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Learn to play blues guitar.

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. 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!

  2. 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.

    • 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.

  11. 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

  16. 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!

  19. 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)

  21. 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,

  22. 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

  23. 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.

    • 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.

  26. 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

  27. 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.!!!..)

  28. 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.

  30. 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)

  33. 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

  37. 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!!!

    • 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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