The Minor 7th chord is a blues-rock staple as you’ll see in this video.
You might be familiar with it in a more traditional fingering, but for the blues-rock thing you need to break it apart and use it in 2 pieces. Plus we’ll have some fun with a vibe effect 🙂
63 replies to "Blues Rock Minor 7th Chord"
Great tips. Thanks.
Great stuff. Always targeted at the stuff I am working on at the time. Do you have my amp bugged or what? Ha Ha Ha. F.Y.I. I saw another video where it was discovered that Billy only tuned the A string to a G and the rest in std tuning on the song “Jesus just left Chicago”. Maybe that’s the trick on the rest of those licks and fills?
Always love the Trower &Top sound thanks
Great lesson. Thank you. Greatly appreciate learning more about rock integrated rhythms and riffs/licks.
I hang my thumb on the Low E versus the index finger. Works better for my hand, less complicated and crowded. But, whatever works is what’s best.
More Robin Trower lessons please he’s a legend just like yourself Griff.
More Robin Trower pleeeease
I will forever remember going to a Ted Nugent and ZZ TOP concert in Shreveport, Louisiana. Ted played first and then ZZ TOP comes on and plays for a while, later they break out the song Beer Drinkers and Hell Raisers and the some of the Rednecks started fighting. I saw it take three cops to hold one crazy guy that wasn’t even that big, he looked spaced out. I thought if Billy would have seen all of the fighting he would never play that song again. Crazy world. I have been a fan of ZZ Top since the early 70’s and never saw a fight at any of their concerts until that day. I have seen them since and thank goodness no more fights.
Hi Griff, good lesson.
Just a comment about the “new” blog layout. This video is a “Lesson” as per the heading up in the banner. If we click on the “Lessons” button and scroll down we find other clips with additional headings – “Discussion”, “Practicing”, “Blues Artists” etc. But there’s no way to get from one category to another except by scrolling through and finding the category accidentally. Could you (or your Website gurus) add a button for each category to the banner at the top? That way it’s easier for the users to move around your fabulous collection of information.
Cheers, Chris G.
I enjoy your idea but I like to make a suggestion. You emphasize counting while learning. I find it difficult because it is like requiring someone to sing while learning a new song. I would be helpful if you would emphasize with your voice when the strum or note took place. For example if you wanted us to play every other note in triplets in a bar instead of saying 1 and a 2 and a etc while playing every other note you could say ONE and A two AND a THREE and A four AND a ONE where the capitals you say loud and lower case, quiet. As a teacher I learned the more senses you can use in an explanation the better. No teacher I have could on the internet uses the technique I suggested. Thanks
Guess I missed this one when my computer puked out . Very cool stuff I am a Trower and ZZ top lover . That to rolling stone is a great tune . There are many others Robin did that were under rated .
Awesome lesson Griff! Love those songs and the info on how it’s done is a real eye-opener.
Great items from you, man. I have take into
accout your stuff previous to and you’re just extremely wonderful.
I actually like what you’ve got right here, really like what you
are stating and the way in which by which you are saying it.
You are making it enjoyable and you continue to care for to keep it sensible.
I can’t wait to read far more from you. This is really a wonderful site.
Brilliant Griff thanks
Griff, “Man of the Year”, “Teacher of the Year” and the list could go on and on. Thank you for a wonderful musical ride!
Love the minor 7ths!! Thanks Griff!
Great stuff. Thanks Griff. Always have a blast with these tips. Happy New Year. I’m in your neck of the woods in late January. Looking for a break from the cold.
That Trower riff sounds a lot like Bad Company’s “Rock Steady”. Great lesson!
I was born in 1960, my Uncle bought “Bridge of Sighs” and I fell in love with Trower. “Too Rolling Stoned” genetically modified my DNA. It’s a part of me!
Thanks Griff.
Very cool Griff…now we can make some really great stuff with that with just a little switching around here and there. Thanks!
GREAT JOB THANKS AGAIN GRIFF
Thanks for your videos Griff Happy new year, hope it’s great one I purchased BGU course and I completely raised my game from nothing much, to getting there. in the last year. one of the best teachers out there and the course worth the out lay. and again your personal touch of friendliness is kind of nice. thanks again. Can’t yet show off my playing yet, but getting better.and am finding my way round the frets. with your help.
regards Graham in the UK
When I read your blog it was kind of cool that I recognize the 7th chord from being in your bgu course see I am learning Merry Christmas and happy New Years Griff you’re the best teacher out there 🙂
I wish you a fantastic NEW YEAR !
Use the right finger numbering dummy 🙂
Thanks Griff always welcome your videos,,,, Happy live to you and yours. Thanks great to know your work.
Griff what type of Les Paul and Amp used for the Trower / ZZ Top demo?
The guitar is an R7 from the custom shop (’57 VOS) through a line 16 M13 for the overdrive and effects and my Avid Eleven Rack modeling a Super Reverb. It’s a simple and relatively inexpensive rig for recording.
Thanks Griff and merry chrismas
Merry Chrismas and a Happy Newyear to GRIFF & Family.
WILLY
Hey Griff,
Thanks so much for this lesson which is great. Tomorrow Boxing Day I will be anxious to give it a try..
I would like to wish You & Laura and all your family and extended BGUers members worldwide a very Merry Christmas & Happy New Year 2017..have a safe and wonderful holiday to all.
Michael-Sydney-Australia 25th December ( Christmas Day)2016.
Merry Xmas Griff love the riff Griff can’t wait to get riffing over the fest wishing you and family a great new year, Tanx for all you have done over the year all the best.
Merry Xmas Griff love the riff Griff can’t wait to get riffing over the fest wishing you and family a beat new year Tanx for all you have done over the year all the best.
Merry Christmas Griff.,
Love the combination. I like a little rock and the seventh sure puts a little crybaby to my rock. Thanks again. As usual you make playing a little more interesting and versitial.
Sincerely,
David.
Thanks for the licks – I will steal them & Merry Christmas to you & yours.
Griff, Thank you! I hope you and your have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Thank you for sharing your gift and love of music with us.
Winston
Merry X’mas Griff. Thanks for this nice X’mas present.
Merry Christmas and thanks for a great year of blues. Almost finished BGU v2. Really good course.
Thank for everything you shared with us, and a Merry Christmas, and Happy Holidays to you and yours! See you next year 🙂
Jim Signorile (jimsig)
Griff,
Thanks for the lesson. Keep them coming. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and your family.
Griff
Thanks for your continued inspiration.
🎼🎸Have a have a blues Christmas. 🎸
Best to you and your family.
Cheers 🎄
Merry Christmas
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year Griff! Best of the holidays to you and your family. Thanks for all the wonderful gifts throughout the year(s).
A very HAPPY CHRISTMAS to you & yours Griff
A big thank you for all the lessons you’ve put out over the year.
Kevin
Merry Christmas Teach!
Once again, great lesson! Thanks for pointing out that its a minor7…my ears assume that any “rock” chords like that must to be a major, power-like chord.
I would have heard the Bm as a D major…and not had a clue where the B bass came from. Thanks and Merry Xmas!
Another great lesson now to transfer between my brain and fingers.
🎄🎸🎼😀🇺🇸
Thanks, Griff. I love the Robin Trower stuff. He uses a Fulltone phaser (at least now he does.) But I personally like the sound from a flanger better for his stuff.
Merry Christmas to you and the familly as well as the entire BGU universe.
DEW
Great lesson! Thanks again! 👌👏🏻
Merrry Christmas Griff and to Laura,
You give us so many gifts throughout the year. Love this hard rock and hope I can get it down.
Thanks again and Merry Christmas to all the BGU gang!
Merry Christmas to you and yor family. Thanks for the video. I learn something new everyday.
Merry Christmas Griff!
Great stuff as always. As someone else said, thanks for your generosity in these institutions. The time and effort that goes into creating these videos is very much appreciated!
One question though………what gauge strings do you use?
Merry Christmas Griff. Great lesson as always. Thank you for a great year of learning and inspiration. You are truly a blessing to guitar players everywhere. Hope you have a blessed holiday season.
Sandy
Merry Christmas to you and your family always sir!
Thanks for this Griff, you’re too much and I appreciate your generosity. All the best this Christmas and throughout 2017…..
Joyeux Noel et bonne année.
That’s a lot of good stuff. unfortunately I cannot always see what you are doing. A little tab ??
Merry Christmas .
Merry Christmas, Griff. Have a wonderful and prosperous New Year.
Merry Christmas Griff, to you and your family.
Thank you for all you do for guitar lovers everywhere.
Griff: Merry Christmas to you and your family an all the elves at BGU.
Thanks for all the xceellebt instruction.
Another excellent video – great sound from a simple idea very well explained.
Many thanks and Merry Christmas to you and yours Griff.
Cheers Griff
For the lesson I love the univibe effect and a merry Xmas to you and your family
And I wish all the BGU members merry Xmas 😎🎶
Thanks again Griff..! I love the sound of that chord especially when using the octave… Also, I’m really digging that gold top..! Nice addition to the arsenal…
Merry Christmas