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Funky Minor Key Blues Guitar Lesson – Ideas for Playing “Outside The Box” – EP294

Description

In this week’s guitar lesson, you’ll learn how to spice up your rhythm and lead in a funky, minor key blues composition by learning to play “outside the box” (which means including something unexpected). This is much more common in jazz, but sounds just as good in the blues.

Part 1 - Free Guitar Lesson

Part 2 - For Premium Members

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Slow Walk-Through

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Comments

  1. Michael Allen says

    February 1, 2019 at 8:45 pm

    Reminds me of The Funky Meters and since I’m from New Orleans, I gotta love it! Thanks Brian!

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  2. Jim M says

    February 1, 2019 at 9:46 pm

    Time to learn some jazzy blues. Like the lesson Brian.

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  3. Aussie Rick says

    February 1, 2019 at 11:27 pm

    Love the funk/jazz/blues feel to this. Thanks a lot Brian.

    By the way, you said the song is in the key A minor with the chords Am/D/E or i/IV/V. This works well, but the IV chord being major is a departure from rule that says, in a song in a minor key, the I chord will be minor, the IV chord will be minor, and the V chord can be minor or major. Is there some sort of guiding principle for departing from the rule, or is it okay to depart from it as long as it sounds good ? And, even though the song departs from the rule that the IV chord be minor, does it still qualify as being in the minor key, simply because the 1 chord is minor? Hope you get my drift.

    Rick

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    • charjo says

      February 2, 2019 at 10:04 am

      Rick,
      I don’t think it’s really in one key to begin with because of the D7 and the E7. It sounds like a funky variation on a major blues that you are playing a minor pentatonic over with the added out of the box licks.
      John

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      • Mathieu H says

        February 3, 2019 at 11:25 am

        Let’s say we are in Melodic Minor, the 6th degree is major in the scale, therefor the IV chords will be major

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    • WarrenB says

      February 4, 2019 at 8:35 am

      It is quite common for chords to be ‘borrowed’ from parallel scales, i.e. Amajor and Aminor being parallel scales (same tonic), so the IV chord from the major scale can be borrowed/substituted for the iv chord in the minor scale (in this piece using the dominant). A google search on ‘borrowed chords’ is recommended.

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  4. BRENDAN G says

    February 1, 2019 at 11:39 pm

    Great lesson, can you tell me which pickup you are using.

    Brendan

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    • charjo says

      February 2, 2019 at 9:01 am

      At 23:47 you can just make out that Brian is on the bridge pick up. Brian usually rolls off some of the guitar volume and he might have rolled off some treble but the control knobs are never visible in either video.
      John

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  5. Rich F says

    February 2, 2019 at 2:47 am

    Cool lesson, Brian: Very cool!

    Rich F

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    • Andy v says

      February 13, 2019 at 12:43 am

      Excellent lesson like all of them but I lose focus on the MANY tangents that Brian goes off on.

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  6. gquellet says

    February 2, 2019 at 4:43 am

    Bringing back the sweet sound of the Gibson ES-335. Love the composition.

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  7. Rollover33 says

    February 2, 2019 at 6:11 am

    Good music for next week !!!
    Winter in France, so much rain… Your music is welcome, thank’s Brian !

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  8. JohnStrat says

    February 2, 2019 at 9:05 am

    Brian
    A very useful lesson and seeing I have a pristine ES347 on the way it could not be better lesson for me. There are lots of goodies here as you point out basically simple and yet such an effective style. Great JohnStrat

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  9. pheartscott says

    February 2, 2019 at 9:34 am

    Brian,
    I became a premium member again after a good sized layoff. It’s great to be back and learning from you again.
    I’m also learning keyboard on the side (trying too anyhow) in the hopes of someday being able to create pieces of music utilizing both guitar and piano.
    Loved this lesson by the way and keep up the good work.

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  10. charjo says

    February 2, 2019 at 9:56 am

    Cool out of the box sound, Brian. Inspired me to pull out my 335. I sometimes forget what a great blues guitar it is. Love the mix of rhythm and lead. I know I neglect rhythm far too much.
    John

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  11. Glenn says

    February 2, 2019 at 10:52 am

    My wife and I are retired and live in rural costa Rica. We both have acoustic guitars and are struggling to become intermediate players with your help. I am 71 years old and have been playing for almost two years (previous experience only thumping on bass in a basement band). I am giving you a” like” as you request, but that does not begin express my admiration and gratitude. Stylistically, technically and in communication your learning program is the absolute best. You have made friday an exciting day for me. I like the more relaxed and intimate background with your pug on the couch. I hope that has not gone away. EP277 and todays lesson with two awesome single string riffs were especially enjoyable. Glenn

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  12. sciencefiction says

    February 2, 2019 at 11:41 am

    Very cool!
    Larry

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  13. Raymond P says

    February 2, 2019 at 12:16 pm

    Great lesson Brian

    I like the different ways you show how to break away from the norms. It sounds great too.

    Thanks

    Ray P

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  14. Mick D says

    February 2, 2019 at 3:51 pm

    Thank you for the great lesson! Sounds a bit like Jimmy James …

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  15. Mathieu H says

    February 2, 2019 at 7:03 pm

    Omg I love these outside licks
    I’am taking my guitare right now,..

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    • Mathieu H says

      February 3, 2019 at 10:27 am

      I think that the outside licks is a good opportunity to practice sweep picking,.. witch I always struggle with…

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  16. sunburst says

    February 2, 2019 at 7:08 pm

    i like this! reminded me of john scofield stuff,, ( who i don’t follow but like this fusion stuff

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  17. Glenn S says

    February 2, 2019 at 7:45 pm

    Very cool groove…outstanding!!!!

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  18. richard c says

    February 2, 2019 at 8:08 pm

    I just joined as a member because of the techniques you use. I hate full bar cords an I am terrible at them. I could play everything in the lesson some areas I need practice. Love the D7 chord, haha. Great lesson I learned a lot cant wait to learn more. really enjoyed it. I love the style of music in the lessons. DONT CHANGE. haha……. Rich, from Charleston SC

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  19. Hackbarths says

    February 3, 2019 at 4:08 am

    Great lesson, very cool!
    Thanks Brian!

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  20. Thorsten D says

    February 3, 2019 at 2:12 pm

    Great tune, Brian. Love it! Could you give some hints about PU used and your amp settings?

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  21. sunjamr says

    February 3, 2019 at 3:47 pm

    Alrighty then, I’m onto this one. This is my favorite lesson in a while. Much to learn here.

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  22. Laura K says

    February 4, 2019 at 4:41 am

    Hello Brian,

    I have a question about the tab files.
    It seems to me they are made with Guitar Pro, is this right?
    And if so, would it be possible that you provide the GPX files?

    Many thanks
    Laura

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  23. WarrenB says

    February 4, 2019 at 8:38 am

    Super composition Brian, one that keeps me totally motivated. It has such a cool feel/sound and rhythm. More please 🙂

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  24. Robert Burlin says

    February 4, 2019 at 1:52 pm

    Love the outside stuff. Maybe do something with some diminished or other way out kind of chords and take us far out for a bit. Lets get down right destructive, melodically speaking that is.
    I cant practice enough
    thanks for the continuous creative insperation

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  25. sunburst says

    February 4, 2019 at 6:54 pm

    measure 15 is the lesson..like to look into more like this,, I like it, easy start in and much room for improvisation in this track! been having fun,, finding good stuff practicing this!

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  26. John J says

    February 5, 2019 at 12:47 am

    this is a hot one..

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  27. David S says

    February 5, 2019 at 5:07 pm

    I just love this one, Brian, it’s a beautiful piece of music.

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  28. Michael G says

    February 5, 2019 at 5:08 pm

    YES! This is the kind of lesson I love!

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  29. drlknstein says

    February 5, 2019 at 5:22 pm

    wow! There you go again!!!!..

    in part one ..that rythm using the slide into the D7 and then the walk dow/slide into the D is awesome..I just played it in a 1-4 -5 pattern for abouta half and made a song using it .love it

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  30. Pierre D says

    February 6, 2019 at 9:16 am

    Shades of 60’s hard bop, reminiscent of Kenny Burrell and Grant Green. Groovy, babby!

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  31. Bill C says

    February 8, 2019 at 1:38 pm

    Great lesson! more funky, jazzy blues please!

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  32. Robert Burlin says

    February 8, 2019 at 3:03 pm

    Really enjoy learning this, makes me want to ask you if you could go all out on a funky groove, like tower of power or something in that vain. I have always wanted to play like that and don’t know how that great sound is played on guitar. Since I am at it, is there a ragtime lesson in your treasure chest of tutorials and if not please take us there.
    My gratitude knows no bounds, playing 40 years now and I have finally found the missing piece. Your guitar instructions and alot of work more like drilling holes in concrete it seems but it is happening.

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    • Robert Burlin says

      February 8, 2019 at 3:33 pm

      Forgot to say I like lots of notes, it takes some time to learn but it is not hard. A tutorial with twice the notes can work too! Keep Be Bopping!

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  33. Tom D says

    February 9, 2019 at 1:50 am

    The rhythm in the first 12 bars is pretty easy, however the timing of the lead in the last twelve is difficult. I think I need to study the sheet music to get the timing right. This is difficult for me, because I am vision impaired and I have to magnify it. I have to look at each bar separately and memorise it. I have been playing the guitar off and on for 60 years and used to be able to read music pretty well, but now I usually play by ear. I have the music to Chet Atkins “Windy and Warm” which I am trying to learn finger style. I used to learn classical guitar about 40 years ago. I have a few of Chet Atkins arrangements and I can play his version of “Hey Good Looking and Tennessee Waltz.” I play with a friend at nursing homes on the Central Coast of NSW Australia. I have used a couple of your tunes,; one of which is WP130 which I have called “The Antiques Roadshow Blues”. I hope this is okay with you. Please let me know if it is not.

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  34. André S says

    February 10, 2019 at 5:48 am

    Dear Brian

    that‘s a hard and great one. Thanks!

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  35. dana h says

    February 11, 2019 at 11:27 pm

    Reminds me of the Bee Gees…fun!

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  36. Robert M says

    February 23, 2019 at 8:28 pm

    Another absolutely super lesson but very complicated. I’ve been working on it for almost two weeks now. The first out of the box sequence is nice but I can’t get thru it as fast as you do so I’m looking for shortcuts. I’m playing this on my 335 but it also sounds great on my telecaster which I find easier to play. I’m 71 years old so I can’t move my fingers as fast as I used to. I love your lessons and my playing has improved greatly with your help! You guitars always look pristine, do you polish them after every session?

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  37. richard c says

    February 24, 2019 at 12:03 pm

    This is my favorite lesson. I learn bits of it at a time. Some things I leave out and some things i add on. its hard for me to play bar cords because my figures mute the strings. but your chords are easier for me to play. Its great teaching in this lesson .it taught me to get further out of the scales now I see and know where I can hit other notes and it sounds good when im playing lead, and adding rhythm in the mix. I love this type or style of music. Its a little bit overwhelming, but im a beginner. I love the sound so that’s why I am drawn to it. So I learn stages of it. its great stuff. well worth the membership. Thanks

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  38. richard c says

    February 24, 2019 at 12:07 pm

    I love the funk/Jazzy/ Blues stuff. it sounds the best. I don’t mind lots of notes, that helps me grow an learn . love it

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  39. George K says

    March 30, 2020 at 7:19 am

    Great work again Brian, really cool. Nice one like it. You’re a top man. Many thanks. (Newark. Nottinghamshire. UK.)

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  40. pschlosb says

    January 21, 2021 at 7:54 pm

    I definitely think I hear a major Boz Scaggs influence here, tell me if I’m wrong. He’s had different guitar players. This composition sounds alot like JoJo, which I think might have been Louie Shelton playing guitar who was on alot of his major hits. Shelton wrote alot of the riffs and guitar parts

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