Double Your Mileage - Change Octaves

Posted In Lessons, Practicing | 15 comments

One of my mantras is "take what you know and learn to do more with it." I say this a lot because a lot of people get hung up on learning more instead of learning how to do more with that they already know how to play.

In my experience, it's a lot easier to take something that you can already play and use it in a new way than it is to learn something totally new from the beginning.

So to that end I made this video about how to take a simple blues lick and move it up an octave. This effectively doubles the use you can get out of the lick in most cases.

I know, it's a simple trick and you might say, "well of course, I know that." But just because you know it doesn't mean you always remember to do it.

Perhaps this can server as a reminder :)

Enjoy, and leave any comments you have below.

Leave A Reply (15 comments So Far)


  1. jb

    thanx griff....your bgu course has been,,,,still is quite the course as is your style.....i get ahead of myself and need to go back and then i gotta' kick myself for skippin' over that particular lesson :) i am 'bout halfway thru your course here after 'bout 2 yrs but i enjoy it fully...you can see by the spilled coffe on the pages ...more than once :) and as a testimony to the quality of the materials you use to assemble the instruction book....it's still solid to the binder !! :) i owe ya' man ..thanx griff...jb


  2. Sally Miglioranza

    I am going to have fun with this today. Thankyou! Sal.


  3. Jane

    Thanks Griff, it is always helpful to be reminded of the basics. Jane


  4. Bronwyn

    This is one of the things I have been trying to practice.
    It really does work best in the lower keys as you say but well worth the effort in giving extra milage to my playing.
    ciao
    Bronwyn


  5. Idiotwind

    ....h.mmm.. mm...your recent hacking problems must have cost you some video posts to this blog because no video is coming through, not here anyway and I've noticed on a few other of your blogs although some of those do have a download option still.


  6. scott peak

    hey griff good double your mileage video..pls tell me how you get that great blues sound from your amp..be as specific as u can i have a vox 4 watt tube amp and a fender amp so you can adjust reverb,gain tone and chorus... thanx


  7. freddie smith

    Thanks Griff, I like how you go nice and slow at first, and how you box it in separted parts, so we can get the first part first, than the next part second. and, so on and on. I like how you teach, you seem to be very patients with your students.I'm on disablity I've had three back surgries so I cant work right now I just want you too know how I'm greatfull for these great little licks you do. I cant afford your full lessions right now. I'm in deep debt to you Griff. Thanks, freddie


  8. Bruce Sankey

    You also can get the same effect by moving lick from lower strings to higher ones , without climbing higher on the fretboard. Perhaps not the same exact sound , but still works , n adds variety to solo.


  9. Rick Salomon

    appreciate your lessons. They are informative and well done. and put in laymens terms,'THANKS' I look forward to what's next.


  10. Patrick

    thanks, good stuff


  11. Marilyn

    Good idea Griff. But what can you do on acoustic guitar?


  12. robbie

    More cool stuff. Thanks Griff


  13. John Affleck

    Thx Griff,
    Sound advice!!!! Cheers mate..
    New server looks good...John


  14. Gary

    Hi Griff
    I always appreciate your lessons. They are always well done and very informative. I look forward to seeing both you and Bob Murnahan in my inbox.

    Thanks so much for all you do for guitar players everywhere
    Gary


  15. John

    Cool