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Learn to play blues guitar.

Gospel Style Blues Guitar Lesson – Major Pentatonic Scale – EP210

Description

This guitar lesson is a blues lead that’s played in the major pentatonic scale. This isn’t your typical 12 bar blues format. There are lots of chord changes in this, but the same basic principles apply when playing lead. You’ll be playing within the key (C), and won’t have to worry about playing the chord changes (matching the chords), instead you’ll just be staying within the key of the song, which makes it much easier. I’ll also explain where all of the licks come from so that you can start using them in your own playing. This lesson comes with tablature and the MP3 jam track to practice with.

Part 1 - Free Guitar Lesson

Part 2 - For Premium Members

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Slow Walk-Through

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Video Tablature Breakdown

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Comments

      • jimbostrat says

        So long as it’s Robben Ford style Chicago Blues!! Robben’ captured the very essence and then some of the Chicago Blues (interjects jazz but this is very appropriate for this style) !! So, I third this notion!! Jim C.

    • joe c says

      Brian has already published lessons in the style of Chicago Blues: EP116 Buddy Guy, EP101 Albert King, EP 097 Jimmy Rogers. Its hard to get more Chicago Blues than that. One other thing to consider if more is necessary, get a copy of the first Butterfield Blues Band recording. Mike Bloomfield and Elvin Bishop are on guitar, mostly Bloomfield especially on Born In Chicago, Shake Your Money Maker, etc. Play along with that album and you will be gigging at Legends soon.

    • Jose says

      Hello Richard,

      I began pratcicing this one ten days ago, so that means, based on previous experience still 40 days to go.

      It is a nice song. I wish Brian would include a count, one two three … before the backtrack begins, that would make practicing easier.

  5. Tim Lee says

    Take me to Church.

    Love it. This must be the longest lesson in terms of playing time that I can remember. Beautifully melodic and one that I will definitely attempt.

    Thanks so much Brian.

  16. justin N says

    Superb! Amazing what you can do with a few simple chords. You’ve colored it with some awesome lead scale licks. I think this type of lesson is great for getting comfortable moving about in these major, minor boxes and getting to know the fretboard. Thank you sir. Hope your not melting like I am here in California with this heat wave! Ugghh.

  17. Art M says

    Brian, just saw this lesson and have to tell you that I was in love with it from the first measure on. Thanks for this particular lesson and always for all of the other ones. I’m not a fast finger picker by any stretch. I gravitate to the blues and 60-70’s rock style the most. Take care,

  22. Jay J says

    great lesson and sound. I know you don’t talk to much about equipment but was wondering if you could talk about the setup to get that nice warm sound out of the Strat. Does it have standard pickups

  24. wrightclick says

    Was not keen the first time i heard it second time i fell in love with it a tune from the gods so emotive and needs to be played with feeling. Nailed it phew just before the next Micro lesson is published , we seemed to have ramped it up another notch on AM fantastic .Understand the lesson was not about the chord progression but would like to know how this was created . Solo first then chords found to match or chord progression written first then solo as the the progression is quite complex . Well done Brian this is a a top ten lesson we love gospel blues ,more major pentatonics i’m feeling happy lol

  26. blake d says

    beautiful melody but it goes fast which makes it a bit tough to follow since I try to use the print out at the same time and it is easy to keep getting lost – I thought this might be because of you tube time ,imitations

  32. RobertBlower says

    Beautifully melodic! I was surprised by so many chord changes in the progression and a number of them changing polarity i.e. Amajor , D major etc Yet the notes worked. Thanks for another great lesson

  34. Mickle says

    Brian, I’m continually amazed by the breadth of music genres you cover. EP210 is yet another piece that forces me to get out of a playing rut and try something new. I also appreciate that the occasional pieces are getting longer and more complete, so when I start playing I feel satisfied that it’s music and not just a test or demo. You are helping me stay committed to daily practice and ‘getting somewhere’ in my efforts. Thank-you so much.

  35. Scott M says

    This will be the last lesson I work on before undergoing for hand surgery in a couple of days. Won’t be able to play for 6 weeks or so, so I think I picked a good one!
    On that note, how about a slide lesson for your peeps!

  36. Michael G says

    Brain, I love this lesson!! Gospel Blues is something that I really want to thoroughly learn. Artist like Mike Farris or Marty Stuart and the superlatives (guitarist Kenny Vaughan) are awesome. If you could do more of these type of lessons that would be great. I love what the lead guitarist from Nikki Blumn and the Gramblers does when he mixes major pentatonic blues with country licks and of course some minor licks thrown in. Anyway Brain, thanks for the lessons and keep up the good work.

  40. Philip B says

    For me, when I first learned it , I just was trying to play the notes, do the slides, do the hammer-ons, bends etc. So then you feel like you are getting it, and play along with the rhythm jam track. THEN YOU GO BACK and if you can implement the little nuances, it’s almost like a whole different song. A much more complex and imaginative song.

    Brian, I am trying to decide if the song came out that way because you really spent eons of time to perfect it or are you that talented that it just rolls off of your fretboard like that? ( Obviously your talent is off the charts regarless). Either way, the manner in which every note and nuance is so artistically placed gives this a dual personality of being a fairly simple, yet superb creation!

    • Brian says

      Hey Phillip, I do try to improvise this way – but for these weekly lessons I will give it more thought than I would if I were playing it live. Every time, would be slightly different, but the same general style I guess.

  41. sunburst says

    I just got around to this lesson,, went through this, yes great lesson for learning the pentatonic box patterns, shapes up and down the neck. This is easy fun and great practice with the bends slides and plenty room to toss in some improvisation!

  42. Harris (Sebastian) T says

    Hi, Brian,

    I’m using Firefox and Slow Walk-Through stops frequently—I struggle to stay with the flow—any suggestions?

    Also, my yearly premium membership expires on July 18—I will be able to re-new on July 26—any problem with this?

    And—I love the gospel stuff. When I lived in rural Virginia (Front Royal), I became friends with alan Baltimore, a black preacher and occasionally went to his Sunday services—a brother having a down time—“A song! A song!”

    Regards, Sebastian Tiano

    • Brian says

      Sebastian, this is likely related to your browser. The solution that usually works for people is to close all opened tabs in your browser, close it, and restart it. If for some reason that doesn’t work (and it should), you could always try using a different browser, i.e. Google Chrome, Firefox, etc.

      As for renewing, it will auto-renew unless you’ve canceled your subscription

      Brian

  43. greg505 says

    I have a question about this lesson if someone could answer it. About halfway through Brian goes from a C chord arpeggio to an E which is the 3rd ( I think the lesson is in C). But unless I’ve missed it somewhere Brian doesn’t explain why, which he is normally very good at unless it’s assumed we know. Don’t get me wrong it sounds lovely but are there times when the root and the 3rd sound particularly good together?

  46. David S says

    Thanks Brian,Everything ok now.This is fatastic song.I am 71 yrs old and have learned more from this song than all my yrs of playing.Thanks so much for your talent.Your teaching method is the best. David

  47. Candy M says

    Brian, another fantastic lesson and song. Learning so many great things from you. I was wondering if you ever thought about making an album of instrumentals you’ve written? I’d buy it for sure! I absolutely love you’re tasteful melody lines in all styles of music. It is something one can hum along to with great pleasure. Thanks so much for sharing your talent with us.

  52. Marcel D says

    do you have a lesson on what makes it “gospel style blues”? my interest is worship music but there is so much content im not sure what to be studying (ive searched “gospel and found a couple lessons to work on but only 2 songs) i need direction on where to go.
    thank you

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