Play Along and Learn Your First Blues Riff

[Series] Guitar for Beginners > Lesson 12: Play Along and Learn Your First Blues Riff

Today’s video is a play-along where I teach you how to play a blues riff in a 12-bar blues pattern.

Let’s go!

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Playing the blues can be a fun and rewarding experience, especially when you learn to play your first blues riff. Here are some steps you can follow to get started:

1. Start by learning the blues scale. The blues scale is a six-note scale that is used in blues music. It consists of the root note, the minor third, the fourth, the fifth, the flattened fifth (also known as the “blue note”), and the octave.
2. Practice playing the blues scale in different keys. Blues music is often played in different keys, so it’s important to be able to play the scale in all of them.
3. Choose a chord progression to play over. A common chord progression in blues music is the 12-bar blues, which consists of 12 bars of music played in a specific order.
4. Practice improvising over the chord progression using the blues scale. This will involve playing single notes or small groups of notes (riffs) that fit the chord progression and sound bluesy.
5. Experiment with different rhythms and phrasing. Blues music often has a swing or shuffle feel, so try playing with different rhythms and phrasing to give your playing a bluesy feel.
6. Practice with a backing track. Many blues songs have a repeating pattern, so try playing along with a backing track to get a feel for the style.

Remember, the key to playing blues music is to have fun and experiment with different approaches. As you practice and learn more about the genre, you’ll find your own style and develop your own unique blues sound.