Active Melody

Learn to play blues guitar.

Learn how to play the chord changes over a blues composition – No accompaniment required – EP298

Description

In this week’s guitar lesson, you’ll learn how to play a blues lead that doesn’t require any rhythm or accompaniment because you’ll be “playing the chord changes”. This is a technique in which you outline the notes in the chords with your lead, resulting in a more sophisticated sounding solo. This is perfect for those of you that feel stuck in the pentatonic scales.

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

  8. Ian C says

    Superb piece, thanks Brian.

    Just on the subject of tabs, I always used to print off the tab and have it in front of me as a reference as I worked though the lesson as Brian presents it.
    However, I now avoid that and focus concentration on first listening to the lesson, then working through the lesson a couple of times with my guitar. I find not having the tab as back up has actually helps develop my ear.
    I then generally print the tab as a swift reference for if I just forget a section as I’m playing through alone.

  10. Patry C says

    Hello Brian,
    Excuse my English but I’m a french guy lost in a small village. That’s the magic of internet. I just wanted to tell you that I love your weekly lessons. It fits exactly with what I was looking for. Thanks a lot.
    Christophe

  11. sunburst says

    woohoo! l Cool jazzy blues lesson! added to favorites.. Brian good sense your intro,, I am finally understanding chord structures dinatonic major/minor relatives and everything in between.. 1-4-5 major 2-3-6 minor building chord shapes using notes and understanding the term ” Phrasing” excellent lessons thanks man!

  16. Chris S says

    Honestly Brian the best thing I ever did was become a Premium member. The “no accompaniment necessary” angle you have taken with your lessons is such a good idea, and the diverse range of categories means that people like me can develop a whole range of styles and skills. Keep it up pal.

  17. sunburst says

    I might have mentioned this already but again, like how detailed you were connecting the dots here..just watching ,listening and playing along with the lesson intro video,, has me almost done!.. going to now use soundslice than slow walk through and finally the jamtrack with improvisation! .. I understand the progression and chord structure and how to find those melodic licks/phrases following the 1 B7 is the 4 E m7b9 to the 2 C#M7 to the 5 F#mb9 .. so in jazz communication terms this progression is a 1-4-2-5 ? anyway going to learn it,, ty much! like that guitar’s tone too!

  19. Brent N says

    Hi Brian;

    Thanks for another great lesson.

    I’m not sure if anyone has responded to your request for the inspiration on measures 3-4 (as well as 15-16) on lesson EP298 but here’s my shot at it. Initially I was thinking Chet Atkins and then just today it came to me: it may be Steve Howe from Yes and ‘The Clap’. He does it descending however.

    Anyway it sounds great and adds a nice colour to the piece.

    Thanks again.

    Brent

  20. Rodney W says

    At first I thought “Another beautifull composition from Brian but it’s not Blues. “ Then I reminded myself that Blues can be expressing a happy or sad feeling, and for sure this piece is happy and expresses that feeling, so yes it is blues!

  24. Paul M says

    Brian,
    I watch a lesson and think this is what I am going to concentrate on, surely he wont come up with something I like more than this…………and then you go and spoil it all, by playing…this bloody magnificent lesson!
    I just wish I could learn them in a week (or even 3)
    Thanks as always.

  25. Alexandre F says

    It´s so rewarding playing this song with all worthwhile information about minor and major scales plus the variety of chords and how can we use them on different positions of the neck such as the chromatic disposition of notes around the chord which sounds so jazzy and dynamic to override your fingers on… This is one more of type of songs very important to achieve my goals a crucial standpoint of progression and success as a guitar player. I just can´t stop sometimes playing this over and over 🙂

  26. Jason Track says

    I cant’t explain it, but the harmonized melody on the 6th and 5th string immediately made me think….”The Flintstones”. Great approach as always Brian, stressing to understand shapes and. their relationships to better understand and utilize the fingerboard. Great stuff!

  27. rjwheeler says

    Wow; when I listened to you play it, I loved it immediately but knew it was well beyond my skill level. I printed out the tab anyway and started working through it with you and have found that it is not beyond my skill level. Having so much fun with it. Thank you for your ingenuity and the careful way you connect everything together.

    Bob

  28. Paul L says

    After a Herculean effort on my part I got my sometimes stiff and stumbling fingers to complete your arraignment. It took me 5 days ; at least two hours a day but I did it. This was a BREAK THROUGH for me. I learned the arraignment and lots of great theory. After years of playing I feel like I can finally play guitar.
    Grazie mille

  31. Greg H says

    At 14:42 you say “It may be a bit overwhelming for you depending on where you are at” Well it took a bit but I got it!! (Well that bit of it so far) Very satisfying when a beautiful riff comes together and its me that’s doing the playing. Thanks Brian. This is a nice one!

  33. Tom D says

    Hi Brian,

    This is a great number and I got it off a lot faster than the recent fingerstyle number, although I can’t play it as fast as your fast version. My speed is about in the middle of the fast and slow speeds, but this is comfortable for me. Next week’s lesson also looks like a good one.

  34. Ricky O says

    After 1st hearing this one, I almost skipped it because it seemed like it might be complicated. But after giving it a try, it turns out is actually pretty easy! And it has a nice fun flow to it…

  36. Cary says

    I forgot to mention, the theory really started to gell with me with this lesson, too. It’s exactly as you say Brian, bit by bit with practice the concepts fall into place. This is the absolute escape from the stress of reality 🙂

  37. Cary says

    Hey Brian I was just listening to Joe Pass play How HighThe Moon on his Virtuoso album and I do believe he briefly played something similar to the harmonized melody you have in this fantastic lesson.

  38. sunburst says

    lol, I love this stuff man! lol added to October 2019 list so far 321 304 298! so far.. going to learn too easiest ways on how to transpose keys too

    i do have ideas and good teachings using circle of 5ths/ 4ths just takes practicing ty again

  39. Michael says

    another great lesson. I am confused about naming conventions for the pentatonic scales. At 9 minutes in you say that you are playing the 4th pattern of the major pentatonic scale.

    Am i right in saying that this is correct names for the patterns…. G (1), E (2) D(3) C(4) A(5). What you are playing looks like the D pattern which is 3. I think i am missing something here.

    Michael

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