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Learn to play blues guitar.

Chicago blues lead guitar lesson – Full breakdown – Jam track from Quist – EP496

Description

In this week’s guitar lesson, you’ll learn a Chicago blues style lead played over a blues shuffle jam track in the key of E. Jam track provided by Quist!

Part 1 - Free Guitar Lesson

Part 2 - For Premium Members

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Slow Walkthrough

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Video Tablature Breakdown

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Comments

  26. Jeff B says

    Great lesson. I really appreciate this lesson going into details on the 12th fret in E. It was refreshing to learn something new instead of my old worn out lick (not that there is anything wrong with it) sliding into the B, and E strings. QUIST did a fantastic backtrack. Again, thanks Brian……you never disappoint!

  33. MrO says

    Can’t wait to dive into this one! You,ve given us so many great lessons it’s really difficult to decide which one or ones to try next!
    This one is now at the top of my list.
    I love AM!!

  36. houliAK says

    The end of Part 2…. Great advice when your practicing …. “Don’t stop, pretend you have an audience!” That has helped me transition through some rough spots! Great licks! will try them over Sweet Home Chicago!

  38. Jerry J says

    The G# on the first string played after the D and F# is the Major 6th of B7 the chord the lick is being played over. The Major 6th seems to fit so nicely instead of the flat 7th which would be A. I am sure it is just an oversight considering how much theory Brian includes in all of his lessons.

  39. Joe N says

    Brian
    Great lesson. Love your comments “Playing to an audience and keep it going., and find your way . I will have spend some time on this one so I don’t have to say wait wait. That was funny.

  46. John Tillis Jr. says

    I have always played in a band that had 2 or 3 guitats? Brian this call and responce is my favorite! I live out in the middle of nowhere and I would love this type of
    Jam track that changes up on the call and responce? Like you play the call and we do the responce.

  50. Marco M says

    appena iscritto, bella lezione ma il sito ha un difetto, quello di non fare scaricare i video sul PC. non conosco bene la lingua inglese e nel video non si può avere la traduzione nella mia lingua. Lo trovo un grande difetto. Comunque complimenti per la qualità delle lezioni.

    just registered, nice lesson but the site has a flaw, that of not downloading videos to the PC. I don’t know the English language well and in the video you can’t have the translation in my language. I find that a big flaw. Anyway congratulations for the quality of the lessons.

  54. Gary C says

    Brian, just revd this lesson on the 21st were others seem to have been playing it on the 17th, but better late than never, and besides I love it. Really this reminds me of the Bock n Roll that we played back in the fifties, with some of the Brit greats that took up the Chicago Blues sound, such as Jean Vincent. Again this is GREEEAAAT.

  55. Stuart R says

    I’m enjoying learning this one. It’s really fun to play & sounds so cool. I watched Clapton play hey hey on YouTube & spotted the part that inspired your lick in barres 20 & 21. Fits so well 😎

  61. Daniel P says

    Brian,
    I know you’re not a huge Johnny Winter fan, but I found a video of someone who is showing how to play ‘Memory Pain’ (one of his best early songs by Muddy Waters I believe), both at regular speed, then 1/2 speed. The really cool part is when the doe gets up and starts licking the guys fingers while he’s playing the slower version. I also think Johnny had a unique style that would be nice to focus on sometime, even though playing at his speed would be a real challenge for most. But Johnny was a master at bends, pulloffs, vibrato, etc. and executed them all masterfully as well as rapidly. I don’t think any of the Caucasian guys loved (or played) the blues as well as he did (my opinion). See: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-cao3OS8Eu4 for the tutorial, or ‘Memory Pain’ from the album ‘Johnny Winter: Second Winter’

  62. Keith S says

    Great lesson again and great comment at the end about playing like you have an audience. I gig live and you can’t stop when you screw up . I try to always figure out a way to hide the error and keep going. Usually go right back to the chorus like nothing happened. Brian exactly correct. Keep going!

  63. Keith S says

    I listened to a John Mayer YT recently about don’t just learn a tune. If you want to become a real guitar player know how the tune evolved and where the part comes from. Brian’s lessons give super understandings of how the theory relates to the playing.

  65. Rick C says

    This will take me years, maybe. It challenges my counting and playing dexterity.

    This is the second time recently when a lesson felt like I had taken the ‘red pill’ and could see how music works. Thank you.
    (specifically the explanation about the diminished scale, chord, arpeggio, and lead. Fantastic).
    (the other time was how a minor chord is built in the top end of a scale).

    I do attempt counting. In the past, I have done exercises for each note type, over chords. Rests in Rhythms are still difficult.

    Thank you, great lesson. Thanks for the work putting it together.

  66. Michael G says

    Hi Brian,

    I just wanted to say I love your lessons. You’re my favourite “go to” when I need inspiration and your yearly subscription is so reasonable. Keep up the great work.

    Cheers,
    Michael
    Australia

  68. Steven F says

    when you go to the dim 7th chord you say that it is the dim 7th of the 4 chord, which would be an A#dim 7th. But isn’t the chord a C#dim 7th with the root on the 4th string? maybe i’m not seeing this right. Thank you.

  69. Mark R says

    Brian –
    The EP496 videos were straight-up blues and blew open the doors for me.
    You’re doing a really good job with the blues.
    You’ve helped me a lot.
    Respect and regards,
    Mark Reynolds

  71. Rob H says

    Wonderful Brian…..another great lesson! I’m a long-time member and just want to let you know how helpful the slow lessons are, both with and without guitar. Getting the fingering/technique is such a key first step for me and makes each lesson much easier to learn when playing at normal tempo……so thanks mate.

  73. Andy A says

    I had a problem with making bar 19 sound right until I added picking a g# on the g string 1st fret at the end of the slide down and before the open e string.

    Did anyone else notice or hear that?

  74. Andy N says

    Just started working on this lesson and beginning to appreciate how many take aways there are in here. From chords, mixing major and minor to diminished runs, all in bite size peices that can be reapplied elsehwere. All that and its sounds awesome too, especially when everyone’s out of the house and the volume can be cranked 🙂

  78. Alexis M says

    Thank you Brian.
    I’ve sponged off your free lessons on YouTube for so long I figured I owe you so bought a premium membership.
    Your teaching style really works for a guy like me with a semi functional ADHD brain. It’s clear and articulate while still being unpretentious and personable.
    Thanks

  80. Lloyd G says

    Hi Brian
    Thank you so much, I love the blues and this is exactly what I want to be able to play. I’m a premium member so have been able to study both Part 1 and Part 2 of the lesson. I am however despite putting in loads of practice really struggling with the speed at which it is played, for me it’s just too fast, I cannot keep up! I can play it at half speed but as soon as as I try to play along with the backing track at normal speed it all goes horribly wrong. I’ll keep trying perhaps one day it’ll happen!!

    • Alexander M says

      Hi Lloyd,

      Try a song that is slower. Its also fast for me. “Baby What You Want Me to Do” is an old song by Jimmy Reed on youtube. Its the same slower blues progression and the lead part on a sax, suits guitar. The beatles sang an accoustic version, “You got me runnin” track on their first reunion after John died. It was at George Harrison’s house in Henley. They were playing Ukeleles. Its on youtube.
      Sandy.

  82. ochomarvo says

    nice, but harder than it looks. ill likely have to revisit this lesson.
    my skills have been diminshing with the eary dementia diagnosis.
    probably will have to quit and sell all my guitars

  83. Travis L says

    This is my first comment. After a few years of watching your free videos, I decided to go ahead and sign up for your full site. I didn’t expect the professionalized education platform. I’m a struggling intermediate player, and you have really help me come along way toward fluency. I’m certainly not there yet. This lesson is very challenging, but I can do it; not well yet. I have learned so much in this one lesson that it will take me weeks to assimilate into my playing. Thank you!

  84. Jerry W says

    Stay on the blues and detailed explanations of the theory of how it all works. Copying a song phrase-by-phrase is no help, it’s understanding the why’s that’s important. I replaced the arpeggio, but it was not difficult. You are the best and I eagerly anticipate each Friday. Thanks a bunch.

  86. Benjamin T says

    I enjoy your lessons, but I have to admit that I get lost when you get into the discussion of moving from your 1 chord to the four chord, and you can play the minor 7 arpeggio here, etc. etc. I don’t know how anyone keeps track of all that, and I find when I even try to, I start thinking about it too much instead of just feeling it. I dunno, maybe I just don’t have that much musical talent and I’ll just learn to play from the tab and that’s it. I had hoped to be able to do more, but I don’t really feel like I’m learning to improvise. Sorry, I don’t mean to bring people down I’m just feeling a little frustrated.

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