Active Melody

Learn to play blues guitar.

Drop D, Heavy Blues Guitar Lesson (With No Accompaniment) – EP190

Description

This week’s guitar lesson is a slow and heavy sounding blues that’s played fingerstyle in Drop D Tuning. I’ll show you how to play this composition note for note and will also show you how easy it is to improvise in this style (giving a few examples). Also, this lesson works really well on acoustic or electric guitar.

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

  3. Christian G says

    I would really enjoy also to listen to acoustic version. In such cases in future why not share with us both versions?!?
    I love all your lessons but acoustic versions I love even more!

    Anyway thanks again for delighting us every Friday with your excellent work

  14. david B says

    hi Brian I have been playing guitar for about 35 years started with the Beatles song book just playing chords and singing on acoustic guitar . but now I purchased an electric guitar setup and these lessons are very good for me .I like the blues music . I have learnt a lot from you .I am very pleased

  16. drlknstein says

    brian- it sounds like you got a lil slice of heaven there in your living room- your pets rest peacefully whilst you chase the ” muse”- ………their presence speaks volumes-

    ah….we should all be so lucky-

    as the good Rev. Al Green says…”Love and Happiness”

  20. Allie says

    I flipping loved this! Never tried a drop D before, and this lit up a whole new way to play. Can’t wait to carve out more practice time so I can perfect this piece and then add my own licks. Thanks for such an enjoyable lesson.

  21. Robert R says

    Brian. Love that you give the pedals you are using. Being a new player on electric, I am still learning about different pedals. Also I am new into amps, so if there is information on the amp you are using that would help me decide which one to buy, that would be appreciated. At the moment I have a Roland micro cube but I really want a bigger amp for down the road when join the local jams here. I have the same tele that you are using. Never thought I would enjoy electric as much as I am. That down and dirty sound really tweaks something inside me, I love it. more please.

    • Brian says

      Hey Robert, I tend to stay away from discussing amps because there are always a lot of variables involved. I will say that my favorite amp that I use around the house, and even when I play smaller gigs is a Fender Blues Junior. Small 15 watt amp that sounds fantastic.

      Brian

  23. Steve R says

    Sounds great Brian! Can’t wait to start this lesson soon. You have so many to keep me going
    for over a year.
    Sounds like something ” The Godfather of Grunge ” , Mr. Neil Young would play. Love it!!

  24. wayne s says

    As usual with on screen format I can never seem to grasp all the downloading jargon. The player with the tabs just seems ridiculous. I guess its just me. Its the reason ive wasted so much money on lessons. Brian this is a fantastic lesson its my kind of Jam. I’ve been playing for a long time but using my thumb has always been my downfall but I will keep at it. The lesson is quite easy in itself but the thumb just messes me up. Keep up the good work. wayne

  30. Marty V says

    My favorite lesson yet — I admit I shied away from this because of the Drop D, tuning (I hate to retune) but boy I’m glad I clicked on the audio preview button . A couple of bars and I knew this was a lesson I’ve been looking for.

    Some of the riffs sound almost Doors like … Speaking of which: I don’t know if you have any Robbie Krieger lessons yet, but I’d love to learn some of his licks. The Doors did some great bluesy music.

  31. Alexandre F says

    Awsome! I feel so alive with this one, and it´s my first step into finger style picking althoug I had the first hit on this by playing “call and response blues” in the key of A( EP235) but now with drop D tuning it´s further more intense and Ilike it a lot I feel the power of this on my telecaster and soon I´m going to try with a slide on F5 and G5 chords I think it will emphasis this kind of state of reality … Once again thanks a lot Brian this is the kind of stuff I always kept in my dreams to play someday and now I feel so familiar with it

  32. Frank C says

    Anyone else not able to do the beginning of the song 5th string hammer A to C and pluck the 6th string at the same time? Been working on it, just can’t seem to do it…

  33. Odin says

    I like the lesson but found the tab print out was confusing to what Brian was playing however the tab on soundslice was different and I used screenshots of that glad I stuck with it as it had a nice groove.

    Reply

  34. Dmitri O says

    Hi Brian,

    I love your drop D tuning guitar lessons! I agree, however, with comments above that acoustic version would be a great addition to the lesson. I did not particular liked the sound you got with tremolo effect and it confused me a bit when I learned the piece watching your videos. I appreciate highly if you create more similar lessons.

    Thank you!

    Best regards,
    Dmitri

  35. GEORGE H says

    About EP190 – I have tried for years to simulate Chet or Merle Travis, and the my thumb will not be independent. I play piano and hands are pretty independent, but… Is there a drill to get this thumb thing down and keep it going?

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