Hi Barb,

Question 1).

I don’t think there are any rights or wrongs here. I’d say it’s more common to hit the 4 chord tones on the first thing you play in the bar of the 4 chord so generally on or around beat 1 (but that in itself is a musical choice). You can hit the 4 chord tones on the final beat of the 1 chord bar too and that sometimes sounds good, like heralding the arrival of the 4 chord. It works particularly well in something like a 1-4-5 blues where the chord changes are so familiar to the listener that they’re anticipating that change. Brian’s illustrated frequently in his lessons.

Question 2)
Again no fixed rules (it’s music right 😀). When you start playing something, it’s a good idea to strike the chord first, as that makes it clear to the listener what you’re playing and follow it up with a response lick. But once you’ve done that a few times and the listener is aware of the progression you’re playing you can switch it around and play the lick first then the chord. Or you can get clever and play a lick that uses the chord tones and highlight the chord just via the lick. Or you can play a pentatonic lick and let the listener fill in the chord for themselves. If the progression is strong enough that will work too.

If it sounds good, it is good!

Hope that helps more than it confuses
Andy

Hi Barb, the short answer to your questions is “Yes!”.
In other words, it can all work, but generally:
1. Hit the chord tone of the IV chord on the first beat of the 4 chord.
2. Often hitting the chord first gives the ear a context in which to hear the lick, especially when playing by yourself.
But sometimes the lick has enough chord tones in it that you could put it first. Also the backing track, or your band when live, sets the harmonic context, so the lick can stand on it’s own. Which sounds best to you in the situation you’re playing in?

As with most things music, your ear is your best guide. Listening to a lot of the music you like helps develop your sense of things, then experiment with your own playing. It will all begin to come together with practice.

Hey Barb, those are excellent questions, and the above answers are pretty much what I would say. Just one more thing I would add: Check out some of Brian’s “call and response” lessons, which provide good examples of the answers to both your questions. Maybe they would show up in the lesson Search, not sure. We even had a Call and Response monthly challenge once, where Brian played a lick (the Call) and we had to play a lick or a chord as the Response. I can’t remember when that was, but maybe some member with a photographic memory could.

Barb,
Here is a great lesson that clearly answers the question(s) you are asking. Like those have said before, there is no wrong way but this lesson provides some context for your ear. You might want to check the other lessons which proceed this one. Good luck and have fun. Also, let your ear be the judge.

Blues Phrasing Mini-Series (3 of 3) Playing The Chord Changes – EP313

I was very interested in this topic and found the answers and lesson examples quite helpful so, thanks everyone!