Description
In this week’s guitar lesson, you’ll learn how to play a minor key blues in B minor (although, I’ll show you how to easily transpose this and play it in any key). This is played with a percussive fingerstyle rhythm and requires no jam track – you can play this one all by yourself.
Part 1 - Free Guitar Lesson
Part 2 - For Premium Members
Only available to premium members.
Register for premium access
Register for premium access
Slow Walk-Through
Only available to premium members.
Register for premium access
Register for premium access
Video Tablature Breakdown
Only available to premium members.
Register for premium access
Register for premium access
You need to be logged in as a premium member to access the tab, MP3 jam tracks, and other assets.
Learn More
Add to "My Favorites"
You need to login or register to bookmark/favorite this content.
JohnStrat says
Well this will be another great technique to pick up upon Brain and its a stand alone lesson as well. I am sure its going to prove useful to many members.
Thanks JohnStrat
Don D. says
It sounds great, very November-ish.
thomokel says
Beginning sounds like Roberta Flack. Can you do a Cream era Crossroads like thing or a Crosby, Stills, Nash, Young one?
Tom O’Kelly
Jim M says
That’s my kind of music 🎸
Aussie Rick says
Looking forward to getting into this great little composition and lesson.
Just a small problem Brian: Soundslice is greyed out/unavailable with this lesson, with the message “www.soundslice.com refused to connect” in its place.
Rick
Michael Allen says
On Screen Tab Viewer not visible but I’m sure you must be aware of it. I check back in the morning. Love the tune!
Brian says
Try refreshing
Pat P says
I have the same problem here, Brian – on a Mac
– with the Chrome browser it is greyed out and says “www.soundslice.com refused to connect”
– with Firefox and Safari, it is totally blank – no grey or message.
Marko B says
I have exactly the same problem, refreshing doesn’t help…………..help!
Will L says
It seems to only be this weeks lesson upload, previous weeks still have it (on safari/iPad).
I’ll check back in the morning too, Brian usually sorts these hiccups quickly.
Brian says
Sorry, I’ve fixed this. It was a setting that allowed it to show for me, but no one else. It works now.
Will L says
👍
mike w says
Love that guitar I am getting the step sister not as nice but more in my range since my playing has a long ways to go. Great lesson
Michael Allen says
I look forward to learning this one. Thanks Brian!
Aussie Rick says
Brian, I tried refreshing but it hasn’t resolved the Soundslice problem. Any other suggestions?
Brian says
Sorry, I’ve fixed this. It was a setting that allowed it to show for me, but no one else. It works now.
JoLa says
Awesome, Brian! I love this sweet minor tune and the percussive rhythm and will dig into it very soon! Just wish the mp3 sample was looping for a little longer instead of just once … ?
JoLa says
Just realized why this lesson sounded somewhat familiar, it’s like an extension to ML019, my favorite Microlesson! It has the same chord progression 🙂
Jeff S says
Good observation Jola! I didn’t make that connection and ML019 is one of my favs also- to me 019 has a Santana feel to it no? Be interesting to merge the 2
Brian says
hah – you’re right. good catch! I thought that sounded familiar
Buster89 says
Same problem for me. No soundslice. Still works on the previous lessons. Just this one seems to have a problem. Cheers.
Brian says
Sorry, I’ve fixed this. It was a setting that allowed it to show for me, but no one else. It works now.
Arnold M says
Same comment as Buster89, soundslice works elsewhere, but refreshed a couple times here but still no viewer.
Raymond P says
Great lesson, fun to listen to, fun to play
Thanks Brian,
Ray P
bob e says
Same here with the above problem
Cheers
Brian says
Sorry, I’ve fixed this. It was a setting that allowed it to show for me, but no one else. It works now.
sunburst says
Steve Via ? lol more like the Traveling Wiburys ! Great lesson and as always terrific composition Nice tones settings from that little Sister
sunburst says
A next good extension follow up (after playing through this now) reminds me and started me playing Carlos Santana “Black Magic Woman” solo
Jimmy James says
Great Lesson Brian! I hear “The Thrill is Gone” in chords almost. Love to see a part 2 of EP 281….it works out great at open mic night!!
mike jams says
Awesome! i love these stand alone songs
great job , i always look forward to our new Friday songs
have a great weekend
David M says
Hey Brian –
How about a lesson on a “Boogaloo Blues” rhythm ala “Tramp” by Otis Redding and Carla Thomas – Stax Records 1969?
Would be nice to learn a more R&B-type Blues from the 1960’s.
Something like this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KXJOiAhbSCE
Pat P says
Soundslice there today. Thanks Brian
Buster89 says
Yep. Same here !
John B says
Thanks Brian, The hardest thing for me is getting the percussions correct. If I can get that correct I will get to the next level. Great to play rhythm and melody. Pretty chord progression.
Jeff S says
Brian, thanks so much for your weekly efforts. It can’t be easy trying to be all things to all pickers but week after week you hi it out of the park!
magpie says
Great lesson. I will be getting into this one now. Thanks Brian.
Tony B says
What is the brand of that guitar and where can I buy one?
Brian says
Hey Tony, it’s a B&G Little Sister – shoot me an email and I’ll put you in touch with my contact at B&G
Rob R says
Brian,
How does your B & G ‘Little Sister’ sound unplugged?
Thanks!
Guillermo V says
Such a Clapton lesson!!!!
Craig K says
Brian; I’m into my 3rd year as a member and I have yet to learn one of your lessons all the way thru. But I don’t mind because I’ve learned so many things thru bits and pieces. I’m going to be done with working for a living in 18 months and I’m looking forward to digging in deep to your lessons. You are my favorite teacher , by far. Thanks for all you do.
Brian says
Thanks Craig, no worries on learning a lesson all the way through – lots of folks do that. The goal is really to teach you how to start to improvise and write your own stuff anyway, so as long as you’re learning and growing as a guitar player – we both win 🙂
benny l says
THANKS BRIAN,
GREAT LESSON, SOME GOOD LICKS, AND VERY HELPFUL WITH THE FINGER PICKING !
HOPE YOU AND FAMILY HAVE A VERY VERY BLESSED THANKSGIVING!!
Elliottmo says
Hi Brian
I have been a member from November 20 2011 and have never been more impressed by the improvements I have seen you make over the years, thank you to you and your family Happy thanksgiving. And your Pug !
Respectfully Yours
Michael Bishop
Ian C says
Very nice little piece great for finger picking which I got the gist of no problem…however I am struggling to get any sort of consistency with my back of fingers percussion. It’s either sloppy or too hard, the more I try the less I can get it right! Guess Ill move on and come back to this technique again later.
George K says
What can I say, another great lesson Brian like it. Ta
Robert D says
almost like playing Clapton’s old love in B.. one of my old time favorites, i have started playing old love fingerstyle since this lesson.. very nice
Joe S says
Great feel and swagger on this lesson. The C#7 at 6:35 in part 2 is a II chord and thus this little progression essentially becomes a II-V-I (the most prevalent progression in music) which is why it works.
Chris Christie says
cool thanx
David F says
Your site is just the best Brian! I’m a new member and look forward to getting better over the winter. Just wanted to mention that I LOVED the “Back in Black!” That is, the black screen behind you again for this one. It’s so much easier on both the eyes and the laptop power with the black background that you used to use. Just my two cents–otherwise, the site is purrrrrfect-thanks for doing what you do amigo-
sunburst says
I finally started this lesson this morning!,, this is my favorite style of playing,, from my perspective this reminds me of fingerstyle techniques and the feel of Mark Knophler .. what a great turn around too..never would have made that up myself ,,lol.. appreciate the time and key signatures too ,.. eventually will help reading staff notation
Annie V says
Love this piece, thanks again Brian
Timothy K says
Had a lot of fun learning this one. Especially like you you explain why the licks work and how they fit into the pentatonic scales and chords we’re using. Thanks!
Dennis O says
BRIAN
Notices your B&G guitar. I just got one (mint used private build) though mine’s a cut-out . Super sweet. Its a higher-end guitar than my limited talents deserve but I’m in a wheel chair and have back issues so wanted a small-bodied light-weight electric that packs some punch and this delivers. LOVE LOVE LOVE it
My question: What gauge strings to you use on yours? The ones on mine seem pretty stout (previous owner didn’t know what gauge he had on it), which I’m used to having previously only played an acoustic but I’m trying to learn out to incorporate vibrato to some measurable effect (damn hard for me…really hard) and am wondering if lighter strings might help. Thoughts?
Appreciate your lessons lots. I’m a slow learner but know lots of practice is my key to getting better and your approach to teaching encourages me to keep working on things
Grins
Israel U says
This is so beautiful. I find that I just love minor and minor blues compositions.
Rick L says
great lesson Brian, sure glad I signed up this year. Love the variety.
william d says
Great lesson as always, Brian!
Bryan A says
Awesome lesson! thanks,
I wanted to point out one small thing. In the tab at the end of the second measure is an open D and it should be an open G, 3rd string open, I think you mentioned in the lesson to play it as an open G