I know that some folks are going to see this video and roll their eyes a little because it seems basic…

But if you’ve not played a blues scale on your guitar before, and you don’t know where to start where that is concerned, it’s a SUPER important concept that needs to be addressed.

So this might be more for the beginners, but if that’s you it’s time to sit up straight and grab your guitar and play this with me now…


    33 replies to "What’s A Blues Scale And How Do You Play It"

    • Indiana Dave

      Griff,
      You are truly a gifted teacher, as well as guitarist. I’m more a bass player currently but have subscribed to your blues instruction since I first picked up a guitar 10 years ago. Your insights and friendly methods are contagious and do make a difference in peoples lives. They certainly have mine.
      Thank you for all you’ve done.
      Dave

    • James Clark

      As a newbie player of 15 months in and hooked As always you give us (or me particularly) a piece/ bit of info of something new or intriguing 🤔 that’s a bonus. Thanx Griff

    • Dr. Kingman

      Hey Griff,
      I have been a BGU member since dinosaurs roamed the earth.
      Your lessons have given me great inspiration and joy.
      All the best,
      An old plucker from Vancouver BC

    • Dane

      Griff – You just opened a door I’ve been knocking on for a long time. Thank you!

    • Wirelessqba

      Century to a kind of destruction:

    • Squieryow

      European glory, and even after

    • Batteriesgen

      Preserved about 300 thousand.

    • Speakerumt

      secular brotherhoods of scribes.

    • BlackVuejfa

      only a few survived.

    • Rubberuvh

      works of art.

    • Ronnie

      Just wishing someone would answer Matt’s questions as I’m in the same boat

    • Pete Fegredo

      Thank you Griff you explain things so well. It’s great for us guys who learn slowly and if I could speak for the advanced players we appreciate your patience.

    • W.G.Ivory

      Awesome lesson Griff , you make everything not easy but simple enough for anyone to do , keep them coming

    • RB Owens

      Great! I personally think a review of where we we were and where we are at present is really important in keeping one out of the blues doldrums and playing the same old riffs over and over.

    • Alexander

      I remember the first time learning that scale. It really helps along with the 4-note solo. Great place to start.
      Alexander

    • Matt

      Fantastic video, as usual. As a 16 month old beginner, and having spent countless hours playing this, I’m able to play Box 1 of the Am scale, complete with the 2 blue notes, without any sour notes. What I can’t do, however, is improvise within it. Even with a backing track my playing does not have any “feel” or bluesy groove to it. I’m working on hammer ones and pull offs but even with those it still sounds mechanical and completely “soulless”.

      • Mike

        Hey Matt, I’m a long time BGU subscriber, and your question comes up from time to time. Your answer probably lies in the timing of the notes. You’d be well served to take a blues lick by a master, and count it out so you know where the notes fall over the beat and chord accompaniment. You’ll learn how the really cool stuff is created. Griff has other videos (and courses) that cover this. Good luck!

    • THe Reluctant Uncle

      I’m sorry if other people roll their eyes at this level of material, but some of us are beginners. Thanks for touching on the basics.

    • Robert ball

      Block scale helps a lot and explains a lot of what I need to know

    • Christopher Smallwood

      Quick tech question for Griff or anyone… Been playing a good while, but still enjoy learning. Right now I’m running a Les Paul Studio with 57s through a Vox AC15C1 tube amp. I can get some great tones, but anyone have a certain setup or pedal recommendation for a great buttery blues tone? Thanks in advance

      • Born2boogie

        Adjust your treble knob on your LP even to off or at at least to suit your taste with a distortion pedal unless your amp has a gain section re Gary Moore or women tone if a strat turn off treble like Eric Clapton

        • Christopher Smallwood

          Yep got that Born2boogie. Been experimenting with this new set up. I have a Strat that I love and I love this particular Vox amp. Bought the LP about a month ago and love it, of course. Just getting used to the transition… Strat to LP. Both are great and still play both every day. I’m lookin for a tone in my head that I haven’t been able to produce. Thanks for the advice

    • Troy B

      Love box 1 and 5 notes of box 2 using High E and B

    • Troy B

      Man anytime you speak I’m listening! As usual Griff thank you for sharing

    • james thomas phillips

      everything I see is just great griff, thanks james

    • Fredrick Kehoe

      Excellent lesson. So simple even I can do it. Gonna go home after work and try it. Thanx as usual.

    • MB

      Awesome stuff and never overlook the importance of reinforcing the fundamentals. I’d love to see a next step video from “Beginner” Blues Scale to “Beginner” Phrasing with the Blues Scale.

    • Mick

      straight forward nothing extra-great lesson

    • Gene Carl Cordoni

      Hello Griff, it has been awhile since I have commented on your awesome site. I just wanted to say, that I pass your site onto every guitar player I know as I think that whatever a guitar players skill level is and might be, there is always some great things to learn and practise here on your site. Thanks Griff.

    • mike z.

      Griff , it is always good to go back and revisit something you know . You have said that many times before . This is another great lesson . Thanks , Mike Z.

    • JD

      I love the “You don’t want to hang out on the blues note, but it’s a fun note to pass through.” Nicely put!

    • Carey

      Don’t fret over the nay-sayers; what’s old hat to some is brand new to others! Everyone has to start somewhere.

    • leigh taliaferro

      Griff, best guitar teacher ever! Thanks

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