Active Melody

Learn to play blues guitar.

Slow Blues Guitar Lesson – Just Guitar – LEG019

Description

In this lesson I’ll demonstrate how to play a slow blues solo in the key of A minor without using a backing track. Often times when we’re learning how to play electric blues solos we are totally reliant upon a jam track or a backing band to define the parameters of the song, but the reality is you don’t always have a band or a jam track, so in this lesson I show you one way to approach playing electric blues by yourself (with no accompaniment). There are obviously many different styles in playing guitar alone, most of which require finger-style playing with the right hand (no pick)… but I’ve always loved trying to create solos in which you define parts of the rhythm and bass, but aren’t always working them in … it’s a much more subtle approach and to be honest, it’s a lot easier and gives you room to improvise.

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Comments

  1. StratoBlaster says

    This is a very cool lesson.  Fairly simple but still sounds supremely cool.  I’m likin’ this site more and more everytime I visit.  Thanks for taking the time to post so many great free lessons.  I really helps lousy guitar players like me.  :o)

  2. Brian says

    Thanks StratoBlaster (cool name too btw) - I’m glad you’re enjoying.. and don’t worry, we were all lousy guitar players at one time and there are more days than not that I feel like a lousy player too.  It all depends on who you’re comparing yourself against :)  Keep at it!

    -brian

  3. Gretschblues says

    Brian, great lessons and teaching style.  Thanks for the backing tracks as well!  Really helps bring the lessons to life.  I am really getting into playing blues and your site is making a big difference!!!!!!

  4. Brian says

    Gretschblues - cool name by the way.  I’ll assume you’re a Chet fan as well?  Glad to hear that the backing tracks are useful.  I started including those because 1) they’re fun to record and 2) I first learned to play by listening to this “Play Guitar With the Ventures” album that my dad had.  It had all of the parts minus the part that you were to fill in (basically just jam tracks) but I remember that being an awesome way to learn.

  6. DogBoneDavis says

    Hey Brian….Your lessons are great and I really like how you cover rhythm even with-in lessons that are “LEAD” orintated like this one.
    Well done and please continue to post Blues Rhythm Lessons!!!!

    Peace

  9. DogBoneDavis says

    Sorry Brian……I guess I am asking you what turn around you would use to get back to the I chord (A) after playing through the progression and starting back at the top…….or is a turn around even needed here???

    Hope that helps

  15. Apollo says

    I’ve been working on Johnny b Goode which contains a lot of what is being doing in here, compliments each other nicely! Thanks for the lesson, great stuff!

  16. neverted says

    It’s hard to find stuff that sounds really good for solo electric guitar, so this is really appreciated! Mostly I’ve been playing finger-picking acoustic blues, which really doesn’t travel well to electric.  Plus my plectrum technique is weak. More like this would be fabulous. 

    Much of the beauty of your playing is related to touch, dynamics, grace notes, muting, etc. 

    Would it be possible to do a follow-up lesson on that?  Same song, but pausing to discuss those subtler elements, and assume that people already have the basic fingering under control.

  17. dane lefranc says

    thanx for your great site you have a wonderful way of getting the stuff across i by chance discovered your site i have not played for years now i am excited about playing. i just wanted to let you know. i live in a remote part of australia and enjoying playing the blues using your methods.    when are you going to post somemore stuff?  dane

  18. SteveB says

    Great site & lessons, Brian.
    After 40 years of playing, and a couple of months of actually studying properly, i.e. waching and following these vids, I think I’m finally getting somewhere. 8-)

  19. maxxs26000 says

    Brian, you are best teacher ever!. I am back after break of 25 years. With you I am on the real way to play again 🙂
    Thank you!
    Regards from Serbia

  20. stevedixon1a says

    please tell me what gear you are using to get this tone. I have Am std strat and hot rod deluxe and would love to get a tone like this.

    thanks

    steve

  23. Ray C says

    Hello Brian
    Great site and very good lessons. I know this is a Blues Lessons site, but I would like to see more Rock-a-Billy stuff (Blues and Country mixture)like Chuck Berry, Carl Perkins, Fat’s Domino, Little Richard.
    Thanks
    Ray C
    PS: I have been playing rythum guitar for 25 years. I played Bass in a country rock and roll band for 10 years. I’m not wanting to be in another band (to much work and I have a regular job). I would just like to learn to pick some simple old rock and roll music.

  24. frankhippo says

    Thanks Brian,
    Very cool and fun lesson, this is exactly the style I want to learn. Can you do some more like this, with bass and rhythm mixed with the lead. Maybe in a rock style?
    We are all so demanding. But you have a great site and I really enjoy your lessons.

  30. Gasoline says

    Lol this song reminds me of Little wing By Jimi Hendrix. You should make a lesson on that song. Its actually very similar to this. I don’t mean with just the sound either… I know how to play part of it so some of the cord progressions are a little bit the same, and its a great song to play!

  32. ZZ_Man says

    Excellent lessons Brian. So much bull out there but your lessons are completely down to earth and the most practical I’ve ever seen. Fantastic insight and approach that I’ve never seen before - keep it up! Maybe some day get some Billy Gibbons material on here! (ZZ_Man) ;-)

  33. rjm says

    Brian,

        Thank you for the great lessons! This one reminds me of Magic Sam’s classic West Side Soul album.  You’re a great source of inspiration as well as ideas.

    R

  35. Hurricane Ramon says

    Been a while for me this past year - recovering from several surgeries and on the mend , this is a cool lesson thanks Brian 🙂

    Hurricane Ramon

  36. Brian says

    @Hurricane - Hey Hurricane, sorry I missed this!  Sorry to hear that you’ve had several surgeries, hopefully nothing that’s kept you from picking your guitar (or playing your harp).  Glad to have you back my friend.

  37. Hurricane Ramon says

    Thanks Brian here’s to no more of them too ! I’m on the mend and yeah , if it wasn’t form my practicing on guitar I would probably be nuts by now :)Music has always in one way on another been a therapeutic thang for me since I was a kid .

    Just took down :

    ” When I Fall In Love ” transposing from Eb to C and wow what a beauty !

    Also revisited the song written by Edan Abba ( rest his soul he was a very good friend ):

    ” Nature Boy ” ( Em )

    and the classic song sung by Nat King Cole :

    ” Unforgettable ”
    I have been working and reworking Little Anthony’s ( from Little Antony And The Imperials ) ” Hurts So Bad ” . It’s masterful example of Major 6ths to be sure .

    I practice lately mostly on my nylon but I do( and will do on the newer ones ) play these on my steel string Washburn .

    Have plans to record When I Fall In Love ( you know the Disney tune ) with my nylon and steel and then have a PBass track and then add my electric and midi voicings to this and have my sister ( mezzo soprano ) do the female part and then bring this over to my friend Chan Romero to sing the male verse . I need the vocalist’s phrasings to realize how to do the lead work for the electric guitar and the chromatic harmonica tracks since I try to

    ” sound off the vocal phrasings in a kind of copy and respond ”

    type arrangement .

    I haven’t thought on the percussion part yet but that’s not an issue .

    It seems I have been always a kind of natural metronome kind of person , don’t know why and can’t explain it , it’s just that way with me . When I do a duet I still get dancers on the floor with out drum tracks 🙂

    I use this type of playing when I do live shows when I am stuck up right in front and close to the singer(s), it’s my attempt to give the musical instrument a human elemental sound ( or as close as I can ), started doing this in the mid 70s .

    I think it’s one of the most important and elemental parts of my musical ” thumbprint / style ” .

    Now lately I have been at it developing this type of musical arrangement in my guitar presentation heh heh I love it . 

    Easy man .

    Sincerely :

    Hurricane Ramon

  38. Brian says

    @ Hurricane - I’d love to hear that recording of When I Fall In Love when you finish it.  Can you post it on the forum here?  or if you don’t want to do that, just send me an email brian (at) activemelody (dot) com.

    Also, so you knew the guy that wrote Nature Boy?  That’s VERY cool 🙂

  39. barbecue bob says

    Hi Brian,

    My thanks are long overdue for your teaching skills and for the licks that you have posted.  I had been playing acoustic blues/folk guitar for many years until my wife kindly offered me an electric guitar a couple of months ago.  I realised that I had to rethink my style.  Whilst looking for some Chuck Berry-type licks, I stumbled upon your site and I just want to say that it is brilliant!  The way you teach has been motivating and inspiring; showing me that lead-playing can be possible.

    Please continue the good work.

    Best wishes,
    Barbecue Bob.

  40. thewatchclub says

    Fantastic lesson. This is the best lesson I have ever had. For a beginner with limited knowledge on timing and following backing tracks. This lesson gave me a sense of purpose,I played your lesson lots of times and finally it all clicked. Maybe you should consider doing a series of thes slow blues with and without backing tracks and sell them for beginners. I have purchased lots of online lessons but I keep coming back to your lessons. Beautiful video ,excellent tab and backing tracks and easy to follow teaching style and friendly advice.  I have waited to purchase a lessons from you but the jimmy Hendrix is a little too advanced at the moment . Thank for your fantastic service and I would say you are the best in the business keep up the super work you are doing.  Ps ready to purchase any beginner lesson when they are available.  Cheers Dennis.

  42. miky2times says

    looks good on paper but.. beyond me. I know i could do this w/enough repitition but i’d be missing the big picture. I sure wish i knew music theory better…  aaarrrrrgggg!

  43. miky2times says

    Any suggestions would be appreciated. I was trying to get my fingers back in shape after a time off. Iplayed till my fingers hurt then i played through the pain, now my 2nd finger on my left fretin hand is numb. It causes me to miss my mark and i hav to look where i’m going. What to do…!  🙁

  44. miky2times says

    I’ve tried incorporating finger sty;e into a couple new songs i’m learning; that is ; Seven Spanish Angels( Ray Charles’ style) and Father and Son : Cat Stevens. Wanted to learn ‘Father and Son’ for my sons’ BD but am still working on it.I’m still choppy and uncertain w/it but gettin better!:)

  45. glynbob says

    Hi Brian,
            Another great lesson-Really appreciate your teaching style.Like the laid back playing of this blues number,being a big fan of Eric Clapton and Peter Green this fits into the sound I am after.
    I play an american strat with texas special p-ups which I find overly bright,what does your strat have ? Toying with changing mine to vintage noisless that the Clapton signiture strat has .Any ideas ?

          Thanks again for lesson .
              Cheers mate -Glyn

  47. 18ken97 says

    Brian what is the secret on the long strech bar coards when the endex and the ring finger are so fare apart? Was a Bass player for 13yr got a lot of bad habits to over come. Your a Great teacher. Ken

  48. Brian says

    @18ken97 - honestly I’m not good at long stretches.. i stay away from them.  I have a bent pinky on my left hand which prevents me from making any long stretches.

  50. maverickcop says

    Love the lessons, Brian, but how ‘bout some new, “beginner” rhythm or solo stuff?  For example, I LOVE the blues rhythm guitar lesson up above but it’s over my head. 🙁

  52. thewatchclub says

    Hi Brain Another fantastic lesson ( Double stops ). PS your Hendrix lesson was fantastic, Any news on further in depth lessons like your Hendrix lesson best $7 I have ever spent .maybe a Beatles lesson or a CCR lesson or even a Santana lesson ( just a thought . The best Guitar lesson website in my fumble opinion. Thanks A million for all your lessons ,Jam tracks and PDFS. Cheers Dennis From Australia

  53. StreakyPete says

    Chalk up another winning lesson!  This one dovetails very nicely with your most recent ‘Blues rhythm & Lead’ lesson. I’m finding this very useful to give me a more ‘joined-up’ understanding of the fret-board.
    Can’t wait to show-off my new skills to my friends!
    Pete.

  55. thirdwind says

    great lesson thanks so much
    quick question..on bars 5, 7, and 11 the tab tab seems only to show 3 beats in the measure..am I reading this incorrectly

  57. Lee82 says

    Brian love what you doing with this slow blues tune but having a problem getting it to fully download You have a killer touch I dig your sound

  58. Brian says

    It’s probably just a bandwidth issue with YouTube.  Sometimes those videos will snag a bit.  Try refreshing the page.. pausing the video so that it fully buffers, and then playing.  Thanks Lee82

  59. wph says

    You are a great teacher Brian and I really appreciate this site and the efforts you take to make it great. I have a request. You start the lessons with what you want to teach us, then proceed to break it down piece by piece which is really great, but could you then finish the lesson with a repeat of the whole thing again? That really helps me to “put it all together” again. There’s an old saying in teaching that goes something like “tell them what you going say, say it, and then tell them what you just said.” Keep up the good work and thanks again!

  60. Brian says

    I like your concept of repeating things at the end and very much agree with that.  I’m actually starting to do that on the newer videos.. and have made many adjustments through the years thanks to comments like yours.  I didn’t start off as a guitar instructor, just wanted to put some videos up on YouTube to help people, but slowly over time have morphed into one, whether I like it or not :)  - I’m always trying to improve these lessons though, so really appreciate your input.

  61. wph says

    I was a high school teacher for 32 years and can tell you that you have a great teaching style. Your confidence and guitar skills along with your relaxed approach makes it both fun and informative for me and for many others too from what I gather reading other comments. I look forward to watching all your stuff. I just recently decided I want to learn how to play a guitar and this is the best stuff I seen. I’m watching your beginner lessons now and learning alot.

  62. webistrator says

    Is there any room for a “Wilburys/End of The Line” lesson on chord progression? On the face, it looks pretty straightforward and would build confidence—no?

    There’s a 5-min. extended version on YouTube that eases into things with rhythm first, then chords, then vocals and later it backs out that sequence down to the end.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQ15y_OZ9ns

    If you could dope out the progression (without violating some kind of rights, of course…) as a lesson, wouldn’t that be a way to give folks warm fuzzies?

    FWIW…just a thought. Cheers!

    Jack in CO

  63. stephen earnshaw says

    Hi Brian

    I have had a truly crap day at work in Kingston England but I am pleased to see having tried to play along with this lesson has got rid of some stress and made me feel much better!  I know many people have said this before ,but praise where praise is due, you are a superb guitar teacher.  Not only do you make it understandable (surely the aim of every teacher) but you also make it enjoyable. I particularly like the sound of the 3 string 7th and 5th barre.
    Sorry for a rather long message but thanks for the brilliant web site

    Steve London

  65. SealBeachAxe says

    Just signed up for the site and I am very impressed with this lesson. Been playing for about 2 years and am into the blues thing. This is just what I was looking for to get me out of the rut.
    Keep up the good work.

    Mark Stanford

  67. JazzySammy says

    Took me about a week to nail it down.  I can see how this ties in with some of the other lessons.  Put them together and you have your own song.

  68. jimm_ says

    Fantastic lesson Brian, I’d like more licks based on Pentatonic scale..:)
    Agree with Jazzysammy you can mix lessons and …play.
    Thank you.

  69. intune440 says

    Hey, Brian.
    This is a great lesson to learn solo playing and timing.
    However, there is one thing missing.
    That is: Follow through (timing) to starting over.
    As I read in an earlier comment, somebody was asking
    about a turn around.  Well, the way I see it, the
    ending E9 is the turn around.
    But, hold the E9 for how long?
    What I hear (in my head) is to hold the E9 for 3 beats, that just
    might coincide with the 3 pause markings at the beginning
    of the Tab. And, then, into the intro.
    Thanks for everything.
    Larry

  71. Diamon5 says

    This is a great lesson. Slow blues is in my wheelhouse. So much potential for emotion. Sometimes I burn up my entire practice time messing with this progression. Very nice!

  74. guldndragn says

    Hi Brian. I love the sound in this lesson.  Could you consider doing an extended version?  I would be more than glad to pay for it. Your an excellent teacher.  I was kinda stuck and leveled out but your lessons have kicked me up a notch. Thx again!

  78. J.P.C. says

    Hi Brian ,I started learning this lesson 6 months ago and I love this style of blues. Thank you for all your time and effort great job. J.P.C.

  79. mustangrouge says

    Thank you Brian !
    I am having a lot of fun. I took up guitar a few months ago as a hobby or maybe to get closer and have something in common with my son who is a very good guitarist. It is not easy but it is a pleasure.
    Best regards!
    Ron
    Montreal, CANADA

  80. tronus53 says

    A really nice jam here; very versatile, too, because it might be combined, with some modifications, with your blues rhythm & lead lesson.  That you take the time to work up these nifty little pieces is extremely helpful to me in moving closer to improvisation; I’ve learned more in the last few weeks than I have in years of practice without any direction.  Thanks, loads!

  82. Fenno1 says

    Hi Brian, been a member for a while now. Was struggling with playing some of the stuff, so decided to take a step back. Been doing this and the Keith Richards lessons and am enjoying playing again..Sometimes the simpler stuff can be very rewarding.Thanks .

     

  83. jwayneq says

    love this style and the way you play it ..bars 5 and 7 seem to have only 3 beats, if i am counting correctly and bar 11 has 3 but when i go back and listen i pick up on beat 4 being a rest but back to 5 & 7,  can you please help me .. I have listened numerous time and cannot seem to get timing correct

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