How to Use Box Patterns to Play Blues Guitar

Playing a box pattern on a guitar is common when playing blues or bluegrass music. It requires using the cords to create a basic major key pattern, also known as a box pattern on guitar. The one, four and five cords are repeated in the same pattern. Repeat the exact same notes in the same order each time and you will use what is called a box pattern.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Start with a major key. A box pattern is a substitute for playing a single cord over and over again. No matter which notes you choose for your box pattern, they will stay the same. For example, starting with your first cord in the key of G, fourth cord in the key of C and the fifth cord in the key of D.

2. Play from the root of a note to its octave to flat at the seventh and fifth range. If the pattern you play is referred to as a major scale, then it is definitely a box pattern.

3. Double up each note you play keeping it within the four to 12 measures using the one, four, five pattern.

4. Perform variations of the box pattern by adding trills. Trills are a series of pull-offs and hammer-ons. Trills go back and forth between a major and minor key at a rapid pace. Like a box pattern, trills repeat often when playing a blues guitar.

Tips & Warnings

• Knowing how to use box patterns along with trills, hammer-ons and other techniques to play blues guitar is the foundation of the blues style of music.