Not long ago, I did another video about what I call, “Blues With A Buddy,” and some rhythm ideas to try…

And I said I’d do another video with some soloing ideas… so here you go!

Enjoy, and give this a try for yourself.

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    This Video

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    The TABs

    TAB for the examples and licks I played.


    19 replies to "Blues With A Buddy – Soloing 1"

    • Mark S.

      I love the simplicity of Classic. This definitely goes into my philosophy.
      Being:

      Like music itself it’s ALL a Masterpiece.
      basically since a masterpiece could be a song or songs linked,
      musicians in bands know this or should.
      No song actually Has to End as musicians and bands know in sets
      or medleys running into the next tune on the list should be almost automatic.

      On the Masterpiece end one could start a tune that metaphorically
      Has No. End!
      I can Prove This Philosophy
      Put me with a group of Sound technicians in a studio And Look out World.
      it’ll get proven.

      the tracks ore on my devices
      Life is good

    • ian richardson

      The usual Griff coolness…
      One thing I would add though is that when he plays box one in A, and B, he’s playing it across 6 strings. Obviously.
      So he’s having to follow the strings across on the 5th fret in this instance.
      Which means you’re “popping” your 1st finger on and off each note. So the scale played like that has a “popping” sound to it.

      But in open E the nut is the fret in essence, you do not play the open notes. They stay “fretted”.
      So no “popping”.
      And it sounds blues.

      If you capo say the 5th fret you’ll be doing the same thing.
      If you think of Hendrix barring across several strings and playing the notes with his other fingers, same idea.
      So when you move up to a different key keep the lower notes (toward the head stock) fretted.
      You’ll get the same blues sound.

      I have heard this described as the “Blues finger”.
      Think of Albert Collins, he always used a capo. So he doesn’t “play” those notes.
      And it gives an open note feel just in higher pitches.

    • tony

      How much middle do You use on the amp? Me and the band jam pretty much in A and E . G would be good and in D too. Tom Waits turns 70 Saturday the 6th 2019 . His music is a bit different but He has at least one great hit. Hope I don`t fall in love with You . Great guitar work i love it. deepest voice ever.

      • Ted Alexander

        “My Old 55”, Eagles and “God Is Away on Business” just to name a few more.

    • Daryel

      Giff, you touched on something very important in the fact that the way scales are taught from low E to high is, is a huge block in developing your soloing abilities, IMHO. At least it was for me starting out. Along with learning chords that are mostly low E string based. It was until I realized that the majority of soloing and lead playing with chords happen at the high to middle string area tha I have been able to greatly improve my abilities. Your video in the BGU series about the little chords helped a lot with this. Thank you for including this fact about soloing and learning, starting your scales at the high E string, I hope it will be great benefit to others. 😉

    • RollyS

      Absolutely perfect timing for this as I’m getting together with some buds tonight! Time to share! Beautiful guitar, I love P90s. Have them in my Godin 5th ave kingpin II. Also swapped the humbuckers in my Epi LP. Thanks again!!

    • Rich

      Tab for the rhythm would be good… thx

      • Thomas Ward

        Click on the “another video” link in the sentence at the top of this and the tab for the rhythm is below the video box.

    • Michael Chappell

      Hey Griff, As always a great lesson, I have saved it for later and keen to learn it.

      I like your Jazzmaster..

      Michael -Sydney-Australia- 28th Feb 2018.

    • Daniel Blackburn

      Love the g&l griff very nice

    • Ken Reimer

      Cool guitar, I always liked Jazzmasters. You make any guitar sound good.

    • Johnny

      Thanks for another good lesson Griff so simple and so much fun
      That’s a good looking guitar to boot

    • ChrisGSP

      Thanks for this, Griff, great little lesson in taste and control, how to keep out of the other players’ way but still play your stuff.
      BGU-ers, go to YouTube and search “James Taylor Joe Walsh Steamroller Blues” for a perfect example of this kind of playing. James has been doing Steamroller since he was still in the cradle and Joe is one of the tastiest blues players ever, but there is a video of them at a Country Hall of Fame Benefit in 2016 that is classic. Joe’s little fills are subtle, and they leave room for the vocal. BUT, DO NOT FAIL to observe James Taylor’s playing – he’s incredible; little bass runs, slurs and small chords – all the stuff that Griff emphasises. If you can learn to play like that you’ll be happy for sure.
      Cheers from Australia, ChrisG.

      • Michael Chappell

        Hi Chris, I am also from Sydney Australia and been with BGU since 2013..as a student. I like your idea to look at James Taylor and will do.

        Michael -Sydney-Australia 28th Feb 2018.

      • Charles Cockburn

        HI Chris, Thanks for the tip but I wonder if we are looking at the same thing. I’ve found a youtube clip with JT and Joe Walsh, but it is from the Crossroads Guitar Festival. Joe plays a blistering solo and what I can hear of JT’s guitar playing is tasteful with lovely chords veering somewhere between folk and jazz in style, but not much sign of what you are referring to. Any chance of posting the link?
        Meanwhile, a big thankyou, as I have just spent a happy half-hour listening to four different live versions of this great song spread over four decades. Wonderful voice and guitar playing in a style entirely his own – what’s not to like about the great James Taylor? Cheers from the UK, Charles Cockburn

    • Bob C

      When you have played for a while you have tendency to get full of yourself. A lot of good reminders today – I appreciate it.

    • Jim P.

      I concur. This is a great lesson especially emphasizing the importance of timing!

    • mike z.

      Griff , this is a great lesson . It came at a perfect time . I am getting together with a couple friends this week . Should be fun . Thanks for sending . Mike Z.

    • Randy

      Excellent! After studying and playing through your main 3 courses and especially Acoustic Blues Guitar Unleashed this is a great example what I would automatically go to and play now! Griff, I love your style and books and can’t recomend them enough. Can’t believe how I can play guitar now because of you. This example will be on automatic for many that study your courses. Thanks again!

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