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Easy Blues Lead Using Just 4 Notes – Blues Guitar Lesson – EP251

Description

In this week’s blues guitar lesson, I’ll show you how to improvise a blues lead using only 4 notes. This forces you to be creative and helps emphasize the importance of phrasing (so that you don’t sound like you’re stuck in a scale). You’ll also be using the “call and response” blues technique in this lesson to go back and forth between the lead and rhythm.

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Comments

  1. Michael Allen says

    April 6, 2018 at 8:25 pm

    This is a great idea, nice and simple! Thanks again for another great lesson. By the way I bought the Crossroads model after reading Jim’s response when you first got your Little Sister. I love it and love the sound and look of yours!

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  2. jimbostrat says

    April 6, 2018 at 8:30 pm

    Hey!! Once again…………first to comment!! Just happened to be home alone tonight and decided to catch up on correspondence and lessons plus my own stuff………..Brian’s once again playing with that cool freebie small bodied hollow body electric!! Great idea returning to basics and making the most out of it!! Brian once again puts tons of forethought into his lessons!!

    Jim C.

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  3. John V says

    April 6, 2018 at 8:46 pm

    Awesome SRV style and sound……I always look forward for Friday.

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  4. JohnStrat says

    April 6, 2018 at 8:46 pm

    Nice one! bed time for me 3am! looking forward to getting this up and running

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  5. JohnStrat says

    April 6, 2018 at 8:48 pm

    On second run through I reckon this one is going to have a huge following well done Brian another beauty. JohnStrat

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    • Don D. says

      February 11, 2019 at 11:16 am

      John, it has 835 “Favorites.” I don’t watch that stuff regularly, but I usually see something like 200 to 400 there—that looks like a good call. I’m glad this one was thrust upon us in the Challenge. I liked it right away, then I forgot about it.

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  6. Aussie Rick says

    April 6, 2018 at 9:08 pm

    Another great lesson thanks Brian. My improvisations are really benefiting from your lessons on phrasing and creatively using just a few notes. Thanks again.

    Rick

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  7. JoLa says

    April 6, 2018 at 10:16 pm

    Love it! Going right into my to-do list!
    Thanks, Brian, your creativity is amazing!

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  8. Jimmy James says

    April 6, 2018 at 10:25 pm

    Love this one! And that guitar sounds amazing!

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  9. Paul_in_spain says

    April 6, 2018 at 11:46 pm

    This one would be great to play with a jam buddy, alternating playing the lead and rythem as you go through it as well as solo. thanks Brian

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  10. houliAK says

    April 7, 2018 at 12:57 am

    Really fun! Gave me a bunch of ideas!

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  11. Rich F says

    April 7, 2018 at 3:37 am

    Brilliant lesson, Brian!

    I am currently learning a very early lesson, the beautiful LEG019 unaccompanied Slow Blues for this month’s challenge from Bryce.. This lesson provides a lovely sharp contrast, showing the different ways that Blues can be played, and just the sheer depth in blues!

    Cheers,

    Rich F

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  12. Rich F says

    April 7, 2018 at 3:41 am

    Hi again…

    Just listening to the backing track… it made me think of “How Many More Times” by Led Zeppelin!

    Cheers,

    Rich F.

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  13. EL A says

    April 7, 2018 at 6:02 am

    Excelent , simple and powerful, Buen trabajo !!!

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  14. Walter D says

    April 7, 2018 at 7:35 am

    Some weeks, when I first hear Brian playing it I know it will be a blast to learn. This is one of those weeks.

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  15. sciencefiction says

    April 7, 2018 at 7:41 am

    Thank you, Brian!!!!!!!
    Larry

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  16. sunburst says

    April 7, 2018 at 8:55 am

    This is classic blues jam 145 progression .. A must for intro jamming with other guitarists too.I find it easiest following along those positions and I play another position while watching you play your new little made in Israel semi hollow electric.. nice pickups! ..that little thing sounds tight!

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  17. Douglas N says

    April 7, 2018 at 9:20 am

    Another great lesson….tell me about the guitar you are playing…haven’t seen it before😎🎸

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    • Brian says

      April 7, 2018 at 1:19 pm

      It’s a B&G Little Sister “Crossroads” guitar – excellent little blues guitar!

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      • JohnStrat says

        April 7, 2018 at 2:43 pm

        Brian May I ask how do you think it compares with the cut away version and what swings your choice on this point?
        She is a beauty and sounds great for blues as you say.

        Thanks JohnStrat

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        • Brian says

          April 7, 2018 at 3:02 pm

          I haven’t tried the cutaway version – I wanted the non-cutaway because I liked the look (not as practical though).

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          • JohnStrat says

            April 7, 2018 at 6:50 pm

            Ah that would be my only reasoning too it does sound really nice in your lesson. JohnStrat

      • fcoy2 says

        April 15, 2018 at 5:38 pm

        Very cool little guitar, love the look and sound. How does it sound when it’s not plugged in? Does the hollow body provide enough resonance for noodling around the house without using an amp?

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      • David K says

        January 8, 2021 at 2:12 pm

        Beautiful guitar, but $1500. I’m not that rich.

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  18. Raymond P says

    April 7, 2018 at 11:52 am

    Thanks Brian,

    A lot of fun seeing how you can make so much music with just 4 notes. Very cool

    Ray P

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  19. San Luis Rey says

    April 7, 2018 at 4:04 pm

    Thanks Brian! I played this first time through on the acoustic. Will try it on the Dot next. I am trying to hold back and just play the 4 notes. Is there going to be a follow up to this ? (hint)

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  20. Pierre D says

    April 7, 2018 at 4:40 pm

    Brian, man, the ocean breeze sure did you good! What a great lesson this week! Top quality instruction. Thanks.

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  21. jerry L says

    April 8, 2018 at 6:57 am

    Would like to hear more, on all of the lesson, about what combination of guitar, amp and effects are being utilized. Brian, as always, the lessons are spot on keep up the good work,

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  22. wrightclick says

    April 8, 2018 at 9:39 am

    Loved it i struggled with them upstrokes which some appear to be ghost strums as there is no time in that space to grab the chord . The application timing and feel tied me up in knots at first but i got there in the end . A fantastic grove Brian

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  23. Bruce M says

    April 8, 2018 at 1:49 pm

    Thanks Brian. Is there somewhere that denotes BPS (beats per) on the viewer or could you include this info. I have found it essential to use a metronome these days because I drag and speed up depending on chord changes etc. Saves a lot of time if I knew the BPS right off the bat. Thanks again man.

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    • Brian says

      April 8, 2018 at 1:56 pm

      Hey Bruce, this one is 130 BPM – i don’t have that listed for these. One thing you can do is download a metronome app that allows you to just tap along with the song and it will give you the BPM reading that way.

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      • Bruce M says

        April 8, 2018 at 1:59 pm

        thanks for the quick reply! I have on of those small Snark jobbies but will investigate a tap tempo type. thanks again.

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        • wrightclick says

          April 8, 2018 at 3:08 pm

          Bruce for them MP3s that are a wee bit to fast for us mortals i download them and use this simple app to slow them down or speed them up as much as you like ,really easy to use as well. http://bestpractice.sourceforge.net/

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          • Rodney W says

            April 10, 2018 at 1:40 pm

            I wonder how you do the download now that Keep Vid has changed its approach and requires registration? (Any tips will be gratefully received, thanks!)

  24. charles m says

    April 8, 2018 at 2:49 pm

    extremely hard to play for me as a beginer

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  25. charles m says

    April 8, 2018 at 2:55 pm

    hard to play as a beginner

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    • Rodney W says

      April 10, 2018 at 2:05 pm

      I have been playing a long time and well recollect how hard it was at first. Rest assured it does get easier and you do improve over time. Obviously there is a need to practice and you do need to be very keen and determined to learn and play better. There are a few things you can do to make it a bit easier.

      i) Make sure that you are using a light gauge of strings. Use “tens” or thinner (ie the 1st string is 0.010 inches in diameter) This applies whether you are playing an electric or acoustic guitar.
      ii) Make sure your guitar has the action set as low as possible without getting string buzz on any of the fret positions on any string. This most likely require an adjustment to the truss rod with a hex key at the head or inside the sound hole on an acoustic but only make small adjustments at a time (1/4 turn or less) and give it time to settle and check again. Sometimes the bridge height may need adjusting but that is less likely.
      iii) Make sure the intonation is set correctly. (Look it up on the net) This is so you get the right notes all the way up the keyboard. This does not affect playability directly but tuning errors put you off practicing.
      iv) Invest in a clip on tuner so that you can check and adjust your tuning easily and quickly before practicing.
      v) Keep your guitar on a stand near to where you pass by quite often so you are tempted to pick it up.
      vi) Fit a strap to your guitar to keep it in place and help support the weight.

      Remember that several short practices are better than one long session. Your finger tips will likely hurt at first and that is one reason, but several frequent practices help you learn faster.

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      • charles m says

        April 10, 2018 at 6:34 pm

        Thank you

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  26. charjo says

    April 8, 2018 at 9:11 pm

    Brian,
    This simple little piece really showcases the nuance and feel in your playing. This one might be easy to learn but to reproduce the nuance will take a lot more work. Thanks for your example week after week.
    John

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  27. phil l says

    April 9, 2018 at 12:17 pm

    Brian,I added in the second part, with a bridge, the “boom boom ” of J Lee l hooker.
    One sounds in the treble, the other in the bass.
    And and the two pieces sound really good.
    Thank you for this excellent piece that shows that only a few notes are sometimes enough.
    And I really like your interpretation
    Philippe (from France ,….. for the english.!!!..)

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  28. Wolcott66 says

    April 9, 2018 at 4:58 pm

    Yes, the four note fills and lead part are simple; BUT the rhythm part is not so easy, even for an intermediate player. Not complaining, because it is a great lesson. But a beginner will have problems “grabbing some of those chords, like the, E9 and even the A. But it’s good challenge.

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  29. Denis Hubert D says

    April 10, 2018 at 12:34 pm

    Superbe travail mon ami! Just luv your lessons.
    Do you share on the site the gear, pedals, guitars,.. that you use?
    A big “Merci” from the cold north!
    Denis.

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  30. Kendrick L says

    April 10, 2018 at 9:08 pm

    Hi Brian,

    I look forward to these slow lead blues lessons which you do so well.

    As a retired person have plenty of time on hand, and to occupy my mind find there is no other way better than to pickup my acoustic guitar log onto your site and search out these slow unaccompanied solos.

    You definitely have a unique talent for teaching and I just love these compositions you put together so well. Look forward to many more Slow Blues solo’s.

    Thank you so very much,

    Best wishes,
    Ken Lewis. (UK)

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  31. Ron M says

    April 11, 2018 at 9:18 am

    Hi Brian,

    Excellent lessen! ! It’s Just fun to learn! !!

    Cheers,Ron

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  32. John B says

    April 11, 2018 at 1:14 pm

    Thanks Brian,

    Bringing me to that next level. Enjoy being able to play with or without the jam track. Just an awesome lesson. Thanks

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  33. fcoy2 says

    April 12, 2018 at 6:48 am

    Brian,

    Thanks for the great lesson! For me the biggest challenges are starting the chords with the upstrokes and getting the rhythm just right. SInce it’s an original composition without the frame of reference of a song I know by heart, it’s a little harder to remember the groove without listening to it first. Any tips?

    2 additional questions. Can you share the amp and guitar settings, and any advice on other guitars you can get a similar sound/tone on? I absolutely love that guitar, but as a hobbyist with 2 kids in college a $1500 guitar is out of the question 🙂 Would anything with 2 humbuckers get it?

    Thanks,
    Frank

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  34. Bosc T says

    April 20, 2018 at 6:22 am

    Merci de France pour cette leçon et toutes les autres, good, good, good.

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  35. Huub L says

    May 8, 2018 at 2:44 pm

    Thank you again Brian.
    Huub

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  36. jboy says

    June 1, 2018 at 8:40 am

    A teaching masterpiece…..great blues primer with 4 notes…great place to start to ” get the blues”

    J

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  37. Jeff C (Swiss Elk) says

    July 7, 2018 at 10:58 pm

    Ouch!I’ve been bending my mind on this one for a while now. We’re using pattern 1 of the pentatonic scale at the nut position for a song in E major. BUT, pattern 1 at the nut is for a song in G or Em(?!?) How do I resolve this in my mind? I know it works, because I can hear that it works. But the E major shape is pattern 2. And in pattern 2, instead of the four notes being B/D/E/G, their supposed to be C/D/F/G. Brian, Help!!!

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    • Rodney W says

      July 18, 2019 at 3:15 pm

      Brian is definitely playing in key of Emaj because he is using Emaj, A maj and B maj chords. The four note positions he is using provide B, E, D and G which you are right come from the E minor pentatonic scale. However I think it is the bending that is lifting the D to D# and the G to G# that makes the lead licks sound sound right (and good!) D# and G# are both in the E major pentatonic scale.

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  38. Mehmet Erol G says

    August 15, 2018 at 2:52 pm

    Keeping it simple is my motto from now on..!
    Brian; Thank you a very good time.

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  39. Steven G says

    July 22, 2019 at 5:27 pm

    Wow !!

    Simply wow !!

    Love the lesson, absolutely WOW !!

    Thank you

    Brian you are a LEGEND !!!

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  40. Paul D says

    February 29, 2020 at 10:13 pm

    Brian can you explain what amp you are using, and how it sounds without an amp?
    Great lessons thanks

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  41. Kathryn L says

    January 25, 2021 at 3:40 pm

    I found this older lesson, but I’m so glad. I told myself that if I can’t play this, I’ll be disappointing myself – a whole lot. I am so glad to be trying this lesson. I need to get “in the groove” of this shuffle sound. Thank you again, Brian.

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  42. Drew D says

    May 15, 2021 at 9:20 pm

    Superb lesson,, as usual, glad I got this one on my favorites list. These are stacking up my friend. Thanks and Cheers.

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  43. Julian G says

    February 21, 2022 at 11:40 pm

    The examples contained in this lesson are of grate value, and have made me a better guitar player

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  44. Ron M says

    October 31, 2022 at 9:34 pm

    I slowed down the 2nd half and put it at half speed. Brian sounds stoned but, the chord and fingerings are much easier to grasp and stuff into my marshmallow brain. I kinda like hearing Brian at half speed, to be honest. He reminds me of my stoner friends. Anyway, the format in these lessons is so robust. This is the best online guitar ccourse I have seen. I am sold

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