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Eric Clapton Blues Lead Guitar Lesson – EP074

Description

In this lesson you’ll learn how to play an Eric Clapton inspired, bluesy lead in the key of C. The backing track has a bluesy gospel sound and is available to download for premium members (tablature is available as well). You’ll also learn how to alternate back and forth between the major pentatonic scale and the minor pentatonic scale.

Part 1

Part 2

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Slow Walk-Through

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Comments

  1. Brian says

    November 2, 2014 at 4:52 pm

    Live

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    • Anthony E says

      June 2, 2017 at 7:36 am

      As a new member ..may I first say your lessons are BRILL!!!I have been playing rythem guitar by ear, for the past 60 years ,and after seeing your classes i am now beginning to play a little lead. In the olden days, I learnt to play my watching my friend fingering CHORDS on his fret board ,not sure how difficult it would be for you to play the chords on video, and let us follow your chord fingering .as I am still struggling as to where the lead fits in .?
      Thank you regards Tony

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    • dc3 says

      February 10, 2025 at 9:37 pm

      New to the site, found this, love this. I know this is one of your older lessons, but is there any way you can update this with the Video Tablature . That thing is awesome for learning or looping areas were one really needs to focus. This is so far one of my favorite lessons.

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  2. rob540 says

    November 2, 2014 at 4:52 pm

    You’ve outdone yourself this time. This is outstanding - just what I need right now and so beautifully melodic.
    Thank you!

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  3. maradonagol says

    November 2, 2014 at 4:52 pm

    Hi Brian, well, this is the one, the one that finishes putting the pieces together for me on the major/minor use with beautifully melodic transitions along the neck…..I understood it technically, and have been making use of the 2 scales at tempo, etc, but the transitions and timing felt and sounded clunky……I can’t thank you enough for the progress and motivation…..

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  4. sena g says

    November 2, 2014 at 4:52 pm

    Bravo Brian!

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    • colin k says

      June 19, 2020 at 11:44 am

      Brian great lesson learnt a lot from this thanks

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  5. Micky51 says

    November 2, 2014 at 4:52 pm

    This is great, Brian . I think I’ll give up on the Scotty Moore rhythm for now and get stuck into this. So many things to learn, so little time!!  Really appreciate these lessons.

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  6. killingen says

    November 2, 2014 at 4:52 pm

    Hi!

    Wow! What a feeling. I just love it.

    /Krister

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  7. Brian Belsey says

    November 2, 2014 at 4:52 pm

    This is very cool, and really lovely.

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  8. conekeeper says

    November 2, 2014 at 4:52 pm

    Thanks for adding in the chords.  It makes it easier to follow for someone like me who plays a lot of rhythm.  I switch back and forth with the jam track which kind of creates playing with another person , switching the lead and takin’ a ride.

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  9. jeannot18 says

    November 2, 2014 at 4:52 pm

    My type of lesson. thanks Brian!! Excellent as ever
    J

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  10. SealBeachAxe says

    November 2, 2014 at 4:52 pm

    Probably the best one so far. Gotta learn this one and forget about the others for a while. Well done!
    Mark

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  11. HGhost says

    November 2, 2014 at 4:52 pm

    Exactly what I had hoped to hear and learn.

     

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  12. scottas55 says

    November 2, 2014 at 4:52 pm

    Thank you 🙂

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  13. maradonagol says

    November 2, 2014 at 4:52 pm

    Hi Brian, thinking more about this idea of transitions, it’s obvious there is a method to this and how to do it smoothly, maybe a lesson on scale transitions?

    Thanks and regards,

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  14. Kc409 says

    November 2, 2014 at 4:52 pm

    Another great one from Brian, the best guitar teacher on the Internet.
    Kc

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  15. doug.balch@gmail.com says

    November 2, 2014 at 4:52 pm

    Very nice.  This is the first lead lesson I’m going to dig into, hobbled as I am by an acoustic guitar.  I even understood a little of the scale instruction. duh.

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  16. jimbostrat says

    November 2, 2014 at 4:52 pm

    I say this is most likely Brian’s finest most melodic soloing lesson! I’ve taken this and combined with some of Brian’s earlier soloing lessons in C and I swear you can lock me into a room and let me experiment and combine and learn and improve……….for hours!! Brian mentions he’s never trying to emulate Eddie Van Halen or speed riff or tap or whatever…………Brian sets out to make us learn and expand our horizons and he absolutely achieves this goal with this nice lesson!! Touch, feel and tone………..all three of these ingredients are the order of the day and definitely present here!! Great work, Brian!!

    Jim C.

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  17. donsturdy says

    November 2, 2014 at 4:52 pm

    Brian,
    This lesson is one reason I became a Premium Member.
    Thanks

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  18. repock says

    November 2, 2014 at 4:52 pm

    I love this one.  I have become more of a Clapton fan since becoming a premium member.  Keep the Clapton stuff coming.

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  19. StreakyPete says

    November 2, 2014 at 4:52 pm

    I think you’ve pitched the difficulty level of this lesson exactly right Brian.
    It’s stretching us (well, it’s certainly stretching me..!), but it is definitely achievable. At first I thought the faster riffs were beyond me, but you break them down so well, I can ‘kind of’ get them all after only one day.
    I’ll spend some time polishing them up before I unveil them to my mates, but they’ll certainly liven up my formerly fairly dull solos.

    Thanks Brian - you’re doing a great service to us all!
    Pete.

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  20. doug.balch@gmail.com says

    November 2, 2014 at 4:52 pm

    Hey, fast riffs remind of the old Dickey Betts lesson.  We could use an extended Dickey lesson, right?

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  21. Tractor says

    November 2, 2014 at 4:52 pm

    Tractor
    Another enjoyable lesson well put together Brian . Would you be able to construct a lesson for us using the style of Arthur Smith on the guitar as I just love his style of music . I’m sure that some of your students would like to be exposed to his music .
    Kind Regards

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  22. CliffordLance says

    November 2, 2014 at 4:52 pm

    Super nice!

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  23. Mike Moloy says

    November 2, 2014 at 4:52 pm

    Well done, Brian!

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  24. lost says

    November 2, 2014 at 4:52 pm

    Thank you Brian. You really are a great teacher.

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  25. dakwa says

    November 2, 2014 at 4:52 pm

    hi Brian I am a new member for a year.Love your lessons abit tough for me but with practice I will get there.My question is waht kind of amps do you use for the video EP074.Got a strat and love blues and and a jazziblues which i use a heritage for.Thanks for your answer.JeanJean

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  26. MJR1164 says

    November 2, 2014 at 4:52 pm

    Great lesson yet again…it’s inspired me to go back and have another crack at EP018 which I gave up on.

    Thanks again Brian

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  27. Tofttofly says

    November 2, 2014 at 4:52 pm

    I’ve spent a couple of days now with this lesson, and it is fantastic! I have been wanting to play licks like these for 35 years. I also know by the other’s comments that they feel as I do that becoming premium member is the best thing I’ve ever done for my guitar playing. It’s worth every penny. Thanks Brian

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  28. A. Minor says

    November 2, 2014 at 4:52 pm

    So good it compelled me to sign up. That about sums things up.

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  29. jeannot18 says

    November 2, 2014 at 4:52 pm

    Quick question. On the first lick, where you slide really fast from 7=>8=>7, you end up the lick on the G fifth fret, thus your tab show another D 7th fret. Both seem to work anyway. This lesson is probably one of the best for my level, or maybe I am getting better ;0)
    J

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  30. danway1@me.com says

    November 2, 2014 at 4:52 pm

    Great stuff, Brian.  Can’t wait to learn this one. Some of the speedier licks are going to be a real challenge for me, but that’s what keeps it exciting.  Thanks for doing what you do! We appreciate it!

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  31. MachansGuitar says

    November 2, 2014 at 4:52 pm

    This EC lesson is fantastic, Brian! When I first heard it I couldn’t wait to get started on it. It is just the challemge I wanted now. If I can get my fingers around this one I will feel as though I have made a great leap forward.
    Mant thanks, Brian.

    Eric

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  32. wayneduke says

    November 2, 2014 at 4:52 pm

    Hi Brian! I am just getting back into the guitar after not playing for about 30 years. Thanks to my daughter and granddaughter’s interest in learning to play I have decided I want to play too. Thank you for “teaching an old dog new tricks”.

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  33. rockin randy says

    November 2, 2014 at 4:52 pm

    Sounds just like the them song from the tv show IN THE HEAT OF THE NIGHT with good old chief gillespie and good old bubba.  great riff.

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  34. rockin randy says

    November 2, 2014 at 4:52 pm

    Sounds like the theme song from the tv show IN THE HEAT OF THE NIGHT,  staring chief gillespie and good old bubba.

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  35. negreb says

    November 2, 2014 at 4:52 pm

    I’ve really enjoyed this lesson, Brian. Lot’s of great re-usable and foundational stuff, and just plain fun to follow along.  My biggest challenge is with vibrato, since that really makes the riffs sing.

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  36. Pino says

    November 2, 2014 at 4:52 pm

    Simply Great!!!
    What is patch settings to BOSS Multile Effects to obtain sound…
    Thanks Brian

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  37. Stevethetaxi says

    November 2, 2014 at 4:52 pm

    Great lessons Brian. My fingers haven’t stung this much for a long long time, and I an thoroughly enjoying the pain.Clapton and Angus young have both been style aims of mine for ages, but alone, I got nowhere much. These lessons are doing what they say on the label.

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  38. FenderBlues says

    November 2, 2014 at 4:52 pm

    I absolutely love this lesson! Brian, your Eric Clapton inspired lessons are amazing.  Keep em coming!

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  39. skullking says

    November 2, 2014 at 4:52 pm

    Great lesson Brian exactly what i needed, just trying to get the speed right to play with jam track, I’m trying to figure out how to slow the tempo down to grow into it, any help out there on this would be appreciated! Once again fantastic lesson!!!  8)

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  40. A. Minor says

    November 2, 2014 at 4:52 pm

    @Skullking - I use BPMinus on my PC. Great piece of software. Slow down, loop wherever you want, change pitch (so you don’t need to change your tuning), etc.

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  41. jeff1701a says

    November 2, 2014 at 4:52 pm

    I am a new member and wow! What a great lesson, thanks Brian.
    Jeff

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  42. skullking says

    November 2, 2014 at 4:52 pm

    @A.Minor thanks, but when I hit download jam track it does not actually download a .mp3 file, it only opens a webpage that will play the jam track. Wondering how to download it as an actual file…

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  43. Brian says

    November 2, 2014 at 4:52 pm

    @skullking - try to RIGHT click on the “Download MP3” link and choose “Save As…” to save the MP3 file to your local hard drive.

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  44. StratPlus66 says

    November 2, 2014 at 4:52 pm

    Hi Brian,

    Could you consider counting us in (or adding some “clicks) on the videos where you demonstrate what we are going to learn AND on the backing tracks. I like to try and play along with you and watch the videos at the same time as it helps and if you miss the first few notes its difficult to catch up.  It is for me, anyway, at my level of ineptitude.  Its not a criticism, just a suggestion.  Its easier with the slow walk through but that is a relatively new innovation.

    This Claptonesque song is brilliant and has some Peter Green sounds in it too!

    How you dream up all these lessons I’ll never know and I just wait for the finger picking acoustic weeks to have a rest!  Only kidding.

    All the best,

    Andrew

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  45. Alfred Dowaliby says

    November 2, 2014 at 4:52 pm

    Thank you Brian, i love this soulful bluesy style.  Once again you have helped me immensely in expanding my bag of trIcks.

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  46. Dusko says

    November 2, 2014 at 4:52 pm

    Hello Brian,

    There is something I am still not getting. If you move from C /minor scale/ three frets down, then you are exactly at A /minor scale/. So, how it is all of a sudden C /major scale/.
    Hopefully you will clarify this to me and I will have that /so much needed/ EUREKA moment.

    Greetings from Ontario,

    Dusko

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  47. Brian says

    November 2, 2014 at 4:52 pm

    @Dusko, you are correct.  If you move the C minor pentatonic scale down 3 frets, you are then playing the A minor pentatonic scale, however if the key remains in C, then the A minor pentatonic scale becomes the C MAJOR pentatonic scale (same scale) - it’s the key of the song that determines which scale it is. ,or how it feels.

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  48. charmycoal says

    November 2, 2014 at 4:52 pm

    Hey Brian,
    As a teacher with many years under my belt I find that you’re an excellent teacher and I’ll without doubt renew my membership! Thanks for that.
    But lol
    I find it annoying that I have to listen to the fundamental parts of the lesson when I practice with you. My humble suggestion is that there be a level 2 lesson/video which doesn’t include the really fundamental stuff. I spend too much time trying to fast forward through these parts and it kinda kills the mood.
    Killer job!
    Joe

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  49. Brian says

    November 2, 2014 at 4:52 pm

    @charmycoal - point well taken.  I am going to create an additional (light) version of these videos that quickly walks through the lesson - to address your concern going forward.. others have expressed this as well.

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  50. clark henry says

    November 2, 2014 at 4:52 pm

    Brian I agree you’re best teacher i’m amazing myself with all your lessons. One question   what strings do you like for bending and overall playing.
    Thanks Brian for sharing with all of us.    James Henry @ Memphis

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  51. Brian says

    November 2, 2014 at 4:52 pm

    @ clark henry, for electric I use Ernie Ball Super Slinky (10 gauge)

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  52. JRI says

    November 2, 2014 at 4:52 pm

    Hi Brain, new member here, love your lessons and really like this one.  Just a question, what amp and pedals are you using to get your sound? I’m playing an american standard strat and really like your tone.

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  53. Nihikai says

    November 2, 2014 at 4:52 pm

    Excellent lesson. It sounded as if it would be difficult to learn, but with good materials and video I came to it surprisingly quickly. I have vowed to master your lesson every week - sadly I have quite the backlog. Premium is worth every penny.

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  54. roadrocket10 says

    November 2, 2014 at 4:52 pm

    nice one brian

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  55. roadrocket10 says

    November 2, 2014 at 4:52 pm

    no two ways about it brian your lessons are the best many thanks roger yorkshire uk

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  56. ScoobySnacks says

    November 2, 2014 at 4:52 pm

    Amazing lesson, truly. Please more like this.

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  57. melodyseeker says

    November 2, 2014 at 4:52 pm

    No need to search further. I found what I was looking for. Thanks!

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  58. Jeem says

    November 2, 2014 at 4:52 pm

    I’ve been looking for this…all of my life! Thank you Brian!

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  59. DD3 says

    November 2, 2014 at 4:52 pm

    Wow, how bout adding a couple more verses to this wonderful tune! It would be great to play this kind of stuff for a couple minutes.

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  60. omid says

    November 2, 2014 at 4:52 pm

    Brian is it ‘‘hard times’’ of Journeyman?

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  61. hotrod1941 says

    November 2, 2014 at 4:52 pm

    Thanks Brian, One of my favorites.  Use it a lot. I slow it down just a tad and have changed the last phrasing in the walk down with another of EC’s signature licks.  Thanks again

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  62. Bulldog Mike says

    November 2, 2014 at 4:52 pm

    Brian,
    So fine, so fine friend of mine!

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  63. Scott S says

    September 14, 2015 at 6:58 pm

    I am so glad I found your site. The instruction with the guitar tab has upped my game greatly! Great stuff!

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  64. Dan L says

    October 6, 2015 at 7:25 pm

    Great job Brian!

    Can u give me an example of how to end this piece (i.e. 9ths or something)?

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  65. Randall F says

    March 6, 2016 at 8:49 am

    Is there a way to loop sections of this on Youtube? I love the feel of the tune, and would like to learn it, but am struggling with the timing in bars 5-8.
    Youtube isn’t the best way to learn, but at least I can slow the videos down. It would be great if I could loop sections so that I don’t have to go back and try to find the sections I’m trying to learn. Vimeo’s failure to include a slow down feature makes it all but useless for learning songs with tricky timing.

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  66. sunburst says

    March 25, 2016 at 10:24 am

    Brian really enjoyed going it really slow and learning the feel of Eric Clapton this am.. as your description states, I learned much ..really liked the G triad sweep descending back down to the C at the end.. Really cool stuff you teach here. thanks again friend!

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  67. sunburst says

    March 25, 2016 at 11:02 am

    would not this be a 1 V 1V 11 progression (1542 progression ) with turnaround G 6th augmented ? Just testing my theory stuff figure I’d ask here first if I need correction tia , john

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  68. sunburst says

    July 9, 2016 at 7:44 pm

    Really enjoying EP074 lesson but not sure about key signature ,, guessing from tab the chord progression is likely in the key of C Major?.. 1 next chord G // so counting off in major C up to five ..the G note .. makes the v (five chord) counting off the C major scale 4 note F which is the iv chord .. so far this progression seems to be a one five four in key of C major and lastly counting off the C major scale up to the 6th note is the Am Aelian? but it progresses to diminished F# right? this is where I get confused a bit .. isn’t the key signature in the key C major playing with the lead in C Maj ionian G M mixolydian? tia , john

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  69. cosnuau j says

    November 8, 2016 at 2:23 am

    Hey Brian,
    bought and downloaded a lot of stuff on the net, but yours man its great. A global, nice and easy approach which brings me much more than learning fast SRV licks….
    Thanks a lot, from the heart !

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  70. Gary Boats'Blues. says

    August 10, 2017 at 9:45 pm

    Brian, Thank You very much for this lesson. I was on AM earlier to day and listened to Billy do it and knew that I had to do this one. I have worked on it at least a couple hours today and it amazes me how much I learn from your lessons. I have been needing to do one like this for some time because this one is right up may alley and is the kind of blues I love to do. Thanks so much,
    Gary.

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  71. Dale C says

    February 23, 2018 at 8:52 am

    I’m a little confused. Isn’t C the relative major of Am? And Am is the relative minor of C major? So playing the Am pentatonic scale at the 5th fret is “sad”, not “happy” ?

    Dale

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    • wrightclick says

      March 1, 2018 at 12:14 pm

      no because its the chord underneath it which defines its sound which is a Cmajor , if that same scale at the 5th fret was played over Aminor then it would be sad sound . Think of it this way the same notes react different to whats behind it the music is in the key of C . lets say he wasnt mixing it up for ease major and minor , just wanted to make it sad blues he would start the scale 1st position at the C note 8th fret (six string) and keep that as he’s anchor point .

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  72. Billy B says

    May 6, 2019 at 5:18 pm

    I love how you put it together and I was wondering if you could show me how to play old blues phrases from kep moe

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  73. ibrahim t says

    June 24, 2019 at 9:40 am

    Would you install guitar accompaniment ( with guitar part )
    it will be fun to listen to you on my music list

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  74. David G says

    November 7, 2019 at 9:01 am

    Love this, but am I the only one who hears Georgia on My Mind in the backing track?

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  75. Peter B says

    October 26, 2020 at 4:19 am

    Now that solo is a beautiful sound, wow!

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  76. JULIAN C says

    February 8, 2022 at 5:14 pm

    Thanks Brian
    Such a great lesson to reflect on playing blues smoothly 👍 outstanding riffs

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  77. Larry K says

    March 7, 2022 at 3:18 pm

    I’ve been looking for something to give me help adding fills to use with Dylan’s arrangement of “It Hurts Me Too.” I think it is a sort of nine-bar blues in “C” maybe but with a I, IV, VI progression – not sure I’m pretty new. But this lesson is full of applicable ideas….

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  78. drutgat says

    August 4, 2023 at 12:47 pm

    Of all Brian’s lessons, this is my favourite.

    I keep coming back to it again, and again.

    I hope that one day I will be able to play some of the faster licks here as fluently and with the impeccable timing that Brian does.

    Thanks Brian.

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