Active Melody

Learn to play blues guitar.

Slow, Laid-Back Blues Lead Guitar Lesson – Played Fingerstyle – EP318

Description

In this week’s guitar lesson, you’ll learn how to play a slow, laid-back lead over a J.J. Cale style jam track. This lesson focuses less on technique and more on dynamics. Most of the lead is played in Dorian Mode – I’ll show you how to easily find Dorian mode by adding 2 notes to the Minor Pentatonic Scale.

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

  2. deece says

    Brian,

    I have been “looking at” your free lessons for many years, and only recently joined as a Premium member. I just have to say that, over the years, I have had the pleasure of watching you grow in your guitar playing. As a result, it seems, with each passing week you have carried us right along with you.

    You never cease to amaze me with your music “exercises,” which, in themselves are often quite beautiful just to listen to, and even more of a joy to play.

    If I had to do all over again, I would’ve never gotten all of the other million or so online lessons I’ve struggled with over the years and would’ve just stuck with yours.

    Thanks for your good work.

    (By the way, thanks for explaining how you got soul from seeing Ray Charles as a kid. Honestly, I have wondered about this as I watched and listened to you play.)

    Best wishes,

    Dr. DFC
    Rio Claro, SP
    Brazil

  4. ranja says

    So,I have been working on you last J.J. Cale rhythm lesson for all these years.
    I think i have it under my fingers.
    Still work to do.
    Always something to work on Brian.
    Thanks as always.
    Ron

  5. Ian M says

    I am so looking forward to diving in to this. I love the soulful “ simple “ sounding solos played by JJ Cale, and immediately felt the same sort of vibe in this lesson. Thanks so much. Ian

    PS. I hope no one misunderstands my use of the word simple. JJ Cale’s music is far from simple, it’s just that’s how I hear it.

  6. sunburst says

    Reminded me first of a Mark Knophler.. I really like my Fender strat too.. nothing sounds like a good strat! I’m going to jump right on this tonight.. I just did ep140 just so many cool lessons to fall back on too! okay lets pop some strings!lol

  12. jimbostrat says

    Makes me feel like the lights just went down……….half the theater monster tub of popcorn already eaten and the movie begins………….Jeep Renegade driving through the dusty desert with just the intro background music playing with credits………..this!! Jim C.

  14. Jay Guitarman says

    Hi Brian, I heard this once. It’s just unbelievably good. Will I ever reach this master level? I have already learned so many tricks and theoretical foundations behind it…. I keep on trying, because this is just so awesome good!

  15. charjo says

    Another awesome lesson, Brian. My first area of study now is your background progression and rhythm. Is it fair to say you come up with a progression before you create these beautiful leads or do they happen together?
    John

  17. Raymond P says

    Another great lesson Brian,
    Although I can’t master the lessons as they come out each week they have increased my overall guitar playing and knowledge tremendously. Keep up the good work.

    Thanks again for your wonderful guitar lessons

    Ray P

  22. drlknstein says

    RE: response to charjo

    thats remarkable the way you create these lessons..
    you are teaching us to improvise
    and you start by creating a simple chord pattern and then you improvise over it
    and then refine it….thats why it works!!!
    wow.. anyway nice lesson i needed a refresher on minor stuff and this is perfect. thanks

  25. Mark C says

    Brian, I love your lessons and watch faithfully as a Premium. My problem is that I can’t match what you’re playing to the chord progression because you don’t always refer to it—like here. So I don’t know what notes you’re selecting because of the chords. Anything won’t go with anything. The video tab is great but I’ve already struggled with the lesson. What do you advise?

  27. Mark K says

    Great song and tutorial, Brian. I am a huge Mark Knopfler fan (as can be seen from my internet avatar) and I can hear him ring through your playing in this lesson. However, I wonder what amp and guitar settings you are using?Thanks

  28. Andy N says

    Just sounds effortless. Really good lesson for me this one.
    That first Dire straits album is one of my all time favorites. Chock full of tasty laid back grooves and licks. Mark Knopfler must surely have had JJ as one of his influences,
    Notice that this is a Dorian chord progression as well with the VI Chord being a Major Chord. Not sure if that’s a necessity in order to use Dorian but I guess that helps make it sound so right! From what you say it should work on other minor chords everywhere. Guess there’s only one way to find out!

    • RobertBlower says

      Loved this lesson. I was wondering what set up you were using for this one. I know much of the tone is within the fingers, but was curious as to the type of pedals you used, if any. My sentiments are similar to above follows, Your lessons are simply the best, and my playing has improved greatly because of your instruction. Thanks for all the effort you make, to help us enjoy the magic of the guitar. Robert

  30. Maradonagol says

    Love this lesson Brian, yes understatement is powerful especially if you play for a real audience not other guitar players…..non-players deeply appreciate this style….thanks and congrats !!

  33. San Luis Rey says

    Ok, It’s Monday and I’m starting to get this weeks lesson a bit better. Thanks for recommending staying with fingers instead of a pick. That sound can’t be had otherwise. Just roll the volume up a bit and control it with the right hand. This is a bit of a breakthrough for me. I know it’s not Chet but the pick is down for the week at least! Thanks Brian

  35. Laurel C says

    Have played the audio a dozen times over and still come to the same conclusion. I can’t believe this composition is just confined to the AM classroom. It should be picked up and used in the editing of a movie for background music because that’s where it deserves to be. But remember we heard it here first.

  38. Bubbwe says

    Brian, not sure if this was asked already but I wonder about the rhythm pattern for the backing track. Also how are you getting the echo sort of sound from your amp? Is it just a reverb?

  41. JoLa says

    How can just a few notes sound sooo good??? What a beautiful tone out of this strat, too! Just incredible lesson overall, Brian! I’m trying to figure out why this kind of music gives me goosebumps, is it the intoxicating rhythm or the slow and soulful lead, or the tone, the Dorian mode, or is it because it sounds like JJ Cale or Knopfler ?? … Actually, it reminds me of the 90s song I LOVED and listened to all the time: “Carnival” by Natalie Merchant! That must be it! You really hit the nail on its head with this one (for me) 💖🥰

  44. William C says

    Hi Brian, trying to figure out the structure of the backing rhythm track. It doesn’t seem to be typical 12 bar blues progression. Can you shed some light on how it is set up and if this is a standard blues progression? It seems to be kind of a 1-4-5 with an E added in????

    Thanks, love the way you teach. Have learned a great deal from your lessons.

  46. Michael D says

    Hi Brian,
    Fantastic lesson. I love J J Cale, however I have a lot of trouble with finger style. I know it takes considerable practice, but it would be great if you could perhaps do a micro lesson on the art of finger style regarding right hand, without any actual song or licks. Just to give us a few
    pointers on the technique.

    Regards
    Mike

  47. Robert L says

    I could listen to this all night. My favorite style for guitar, it is a smooth, seemingly effortless melody which is anything but. Love it.
    I have come a long way from three chords and a seventh since I discovered you and I am profoundly grateful for your teaching style and the carrots you put out there for us in the form of music like this. Nice job, Brian, and thank you.

  50. David B says

    I’ve been a member of this site for just over two years. This cat, IMHO, is probably the best instructor on the net. And, this particular lesson is ridiculously simple with a sophisticated and mature cool-warmth. This lesson is the daddy rabbit! Fantastic! Thank you, Brian……..

  51. Robert M says

    This is the kind of tune you want to play when you try out a guitar in a music store. No pick, no distortion or any gimmicks, just DYNAMICS!

    Damn Brian, do you ever hit a bad note?

  52. Tom D says

    This number has such a great feel. The timing is difficult but if you get lost you can jam along using the F minor pentatonic and the E major scale (F minor Dorian). I love playing it.

  54. Xavier-Luc L says

    Two or three weeks before harvest (Montpellier, Bordeaux and Valladolid) and two weeks free to enjoy and to practice your lessons Brian.
    It is a daily pleasure ,even if it is only 10 mn, to play your melodies.
    Good job!
    Best,
    Xavier-Luc

  57. essensian says

    This is another grest lesson – thanks Brian. 🙂
    You mentioned early on that it is a minor key blues but I don’t think you said which key.
    It seems obviously F# minor because it starts there, but because of the other chords E, A and B I am not sure if that is right.
    Any further explanation of this would be much appreciated.

  58. jaystrings2@aol.com says

    I’ll bet ole JJ is smiling. This is my new favorite piece. JJ Cale was among the top – love his music. Now you go and and create something “in the style of” that wonderful to be able play. Can’t get it out of my head – and that’s a GOOD THING . Jay

  59. Hrry T says

    Brian. Really learning a lot from your site and enjoying it. I really love the tone you have on this particular piece. Would you mind sharing what you are using in the signal path? If we knew that we could better try to emulate the nuances of your playing to improve our touch. That is a big part of playing well I think. Thanks.

  62. David H says

    Hi everyone at AM, this morning i have finally managed to play this piece (first one learned after becoming a premium member) all the way through. I’m so pleased with myself, after noodling around for years i feel that as i’m now part of the AM community i’m actually learning properly structured music. Thanks Brian.
    Dave from Scotland

  63. David S says

    Brian, Skipped over this lesson because it sounded hard.Came back to this one and started trying to play without pick.Sounds great.Really like this style.Every time I think it can’t get any better you come out with another one.Having a ball with this one.Hope you do some more like this.At 73 years old you have made a senior very happy to play guitar again.Keep up the good work and thanks for all you do for all of us. David

  64. Jim K says

    Well Brian, I can say this for sure, my timing has improved “Plenty” with this composition.

    Thank You

    I have a ways to go, but nearly not as far as before I started this number. I’ve been working on getting this under my fingers and soon will attempt the backing tracking w/o your guitar. this is a real catchy tune and a lot of fun to practice. I need to find more like this.

    Regards,

    Jim

  67. KEVIN S says

    Brian – it is such a pleasure to study under you. Your taste, creativity and your literate descriptions of what you are doing is so refreshing. So many of the “lessons” found on the web are basically guys showing off a few things they know and teaching nothing. Thank you!! Kevin

  73. Hermanoperreza says

    Not easy to learn and not complicated either – the melody is very nice – when a melody is nice it will encourage to learn. This peace of music really motivates to learn everything about this kind of music. Even the goal is to educate students, a very nice peace of music will give a lot of motivation how to master the guitar fretboard. Music theory and a nice peace of music is a great combination.

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