How to Play the Blues on a 12-String Guitar

Playing the blues requires a lot of string bending and quick riffs. Playing the blues on a 12-string guitar takes a lot more finger action to achieve the same results. You will need to change the way you typically play the blues when using a 12-string. The chords and blues scales take prominence, and the blues melody comes from the riffs rather than the string mechanics.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Harden up your fingertips by playing scales. Pushing down 2 strings on the 12-string guitar takes a lot more effort and can turn fingers raw if they are not ready.

2. Tune the strings to open tuning. By tuning the guitar to an open E or G, it is much easier to play the blues, which are more difficult to play on a 12-string. The open tuning is a favored use of playing by many of the great blues players.

3. Use a glass or metal slide on your index finger to get the smooth flowing sounds of the blues out of the 12-string without tearing up your fingers. The sound is very bluesy if done slowly. Tremble the slide over the strings to mimic the blues bends and to keep the tune from taking on a country sound.

4. Include a lot of bass in your blues riffs. The double blasts of the lower strings give the tunes depth and soul. Some blues 12-string players also like to snap the strings. Pull gently on both strings when performing a snap. These kinds of riffs are best played by finger picking rather than with a guitar pick.