Active Melody

Learn to play blues guitar.

Dynamics ideas for your blues lead – EP402

Description

In this week’s guitar lesson, you’ll learn a very slow and simple minor key blues composition that you can play by yourself (no jam track needed). It’s slow and easy (chord wise) so that you can work on dynamics and nuances that give color to your notes. I’ll give you several examples of ones that I use in a blues to make the phrases sound better.

Part 1 - Free Guitar Lesson

Slow Walkthrough

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Video Tablature Breakdown

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Comments

  4. Mark C says

    Somehow you just have the perfect feel for what we need—the mark of a great teacher.

    Will you giv e a lesson on how to do this acoustically, also?

    Also, when I follow the jam track, I’m always a beat or two behind. That would also make a grant lesson, for me at least: How to count in my head. For you it must be instinctive.

    Thanks, Brian. Mark

  11. JoLa says

    Fantastic lesson, Brian – so much to learn here!

    I am, however, somewhat confused at the timing. The signature is 6/8 – ok, so there are six 8th notes in each measure. The count-in starts “1-click-click, 2-click-click” and when you say “3” – that starts the new (first) measure. Why is it 3 and not 1 at the beginning of the measure?

    Also: this is a standalone composition so why does it start with a quarter note pause (in tablature)? What determines that? Why not start on the first beat or the third beat? Does it matter how it’s tabbed out? Or why is it 6/8 time signature and not 4/4 or even something else? Do you just decide before you write a song what time signature it’d be or does it happen organically?

    I guess I need a lesson on timing 🙂 😉

    • Brian says

      You could make it 4 /4 time as well – I use 6 / 8 if it’s a really slow tempo like this… just makes it easier to count. as for what beat to start on – you can start on any of them.. there are no rules. I did not even think about time signature, counting, or any of that when I came up with it – it wasn’t until I had to create the tab that I had to figure that stuff out.

      • Stobes says

        Hi Brian, there is something to this. I ‘ve played the tab viewer and just cannot feel the changes. Its like I need a rhyrhm guitar there to pull me to them! Also a rhythm guitar woulod give you the timing which cant 4/4. I dunno! But where i am now with guitar, this is what I need to know?

  20. chris b says

    Another great lesson Brian, thank you.
    Please do more like this on licks/phrasing, especially as it plays with chord geometry, extracting chord notes, and navigating the fret board. the efficiency of motion in both hands allows more room for expressive tones in and out of chords. adding the rake, and arpeggios to bends, slides, hammer ons and pull offs is just pure sweetness for player and listeners both. it’s like taking a deep breath…

  26. Maxwell E says

    Normally way behind with these lessons but this one i was playing something similar in parts whilst noodeling around , looks as though your , lessons are working on me without realising.
    Thanks so much Brian for all your lessons ….the best

  31. Scott R says

    Really like this lesson Brian! Thank you…
    As you said Dynamics is such a powerful tool to make the playing more interesting and captivating.

    I too am a new’ish Premium Member and I sure appreciate the added functionality with the Tabs, JamTracks (on other lessons) and the SoundSlice Tab player.

    I’d like to see this as part of a series that builds in complexity with each lesson, but when you take 3-4 weeks of material, we’ve got a nice 48-60 bar composition that sounds great for practice, or can be a go-to with the “play something on your guitar” request. Anyway, leave it with you…

  33. RIFF DIGGER says

    Sounds so GOOD to the ear. Thx for really driving home the subtle nuances, as they can really make a huge difference. All the best to you. (love the matching eyeglasses to the tint of the guitar) And that’s a nice guitar for sure!

  35. Blaine L says

    Is it just me, or have you really been on fire lately? Seems to me that you’ve really been leaning in lately, great stuff. I confess I was surprised when you hit the flat five coming down the pentatonic scale that you didn’t mention the the “blues” scale is just the minor pentatonic with the two flat fives added. Really a classy solo you’ve come up with here.

  37. Scott M says

    Hi Brian,
    I’ve had this problem for a while and finally want to ask you about it. I am not able to access your free lesson when I’m logged in. I get an error message. But I can access everything else just fine. Weird thing is I can access the free lesson from your weekly email. I think this problem is about a month old.
    Anyways I learn so much from your lessons. Keep up the good work. Thanks. Scott Marshall

  40. Bruce G says

    Hi Brian- another great lesson!

    Beginner theory question…. I believe for a minor key, the I, IV, V chords are all minor.. Seems you’ve substituted the D7 (major chord?) for the IV chord. I know there are rules, and then exceptions…any further info on when it’s OK to substitute major for minor or vice versa?

    Thanks as always…love my membership!

  41. John G says

    Thanks Brian. So much colour. The arrangement takes me back to ‘I Wonder’ by Robert Cray off the Strong Persuader album. I’ll now have a go at applying these techniques to that tune.

  42. David D says

    Also new member Brian. Glad I finally dug down deep and came up with the scratch. Great being able to pause you and scroll down and check the tab. Makes me a happy man.
    Rock on & be well,
    Dave in the Adirondacks

  43. Kevin L says

    Hello Brian,
    I’ve been a premium member for over two years. I’ve played guitar for many many years but never as good as this. I find that the lessons get easier for me as time goes on. I really love playing these blues licks. I love the bending and finding my way around the fret board. You really know how to teach and keep things interesting. If only I had these lessons from you when I was in a rock band in the late 60’s. Now I can hear a passage from an old song and have a good idea of how to play it on the guitar. Thank you so much. Keep it coming. Love it.

  44. Kevin L says

    Hi Brian
    I’ve been a premium member for over two years. I just left a comment of appreciation. When I went to post it, your site said that it was a duplicate comment and that I said that before.
    This is false. Hope this is only a rare error. would like to keep in touch. Didn’t see any of my last comment. Hope this one makes it. Keep the lessons coming. Love them.

  45. David G says

    Brian, for index finger bends do you ever pull down instead of pushing up? I find that pulling down to bend is easier with the index finger. But since you don’t do it, I wonder if there’s a reason to avoid it…?

  46. chris b says

    Hey Brian,
    Is it possible to print out the music notation (not the tab pdf)? If so, can it be printed in a larger, easier to read size? I tried using the tools on the bottom of the page and did not find success. I find the notation is easier to read and that I am simultaneously expanding my site reading of music notation as I am working on using the notation+tab+video to learn the composition. my alternate strategy is to cobble together my own music notation, slowly but surely, which is lacking in many ways.
    Thanks. btw, your teaching and site are the best tools I’ve ever used for learning the instrument, a happy pursuit renewed.
    -cb.

  47. George B says

    i WAS HESISTENT AT FIRST ON JOINING FOR YOUR LESSONS . BUT AT 73 YEARS OF AGE I LOVE IT ..I AM JUST WORKING ON THE BLUES LESSON FOR TODAY AND ENJOY THE CAPABALITIES OF SLOW MOTION . IT REALLY HELPS LEARN SOME OF THE FINGERING …THANKS BRIAN …..

  48. alasdair L says

    Brian, you are what is keeping me sane. I’m 72 and only started guitar 3 years ago. Recently they have discovered that I have testicular cancer and then last week I had to spend the weekend in hospital with my first ever epileptic attack. Fortunately my wife daughter etc are giving me a lot of support. But my two hours guitar practice every afternoon is unaltered. I only discovered your website a few weeks ago but you and my Spanish (blues!!!) guitar teacher are keeping me enthused. I can’t drink OR drive but thanks to you I feel that at last I am making big steps forward. Your love of music shines through and you communicate it in every lesson. Thanks and thanks again.

  49. John F says

    Hi Brian,
    Just had to join as full member after hearing this lesson. This reminds me of a Ten Years After number called ‘No Title’ from the album Stonedhenge. If you’ve never heard it, check it out – it’s got an awesome solo in middle of it.
    Looking forward to learning loads more.
    Ta.
    John.

  50. Ed G says

    Hi. Just joined as a Premium member. I’ve been checking out the freebies on YouTube, and I wanted to check it out before I made a commitment for the annual option. As a matter of fact, this lesson on YouTube made me pull the trigger. Two questions. 1- this is Part 1. How do I get to part(s) 2 and more? Second question. Is YouTube the only way to view full screen?

  53. Sumanto Banerjee says

    Joined today as a Premium Member, I am a 48 year old Beginer – Intermediate player. Starting with this lesson, looks like Ill be able to manage it. Looking forward to interesting times ahead. Though I have taken the site-trip and seen around the site, yet, c an someone please guide … What is the best method to follow the site and draw max benefit ?? Search for lessons ?? Or go for the structured Blues Lead Course ?? Tia .

    • alasdair L says

      Replying to my own post here but Quist Quarantine Blues Jam Slow A minor seems to work fine here: However another question? Within the 6/8 can I leave some longer pauses, for example leaving the occasional bar rest?

  56. Rich F says

    This is such a brilliant lesson, Brian! On the surface, such apparent simplicity, but, underneath, such wonderful subtlety! Always a fantastic ton of learning in each of your great lessons!

  58. Harold V says

    Hi Brian. Just a suggestion. I am using a Chromebook and on your site, in order to leave a comment I have to scroll to the bottom and my comment is left there. The comments also show up with the latest dated comments and I would like to see the most recent comments first.

  59. DonVeta says

    Dear Brian,
    thank you for your incredibly good way of teaching me the blues guitar and all the understanding of the fretboard and the connections. I’m 54 years old and actually didn’t really start until I was 49. Since I was 12, I’ve only ever played open chords.

    You have lifted me to a new level of understanding and skill. I love your standalone blues lessons.

    I have a request now, can you maybe do a second part to EP402? A matching second composition. I’m not ready to do it myself yet. I can’t even think of a suitable ending.

    Maybe you can also say something about continuing composition. I would be very happy about it and I’m a fan of yours… 😉

    Warm greetings from Germany
    Veta Kietzmann

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