This is solo #1 from the Blues Guitar Unleashed course…
Aside from the fact that I use it in other lessons, it’s a great solo for a blues in the key of A in a straight (as in… not a swing) feel.
It’s a moderate tempo… not slow, but certainly not fast either. And I made it a point to keep the licks reasonable and playable by just about anyone at the appropriate level.
Now, if you’re a beginner… this is way too hard and I have to point you to the Beginning Blues Guitar course first.
But if you’ve been doing okay on the previous lessons I’ve been sending out, this should be a LOT of fun for you (not to mention pretty impressive to those around you.)
And finally, when you get it down, here’s the full speed version for you to try:
Here are the downloads:
The Solo - Audio OnlyUse this link to download an MP3 of just the audio to play along with.
The TABUse this link to download the TAB in PDF format.
299 replies to "Solo Example #1"
I really enjoyed playing along with you on this. I’m alwasys looking forward to the next lesson.
As usual you very generous with you knowledge and experience as a guitar player and that make you the best teacher we can have…we can tell that you are not there for the money but for the fun to see others improve under you advice. Thank you for being such a person.
Hey Griff,
Another great little Solo which I will start to have a go at this weekend. All these little lessons and Licks & Phrases are saved into my Music Library in stages of my learning strategy. This one is easy to learn but the ones that are too advanced for me at this stage they are all in my Library for the Advanced Stage.
In this solo I will ask a question in the Forum… are you using any specific blues pedal or just natural AMP tones. I simply love the Blues Guitar and also 12 Bar Blues.
Keep them coming.
Michael – Sydney Australia
Thanks Griff. Can’t believe how quick I can pick stuff up from your playing. Your explanations are so clear! Thanks!
It makes a lot of sense to me now! Thanks!
Joseph
Thank you for this lesson. I am learning slowly and enjoying it. I appreciate your help. You are great.
GRIFF the RIFF,
I am so stoked with your talent for teaching beginners that I went out yesterday and purchased a second guitar. Now I have and Electric Stratocaster and a new Fender acoustic electric guitar which I find easier to learn on. I am confident with your skills and clarity of explanation that I will master your lessons in no time. Your first class should be called (Unleashed for Dummies) You make it so easy to understand what I had been missing for years. I can’t wait to get your 3 DVD lessons. You have given me the confidence to keep practicing. Keep doing what your doing it’s
definetly your calling in life. Your lessons are priceless. I was at The Guitar Center in San Jose,Ca and reffered you to a couple of beginners that had been taking classes there and were about to give up after making no progress with personal lessons. I hope they contact you soon.
YOU ROCK!
Thank you,
Shawn Quinn
Griff..
Way cool stuff..And I am picking up on this little by little..which is just my speed!
Thnx..You are a good teach…..
That was very nice. You make look so easy like even I could play like that! Thank you.
This is what I’ve been looking soooo long for! A riff with the rhythm to go by. Many thanks!! The lead doesn’t do anything until it’s got a rhythm to go by..
Mahalo for all the stuff you sent me. Don’t have a guitar, just a ukulele but I’m gonna get me one. Love this stuff and I’m looking forward to start learning the BLUES . Aloha!
Griff, I haven’t had so much fun without a woman being there in a long time. To be honest, I couldn’t wait to get going. I watched and followed the slow tutorial for the licks and solo, then I just clicked onto the Play Along vid’s. I still can’t stop laughing, cos’ I was playing along with you and although I wasn’t getting everything right so quickly (obviously), what I was doing sounded so good along with yours that after the 4th and 5th roll of the vid’s, well! crack the pull rings and let’s have a beer, it was/is great.
I WILL go back to the slow tutorial and learn these as should be, but for now, I’m just having a load of fun.
Keep them coming. Ray (UK)
great lessons – thank you so much
Checked out the #1 solo vid & play along today and liken it alot, something else to practice on. For this is a nice little riff in (A) tomaster.THANKS GRIFF.
Great style Griff
nice style of teaching ive taken that solo in blues / rumbas / jazz works with all styles .
Thanx again Griff,Im with ya…
this is awsome can’t wait to start practicing
Thank’s agaian Griff , I’ll keep working on it …
wow ! . been struggling for years without a clue . in some ways thats a good thing but wasted a lot of time .
once I have learned this littlte solo I am going to be saying hello to all my new friends .
Griff,
great lesson. I think I’m starting to get it.
I don’t have much trouble following this.
Thanks and keep it coming.
jimmyrs
That is and was really sweet. Nice sounding blues lead. I’ll be copying this one for sure, note for note…..Paul
Hi Griff. Great stuff! I have been playing for over 45 years and have quite a collection blues licks already. The notes and bends in this solo are all on very familiar turf for me. But they are put together differently from those that I have ingrained into my repertoire, so my muscle memory wants to take over and do the same old stuff, and I am having to fight that, which is GOOD … it shows that I am learniing NEW STUFF! Also, I developed a bad habit of using only my 3rd finger for bends (because it’s stronger) and ignoring my pinkie for that. That is also ingrained, and I am forcing that little pinkie into action now! It’s lazy days are over! ALL GOOD STUFF. I bought your course hoping it would get me out of my rut so I could PROGRESS, and it is doing EXACTLY THAT! Keep these emails coming and God Bless!
hey griff. doing great, fingers getting better, been working on lesson one about 30 minutes broke an e string hate to stop for new strings but hey it won’t work without it. Thanks For the lesson.
Dale
I’m now working my way through your “unleashed” course (Lesson 9) and enjoying it immensely. Your regular E-mails are a great incentive to keep me motivated and practicing. Your presentations are wonderful. Please keep them up!
Wow! Now I really feel it goimg to be a lots fun! Thanks Griff!
Joseph
You make it look so easy!
Gotta pick up.. it’s a New Year..
Best to you and yours..
Hi Griff, Thanks for the solo lesson. Great stuff! just to mention that I didn’t experience any sound probs and everything was in sync although only looked at the lesson today! Maybe probs with sound that other folks are experiencing has been sorted,
Hey hey there Griff Hamlin! First off, let me just say that I love the work you have put in on your teachings, mailing list and site!!! WOW-zers. Seriously I will actually go out on a limb and say it IS likely the BEST place out there for serious “more than beginner-intermediate-somewhat advanced players to properly take their playing to the next level! You def have my A+ recommendations brother. Now I mostly taught myself from scratch to be a pretty good rhythm player and have been an accomplished Christian song leader for much more then a decade. When I began piecing the art of lead playing together earlier this year I discoveredthere’s lotsa teachers like “Marty” (kudos to him, he’s awesome for sure), Justin (him too), Brett (same) and about 3-4 others and they all have great chops and make awesome teachers. BUUUUT… Now having said all that just so I can sound a bit like I know what I’m talkin about I will go back out onto that limb again and reiterate that you, Griff Hamlin are the best out here. Your approach is head and shoulders above the rest for covering all the things players should learn from the beginning. Love it! You are above awesome brother! Above awesome! Peace!
Hi Griff first class lesson Thanks
Hi Griff
Great lesson and with backing track,, many thanks,very cool
I like that. nice, what the gage on your strings Bro?
This lesson has helped me thanks is there a lesson #2 on this?
I like it ALOOOT!
Thanks Griff, I love it… I am needing great solo lesson 🙂
Now that’s what I like, a backing track that you can play along with, how cool is that!!!
Thanx Griff
Will C
Great lessons! It renewed my love for the Blues! Practice used to be boring at times but now I feel like I want to practice and I have progressed a lot in 3 months! Thank you very much, Mark
Wow I can’t tell you how helpful these lessons have been ! I’ve been playing for by ear for 39 years now and always struggled when it came to the blues. I can’t wait to get your program and refine my craft even further. Thanks Griff, this is a blast! Finally my eyes have been opened to a whole new way of self expression. You definately teach in a way everyone can understand. Thanks again
Jef K.
Griff,the vids freeze up.
Great and helpful. Carefully presented.
Great, clear useful Grigg you are cool and competent
I appreciate that these snipits are a good piece of marketing, very good in fact, but I have to say your teaching style and pace are very good. They have convinced me to buy the videos in a few weeks. Not sure if your videos cover it but for absolute beginers do you cover issues that people might have such as hand positions and angles to help get the sttretch needed for some changes or tricks on chord changes for example, economy of movement etc? This video is really good and plays fine on my PC so I think the comments ref volume must be machine based related to individuals set up. Cheers
Hi Griff,
Can’t wait to get my hands on my guitar, but I need to finish a project today first,
because I do draw for a living as anchitect. But tonight my neighbors will hear my guitar moaning, yeah…!
Beautiful Griff: You make it look so easy. Thanks Sam
I think this is a great practice for beginners like me. THANK YOU
Bill Powell
ya know the more I listen and watch and practice these videos . It never sounds like you but my fingers seem to kinda automatically find a place to lay that sounds fair and to me that sounds good. Thanks for the great videos and allowing me to participate.
GH
Struggling to hear this Griff
Brilliant………….Keep it going Griff …thankyou ..andy
Hi Griff, just wondering i have been downloading all these files but recently have purchased blues unleashed, but still not in my mailbox considering i am in australia. So are all these files i have been downloading all on the dvds,or are some different. Perhaps once i get it i can delete all these files. thanks sempei
Griff – you’ve done it again. Made learning the blues a joy. I recently bought the acoustic course & keep wondering why I waited so long – it’s just excellent. Thanks Griff
hey guys the volume is a bit better if you dl the videos in wmv or mp4 in the links and play them on your pc or mac cheers – TimR
Thanks for being there Griff! Your help along with that of Mr. Bugs Henderson has helped me not only to play guitar, but to create guitar, and put together some good songs.
Griff –
They’re all gems, this one included. Thank you for sharing. S.
Hi Griff This is just the kind of stuff i need,great solo lesson thanks
well, since I am totally broke ( Yes, crises kill the photographer too !) I can’t really buy anything for the moment.. Yet , it will be one of the first thing I do when I get out of this!
1/ because ,since I have quite a bit of time I play !! (thank you for pushing me around !)
2/ without those almost everyday little lesson , I would had never progress like I did !
So , I can’t imagine it would not be all benefit with the full lesson!!
All of that to thank you for your patient work( and some how tolerant ! ..well.. you did not had to hear me !lucky you 🙂 !!
Really a warm thank you , you deserve it
T
whats up with all the “I’m old” comments. man just have fun with it and enjoy the tone of those strings vibrating. if you do like Griff said and take one phrase at a time, it’ll be a breeze. I know cause i just did it. about three tries on the first barr, then it just kept coming, before you know, I was at the bottom. but I did print out the tab and use it. you have to if you wanna play all the correct notes on the correct string at the right time. I shut up right now.
ok,i/m old and have a hard time with it all.but i’m about to go for some real help,like griff i hope.i have 3 guitars and i finally found one that say’s play or go fishing.i’ll get back to you fairley soon. got a wood burner to modify from corn to pellets.than when i’m warm and dry i’m going to let this guitar know how i feel about music.thanks for the incouragement,i’d realy like to play good before they bury me.
Nice run.
Great easy-to-learn solo that not only sounds good, but includes all the elements you need to learn to be able to play blues-style lead guitar. A lot of fun to play and a lot of valuable exercises embedded in this solo lesson. Well done as always, Griff! Thanks for giving us so much good free stuff!
Hi Griff- Much appreciated in all aspects- I am trying hard to practice and keep up but I do say thank you very much for sharing your talent not only with me but all of us out there in the music world.
Kind Regards
Bill Malcolm- Sydney- Australia
HI GRIFF,THIS LESSON IS VERY LOW VOLLUME,BUT GOOD STUFF ANYWAY,AND VERY MUCH APPRECIATED. CHEERS MAN.
Love It,..Easy to get a Griff on it !.. LOL…
Hi this is great. Thank u and. God bless. Dont no why the sound is so much lower than preveious. Lessons.
Nice one Griff and I’ll definitely buy your dvds soon, thanks.
Great lesson. Thank you.
hey griff,,first off,no problems with either the videos or the audio portions,,2nd,nice lesson and cool solo,,,im working my way towards this one on your blues guitar unleashed dvd set
Yes!! Love it. Reminds me of Mick Taylor’s vibrato style which I strive to emulate. I love your lessons and when I come to California in May 13 I want ot look you up. Thanx for the lessons.
thanks griff
tx battling with that stretch!
Hey Griff!
Love your lessons, a couple of suggestions. Is it possible to loop the play along tracks so I/we
can keep playing and not have to stop and restart every 30 seconds? Also, the volume level on the videos is sometimes not very loud and it’s hard to hear while playing along. Thanks for the mp3s
the volume is great there!
My first lesson in blues and I like it! Thanks Griff
awesome Griff, you da man, CHEERS
good lesson thanks alot griff
Great stuff Griff, much appreciated!! You are a very good teacher.
Cheers, Faith
Thanks Griff, Sounds like a neat little riff and i will try it soon as I get the time to practise.
Looks like an interesting lesson, but the audio is so low, it,s almost impossible to hear.
Hi Griff
Thanks very much for the news letters and lessons you have been sending me. I see by the previous comments that people are having trouble hearing the lesson, I thought my computer was faulty because I was having trouble hearing the audio.also.
Thanks for everything
George Rhodes
Great instruction. Very low audio though. Other than that, very helpful and nice little riff. Thanks.
Volume is too low; very uncomfortable.
Hi Griff,
Thanks for the lessons and certainly appreciate your time and effort to do this!!
You are a best of the best!!
Hey, P. Lautrec – check your inadequate dial-up connection as well as that hot pentium 1 you are jammed on – ever think the “problem” could be you?
AM SOOOO SADDENED HOW ‘your’ “LESSONS” RE-PLAY ON COMPUKER!!! AS YOU SPEAK, THE SCREEN FREEZES AS IF YOU ARE NOT SPEAKING AT ALL! SAME FOR THE INSERT THAT WHEN YOU SHOW WHICH STRINGS YOU ARE HITTING THE SCREEN FREEZES TO WHERE I CAN HEAR THE NOTES, BUT CANNOT SEE W-H-A-T YOU ARE ACTUALLY FRETTING!!!! AS JOHN LENNON USED TO SAY,,, “WHOOTS THE FOOKIN’ POINT?” IF YOUR ‘COMP. LESSONS’ DO THIS,,, I’M WONDERIN’ WHAT ABOUT THE BOUGHT LESSONS QUALITY????? me
Griff:
Great! Thanks for your help and service for us novices! What guage strings are you using? I’m having trouble bending and maybe my strings are too heavy. I’m using Fender 150L – .009, .011, .016, etc.
I love it Griff, i am getting the the solos pretty good now, the bends and lift offs taking time to perfect, keep it up, thanks buddy.
nice ;=}
Hi Griff:
Really enjoying the lessons and tips. Teriffic!!! to a 76-year old fogey.
I had a problem with the 2 Solo #1 pieces — I couldn’t get the volume loud enough to hear, no matter what adjustments I have tried. So I’m letting you know in hopes that the lesson can be re-fed at some time soon.
The blues refers technically to love (gained, lost, forlorn, etc.), as you well know. Since bluegrass, which I also enjoy, very much refers to love I have begun calling bluegrass red-neck-blues.
Blessings to you.
Old Rev Dee
this is great g riff thanks for your time.
no sound
thanks griff interesting stuff
Hi Griff i know what happened there but volume was very low,just about heard it. P.S. still waiting your version of statesbourgh blues if possible many thanks. Out of all the web sites yours is one of the best,you explain things in detail, keep it coming Many thanks Gus …..
No Audio These have been great.
The first time I tried to pick this apart on my old accoustic I thought nah no way I will get this down.. Then a funny thing happens..it gets under the skin and I cant let it go..guess what several days later I find it is sinking in and starting to come together in a fashion.. Now dreaming of walking into that music store and trying this out on an electric hopefully in the not too distant future.. Any tips on what would be a decent budget electric gratefully received.. Cheers again Steve.. uk
Could hardly hear ya…can ya turn the volume up.
Great lesson though and thanks…you’re very kind and generous to send these out
On line sound was very low, but downloadable files were very usable. Thanks for taking the time to do this for us rookies. Your lessons are more usable than others on the web.
Thanks,
J
Could not hear you hardly at all, please do over and repost.
Could see you but not hear you?
Dr. O.
Very nice blues !
I HAVE ENJOYED VERY MUCH YOUR TYPE OF TEACHING OF THE GUITAR. I REALLY APPRECIATE THE FACT THAT YOU TAKE THE TIME TO SLOWLY PRESENT THE LESSON AND FOLLOW IT UP WITH A SLOW TAKE AND THEN A FASTER TAKE. YOU ARE THE BEST BY WHAT YOU ARE DOING YOU WILL ENABLE LOTS OF GUITAR ENTHUSIEST TO INCREASE THEIR SKILL LEVEL AND ENJOY THE UNIQUENESS THAT ONLY THE GUITAR HAS AS AN INSTRUMENT . THANKS AGAIN WHAT YOU ARE DOING IS GREATLY APPRECIATED.
The volume was so low on the vids I could bearly hear them. I had volume all the way up
This is tops, thanks so much, but I can barely hear it!!! I have checked my own volume on the computer and on your utube, both up max. Any ideas?
Do We split the the licks up by measure or lines?
hey griff this looks great but there is no sound- can you help with that???????
Hey Griff , Great player and teacher.
thanks for the riffs ,and the emails,
Thank you very much!! I’LL tell you up front I don’t have no money a old vietnam vet! but i hope to get up the money to throw your way! I’VE checked them all out! But you my man help a lot an our what i’m looking for! I’M not looking to be a star! just passing the time!! good job!!
volume is to low on this one can hardly hear it
Griff, thank you again as soon as I am working I will buy your lessons, you are a great teacher easy to understand and to learn from. LONG LIVE THE BLUES!!
My copy of Blues Guitar Unleashed has only recently arrived looking forward to jumping in with both feet.
Loved the ‘Back Porch blues’ session.
The Jam Tracks CD is brilliantly well done too, please give all those involved a pat on the back as I can’t reach from this side of the pond.
Many thanks.
I bought your Blues Guitar Unleashed course over a month ago and it is brilliant value for money.
I am still enjoying improving my Solo 1 efforts.
Is there any chance you could provide some tabs of your good improvised blues licks?
You have demonstrated some in a few of the regular tutorial videos you provide but as they are not part of the lesson they are not tabbed.
Hi Griff Ive been combining some licks from Buddy Guy Jimi Hendrix BB King and so on this lesson here reminds me of what my Dad taught me when I was young its the chords so to speak that goes with the Guitar shuffle Thanks alot I appreiciate your lessons
I can’t find the just rythym , download.
Thank you so much, man. I love ya. I havn’t started workin’ on it yet, but I will. Thank you.
Have to say a massive thank you Griff for making my life liveable again!! Your lessons (and I have tried a few web tutorials) are superb. I put on some Muddy Waters stuff and found to my amazement that not only can I play along mostly but I can add in some simple licks of my own.
Your 4 note solo helped me with finger dexterity and timing but also learning some major scales along with the minor is giving me so much fun.
Brilliant!
I would love more riffs like this one.
thanks Griff. from Barry sore fingers .
thanks this is great!! i get lost of mails of people claiming to give free guitar courses but most of the time it’s just publicity for their DVD’s.Now this is what i like so much about you is that you are actually us giving some really cool stuff to work on…a real lesson….not just some publicity for the DVD’s you are selling….so thanks a lot a lot a lot for that…and your teaching is very good…!!
it took me a while but i got there in the end cheers
i really have gotton in to all the lessons . i lerned a lot thanks buddy me
Really nice presentation of his mateial. My wife likes it a lot to. She thinks it will keep me busy for a good amount of time.
Regards
Ed
hi griff any chance of a lesson where u can play riffs an licks then jump on chords i think it will help me a lot thanxs alan
Griff, thanks again. I liked it and as a feedback I can only repeat what Ed wrote you 20 days ago. He said it right, could not agree with him more.
Jan
Your cords are from electric guitar….sound great….mine are from a 6 string Yamha…
Peace Out ….Koocherman
Hello Griff,
Mentioned to my wife prior to xmas 2011,that I was intending on buying me a electric guitar & Amp in the new year 2012,well griff she decided to give me one as a xmas present,so i set about looking on the internet for info on amps/guitars how they were made etc,trying to get an understanding what they are made up of. Anyway after finding what i was looking for,I decided to look for guitar lessons,as i was searching I noticed a particular advertisement saying PLAY THE BLUES IN 4 NOTES…I thought no way,so i looked in on that particular source,needless to say I was totally convinced and bought your product,I used to play by ear via accoustic years ago but never continued and never owned a guitar,as you mentioned stuck in a rut…Look Griff I can talk on and on about this,so I’d like to thank you the last couple of weeks have been forfilling,one thing,i havnt been reading your emails till today,awesum how you keep us informed,I will recommend you to anyone…Cheers Dionlee
I really, really like it. It’s great that I can download it and play it over and over until I learn it with the tabs. It’s a wonderful gesture that you share your music and experience with other wanabe musicians.
Hi Griff,
Great little solo, which has given me a very pleasant afternoon’s enjoyment while awaiting the arrival of the BGU course. I’ve just about got it nailed now and it sounds pretty cool. I am impressed by your teaching style which augers well for the quality of the main course.
I’ve been learning to play guitar for over 50 years now and have wasted years widdling around learning a multitude of licks, riffs and runs etc, but never really understanding their relationship, nor what to do with them. My wife [who is a talented flautist] brought it all to a head the other day when she asked me to play something for her that was recognizable as music and I failed miserably! I realized then that I needed a properly structured and coordinated course if I was ever going to be able to play the blues properly.
Hence my decision, after extensive internet research, to enroll on your Blues Guitar Unleashed course. I await its arrival with eager anticipation!
Kind regards,
Peter Walker
Hong Kong.
This is great stuff.Thanks!Also thanks for my order which arrived this week.Looks like I have a lot of practice ahead
Good stuff Griff keep throughing tahat at me I love it when i get itdown sounds sooooo good
great riff your the best out there cant wait too see whats next im learning so much i just love THE BLUES
I’m a really slow learner and my fingers don’t move as fast as yours, but I really enjoy the sounds you help me make, even if they aren’t as cool as the ones coming from your guitar. Thank you.
Great video. I appreciate your hard work Griff! Keep it comin’.
I can’t really tell when you have you pinky finger in play. You have ever thing so close that I can’t tell what finger you are using. Please be very careful to show what finger is hitting what string and what fret.
i really like this lick, Griff. You rock, Dude 🙂
Jim
I think I bought the wrong course. this is too basic. what do I do Griff?
Thank you so much i begin to be better.
Hey Griff, Thanks for helping me get back into the groove of playing again. I have been playing for 40 years and put it down about 10 years ago. Only playing occasionally. I felt stuck in a rut and didn’t really like what I was doing. I have played different styles but never felt like they were mine. I have been plunking at the blues for a while and found you on the net. I absolutely enjoy the way you teach and show how to play. I have never had lessons, outside of my father, and have really enjoyed playing along with your videos. They have opened my eyes to a lot that I didn’t know and after all this time, I’m actually happy again playing. I can’t wait to get your CD’s after the first of the year and look forward to learning what your “not” putting on the net 🙂 Thanks for sharing your gift and love of music.
Randy Walkup, Las Vegas, NV.
Hey Griff, A couple of weeks ago I didn’t know a guitar neck from a nut… that’s how much of a beginner I am. But, thanks to the great info, tips & videos you’ve been sending me, I not only know my way around a guitar, up to & including tuning & restringing, I can also manage a fairly decent “noise” that is close to being actual music, something I would have thought impossible after so short a time. OK so I can’t keep up with the speed the emails arrive at, but, I can save them and get to them when I’m ready to move on. While I wouldn’t dare call myself a “Musician” yet I can claim to be a future muso because I know I’ll get there, eventually. Thanks for your help and great encouraging attitude.
Sincerely. David G. Hope. Adelaide, South Australia.
Hey Griff, A couple of weeks ago I didn’t know a guitar neck from a nut… that’s how much of a beginner I am. But, thanks to the great info, tips & videos you’ve been sending me, I not only know my way around a guitar, up to & including tuning & restringing, I can also manage a fairly decent “noise” that is close to being actual music, something I would have thought impossible after so short a time. OK so I can’t keep up with the speed the emails arrive at, but, I can save them and get to them when I’m ready to move on. While I wouldn’t dare call myself a “Musician” yet I can claim to be a future muso because I know I’ll get there, eventually. Thanks for your help and great encouraging attitude.
Sicerely. David G. Hope. Adelaide, South Australia.
seem,s like your volume need,s to be turned up I can barley hear you Thanks G.T.
thanks GRIFF, I LIKE IT ALOT.
I’m completely amazed at the progress that I have made in my play. The lessons that are described are thorough and concise. With a daily practice I feel more confident and enjoy playing. Thanks.
I ENJOYED THE LESSON AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, I APPRECIATE THE PLAY ALONG.
i need a beginer lesson please and i will definitly buy your cd rom
Very Good!
cool
I’m just starting to play this now and I can’t express how much I love playing this. This is not too hard for me. It’s amazing how I can listen to a phrase and then replicate it perfectly. I now know that I’m really putting my listening skills to work.
You always make it look so easy!!! Thanks again, Jane
This is beyond exciting! This is so cool and sounds sooooooooo amazing. Thanks Griff, your amazing!!!
Great intro. I practiced until my hand hurt! Excellent getting a slow progression, faster, then the final example.
Hi Griff. Another great lesson from a great teacher the videos are great I think the word is GREAT today .Thanks Griff…………John.
JAM TRACK PLEASE
THANKS
I’m not sure if the problem is on my end or not but I barely hear the sound.
Hi Griff
Like the other replies, I have volume turned up but can hardly hear it, all the other videos have been fine.
thanks, Griff, for putting all this together for us. just gotta get my callouses better for those great clean bends.
Aloha!
Perfect example of how important it is to bend strings the right way. to get all that from 5 notes just goes to show it’s not always about flying up and down the neck. I got so much out of this that I’ll be playing at Madison Square Garden soon. But seriously, I think your a good teacher. you break things down very well. Maybe if the solo’s were slowed down a bit, it might be a little easier to pick up. Good job
Superb , just Superb , the ease of the method teaching and the lessons selected to teach.
the only think I could think of is to slow it down a little more some of the strings used in the lick
was hard to see, but after many replays i have it thank you Grill.
Hi Griff, 0n the whole tone pinky bends ,can i us my third finger?It seems much easier for me.
i call that the twelve bar blues shuffle . an like what every one else seems to experience is a very low output on the lesson needs volume. great lics but i wouldnt try to copy but create my own. S.R.V C.BERRY and alot of others use this . bye
no volume
Can barely hear the lesson, even with volume turned all the way up.
Griff volume is turned up on my computer and your video and I still cannot hear lesson
I think this great keep up the good job. Just started playing again . it has ben 50 years plus. it is going slow for me but i will end it on a good note. Thank u for all your help!!!!!!!!!
sounds really cool,superb rythm,
very cool
Would love to slow it down very hard to keep up for me Need to incorporate a slow down feature on solos. Love everything else so far.
Playing along with you and backing track is good stuff, helps alot THANKS GRIFF
I’m fixing to get into the BGU course. I’ve had it for a while but just haven’t had time to get to it. I like your style of teaching. You are pretty thorough and pay attention to small details that make a big difference later. Some teachers don’t realize there are 3 or 4 steps in their 1 step. So thanks for the help, hints and lessons
G riff,you have a lot of patience with us.but I tell you that these are the best lessons I have had that makes sense . Hard to believe I have just been playing chords and thats all, now you have helped me open up a whole new world. thank you Dennis
Griff: I have your Beginning Blues/BGU course and the Soloing w/o Scales course. All are excellent and so well done. It is so much fun to learn from you. Thanks for sharing your gift, talent and knowledge.
Good teaching method, consistent and clear. I really like playing the blues.
Once again, you outdid yourself!! Now, it’s fun to practice; actually learning something that other people will listen to and say,”WOW!!”.
Hi Griff,
I enjoyed this lesson, but i couldn’t find the backing track (by itself).
Ron
Pretty darn cool thats what I say
Just one word….. BRILLIANT !
Sherby
Extremely cool. Ace guitar
The “Blues” are not simple. There are always new things to learn. It’s about the small details in the way that the blues are performed that make it personal. The videos give me new ways to think about what I do and how I do it, thanks. I have been a blues writer for a long time and “voicing” the strings is always the carrot on the stick. I have 46 guitars, most I have built in my persuit of the tone and the bend. You can see my musical toys on facebook. If you actually read this I say again thanks for the videos. I am a retired Theratre Technical Director living on social security so I can’t afford to buy your full sets of vids but I do appreciate what I get.
Great Lesson….sadly, I could practice till the cows come home and not make the blues sound as good as you.
I believe I have foudn the answer to all my anatomical maladies. This is pretty easy to grasp even though I only have four fingers ! Nice job !
thank you im getting right into this blue progression.you sound great.thank you very much
Very nice Griff
Hey Griff, Sum all your videos up in one word…. Fantastic
Hey, Pete in the UK, how is your new Gretsch? I just got one too. Awesum!
hi griff good stuff just had to go out and buy a gretsch guitar ideal for playing the blues. pete in the uk
Hi graite stuff realy geting back in to guitare playing againe keep it coming, regardes John
Brilliant and I must congratulate you on the way in which the videos come over. You make everything so clear and therefore really enjoyable. Well done!
Hey Griff, I transposed the solo to the bass clef, and it is still sweet.
Great work baby, thanks
CEH
Nice, got that Bonamasa sound to it. Thanks!! I’ve been following and practicing all so far. This is just what I was after. Keep ’em coming. Like to see some blues spreads on the neck from key to key. Were heatin’ ’em up for the summer Jams here in North Dakota.
Thanks Grif!!!
Awesome, enjoyed it and love how you put it together. I will keep checking in from time to time as my schedule allows. Keep on picking and Thanks. Talk to you soon.
Cool stuff Griff, you could fit this lick into many blues tunes with a bit of fine tweeking making it sound completely new each time, this free stuff is THE best, saving hard for the proper programme, keep strummin man.
you should name your next series “Griff’s Riffs” or “Riffs by Griff” or “Gettin Riffy with Griffy” or “Riffilization using Griffilization”
lmao awesome stuff you do here! I’ve learned a bunch!
Hi Griff this is good stuff.looks like i have to buy another electric guitar as i got rid of mine a couple of years ago not imagining that jazz guitar could be so interesting to play.then i can look at getting your lessons
I got to tell you Griff, you have really taught me a lot just from your free stuff.
I love the blues solo! Man that is just too cool, and it does seem to be pretty simple. I am pretty new with the guitar. Just picked it up a couple of months ago, and signed up for your emails.
I just started trying to learn the solo today, and I can already hear that it is there once I get it memorized.
I haven’t bought your dvd lessons, but I am going to have to! You make the lessons thru email so easy, I’m wondering what I’m missing and how much better I would be if I had your dvd lessons!
I’m buying as soon as I get my next paycheck!
Hey Griff,
Thanks for all the vids & help, but do you have any tuned in open D or G ?
Also, do you have any vids teaching Mississippi Blues ?
ONE MORE THING- 🙂
When are you going to make a video using THE most awesome Blues Guitar in the whole wide world – The Amazing 335- ???,, heheheh
How about the backing track? can we download it please?
thanks
The great thing about learning a new lick…..it brings back the motor memory of a lick seldom used, or long forgotten. Live music is a form of self expression that has no equal. Its kind of like snowflakes….no two are alike. Your instructional package is professional, and a great tool for musicians at any level. You did good!!
Thanks for these lessons. I’ve been playing for over 49 years, and still find new things to learn. Keep them coming,I love it.
Thanks Griff I have really learned alot. I play on old Vintage Aria guitars. I was just wondering what is the name off the guitar you play in your video,s It looks like a Fender strat but I can see it doesn’t say fender. I have a 1971 Electra strat with several upgrades, great sounding old Japanesse Guitar. I realize this is most likely a stupid question, but I keep trying to see the name on the headstock but can’t. Thankyou for all you have taught me. If you go to youtube to learn something they play it so fast there is no way you can get it, also each teacher plays the same song totally different from the other, so thanks again I am really improving because off you and practice practice practice. Thanks man for what you do. Randy
Your material is helping a lot.
Can you suggest an app I can use on a Droid phone to allow fluent viewing of your videos and blogs ?
Greetings Griff,
Although I’ve been playing a while now I’m breaking out of my comfort zone and learning (thanks 2 you, Marty and others) new techs on guitar. I have two main goals. One is to feel comfortable playing with others and the other is to lay down lead guitar tracks on my origional songs – some dating back over 40 years and others as recent as last month. Thanks again for your help. Twobits from NYC
Hey Griff,great solo and pretty easy too, thanks so much for all the lessons you’ve sent over the past few weeks.I’m not what I would consider a great player (yet!!) but thanks to you and your buddy Marty Schwartz,I am making some diffinate improvements in my overall ability.
I’d like to also take advantage of this opportunity to wish YOU and YOURS the MERRIEST of CHRISTMAS’S and hope you have a prosperous 2011
Just like Jock (comment above) playing a long time, and still can’t get that blues solo feel, but this is helping. I more or less have a problem with the 4 & 5 chord changes, soloing over them, and i would love to get the call and responce feel, and where to go and note for that.
thanks griff
john new jersey
Thanks for the music Griff. I have been playing for 42 years and it is good to see others helping others learn to play the guitar. Just a small idea that may help, there is a small program called, ” ChordPulse “, easy to understand, place the chord and play along. This may also help to play the riff or riffs, maybe it will help. Have a Happy Holiday and All the Best to your Family in the coming year. Jock. Keep Smiling.
Thanks for the lessons Griff. I’ve been playing 20 years, but I’m starting to get a little more serious and this stuff is great study. Anybody who will let you test drive a product this much in advance can’t help but win confidence. When money gets a little better, I’ll be happy to purchase Your course! Thanks Bunches!
Hey Griff-
Almost got the wife talked into getting me the DVD package for Christmas. Do you think you could maybe drop the price alittle for Christmas. Times are alittle tough these days. Anyways, I do appreciate your tips and I do enjoy learning your licks. It is amazing what you can teach a person in such little time. I am impressed what I have learned from you already and I have been playing a long time. Sincerely, Dave Lamb
thanks heaps griff . i have always been a country music follower . but since i’ve been introduced to your blues lessons,i’ve taken it all into my grasp and look forward to your ongoing teachings, i’m sure there’s many more out there that enjoy your commitment to blues music just like me . thanks again griff. regards des
Hi ! Griff, Great lessons , I ‘m enjoying ever minute of. They say you can’t teach an old dog new tricks but you have proven that isn’t so. I have been playing and teaching guitar for more than 50 years and now you’ve added a few new licks for me to use. I have a blues run of my own , I call the Stray Cat blues { in Em}. I tell my students the same thing about developing there own style, we can’t all sound the same. Keep up the good work! Mike
How can I get just the rythm for solo-1 ? I think I’m ready to fill it in with the good stuff from this lesson…. Thanks!
Hi !,David here.Could you have a section on your site where we can (tune our guitar with yours?.)
I’m 73 yrs old and this would help alot.Eye thing you know.
Love the new 4 note solo..David.
Divim se. Vi ste divni. Hvala puno.
Good lesson, Griff. I’m still learning from you! Found out I had a weak ring finger bend. Have to work on it!
This is not ment to be a testimony, just the facts. When I was four years old or thereabouts, my big sister accidently slammed my left hand in the car door, all my finger on my left hand were broken, smashed to smithereens; my left ring finger was hanging by a little bit of skin completely severed, my little finger was smashed, my middle finger was broken and my pointer was broken as well – all that survived was my thumb. The doctor, who must have been some kind of genius, put them all back together in a cast (I must have been totally out of it because I don’t remember any of this). The hand mended okay, well, about as well as could be expected (I’m lucky the good Doctor didn’t just cut them all off) although I still can’t completely close my left hand into a fist, only partially since the tendons did not completely heal to their orignal, pristine condition. Needless to say, I always used that car door as an excuse for not being able to play the blues, or any kind of lead rock guitar for that matter (except the Ventures) because I couldn’t move my fingers fast enough so I thought I was pretty much out of the game, until this course, of course.
I am discovering that I can move my fingers just fine following your great instructions and I am able to do bends, pull-offs, hammer-ons, and just about anything else you require just fine. When I first heard this lead solo, above, I liked it but I was also totally apprehensive about ever being able to master it but I was determined. Guess what? After four or five days of practising it two or there hours a day, I’ve learned it, got it down completely. Learning each lick, each in it’s own turn, is a great way to get it all down. I am gaining more confidence in leaps and bounds. …zounds!!! I’ll never use my crippled fingers as an excuse again for not being able to play lead. A great side benefit to your instruction is that it is therapeutic. 🙂 It’s great to know that I don’t have to be a totally blues challenged.
Oh man, thanks Griff. You really do a stellar job of breaking things down and keeping it interesting and moving along. The simplest of things can be so rare and precious, most days your lesson is easily understood and moves with a certain continuity I don’t see often. I have checked out a lot of guitar lessons and you do stand out. I am learning quite a bit and the improvements are pleasing.
BGU and Soloing Without Scales are fantastic!If you are stuck in a rut and like i was bored of playing the same old licks and chords check them out.
thanks for the blues guitar lessons i realy appreciate them.keep up the great work.
Mr. Bennett,
The best way to strengthen your fingers is to play play play.
Griff, I like your lessons. keep it up. Vibrato and bends are so important to play clean. You are great at that. I’m working on it.
TC / OH…IO
Mr. Bennett,
The best way to strengthen your fingers is to play play play.
Griff, I like your lessons. keep it up. Vibrato and bends are so important to play clean. You are great at that. I’m working on it.
TC / OH…IO
Yo Griff ty for the free lessons I am saving them all and I am now going to practice them until my finger tips are tough. Blisters mean you are doing it right. Once that happens I will be able to do alot better with the bends.Keep on rockin
HEy Griff- finally got this solo down. Hoping to be able to buy your complete course soon. ( Un-employed for last 18 months)- Been playing for 30 years but not last 4, so this has definitely gotten me “fired up” to keep working at it. Thanks- you are the man- Chris/Spokane, Wa
Hey Griff, I tried to update my contact information but there was a problem. Could you please send all future correspondence to my new address. 53panhead@bellsouth.net. Thanks a lot. Tony.
Hey Griff,
Just wanted to post this comment for these ‘Free Students’ :
If you are happy with these free lessons Griff makes available I can assure you when you purchase the courses ‘Blues Guitar Unleashed’ and ‘Beginning Blues Guitar’, you will be ecstatic ! … I am one of Griff’s students and am currently 3/4 of the way through BBG … I never played guitar before this and I am 60 yrs. old … I can now play several really cool Blues tunes …
I’m tellin’ ya folks , if you want to learn the Blues Griff’s courses are a must have … Thanks Griff … I’m a Blues man thanks to you !!! 🙂
Hey Griff,
Just wanted to post this comment for these ‘Free Students’ :
If you are happy with these free lessons Griff makes available I can assure you when you purchase the courses ‘Blues Guitar Unleashed’ and ‘Beginning Blues Guitar’, you will be ecstatic ! … I am one of Griff’s students and am currently 3/4 of the way through BBG … I never played guitar before this and I am 60 yrs. old … I can now play several really cool Blues tunes …
I’m tellin’ ya folks , if you want to learn the Blues Griff’s courses are a must have … Thanks Griff … I’m a Blues man thanks to you !!! 🙂
Here’s a trick that works very well for me, so I share it in case others find it useful also.
Griff emphasizes practicing by playing along with the video (or the CD track), and I’m beginning to understand why this is so important. But it’s not so easy to gauge how well you do. If you play the track at low volume you cannot always hear it over your own guitar; and if you crank up the volume of the track you don’t hear your own mistakes.
To solve this problem I put all the tracks on my computer, and I listen to them through one ear plug. This allows me to turn up the volume high enough so I hear it all the time, without drowning out the sound I’m making on my own guitar, because my other ear remains free. It’s a simple trick, but it has really helped me.
I have to say, Griff, that your blues teaching is leagues ahead of anything else I’ve found on the Internet – it’s clear, divided up in digestible chunks (great for beginners) but the full solo is challenging enough to maintain the interest of the more competent guitarist.
I’ve been playing for over 35 years and was reasonably happy with my jazz playing but could never seem to get a handle on the blues – I used get through adequately but was always bored with the result!
Now I’m applying the ideas in this video, the 4-note solo and Playing on the Porch, I’m starting to discover a whole world of possibilities without having to think too hard (and get bogged down by jazz scales).
What’s more bends are beginning to happen in my jazz playing and the damping technique you teach is adding a whole new dimension to my soloing.
There’s only one word to describe your material – AWESOME!!!
A massive thanks . . .
Simon
Hi Griff
This might help, if not you then me.
I am a young 64, played bass in a group about 40 years ago for 18 months. Since then i have had a six string electric & acoustic and enjoyed trying to play for my own enjoyment, yes all those years and my problem is still timing. I know cords and i like lead, but your 4 note solo proved one thing to me i can play the solo following you with no problem but and this is a big but, when i play the backing and try to time it i am hopeless. I know, man you’ve been trying for forty odd years give it up.
I know what you’re saying, buy my course and practise. Maybe a few example of timing lessons first.
I am sure I’m not the only person with this problem.
I will admit i have check out a lot of guitar lesson on the internet over the years i find that so far yours is the most (for me) enlighten. Regards James (Australia)
Great lesson Griff! I’m 48 and I have picked up my Hondo II faux-Strat (cost my mother $93) again after 30 years! I have taken your advice and started with your Beginning Blues Guitar series. I’ve gotten through the first four licks and starting to play the “Sitting Easy Blues” consistently without many mistakes! The fingering correction you gave on the B7 chord (using the third and pinky fingers) is giving me headaches but I’ll stick with it! I’ll order “Unleashed” when I get about three-quarters of the way through BBG. Take care and thanks for the free look into “Unleashed!”
It is totally amazing to me that someone who is so generous to share his knowledge and obvious passion for playing Blues Guitar should generate e-mails from people that are so rude and demanding. Comments such as, What’s Next?! and, “Why don’t you show some more complicated chords”?!, as if it is these peoples RIGHT to have you put up your videos online. I, like several others I am sure would love to be able to buy the complete course, but, like one of your other fans said,, “I am , at the moment , financially embarrassed”. I was laid off work two months ago. These little snippets are line an oasis in the desert. They certainly give me enough to be going on with and just think how much easier the full course will be when I eventually get to buy it.
Thank you Griff, from the end of my fingers to the tapping of my toes!
dude ,thanx .wish u were around when i was younger.
Here now is a man, (myself). I am 33 yrs old never played a lick in my life, till now!!! Thanx Griff, you are an excellent teacher and because of you I am now fulfilling my dream of learning to play guitar and I\’m actually sounding like I can play! -/ -/ Cheers to you!
Griff !!!!!!!! Your the man, been through alot of these self help leasons, YOU ARE THE MAN.
Thanks for the free lessons. You are great for doing this for us. we enjoy them very much.In a couple of weeks I will be getting your dvd’s and I will finally be able to play with my buddy in Arkansas when I go down this summer Thanks again for this Your friend Jimmy the want to be blues man from Canada
Griff, Thanks for the lessons and the help, I am 58 yrs old and just took up guitar. I took lessons for a couple of months but found your style of teaching is more productive for me. Looking forward to getting your program soon and again, thanks for the free lessons.
Thanks Griff, I got my package of Blues Guitar Unleashed yesterday, took a rde to my brothers and we went thru most of it. We learned a few things. We have been playing for 30 years but not for the last 4, so your lessons were well worth the $$ it got us all pumped up ,I will be uploading a sample soon , THANKS
Griff
Thanks for taking the time to put out these great lessons. and I am enjoying every one. I am having trouble opening the tab file. is there a way to open it that I am missing?
Hi Griff
Thank you
I received my cd,s and dvd,s and my lessons,
I am working through them now.
Again thank you.
Robert Nemeth
Hi Grif – I’m 67 years old. Haven’t hardly played in 45 years. Started again a little over 4 months ago. Took a month to harden up my fingers but when I found your site I’ve been trying to master everything you sent. It’s coming along slowly and as soon as I get a few thing down pat and my fingers properly loosened up I’m going to order the full course. Dosen’t seem like practice now, just occupying my time as I play intermittently, probably a couple of hours daily doing and learning something I’m now really enjoying. Thanks.
Hey Grif.
I love your lessons. Thanks for making it so easy. I’ll be buying your course next year. One question, I am having trouble finding the most comfortable position for my guitar on the strap when I’m standing. Is there any guide I should be trying to follow.
Tab isn’t loading. Shows done at bottom of the page but had a blank screen
forgot to add that i am 53 & play once a week at a biker church … also play about 40 weekends a year in a prison in texas … been a blues wanna be for years
much ablidged … you are very generous & helpful … although the tab will not load for, it says the file is damaged … have a wonderful thanksgiving
7456628 could u send me some slide stuff i wou;d really injoy learning the blues with the slide .thank u psss lov playing the slide
hey griff my man…i want to say thanks..because i can play blues very welll..could not before you came in my life.i have a musical ear..aqnd i have put it all together already ,thanks to you my man my son loves to hear me play blues…i am a little ahead of the class i feel but learning those basics from you has opened my eyes and ears to important knowlegde i missed on my own.keep up the good work..and my god bless you…griff cornell[a talented ear]
I have band in a box on my pc , a really nice program.What I cant find is 12 bar blues on it
am I stupit or should I look at it under another header , I was gonna use it to give me a background rythm.
Keep up the good work
John K.,
Keep this in mind. Les Paul played excellently until his passing at the age of 94! Rock on! You are an inspiration to all of us.
Hey Jackson,
What’s wrong with being a “white guy”?!
Play some Clapton riffs.
Man you are tuff enough for a white guy…..LOL
Thanks so much Griff! This is great stuff and you are an excellent teacher.
keep up the good work ,
I am having fun
🙂
Griff,A friend of mine sent me one of of your lesson from u-tube and I was impressed with your teaching style.I’m 53 and this is the 3rd time I’ve attemped to play (been with it a little over a year now )but I gleem a lot from your free be’s (gonna have to break down and pay for some)&(at least you don’t try to sing like one of the competion does)I’m wondering why do I still go for lessons.great stuff
Hey all active agers: I see where some of you are 57, 48, 58 etc.
I’m an 80 year old active ager. I find that Griff’s video lessons are great for learning to play blues solos.
I’m am not much of a guitar picker but really enjoy taking each solo, and learning it. It is so much more fun to play along with the audio portion of the riffs. Keeps practice from being boring. No what I mean Vern? Tks John K.
Griff you’re a gifted teacher as well a gifted musician.You’ve nailed the soul of the blues.Thnx for the free lessons will be purchasing the full course asap.
Ropate,Fiji
Thanks Griff im enjoying your lessons iwas getting nowhere till i found you thank you i have problems using little finger on strings anyone have any ideas how to strength it,again thank you.
Hi Grif,
I found your site when I logged onto your 4 note solo piece. I am 60 this year and diagnosed with lymphona, not terminal but life shortening, so I’m doing things I have often daydreamed about. I am the lucky owner of a fender 72 thinline, given to me by my son when he emigrated to Canada,(he could only take one guitar, and chose his Les Paul), and a Peavey Solo busking amp. I then created some mp3 tracks, just drums, bass and rhythm guitar. I also play harp, for many years I was singer/harmonica player
in various local blues bands,playing the pub circuit .
I have always dabbled with the guitar, but never seriously, but on finding your site and recieving your fantastic lessons I have had a new lease of life. I confess I have transposed your 4 note solo to G, easy even for me, and am using it as a lead on Route 66.
You see my plan is to go to Edinburgh whilst the Festival is on and busk in Princes Street and surrounds. My initial plan was backing tracks, me strumming and playing odd bits of lead on guitar, singing and playing harp leads. Now using your various lessons I feel I can add more guitar.
Anyway enough of my waffling, I just want to thank you for your inspiration, and the quiet way you explain the various licks etc., so as to make a person feel welcome, and that they can dare to think they too can play the blues
Cheers Robert
I’m 61 years ols and just started to play Guitar. I know how to read music and play a keyboard fairly well. I’m looking forward to play blues. I know I’ll have to work much harded changing my fingers faster to the different chords. Thanks for all the information you are sending me. Connie, felling that youth fullness still!
Hi Griff, I might rank-in there as close to the oldest guy at 63, but like the others, i picked-up guitar in college but just in the last year got guitar-serious. Thanks for your lessons, they’re easy to understand, powerful and your presentation is excellent.
Believe me you Griff, your lessons and licks I do use in our church Worship here in Southern Philippines). I am a co worship leader and play lead guitar, the Lord is glorified!
I enjoy the lessons… I am thinking about buying the course…
I have been playing off and on for over 40 years and now that my family is on their own, I want to learn more, so I can sit in with friends who play for a living….
As far as guitars go… I have a used mex strat w/Customm Shop Fat 50’s.. sounds awesome… ’96 50th Aniversary American Tele… and a ’82 American Fender Bullet (last year made in the states.)… love them all….
John
HI.GRIFF…
just to let you know I really enjoy your
videos.I learned A lot thank you for your
kindness.you have A great program.
I hope you continue to Email me.
thanks for every thing….
IVAN CANADA
Hey Griff,
Just a note to say I really enjoy your videos. I’m another pentagenerian, (58). I too know all the basic chords and many of the A & E Barr chords, but can not pick out tunes. I got turned onto the blues and ordered a mini-course from Jamie Andreas from guitar principles. Then I found your site. So I’ll finish her course and then tackle your much more advanced course of the blues. Griff I like your style of teaching. But more over I like your integrety and down to earthness, if there is such a word. Keep up the good work. Hope to buy your course soon.
John
Hey Griff,I bought your Blues Guitar Unleashed friday night so it didn’t get here yet.I’m waiting patiently.This past weekend I practiced the G7-C7-D7 cords and had some fun with that.Anyway I can’t wait until my package gets here so I can start my journey.Thanks for everything.(I hope this works for me)Jeff B
Hey Griff,
Thanks for all of your sent emails….really enjoy watching them and learning something new…been playing for 35 years but know you can never be too good as they say….as you have mentioned….each solo should be broken up in to small sections…however, instead of numbering them…..I give them nicknames to remember them by….for instance…on your first small section of this solo…I have nicknamed it (Big Griffer) and the next section (Little Griffer)….and the next section (Griffster)….and so on…..it really helps in remembering each little sectional lick…..I not only use these sectional licks or riffs together but individually while playing Blues solos…I have learned countless licks from several other artist (BB King, Eric Clapton, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Keith Wyatt, Jody Worrell, Albert King, Peter Vogel, etc) and needed a system to remember each lick or riff used during a jam session….I am up to 100 little licks or riffs and had to come up with a better way to remembering them…I highly suggest taking part of the artist name and incorporating it with something funny or a name that makes you remember the lick or riff….for instance..my BB King licks are BB Shot, BB Kingster, etc….Eric Clapton licks are Clapton’s Slide, Clapton’s Butterfly, etc..even my own made up licks..Rickster, Inch Worm, Peter Pan, etc..(I even have them printed out on a sheet and put it in front of me while playing…too many great licks to forget..helps me too remember all the cool licks that I might have otherwise forgotten to play during a solo)….you get the ideal I’m sure…Albert King said it best (listen to other artist…take and learn the licks and riffs you like from each of them and then incorporate them into your on style)….anyway.. thought this might be a helpful hint to those out there trying to remember licks and riffs…..you’re an awesome teacher…keep up the great work…”God Bless”!!!!
Ricky Barton
you r my knew mentor.when i get my founds up i will be getting you cd.no dought.your a musical blessing.i was thinking about giving up.im about 15 years behind.dad wouldnt let me play.your teaching is music to my ears.bottom of my heart ty
i got anew email please continue to send the latest thankx ray
hi griff love your site anything for learning bass
Hi Griff,
I just love your website. This Solo Example #1
is fantastic!! You are a great teacher, and inspire me EVERY DAY to practise, practise, practise. I can hardly wait for the time that
I can actually play along with you. My guitar teacher, at the Senior Center…here in the Atlanta area…also was quite amazed by your
free on-line lessons. We both love listening
to your sample videos and are blown away by how easy it is to learn from your lessons. I now hope to own an electric guitar some day, and the sooner…the better!
I’m saving for your 10 DVD Lesson Set.
Thanks,
Zira
Very helpfull thanks a lot
Please explain a “tweedlee” – I can hear it but what’s the tab? I must have missed an earlier demo.
Griff;
Where did all the old guys come from? lol
I am a 40’ish female and have enjoyed your lessons immensely! I really am impressed about your teaching MO as well. You are not out JUST to make a buck! Your lessons are quality and give a jump start to those who wanna “get a feel” for the blues!
Wonderful!
Thanks Griff!
PEACE
To Gene: Try updating your Acrobat reader software if you are still having problems reading PDF!
Just looking at the Strat/ Gibson / tone Debate.
Thought i chuck in my 5 cents worth.
Both company’s have made good and bad guitars. I prefer Gibsons because I like the neck profile and flatter fretboard. Just personal.
I own a 1982 Les Paul Firebrand, no big shakes in the world of Gibson, but, heres my point. It has an inherently good tone. First time I play an electric. I like to be somewhere I can hear it unplugged.(Not always easy)
If it hasn’t got a good tone by itself, it will never sound great no matter what pickups or amp use use. You will always be trying to compensate for something that wasn’t there in the first place.Dont get me wrong . I’m not saying it will be totally awful. But it will never be as good as you want (is anything?)Ive owned a few guitars in my time. I have always had to sell one to buy another. But not ‘this” Gibson, never.
Hi Griff. Thanks for the knowledge you share.Iv’e been playing for decades. (real slow learner) Just wanted to say that the way you approach this is the best iv’e seen. You are teaching me stuff, and let me tell you that ain’t easy!
Also just to let you know what a good player you are. You got the tone and phrasing that a lot of “Blues” players seem to miss.More is not always better.
Ferg, lost in Australia.
Hi ,what would be helpful to me is to go throught a real life scenario , you on stage the song is a in the key of ? , twelve bar or ? What do you do the chords, appropriate solo’s , Where does your course addresss this and could you give and example in your videos . Great stuff by the way ,this may be the best blues guitar course I have seen getting very close to joining
Thanks to the bankers (or something like that!) who masterminded the Credit Crunch I’m out of work again. Your emails and videos keep me sane in between the bouts of job hunting. Thanks, and keep it up!
thanx very much for your solo ..
it was cool man..
wonderfull good guitar work i enjoy your videos
hi love the lessons that I have received it has re-ignited my desire to learn again,,,thank you
I was wondering if it is possible the get the book “BLUES GUITAR UNLEASHED” in Australia
cheers
rick
Really enjoy your videos. Have some of your lessons. Your method of teaching is refreshing to a 75er.
Grif, I have been practicing the A minor scale, A major scale and A blues box and this solo, BINGO, the light went on-It is in the A Blues Box!!-Now that I recognize the notes in the song are in the A blues box, it makes the song much, much easier to play and to understand!! YIKES !!
I’m on the “older” side, having played guitar since 13, but never having learned much. I am enjoying learning the blues with Griff; already, I can play music I never would have attempted. His method of teaching is so understandable and straight forward. It is so much”fun” to practice something that actually sounds neat!
what i found works great when it comes to blues scales, learn the scale first, then jumble it up for awhile, go string 6,4,2,1,3,5..etc…etc..etc…it really improves on the sound …doesnt sound like a scale anymore just blues…keep up the good work griff Steve.
Hey James, blues is blues. It is all in the way you handle it,right? A good guitar with a good sound is what you really need and I agree these top brands are whatwe all want, but they cost heaps. My suggestion is keep on with Griff because he is not only a good teacher but he is a natural, everyday good guy. And relax, breathe in real deep and go for it. You will be just fine.
thank you Vidar for the tips. I prefer Gibson myself, I just thought a strat might have a more bluesy sound.
James, do NOT go the Strat import route. In the long they have more problems and little issues than they are worth. I’ve played Mexican Strats, own a Japanese Strat. They are cheap knock-offs, IMHO. Get yourself a used “made in the USA Strat” if you can. Some people fixate on the Stratocaster as the only guitar to play, but I prefer Gibsons. I have owned several. Ask around on this forum. People own guitars that are neither Fender nor Gibson, and they seem to be content. Limiting your choice to a Strat or a Strat copy may be very limiting in terms of what you may find.
In any case – Rock On !!!
this course is awesome
Hi Griff,
Another great lesson you have taught me. I’m another picker in my 50’s.
Question: What is a good guitar on a budget for those of us who can’t afford a Strat? (or can you get a Strat import cheap?)
I have a Samick Greg Bennett series guitar. The neck action is great…the sound…not so great. Would better pick-ups help?
I’m unemployed, so my money is tight.
Thank you for putting the spark back into my desire to play again.
Hey Grif,
Excellent material. You dont suck either. 😉
I like how you present the lessons and break them down into sections. I have turned some other ppl on to your site. They are all impressed too. I will eventually get around to buying your DVDs. Too much economic $tre$$ right now. Good time to promote your free lessons.
Keep up the good work!
BTW- All of the PDF’s are corrupted. Doesnt matter what version of Adobe is installed.
Hey Grif, another old geezer here, I am 56 and have dabbled with the guitar since college. I finally got serious and looked into the blues, yours by far is the best!! I am an intermediate player but inspiring to get better, I have a nice Jay Turser sunburst blues guitar and a rockin” Peavey amp!!-Yikes I am having a blast!!! With your video lessons and great attitude!! keep it up!!
I have an 11 year old – has a fender looks just like yours. It has the humbacher pick also. Sounds great. When we bought it there was a guy in the store I aske to try out the guitar so we can hear what it sounds like. It turns out that he was Daniel “slick” Ballinger a very good blues player.
I like your teaching – keep up the good work.
Brian
Hi Griff,
There is something wrong with the link to the Tabs for this song. It says that the file is corrupt.
Hi Griff,
I wish you could do a section like “justinguitar” for us broke folk… because between the two of you there’s a good chance I could get good at this… (modest!)I really enjoy your approach with the close up on the frets. Thanks for the free stuff so far though.
Your instruction is first rate and easy to follow. Thanks for the free lessons
Griff,
On the solo #1 are you bending with your pinkie on the 1st string bends on the 8th fret? I have trouble with that.
I love this tune and video and would really like to learn it but it says your tab file is infected and won’t open. I have Acrobat Reader 5.1 on my computer and tried to update it but was not successsful. Any other way to get the tabs.
Really enjoy your instruction videos.
hey man thanx 4 the videos they have helped me tremendously.Im not working at the time so i cant afford to buy the videos.I have been at this thing for three years,i no a lot but cant seem to connect the puzzle but you are one of the few i can realy relate to.Thanks
I’m another old guy (55). I played acoustic for most of my life until I was about 35 and lost interest in playing the same old songs. About a year ago I bought an electric guitar and followed my desire to play the blues. I’ve used books, blues channels, Youtube and BGO. I always wanted to be the guy in the music store that could play a guitar, as I was intimidated by their skill. Last month I went to a store to try a new amp. I felt great and played without embarrassment. I find your lessons the best way to learn and build the blues vocabulary. I don’t want to be a virtuoso but to play with others that just love the genre and the satisfaction of “no hollywood, just laying it down good”.Thx
i agree with bruce.im 53yrs old and all i know is basic strum chords.i have a little bit of a hard time with blues licks but ive been seeing new chords like c7-a7 ect.they also are helping me a lot.keep up the good lessons,hope to see more.i put them all in my favorites in case i cant learn them right away i can always go back.
Griff,
Just want to reitterate what Bruce stated. I too am over 50, had a few lessons years ago, got a serious itch this last year, bought the relatively expensive but good (L&M)guitar course. I’m about half way through and am loving guitar. However, I really love the Blues. I’m inspired by your videos even though I haven’t yet gotten an opportunity to really sit down and practice the material. But trust me I will. Keep up the good work and I will definitely be checking out your course.
Well, I’ll soon be 57 and I’ve had a few guitars in my lifetime and only ever learnt to strum a few very basic chords (and to finger pick ‘House of the Rising Sun – like just about everyone). A couple of months ago I made up my mind that I was going to learn once and for all. I bought a guitar course which is very good though somewhat expensive. But while this course really covered music theory and the basics, I wanted something that was more in line with the music I like – BLUES – to work with also. So I got Griff’s PTTB course a couple of weeks back. Griff, you are a great teacher – easy to understand and methodical (little by little, bit by bit). One of your secrets is when you show us a lick on one of your videos, you say things like “Well that’s really easy, just part of the 2nd box” things like that. Well, those comments to make us beginners feel inadequate (kidding)just give me more incentive and already I have a few things nailed or close to it – like the Solo#1, Porch blues, Tore Down etc. But most importantly I’ve also already gained more insight into playing than I have since, well forever it seems. Oh, and for those who have not seen Griff in action just Google his name and stand back. I’m glad I discovered Griff Hamlin. Many thanks.
great lick,with a little imagination,the possibilities are endless.THANKS
Hey Griff
Great solo ideas, but when I try and Get the Tab It says it is Damaged. Can ya put up a new file or some thing.
Thanks
Just Bubba
realy enjoy the last solo its good for older people tocatch on to the blues
Hi Paulo,
If you have any problems at all, just shoot me an email to support (AT) playingthroughtheblues.com and I’ll get you fixed up.
Griff
Hi Griff
Iam amazing too much your guitar course. I don´t know what is happening, but I didn´t get to make download the videos about solo example #1 and the videos bonus of the course Play Through The Blues by Eric Clapton, Albert King and so on.
Sorry my English, because I am a brazilian.
Regards
Paulo Henrique
[…] you haven’t learned solo 1 yet, you can take a look at that post here « Solo Example […]