How to Play Blues Guitar

Blues, the first truly American form of music, shows a strong influence over other types of music. Although vocals are important in the blues, the music depends upon the guitar to deliver the uniquely American sound. While you can hear various types of blues with different regional influences, blues guitar techniques are similar. Sound frequencies of the string, like string bending, affect the sound of blues guitar too.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Build agility in your fingers by playing scales. For example, the A blues scale starts with your first finger on the fifth fret and your fourth finger on the eighth fret on the sixth string. On the fifth string, play on the fifth, sixth and seventh frets. Move to the fourth string on the fifth and seventh frets. String three requires finger placement on the fifth, seventh and eight frets. Then strings one and two are repeats of what you did with string six.

2. Alternate how you play scales. Try it backwards. Strum with upstrokes only and then only downstrokes. Move the scale lower on the guitar neck, starting with the tenth fret.

3. Notice the division of a song's chord sequence into 12 measures or bars that repeat over and over This 12-bar blues form is the most popular for the guitar, although you'll also find 8-, 16- and 24-bar forms.

4. Try playing a 12-bar chord progression in different keys.

5. Play the Pentatonic scale. For example, you'll play these notes in the G Pentatonic Minor scale; G, B-flat, C, C-sharp, D, F and G.

6. Work on accuracy in the notes you play. Speed will come as you become more accomplished.

7. Familiarize yourself with the slide guitar, often used in blues guitar. Pluck a string while sliding a glass or metal slide over the string.

Tips & Warnings

• Learn more about playing blues guitar from listening to noted blues guitarists like B. B. King and Eric Clapton.