Resources | Tabs | Classifieds | Reviews | Calendar | Discussion

Title: Blues Guitar - for beginners (article 3 of 5)
Author: Michael Long (axeface@hotmail.com)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Hello again and welcome to the third installment of "Blues for Beginners". The last
article delt primarily with three main things: different keys for progressions (with
a really handy table), and new chordings and fingerings.  This artilce will try to
develop further into:

* the beginnings of the solo, and
* maybe some more chordings.

Soloing is one of the main components to any true blues track; just listen to any
BB King or John Lee Hooker track and you'll hear what i mean.  These solos, while
are at times very complex and difficult to play, they stick mainly to a few rules
which allow you to craft the perfect solo.  Let's take a look at these.

OK - initially, there are 5 main forms that are used to create the solo - these
forms lead into one another (1 leads to 2, 2 leads to 3, 3 leads to 4, 4 leads to 5
and 5 leads to 1 again, up the octave).  There are variations on these forms, but to
begin with, we will only look at the bare bones of each.

(NB: this is all in the key of A, so move accordingly)

Form 1: Main            Form 2: Link       Form 3: Link        Form 4: Link 
E----5--------8-------|--------8------10--|---10----12--------|---12-------15-----|
B----5--------8-------|--------8------10--|---10-------13-----|------13----15-----|
G----5-----7----------|----7-------9------|-9-------12--------|---12----14--------|
D----5-----7----------|----7----------10--|---10----12--------|---12----14--------|
A----5-----7----------|----7----------10--|---10----12--------|---12-------15-----|
E----5--------8-------|--------8------10--|---10----12--------|-------------------|


E----15---17--------|  It is important to note that the end notes of each form are
B----15---17--------|  the beginning notes of the next. To play these, simply start
G-14------17--------|  at the bottom (low E or A string) of each shape, and then play
D-14------17--------|  like a scale - going up the string then onto the next, up then to
A----15---17--------|  the next...it is very simple.  By running up and down in an
E----15---17--------|  alternate pattern, you will also increase your picking speed
                       dramatically.  Within each of these patterns, there is also a note
known as the 'blues' or 'blue' note - it gives a distinctive bluesy sound when incororated
into the patterns (however, i will add this in the next article, otherwise, it may get too
much).

So, now that you have the forms, how do you use them? Great question! To begin with, get
a recording of a blues progression in A (A is generally the easiest key to start with,
because it starts in the middle of the neck, allowing you to play both down and up the 
neck).  A good way to find such a recording is simply to make one yourself - all you
need is a tape recorder and your guitar, and just play a simple progression (as is
in article 2) over and over for about 10 - 15 minutes (you really want a long recording
so you can keep trying out ideas).  

Once you have a recording, put it on.  Pick up your guitar, and start with the main form
(above).  Play something that sounds like a solo; it does not need to be complex to be
good.  Try to hear the sound in your head of what you want to play, and try to recreate
it on the guitar.

It will take a lot of practice to play something that sounds like a solo, and it is not
very well explained above (this is something that i can't write down - i need to show
you tell you, rather than write it because it is too difficult to write). However, the
beginnings are there abd all else that is needed is a little work and soon enough
you'll be able to play a solo with ease.

If you are having difficulties coming up with ideas, try to find the tab of a blues
solo that you know. Steal someone elses ideas, then change them to make them your own.

I was going to include some different chordings, but i will leave these until next time.

Coming up in the next article will be tricks in the solo (bends, blue notes etc..) and
also a crafted solo for you all to play - i'll even try to get a short backing track to go
with it.  But for now....enjoy :) Try to play some solos and some progressions - it will
be worth it in the end.  

Also, if you get hopelessly stuck, mail me, and i'll do my best to help you out.

until next month (hopefully) - keep on strummin'.