Active Melody

Learn to play blues guitar.

Slow Blues Lead Over a Minor Progression – EP153

Description

In this blues guitar lesson, you’ll learn how to play a slowly bluesy lead over an A minor chord progression. I play through the progression 3 times, each time introducing something new. The first time through, I’ll show you how to pick the notes out of the chords, the 2nd and 3rd time I’ll play a blues lead in the minor pentatonic scale, playing a higher position on the neck each time. Make sure to download the MP3 jam track to practice timing.

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

      • Michael M says

        Now that I’ve listened to it again, and learning to play this, I also hear some “Georgia” in there as well. Great lesson, Brian! Thanks for all you do for us “old” guitar hacks. (I’m on the wrong side of 72, and have only been learning to play for about 5 or 6 years now. 🙂 )

        • Jon B says

          Hello Michael M – It seems you like this piece as much as I do. I realize you made this comment several years ago. I am new and have just gotten into it. Was wondering if you ever learned it and could play it. I find it has lots of licks and am struggling with it but learning it slowly but surely. How long did it take you to learn to play it, if that’s fair to ask. I find the middle part hard to play, as I often forget some of the licks. Also, how do you end the piece? It seems Brian just kind of fades out on the progressions but I would like something more definitive as an ending. Any ideas on that?

          Just curious, Jon

  4. Michael J says

    G/day Brian,
    Oh, what a beautiful piece of music. So very soulful and mellow, and so very well done as always. Just hope I can get this somewhere near what it deserves. Thanks again.
    Michael J.

  6. Duffy P says

    Guess Brian agrees with me about the lack of merit of Spirit’s lawsuit against Zeppelin. Lead here is very appealing, and I love the way Brian is now introducing different levels of difficulty within the structure of each lesson.

  12. sciencefiction says

    Now this is one that looks like I could learn in less than a week! We’ll see how that turns out, Ha. I also like it that it is in the key of A, where I have the five patterns (and previous licks) most memorized. Seems like an essential lesson. Fits well with previous recent lessons, and is also something one could build upon, which is my goal–but taking a long time to come, if ever.

    Oh, and I forgot to add, it sounds great too.

  17. Bret S says

    Brian,

    very interesting lesson especially your explanations of the theory behind the music. I ‘m right at the stage where i’m memorizing all the notes on the fretboard and hearing the scales and theory behind the notes is very helpful. I have suggestion that i hope you will consider.

    1) In your tablature breakdown, can you add a page that shows a specific chart of the chords you used in the rhythms ? When practicing, Sometimes i go straight to the tablature and when I don’t remember where you played a particular chord, I then have to go back through the video. I also will use your chord progressions and play them into my looper at different tempos and improv based around your licks. Showing the chords and locations where you play them would be very helpful because i’m really lazy 🙂

    thanks again, Bret

  19. Bill W2 says

    I’m a fan of your narratives, no complaints as they allow me to understand (and relearn) what your intent and methodology are all about. i like the lessons which incorporate “walk-downs” and how they can be applied in chord progressions. thanks again, Brian

  20. Bill C says

    Late night music just as the place is closing.
    P.S. I was inspired to buy a copy of a guitar the same as you have because I’ve seen you use it before but this song is the best example of it’s tone

  23. Lewis M says

    Really dig this. The tension the c sus 4 gives, resolving to the c. The bluesy slides. That wonderfully familiar lick in c, kinda like in ep041, or at least I think it is that one, I have played it somewhere from your lessons. Oh yeah, love the natural minor note, spiced it up. Great job!

  32. Robert J says

    great lesson, and yeah you don’t talk too much. We need it all. the last section, with the double stops into the E chord. I’ve always heard of the those formations were called the “Memphis scale”. I use them a lot. Thanks again for great instruction.

  33. Eel1948@aol.com says

    Just curious…..why don’t you write using key signatures? For those with little background in music theory….double sharps? It also loses the concept that chords are built by stacking thirds. For example, C E G A#. Yes G to A# is a minor third, but alphabetically it appears to be a second. C E G Bb, creates the stacking of thirds. Generally when making 7ths you flat the 7th degree, rather than raise the 6th. I’m not trying to challenge Brian, I think this is the best online guitar method out there. I am a premium member, and the price is ridiculousy low! Thanks Brian, guess I’m too used to thinking G to Bb when I’ in the Key of G!

  34. wrightclick says

    Arguably the best composition yet you have to put some feeling into it and give it some lol . I could loop round on this one all day long .Fab . Just a thought it would be interesting to see how you would attached a middle eight (think you yanks called it a bridge) on to this piece . Is their a clue in the chords used where to go or what to use for the bridge section generally.

  35. drlknstein says

    hey B- don’t change anything- your lessons are good and I am certainly in the half of the audience that you would lose if you changed to whatever Eel was talking about- ( all due respect to Eel and no offense)
    – and keep talking..hell- talk more- I need all the help I can get. The walk down in the beginning reminds me of an old Johhny Rivers song- Summer Rain- and those 2 notes outside the pent scale will become part of my bag o tricks…thanks

    lil blind majic herman

  36. Badger (4FingerPhil) says

    Wow! I sooo can’t wait to get going on this as soon as I have time alone!! I have been hoping for a slow moody blues track Brian. EP041 got me signing up to AM 2-3 years ago and this one is beautiful! Keep talking, im learning!! Thanks Phil

  37. Jerry S says

    Brian, I just have to add my appreciation for your guitar instruction. I’ve been playing for more years than I care to admit, and I finally feel progress and more satisfaction with my playing. Your lessons are the best I’ve found – and the value of premium membership is unbeatable, a fact that anyone who has taken lessons in person will understand.

    That is all!

    Jerry

  43. colin m says

    Good stuff really enjoyed it I have only recently bought a electric guitar but played fingerstyle acoustic for a good few years as such I have always been looking to link chords and intervals with melodic licks wich is probably why I like some of your lessons.With your help I am improving fast actually applying the theory that I know and understand.I have the physical and theoretical skills but this just brings it all together nicely. Thank you so much.

  48. Michael M says

    I agree with all of the above. Did I cry a little? Yes… I’ve been working a lot with EP127 (solo blues in A), and for me this is a great complement for working on similar positions up the neck.

  55. Troy P says

    Wow I have been trying the other lessons and feeling I am getting no where then bam I just get the feel of this. Music I have wanted to play and sound like all my life finally just clicked with this track. the feel and rhythm are outstanding.

  56. Troy P says

    Wow I have been trying the other lessons and feeling I am getting no where then bam I just get the feel of this. Music I have wanted to play and sound like all my life finally just clicked with this track. the feel and rhythm are outstanding. and i find myself adding and improvising around with it also. THANKYOU

  59. Jon J says

    Thanks for this great lesson, I have been playing or should I say trying to play Guitar for a few years, I have done countless lessons and I can’t play a single one from memory.
    Yet your lessons once learned are a pleasure to play and really connect in a way you don’t forget them.
    I have played this lesson on an acoustic guitar and it sounds amazing.

    Thanks so much for the lessons

    Jon

  60. Terry W says

    This is a beautiful melody, but it’s sort of difficult to memorize since it’s an (I suppose) original. Not being able to memorize the tune makes it hard to feel the right notes.

  62. ste uk says

    Have become addicted to this one.. so much in it! For some reason I keep hearing Mark Knopfler Fade to Black..

    This one and the David Gilmour lesson are my top favourites and my guitar playing has really come on since I found your site.. keep up the great work..

  66. Adrian Z says

    Hi Brian. Just signed up today and working through this very enjoyable lesson. Have (kind of!) got through the first 2 sections and I thought you said you had just a backing band version to play with. I might be missing something obvious but can’t find that track. Could you point me in the direction?

    Cheers

    Adrian

  71. Randall F says

    Are you playing bars 17 and 18 the same way on both the Youtube and the Soundsliced versions? The way the 18th bar is played on Youtube and the way it’s written on the tab seem different.

  72. Paul S says

    Similar to the lost chord, i’ve searched for guitar tutors that understanding where learners will run into difficulties and what with. musical theory is very important but it’s not why i picked up the guitar. it was the aspiration to be able to play beautiful music – like this. Thank you Brian…..my search is over.

  74. sunburst says

    I can’t recall any slow blues with such feel and precision using tab and video ! ..the sound slice metronome with the tab measures .. replayed every little soft vibrato Brian’s feel is like so close to Clapton’s masterpiece guitar solos.. Certainly enjoyed this one of the best slow tutorials on AM this Saturday morning! time to get outside now! lol cheers Brian for your solo masterpiece as well!

  75. barry says

    Hello Brian

    Love these Throwback Thursdays!!

    Just keeps reminding me of another Awesome lesson to Re Visit.

    Its also Amazing too see , week in and week out,

    You Building this Ever Growing,

    List of Brilliant Tunes and Tutorials!!

    Wonderful Playing as Always!!

    Peace

    Barry

  77. Thomas L says

    Just started taking guitar lessons again after 20 years. I can play notes till I’m “blue in the face” but doing them along with your backing tracks makes it more fun. I have never played in a band nor with any kind of backing track(s)…’tis gonna take some time for me to get the “timing”…….but you make things soooo much easier to learn. Many thanks for these great lessons and backing tracks……AWESOMESAUCE !

  80. John s says

    I really enjoyed listening to this one. It must be nice to be able to play almost any genre of music with finesse, skill, expertise, subtlety, flair, panache, elan, polish, artistry, virtuosity, mastery, i could go on… Virtuoso probably covers it! Thanks! John

  82. Max G says

    LOVE…LOVE…LOVE…
    To me the opening walk down with the melody is also very reminiscent of “City of Stars” from “LA LA Land”
    I’m a new premium member and truly enjoy your explanations of why things work the way they do.
    Thanks, Max

  83. Gordon H says

    Great job Brian! Your videos are the best. You really do include a lot of info here, it me a little while to find the chords on my own. It would be good to see the chords that you use since you’ve added some notes to the standard chord. Not complaining I just want to put my own rythum track on my looper. Thanks again for a great song!! Gordon

  84. Timothy K says

    I really enjoyed this lesson…thanks! ! I especially like how you explained where the notes were coming from and the tips on how apply some of the licks to other keys. A really pretty song and a lot of fun to play.

  85. Marlon says

    Checking out some lessons from the past couple of years. Wow! This one (EP153) is so far one of my favorite “favorites”. Great job Brian. Sounds fantastic and isn’t a stretch to play at all.

  86. Jon B says

    Obviously, this lesson was a long time ago but I am a new subscriber and just found it and I can’t tell you how much I am enjoying learning this beautiful piece. No Brian you don’t talk too much. We learn form your explanations. I may not play this exactly how you taught it but will have a reasonable fact simile of it. Brilliant piece – I love it!

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