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Learn to play blues guitar.

Call & Response Blues that you can play by yourself on guitar – Blues Guitar Lesson – EP573

Description

In this week’s guitar lesson, you’ll learn how to play a “Call and response” style blues composition on guitar by yourself (no jam track needed).

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

  6. CHRISTOPHER G says

    Thanks so much Brian
    I am enjoying working on this as I do with practically every lesson.
    Around minute 17 on the first video you talk about how you can use pattern 2 of the key to be pattern 4 of the 5 chord. This is an area which I have been very keen to get my head around and would love it if you could ever find the time to do a lesson on this. i.e. what pattern do I switch to for the 4 chord or 5 chord (or any other chord for that matter). Maybe this is obvious to everyone, but there may be others like me out there who would find this helpful.
    Thanks again

  13. Jay Guitarman says

    Wow, what an King lessons! 2 Kings in one composition and much more… Thé idea of the second Bminor position corresponding to thé forth BB King position of F # when thé forth chord comes intro play is great also … Thanks !

  18. Ken says

    A little confused at the end of video one. The pentatonic scale for pattern 4 for f#7 is derived from A M. Pattern 2 pentatonic scale of the Bm is derived from DM.
    Is this right?
    Thanks for any input.

    • Wade O says

      Good day! Try this. Print F# Minor Pentatonic Scale Pattern 4 and overlay it on a Print of B Minor Pentatonic Scale Pattern 2. See the notes in common. Now take a look at the notes available to you if you move outside the B Minor Pentatonic Scale and play the chord changes, which, at that point you would be working off the F# Chord (5 chord) and using the F# Scale.
      For me, I had to actually sit down and write out the scale shapes to visualize the patterns and then it made sense. The best part was it only took about 2 minutes, which was the extra effort I need to put in, and then I saw it in my head as I was playing.
      Hope this helps! Enjoy the Music! Wade

  19. Andrew A says

    Thanks for this lesson, Brian. I’ve gotten much of my understanding of the guitar and improvising from your Call and Response lessons . One of my problems has been coming up with licks that fit the tempo and expand the depth of the music. In this song ,as in many others, adding in extra example licks really expands my thinking of what and how to play. I’ve gotten many of my ideas from the spontaneous “outtakes “ you do , which are beyond what the song is strictly about. And I guess towards that end , the “asides” that some people seem be critical of, I say keep them coming,,they always contain information and insights that give extra depth and meaning to your lessons.
    And as an “aside “ of my own, the Freddy King, Major /Minor lick is also part of Ep279-a blues shuffle, one of my favourite songs of yours I first I learned. Thanks for your hard work. Andrew

  22. Philippe G says

    Brian, another great lesson and i really like these play-by-yourself lessons.
    Could you provide more details on the strumming parts? When i look at the very 1st part with the F#7, i am not sure how to approach the strumming correctly. Same in other lessons, when it comes to strumming, I am very slow at picking-up how you approach this. Thanks

  23. slopace says

    Holy guacamole Brian! Week after week you keep coming up with these awesome lessons. Your head must be exploding with musical knowledge! You are a gifted guitar instructor sir!
    Thanks for all you do.

  26. Liam C says

    I wish I had this website 20 years ago, constantly learning new things that I actually use. Tasteful well written little tunes as well, in a style that I love

    Well worth the monthly subscription fee , my only problem is keeping up

  28. Stephen K says

    Not much left to say that hasn’t been said above other than THANK YOU SO MUCH! Great overall blues study, with lots of tasty licks and accents to take away from this lesson! I learn something from every one of your lessons, which is an amazing fact in itself, since I have been playing over 50 years! You are the best, Brian!

  34. John M says

    I’m just at the stage where I’m trying to relate what position (pentatonic) is close to another in the same key. When you showed how the fifth (F#) chord had the same position as the first chord in terms of positions (first vs fourth), that really helped. It’s taken quite a while but your lessons are really starting to pay off.
    I heard John Mayer once comment that if you can hear what you want to play in your head first, figure it out and play it. Because if you just start trying to improv you get caught into the same pattern. That’s true for me. Not sure if there is a viable lesson there or not…

    • michael f says

      yes the F# and the B notes are right there in that same position. The 4 note lick (counting the bend) played when the song changes to the 5 chord, is centered around that root F#, When you hear the chord change, land er target that F#

  39. Anthony says

    Great jam and looking forward to diving into this lesson! I just bought a Boss Katana-50 MkII 1 x 12-inch 50-watt Combo Amp at Brian’s recommendation as I sold my Line6 a while ago and haven’t had any amp for electric playing. Any know what tone setup on the Katana would be best to replicate this sound? Thanks in advance

  41. michael f says

    I want to take time out from this soulful lesson to highlight a very helpful teaching point on playing lead that you make: “when bending strings, mute the note on its way up. Don’t release the bend before going to the next note.” That comment allowed me to get closer to the note and mor broadly approach bending with a very different technique. Thank you

  42. Max d says

    Got to the lesson a little late (grandkids!) … next Friday already, but simple ( now I’ve been following you for over three years)) and beautiful. Repetitive and drives other nuts, but sure relaxing when you need it. Great lesson and adds to our knowledge of the fretboard, thanks Brian

  46. Sean H says

    Hi Brian, I really Love this latest Lesson Video…between this Lesson & EP549, what a potential Blend awaiting…!! And it seems there is indeed a good way to Practice Vibrato and Bending. I was wondering what would be a good way to do so accordingly 😌 Thanks 😊 as Always Brian!!

  50. dbaldassini@att.net says

    Could someone explain to me why I have to reload the soundslice app after it plays through the song about three times. I get a “sad emogii” face and I have to reload the page? It completly interrupts practicing this song. Not sure if the problem is on my end or with the app.

  53. John C. says

    Thanks again from across the pond Brian. Found this one harder to remember and recall than other “no jam tracks required” you have done recently – I think maybe it was the slight timing changes on some of the licks – but as I enjoy playing anything in B I stuck with it and have enjoyed mastering it but I am also now driving my wife crazy with the continuous one chord call and response improv – but I don’t care as its great fun and sounds good – well at least to me it does!

  54. ian m says

    Hi Brian – earlier this week – I jammed with a friend of mine who is a very accomplished guitar player. He performs in / around Toronto has a few videos on-line etc. Anyway, he intimidates the hell out of me – I get very nervous whenever he calls me and says to bring over my guitar. Anyway – we played for a few hours and he sent me a note yesterday telling me how much my playing has improved. Felt great to get that kind of endorsement. Your lessons – especially these blues on your own has opened up my mind to making connections, improvising etc. on the fretboard. Thanks so much and keep this blues compositions coming. I really like the one you did recently on mixolydian scale – am now bringing into my playing. Thanks again!

  55. pschlosb says

    I agree with you that these types of lessons are great and fun, and a great way to practice. But what I think might be a great addition to this, is jamming this way
    but then also say for example, oh now we’re going to shift into mixolydian or dorian for a bit and just jam in those common modes (blues, rock, pop) and then go back
    to normal, basic pentatonic or blues scale (major, minor). I think it will just give us more practice in those areas. Instead of intricate pentatonic licks I think getting more of a grasp
    of those basic modes and going back and forth might be useful. Maybe I am not making good sense…..but anyway just a stray idea. But anyway these are fantastic and I really appreciate all of what you put into them for us

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