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Jazzy, Blues Lead Guitar Lesson in B Flat (Includes “Out of the box” Licks) – EP352

Description

In this week’s guitar lesson, you’ll learn a blues lead that’s played over a B flat shuffle which includes several “out of the box” type licks, designed to make your lead sound more sophisticated. This is perfect for those of you that are looking to add a little more jazz to your blues leads.

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Comments

  1. Chris R says

    March 13, 2020 at 7:53 pm

    Great one for quite a week!
    Thanks Brian!!

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    • Tony (Antone) S says

      March 14, 2020 at 4:39 pm

      We all have extra time this week can we get something extra something extra special to work on ? Early than next Friday!

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    • roland b says

      March 17, 2020 at 4:25 pm

      Is Brian playing an epiphone Sheraton elitist??? If so how do I ask him his opinion on the instrument?

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      • Jon B says

        March 17, 2020 at 8:14 pm

        This lesson is very artsy. I love it! Very creative Brian!

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  2. JohnStrat says

    March 13, 2020 at 7:58 pm

    Sounds like a interesting lesson here.. I always love the jazz slant in blues so this is going to be fun.
    JohnStrat

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  3. Michael Allen says

    March 13, 2020 at 8:03 pm

    As always, every week, I love it! I can’t wait to learn this one. Thanks Brian

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  4. Bill B says

    March 13, 2020 at 8:20 pm

    Wow, this sounded fantastic! I’m sure it’s loaded with some great nuggets as well. Really looking forward to digging into some uncharted territory
    ( for me at least).
    Once again, you never disappoint! Thanks so much

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    • John J says

      March 15, 2020 at 3:59 am

      yes yes

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  5. Jim M says

    March 13, 2020 at 8:28 pm

    This will be fun to work out.

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  6. sunburst says

    March 13, 2020 at 8:29 pm

    Brian and just when I was thinking how much better can it get here @ Active Melody !!!! lol man I am so smiling knowing what is next to have fun here! wow really cool !

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  7. Tony says

    March 13, 2020 at 9:04 pm

    Really like the sound of this one, can’t wait to get started,
    Thanks again Brian.

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  8. jerryeaton says

    March 13, 2020 at 9:04 pm

    Thanks for the lesson awesome lesson Brian. I have been seeing a lot of the recovery efforts on the news for the people affected by the tornado. Lots of great work by the people of Nashville and especially the country music community. I hope you and your family didn’t sustain any damage or hardships. I have been a member since you posted the B B King Blues video in 2010. Everything I know, I learned from your videos… I just wish I knew everything in your videos. Thank you for all the great lessons. Looking forward to another ten years.
    Jerry

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    • Brian says

      March 14, 2020 at 7:39 pm

      Wow, going back a decade… you’re one of the longest running members on here – thank you Jerry!

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  9. Rick M says

    March 13, 2020 at 9:11 pm

    Oops, right at the beginning you say you’re barring at the 8th fret but as a B-flat, of course it’s the 6th fret!

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  10. jimbostrat says

    March 13, 2020 at 9:54 pm

    B flat is such a vital (and versatile) key, Brian!! Everyone serious about playing guitar in a band professionally or at least really wanting to play behind a really hot horn section owes it to themselves to master this key or at least get very comfortable and understand all the cool nuances and more sophisticated jazzy blues licks as Brian amply demonstrates here!! It’s most definitely worth the effort!! Jim C.

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  11. iqzero56 says

    March 13, 2020 at 11:08 pm

    Please sir… can I have some more? Best lesson so far… farther out of the box please.. farther…

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  12. Tim Lee says

    March 14, 2020 at 12:39 am

    One of your best lessons ever. Love this style of music and you nailed it !

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  13. Phil B says

    March 14, 2020 at 2:33 am

    Very interesting and informative lesson. You never fail to please Brian and your enthusiasm for your music is much more infectious than any virus!

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  14. Hank V says

    March 14, 2020 at 5:23 am

    FINALLY ! Some soloing material to use with the 100 Robben Ford Bb blues swing lessons out there! Thanks Brian ! I’ve been looking for something like this for a long time. Right on target

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  15. bruce s says

    March 14, 2020 at 6:32 am

    Love these jazzy flavored lessons, keep them coming….

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  16. sciencefiction says

    March 14, 2020 at 6:59 am

    Another fantastic lesson. Has most of the licks from previous lessons, but sounds so cool (and different) when put to together this way!
    Larry

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  17. Duarte F says

    March 14, 2020 at 7:00 am

    what a flashy lesson ! keep it burning Brian 🙂

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  18. jimbostrat says

    March 14, 2020 at 9:37 am

    If you folks love this latest lesson from Brian then trust me……if you haven’t discovered it yet, you owe it to yourself to work on Brian’s earlier and just as fantastic EP031 (Robben Ford style) jazz/blues rhythm course!! Not because I recommended it but because this lesson too is shock full of goodness and concepts!! Jim C.

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    • David L says

      March 15, 2020 at 5:19 pm

      Thanks for this. Missed that one when looking for jazz lessons.

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    • nostril says

      April 11, 2020 at 10:12 am

      Thanks for posting this! Great discovery makes the comments pay off.

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  19. Robert M says

    March 14, 2020 at 10:27 am

    I’m still working on 350 which is my favorite one so far! This one will be next. I’d love to know how your mind works. That Epi sounds great! Better than the 335…..smoother!

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  20. Peter H says

    March 14, 2020 at 11:02 am

    This one just makes me feel happy! Thanks Brian.

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  21. peter v says

    March 14, 2020 at 11:28 am

    thanks Brian, fantastic lesson.I love it.Keep those going!

    peter

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  22. Israel U says

    March 14, 2020 at 11:47 am

    Sounds jazzy! And beautiful guitar too!

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  23. David M says

    March 14, 2020 at 12:32 pm

    Great song and great lesson. Thanks Brian.

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  24. Frederick B says

    March 14, 2020 at 12:45 pm

    Would like to see more stuff like this.

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  25. Raymond P says

    March 14, 2020 at 1:24 pm

    Thanks for the great lesson Brian. Chock full of Light Bulbs.

    Ray P

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  26. San Luis Rey says

    March 14, 2020 at 1:58 pm

    This is such a wonderful lesson Brian! All my favorite blues players blend in some jazz to season their music. Thanks for another gem!

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  27. nostril says

    March 14, 2020 at 2:09 pm

    Love this lesson!Now I can throw a little bit a Jazz on top those blues.Yea baby sophistication plus I call this one
    Thanks Brian

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  28. Eric C says

    March 14, 2020 at 2:42 pm

    Great ideas you are presenting here, Brian! Love it! Thanks!

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  29. Philip B says

    March 14, 2020 at 6:25 pm

    You’ve been putting out some really good ones lately!

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  30. timothy9 says

    March 14, 2020 at 7:55 pm

    Charlie Christian basically lived in B flat. A lot of nice things in this lesson. This is my new favourite.
    Thank you.

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  31. Rajiv D says

    March 15, 2020 at 1:48 am

    Awesome mind bending stuff !

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  32. John J says

    March 15, 2020 at 4:03 am

    this is pretty great. Something to aspire to. I am sure I will have a good a good time making a hash of it.

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  33. David L says

    March 15, 2020 at 7:57 am

    Excellent lesson. More jazz please. Thanks Brian.

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  34. Steve U says

    March 15, 2020 at 4:15 pm

    There I was all proud of myself that I managed to get this down fully up to speed with the tab play-a-long and then get through the whole thing on my own with the slow backing track.
    Just tried to play allow to the full speed version. It was like jumping out of a speeding car and trying to run, I managed about a bar and a half before going A over T.
    oh well, going to go and lick my wounds and then trying again tomorrow.

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  35. timothy9 says

    March 15, 2020 at 8:39 pm

    As another 10 year subscriber, I’ve been meaning to tell you how enjoyable it’s been to watch you grow and change as a musician. The earlier lessons were great intro’s to the styles of great but slowly we’re learning who YOU are as a musician.
    It’s a real treat to listen and learn from you.
    All the best…keep on picking but wash your hands:)

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    • Brian says

      March 16, 2020 at 3:38 pm

      Thank you Timothy! That’ s amazing that you’ve been here that long. I stopped doing the “in the style of” lessons a while ago for the very reason you hinted at. I started realizing that I had my own style, which is a combination of all of the others. Makes it much easier for me to just do something I like, instead of trying to be someone else.

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  36. paul s says

    March 16, 2020 at 1:15 am

    Absolutely a great lesson and I can’t get over what a fantastic comprehensive website you put together
    with just about every feature one can imagine.
    You definitely give everyone something to look forward to on Friday evenings.
    Paul

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  37. Buster89 says

    March 16, 2020 at 1:51 pm

    I love this lesson and the fact you start emphasising on the landing notes, something I always struggle with timing wise.
    In terms of the back catalogue of lessons, I agree with Jimbostrat, EP031 is indeed one of your best composition in that style.

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  38. sunjamr says

    March 16, 2020 at 3:38 pm

    I feel a jazz binge coming on….!

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    • Jeff L says

      April 9, 2020 at 12:08 pm

      Thanks Brian, this is a great lesson. I enjoy playing on an acoustic, but have trouble getting full bends on the G and the B strings and wonder whether I should try harder and not worry about breaking the string? Or just slide up 2 frets instead of bending a full note up? Any advice? thanks, Jeff

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  39. joel l says

    March 17, 2020 at 1:58 am

    Hey Brian, thanks for the lesson!
    I think that the TABS are really not comfortable to read when there is only 2 bars each row.

    greetings

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  40. AndréM says

    March 17, 2020 at 6:34 pm

    Hi Brian, this one is really nice.
    Are you playing the bass on this one?

    AndreM

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    • Brian says

      March 18, 2020 at 12:34 pm

      That’s me – but a little secret.. it’s all played on the keyboard 🙂

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  41. John H says

    March 17, 2020 at 8:20 pm

    YEAH! Cool jazzy licks with bluesy feel. Thanks for putting this together.

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  42. Steven m says

    March 17, 2020 at 9:29 pm

    Brian , Thanks for the great lessons . How about a lesson that features Spanish flavored phrasings that we
    could use to dress up songs like ” When Rita Leaves ” by Delbert McClinton . Many lessons I’ve seen require
    specific chord progressions to achieve the sound . I’d like to flavor my playing and my songs with these sounds .

    Thanks again .
    Steve

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  43. houliAK says

    March 18, 2020 at 12:54 am

    I really liked the explanation of the target notes since that is an area I have struggled with also. The diminished 7th chord explanation hit a “chord” with me too! Great stuff!! Ive been an acoustic player all my life but a buddy lent me his Strat and it was a blast working through this lesson with it. I can see the possibility of an Epiphone Casino in my future because I love that jazzy blues sound. Besides, John and George loved the Casino too.

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  44. Rob P says

    March 18, 2020 at 7:59 am

    Could this be slid down the neck to say play in a G or A key to.

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    • Brian says

      March 18, 2020 at 12:27 pm

      yes

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  45. Les Brown says

    March 18, 2020 at 8:47 am

    Man it must be great to have all that music running through your head. We sure do appreciate that you share it with us. I learn more from one lesson with you than any 10 from other online instructors.

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  46. Mark M says

    March 18, 2020 at 10:17 am

    Just a great lesson this week. I’ve been trying to learn some jazzy fills for a while and this lesson really helps. Maybe some Western swing soon would also be fun. Keep safe – keep them music coming!

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  47. Timothy P says

    March 18, 2020 at 4:44 pm

    Brian, I have always wanted to break out of the Pentatonic/Blues scales while playing Blues, thanks for showing me a little Jazz . Keep the great material coming.

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  48. richie b says

    March 18, 2020 at 4:50 pm

    Yes tasteful . Not quite a decade guy but many years . Always good stuff

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  49. Joel R says

    March 19, 2020 at 7:32 am

    Hello Brian .
    Only 5 years membership,and already 93 bookmarks.
    Great lesson,Great teacher,and Great music .
    As usual.
    I have bought an electro acoustic Hummingbird guitar ,visiting CMA festival 5 years ago .
    Very Nice to play jazz .
    Thanks from France.
    Joe .

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  50. Steve H says

    March 19, 2020 at 2:18 pm

    Brian, this is a really good lesson. I enjoyed listening and learning. Some simple concepts that work well. Really liked the chromatic scale.

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  51. AndréM says

    March 19, 2020 at 6:34 pm

    Damn Brian I do have a keyboard but i cannot get that bass sound, lol
    Its why I bought a bass.

    AndreM

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  52. Peter A says

    March 19, 2020 at 11:40 pm

    Thanks Brian,great lesson,more of this please.But what of all the spelling mistakes ? Is it my computerer yours ?

    “In dis week’s guitar lesson, you’ll learn a blues lead dat’s played over a B flat shuffle which includes several “out of teh box” type licks, designed to make your lead sound more sophisticated. dis is perfect for those of you dat are looking to add a little more jazz to your blues leads.”

    Even in some of the comments.No big deal,just unusual that the same words are mis-spelt.

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  53. Mark B says

    March 21, 2020 at 3:58 pm

    I’ve been doing these for over a year. This is the most challenging one for me so far. Learning a ton.

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  54. Riff Raff 60 says

    March 21, 2020 at 5:56 pm

    This one was a real challenge for me. Forced my fingers into unfamiliar territory but that’s just what I needed. On blues leads I always seem to revert back to comfort zone licks. My play was getting repetitive and boring. You are forcing me to go where my brain dictates instead of where my fingers naturally fall. Great lesson.

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  55. jimbostrat says

    March 24, 2020 at 5:38 pm

    I have to again comment on how great I feel this lesson and this pertinent style of lesson is by Brian………I’ve gone on and on in the past about how great his acoustic blues lessons are and these are still my favorite but Brian also have a great knack of taking some great blues concepts and extending these into colossal complete lessons………with ideas we can take everywhere and use immediately! This one’s no different and Brian also has this gift of reading ahead of areas where we need a repeat in perspective to fully grasp what he’s teaching! Anyone of us can study and practice this Bb blues lesson and shine with anyone……in any key and be better musical blues men and women because of it!! Again, easily one of my top 5 favorite ActiveMelody.com lessons!! Jim C.

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  56. richie b says

    March 25, 2020 at 7:34 am

    just learned the arpeggios and that was easy to follow knowing the dominant 7th arpeggios.

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  57. Jeff L says

    April 9, 2020 at 12:14 pm

    Seems my question wound up as a reply to someone else’s comment earlier… So let me try again:

    Thanks Brian, this is a great lesson. I enjoy playing on an acoustic, but have trouble getting full bends on the G and the B strings and wonder whether I should try harder and not worry about breaking the string? Or just slide up 2 frets instead of bending a full note up? Any advice? thanks, Jeff

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  58. William L says

    April 10, 2020 at 12:31 pm

    Hey Brian from stormy Long Island, Nova Scotia. One more time, great lesson. Lots of challenges for an ol’ guy like me! I was lucky to pick up an Epi ES 339 and I am banging away on this piece. Lovin’ it! Stay safe!
    b

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  59. Lin H says

    April 10, 2020 at 4:31 pm

    Great lesson Brain. Glad to be playing this on my Epiphone ES-335 Pro. It sounds wonderful. Since we are all locked down, you have given me plenty to do, and I can’t think of a better way to spend the lock down playing your lessons. Thank you. I appreciate you.

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  60. Jim K says

    April 24, 2020 at 2:22 am

    Brian, Just what i’m looking for. Great chance to work on my timing. Thanks

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  61. Glenn S says

    April 26, 2020 at 8:04 am

    Gotta’ love this lesson. Lots of info…taking me a long time to get this one into my head and hands. Just fantastic!! A+

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