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Learn to play blues guitar.

Classic Minor Key Blues Lead (in C Minor) – Blues Guitar Lesson EP256

Description

In this week’s guitar lesson, you’ll learn how to play a minor key blues lead in C minor. You’ll be playing the chord changes as well as staying within the key of the song (explained in the video). This is made up of influences by Santana, Eric Clapton, and David Gilmour. To learn how to play the R&B style rhythm for this lesson, visit MicroLesson ML055

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

  8. jimbostrat says

    This song also makes me think Beatles “She’s so Heavy” written by John Lennon on the Abbey Road album…..same time signature I believe…same minor key perhaps but also with that progression. Easily one of the top most unusual Beatles songs…………and also a great jam!! Jim C.

      • Jim J says

        Hey Brian, Great lesson , as always. When I’m playing 6/8 or 12/8, I tap my foot on the first beat of the triplet. 6/8 kind of becomes 2/4 and 12/ 8 is like 4/4.
        Nice SG. My first good guitar was a 1974 SG. I bought it brand new and put many miles on it.

  11. Rich F says

    Hi Brian!

    I love this lesson! Absolutely beautiful!

    I love the backing track. Would it be possible for you to give a lesson on that: e.g. The strum pattern and the chords, maybe as a Micro-lesson?

    Cheers,

    Rich F

    • wrightclick says

      hell im up for that , its quite easy to pick up though if you can get that walk down rhythm part Brian shows at 18:32 first part .Play the track then quickly get to the tab expand and follow chord symbols

  16. Andreas D says

    Awesome lesson again ! Makes me think a bit of “Since I’ve been loving you” by Led Zeppelin, one of my favorite songs.
    Can’t wait to practice on that. Many thanks for this highlight, Brian !

    Cheers,
    Andreas

  18. Michael Allen says

    At around 18:32 in the Free Lesson Video you go into a Cm walk down but the tab reads 8-10 on the 4th then the 3rd string and then holding the 8th fret 2nd string while bending the 3rd string 10th fret 3 times. I hesitate to ask because no one else has mentioned anything. I’m confused and I must be missing something because I am usually wrong and if you don’t believe me you can ask my wife. Im certain what you play in the video and what’s written on the tab work but I just want to make sure my age and eyesight aren’t working against me.

  21. Philip s says

    Quite intricate, Brian! I’ve been following and learning from all the lessons you post for free and I am truly grateful. Now that I have joined your community (for free) I have even more to be grateful for. I’m still saving for that Premium membership which I think I will get at the same time as I purchase a new guitar. And while we’re on the subject of new guitars, that’s a very nice SG you’re holding in the video but I really can’t believe you didn’t offer your inner “Angus” as a first lesson on it!!!

    Cheers from New Zealand.

  24. sunburst says

    wow! Right away for me I heard Gilmour ( shine on you crazy diamond) , I do hear Clapton too cool feel and bends in minor solo pentatonic.. I was away last few weeks hardly any time for routine AM lessons..settling down going to really enjoy this lesson a lot! thanks Brian, I do hear Clapton too

  25. sunburst says

    Just half way through your 1st intro video tutorial,, really cool hearing the Santana (understanding much and you are doing excellent job helping visualize the connection of the minor scale shapes ( harmonic natural minor and the pentatonic) hear Santana Clapton Gilmour BB Kking licks with good feel instructional too..really cool lesson!

  26. Bert C says

    Hello Brian, wonderful guitar lesson revolving around c. Whether it is intentional or happenstance, many of your lessons complement Tim Pierce’s guitar lessons. I spent some time learning one of Tim’s recent lessons and his lesson and this lesson that you have provided, overlap very nicely. Finally, I appreciate the excellent insight relating to music you offer on a weekly basis. Sincerely, Bert Clark

  27. Bert C says

    Hello Brian, wonderful guitar lesson revolving around c. Whether it is intentional or happenstance, many of your lessons overlap Tim Pierce’s lessons. Not complaining! Finally, I appreciate the excellent insight relating to music you offer on a weekly basis. Sincerely, Bert Clark

  28. Bert C says

    Hello Brian, wonderful guitar lesson revolving around C. I can clearly see now why Jimi Hendrix loved playing out of C. Finally, I appreciate the excellent insight relating to music you offer on a weekly basis. Sincerely, Bert Clark

  30. drlknstein says

    as usual- I fall in love with the backing tract on the lead lessons- I am more of a rhythm player- lacking speed on lead runs- so i play em slow…ah so what… I think they sound good….
    anyway this melody – reminds me of “loan me a dime” by Boz scaggs and duane allman…one of my all time favorites..and I love the walk down at 18 mins in part one..

  33. Layton B says

    Great lesson (no departure from the past)……..i notice in this lesson and the last that the “On Screen Tab Viewer” had a bug…..maybe its my computer…..but i notice when using this in reduced speed that the end of the lesson (last line or so) the audio turned off. In 80% mode it was a couple of music lines (no sound) and with 90% speed this reduced to about a line of music ….on full screen mode. Thought you might check this…..again maybe it my Mac.

  34. Dory says

    wow, my guitar is having a melt-down, and my brain is telling me play on through all the ‘others’ in ‘there’ but I hear,, yup,, Gilmour clearly ,, shine on you crazy diamond ! cool lesson thanks Brian, man what we’re you thinking on the morning walk??

  35. Steven O says

    Hi Brian.
    I love the tone from the latest Clapton, Gilmour, Santana lesson. Can you describe your rig? Are you playing through an amp or a modeling pedal (I.e. Line 6)? If an amp, which one and setting? The SG sounds fantastic

    Steve

  39. Steven m says

    I’m so used to playing blues, major or minor, in a 12 bar format, that I’m having trouble feeling comfortable with this progression. I’d like to hear
    a rhythm track outlining these changes.

    Thanks for all the great lessons !

  47. Ian C says

    Hi Brian, another Aussie here. I’m a Dobro player and the three fingered picking works in place of the hybrid style you use. Your teaching style is great and I would recommend you to all. I have tried to use my ring finger, but it lacks strength, and the others just take over. You had me confused when you started with the G sharp chord, then I said hang on that’s A flat that’s why it works. I use A flat in my endings on Dobro it works a treat, along with B flat, E flat. Keep up the good work. Ian C.

  48. Robert M says

    Brian I can’t say enough about this lesson, I love it! I’m hearing Albert King a lot and Clapton all over the place. I had resorted to a G7 in bar 17 but the G9 definitely works better.

  51. Daniel R says

    Hi Brian
    Thank you
    I have the lead down but this song was a walk down similar to Eric Claptons Old Love.
    It’s lead is in the key of A but not sure the song is in the key of A. I’m interested in this Key of C walk down. It would be, nice if you could provide, the chords or notes used in the walk down. I was a bass player that moved to lead and find it beneficial to try to learn the cord changes. I think it helps.
    Thank you
    UDaMan

  52. Paul S says

    Damn that’s beautiful! Can’t wait to get to this one. Brian, you have such a talent for creating study pieces that are not too technically difficult but sound amazing, making me feel like a pro!

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