:24 pm

    Thanks Brian love the way you play those Blues

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  6. Art M says

    March 23, 2018 at 6:27 pm

    Yes, Love this lesson Brian> Thank you

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  7. Ron M says

    March 23, 2018 at 7:19 pm

    Thank you, Brian!! Great lesson!!

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  8. Aussie Rick says

    March 23, 2018 at 8:05 pm

    Another ripper lesson Brian. Love the chord arrangement and great licks.
    Rick

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  9. Jimmy James says

    March 23, 2018 at 9:02 pm

    Awesome Brian! Love Robert Cray and your lesson. Is that your Jimmy Vaughn guitar? Sounds great

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  10. JoLa says

    March 23, 2018 at 10:48 pm

    Man, I just LOVE Fridays!

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  11. John V says

    March 23, 2018 at 10:49 pm

    Very big Cray fan and I very much appreciate this lesson…..Cray-on!

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    • John V says

      March 23, 2018 at 10:50 pm

      And Color Us!

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  12. Bob W says

    March 23, 2018 at 10:54 pm

    This exactly what I have been working on, though improvising over keys. Great lesson!

    Bob

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  13. kenford says

    March 24, 2018 at 4:38 am

    Terrific lesson Brian,! Loads of tasty licks to take away. Thanks!!!

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  14. jean-luc Fuchs says

    March 24, 2018 at 5:05 am

    un plaisir ร  chaque rencontre avec toi, belle leรงon de blues Merci

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  15. Allan says

    March 24, 2018 at 5:23 am

    Oh yes Brian I do love those minor blues cheers mate

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  16. Robert P says

    March 24, 2018 at 7:06 am

    Brilliant……..

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  17. Raymond P says

    March 24, 2018 at 7:32 am

    Very nice smooth bluesy lesson.
    Thanks Brian
    Ray P

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  18. Jim M says

    March 24, 2018 at 8:02 am

    You always surprise man !!!

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  19. Pierre D says

    March 24, 2018 at 10:27 am

    Typo on EP249: titles reads “Blues Lead Lessin (sic)!

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  20. Pierre D says

    March 24, 2018 at 10:29 am

    … title of the tab sheet, that is.

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  21. caymandiverjj says

    March 24, 2018 at 10:35 am

    Hey Brian,

    Would you post some theory detail, beyond what is briefly in the lesson, with regard to this progression ? It is obviously not diatonic for the key of A major or the relative minor of C which is A minor. How boring would it all be if we stuck to the theory. But, knowing how you looked at composing your lesson, from a chordal point of view, would be a help. Many thanks

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  22. Craig35 says

    March 24, 2018 at 1:25 pm

    Good lesson Brian – Speaking for myself I tend to get a lot of take aways from these direct blues lessons.

    Anyone else notice that after all these years and all these lessons that you’re able to pick Brian’s playing out because of his specific tone/sound? He plays many different guitars through different effects and amps but I can still pick out his playing. I say this in a good way, the same way you can tell when its Robert Cray or Gary Clark Jr etc. just from the sound of a couple notes. For some reason this lesson really made the point pop out at me – hope that made sense???

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  23. Lights says

    March 24, 2018 at 2:52 pm

    Beautiful composition, Brian!

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  24. Lights says

    March 24, 2018 at 2:55 pm

    It’s sounds much more Robert Cray like than your Robert Cray special lesson.

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  25. Rich F says

    March 25, 2018 at 3:22 am

    Hi Brian,

    Beautiful lesson! I agree with Allan here: I absolutely love Minor Blues: I could listen to this a
    all day. And I agree with Aussie Rick about the chord progression. I love the way that you break away from the standard 12 bar blues chord progression, and show us that blues does not have to be straight-jacketed by rigid rules. That makes the backing much freer. The chord progression and the licks sound very sophisticated and jazzy..,

    Finally (!!!), Craig is right: Brian’s sound is unique: his blues is very cool, and sophisticated. With all of these great and genius compositions you produce week after week, have you thought about writing your own album, Brian?

    Sorry about the essay here!

    Rich F.

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  26. JimD says

    March 25, 2018 at 10:55 am

    Nice lesson, Brian. As others have said, I can really hear a Robert Cray vibe to it, especially as I am playing it on a very clean Strat.

    Also, nice shirt! I went to Songbirds last summer when they had the Strat/Tele collections in all of the colors in the Green Room, plus the Firebird collection. That place is so great to visit. And Irv Berlin has been Facebook live feeding parts of the concerts they have. You should definitely follow him if you like that kind of thing.

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  27. Frodo Fender says

    March 25, 2018 at 2:29 pm

    Hi Brian! This lesson suites your chimy and sparkling Strat very well – thank you ๐Ÿ™‚ Just one question: Which string gauge do you use on your Strat? 009 – 042? Your bending is smooth as butter…

    Greetings from Norway!

    Frode Andersson

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    • Brian says

      March 25, 2018 at 2:31 pm

      10 gauge

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      • sunburst says

        March 25, 2018 at 7:25 pm

        simply smooth and fantastic lesson! Every Friday you astound me with your skill to teach and play all these so professional! Honored to be here!

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  28. sunjamr says

    March 25, 2018 at 7:36 pm

    My favorite quote (re the multiple bends on the 10th fret): “Try and make it sound like you’re in pain, and maybe you are depending on what gauge strings you’re using.” I was chuckling for 5 minutes on that one.

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    • sunburst says

      March 25, 2018 at 8:11 pm

      no bout a doubt it,certainly need to feel the notes here,,haven’t started it,, actually took a break today ,no guitar,, did bluegrass all day yesterday need rest my fingers ! I’ll be on this sometime in the week.. really going to enjoy this too!

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  29. clay says

    March 26, 2018 at 7:49 am

    A part 2 would be cool……..I know you rarely do those but when you do (like ep213 and 214 Muddy Waters) they are awesome…….

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    • wrightclick says

      March 28, 2018 at 11:47 am

      see the SRV lick in Bar 7 used again with subtle changes in EP046 you can combine bits good fun

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  30. wrightclick says

    March 26, 2018 at 10:58 am

    Getting it crisp and sharp with nice fast hammer ons and then adding some feeling is the hardest bit not to mention vibrato lots to think about . This is premier league material and guitar stalkers on Youtube are loving this . Its a hit as soon as you hear it for sure this is where the producer says ” that’s a number 1 ” . Well done

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  31. Angelo I says

    March 27, 2018 at 8:28 am

    I learn more in a single lesson like this then any lessons on the internet. So glad I’m a member. Your lessons allow my to jam for hours an improvise and add licks from previous lessons. This is is like finding gold on the internet. Youve made guitar playing fun and addicting to me again….Thank you

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  32. Rodney W says

    March 27, 2018 at 1:12 pm

    Wow Brian! How on earth do you keep coming up with such good material?

    Towards the end of the play through I felt sure you had a whammy bar bending the strings, but when you moved you arm and I looked closely it had disappeared!

    Rod

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  33. Michael J says

    March 27, 2018 at 7:25 pm

    G/day Brian,
    Solid gold, mate! Excellent work!
    M.J.

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  34. David McAloney says

    March 28, 2018 at 1:55 am

    Brian, so many colourful tones and influences here, from Santana, The Beatles, SRV, Allmรคn Bros, your own. Itโ€™s a delightful jam piece. As jimbolsrat said, itโ€™s timely (as most of your lesson presentations are). Achieving some basic mirroring may weโ€™ll be possible for me. Fun trying. Thanks mate.

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  35. Peter T says

    March 28, 2018 at 2:02 am

    Excellent work Brian! Now I know what to do this weekend. Cheers!

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  36. Michael P says

    March 28, 2018 at 4:23 am

    Hi Brian

    I’ve been a member for a quite a while but not commented before – what a brilliant lesson, definitely one of your best.

    Your site is easily the best I have ever found on the internet and my playing has improved enormously since I joined – thanks for that.

    Mike

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    • Robert J says

      March 28, 2018 at 10:58 pm

      I agree! The best out there by far!

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  37. Robert J says

    March 28, 2018 at 10:57 pm

    Great lesson, as always. Super useful stuff. I gotta tell ya, more often than not, i’m looking at the screen, and we are dressed almost exactly the same. Great minds! Hilarious. Thanks again for the excellent instruction.โ˜บ

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  38. John s says

    March 29, 2018 at 9:54 pm

    Wow! I was not “blown away” but darn close… Well… had you thrown in a couple of speed licks; I would have been “blown away”! Incredible!

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  39. Scott C says

    March 30, 2018 at 11:02 am

    So cool! So tasty! So glad I joined this site!

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  40. Jeem says

    March 30, 2018 at 5:54 pm

    The riff in the 8th – 9th bars is just way cool! Nice one maestro!

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  41. Paul S says

    March 30, 2018 at 8:08 pm

    Brian:

    You most likely don’t want to hear how gr8 you are; therefore, I would just like to say that playing this along with you just makes my entire month! Thank you for the care, compassion, and learning methods you use to teach us these wonderful bits of music.

    Regards,

    Paul

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  42. Robert P says

    April 4, 2018 at 10:42 am

    Think these lessons are great….Keep them coming Brian THANKS!

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  43. Darrell G says

    April 5, 2018 at 11:47 pm

    I’m a new premium member here and loving it! My question is what lesson is the Blues Lead course you mention in this lesson? There is so much good material on this site I’m having a hard time finding that lesson. Keep up the good work!

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    • Andy N says

      April 9, 2018 at 4:52 am

      Hi Darrell,

      Did you find this yet? If not, you can find the courses, including the Blues Lead course, from the Home page, by selecting MY ACCOUNT and then MY COURSES.

      Plenty to keep you busy there ๐Ÿ™‚

      Good luck!
      Andy

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  44. lepa b says

    April 8, 2018 at 6:55 pm

    I CANNOT GET THE SHEET MUSIC TO PRINT…….

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    • Brian says

      April 9, 2018 at 12:45 pm

      I sent you a private email on this. Basically try printing from a different source – Try a different browser.

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  45. lepa b says

    April 8, 2018 at 6:57 pm

    I Would like to print the sheet music out….but it will not just print the sheet music….please help

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    • Andy N says

      April 9, 2018 at 4:58 am

      Hi there,

      I’ve not tried this myself, but I think I’ve seen others mention that you can print out music and tab together by printing from soundslice. There’s a ‘print’ option after selecting the ‘settings’ cog wheel.

      Cheers
      Andy

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  46. Andy N says

    April 9, 2018 at 5:05 am

    Just got back from holiday and plenty to catch up on! Was going to start on EP248 cos’ I do like the unaccompanied lessons but after hearing, this just had to have a bash at this first!
    Such a cool composition, I think you may be channeling a bit of you inner Knopfler with those melodic lines.

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  47. Gregory P says

    April 11, 2018 at 11:16 am

    Great Guitar Brain, Great song and a great lesson. Love it. Keep up the great work.

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  48. Pat S says

    April 16, 2018 at 6:08 pm

    This one really caught my imagination (along with EP078 BB King style) I just had to become a Premium Member!
    This will keep me entertained for quite a while.

    Thanks Brian
    Pat S (log in problems, a lot of detective work, now resolved, thanks).

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  49. Will G says

    April 27, 2018 at 4:58 pm

    This is just sheer class. I absolutely love your touch Brian.

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  50. David B says

    April 27, 2018 at 7:28 pm

    Absolutely loved this one, Brian! This one jumped out and bit me: it spoke volumes. Thank you, thank you!

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  51. Craig K says

    May 15, 2018 at 4:16 am

    Brian; is it better to follow your playing to get the correct feel or follow the tab when it differs from what you are playing? For example, between 5:30 and 6:10 or so when you’re going over the first two parts you leave out that last 7th fret upstroke in bar 2 right before the rest and after the two downward bends on the double stop 7th fret you just play the double stop on the 5th fret and leave out the 7th fret double stop before it that the tab shows. Love the sound of this one and want to get it right!

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  52. Kent Schneeweiss says

    July 21, 2018 at 12:51 am

    Echoing previous comment, beautiful composition. Sooooo looking forward to actually practicing, learning and playing this when my no-glamour toil of painting renovation work ebbs enough for me to grab my guitar and GO! So far watching and listening while suiting up in my painting duds and running to my stinking JOBS to get my pay (which I’m grateful for). But the guitar and musicianship is my passion. You’re helping me to get through my grueling days. That’s why I subscribe and support Active Melody. I always look forward to your lessons, even if I only have time to watch and listen while invoicing (I run my own biz) like you. Great lesson. REALLY!

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    • Brian says

      July 21, 2018 at 11:56 pm

      Thank you Kent ๐Ÿ™‚ I really appreciate that.

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  53. Patrick J D says

    December 7, 2018 at 6:27 pm

    I’m I the only one who hears traces of Alice Cooper and the Beatles? Welcome to my nightmare and I want you. I don’t know, I guess it’s just me. This gives me the direction I need because if you don’t know where you’r going any road will take you there.

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  54. nostril says

    October 11, 2019 at 7:52 am

    Found this jewel of lesson here ! While looking for some A minor licks to go with my bluesbreaker rhythm. More Robert Cray please

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  55. Laura M says

    September 15, 2020 at 10:29 am

    My favorite by far. I finally hear the notes in my head and play along to my own improvising. Thank you Brian, I will always be a subscriber to Active Melody.

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    • Brian says

      September 16, 2020 at 12:27 am

      That’s awesome Laura! ๐Ÿ™‚ Glad you’re hearing the notes in your head now.

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