In this lesson we’re going to talk about some ideas for replacing the good ole’ 7th chord with maybe some 9th, 11th, or 13th chords (oh my!)
All of these chords are covered in my Blues Guitar Unleashed course if you’ve stumbled upon this blog post from YouTube or Facebook and aren’t sure where to go from here. That course is always the best place to start, unless you’re a beginner and then I’d recommend Beginning Blues Guitar.
So – grab your guitar and let’s get to playing… make sure to download the chord chart and backing track from underneath the video after you watch it once or twice.
Downloads
The BGU Chord ChartDownload the most commonly used blues chords in one handy page (PDF)
The Jam TrackThis is the 2 chorus blues shuffle in A jam track that I used. I borrowed this from my 4 Note Solo video.
This VideoUse this link to download this video and keep it offline for future use. Though this page won't leave, some people like to take the videos elsewhere.
20 replies to "Blues Rhythm Lesson On Chord Substitutions"
Chord chart shows the same version Gmin7 twice., Unable to download jam track
Something wrong with the Chord Chart download. Unable to open it in Acrobat.
I can’t download the Chord Chart or the Jam Track.
How do you get a 13th chord, when the musical alphabet has 12 notes? When you say 7, 9 11, 13 are those just steps away from the root? Like A7 is an A with a G note?
The blues alternative chord chart is very handy!
If I compare the G9 chord with the G6 chord below I am wondering why Griff shows the first string being used in the 6 but not in the 9. I guess it’s probably because the G9 sounds ok in that position without using the first string, but if you moved it up the FB you would need the first string wouldn’t you or perhaps it’s understood you mute it out?
Also I notice in the ninth chord he is getting the missing note on the sixth string but if you were coming on four high strings you wouldn’t get that.
Rod (Ottawa)
This is great information Griff. I hear this in some songs and I always wondered what type of chords they are and now I know. Can’t wait to get home and experiment with these chords. Thanks Griff.
Alexander Aliganga
You really have to know your chords to benefit from this but nice to know.
Are these moveable chords
I love jazz music, its lovely
Hi Griff,
I just love these cool ideas for the comping and love to stray to the 9th,11th and 13th..
Cool lesson and have saved for later.
Thanks
Michael-Sydney-Australia 4th June 2018.
A touch of jazz yes, but very adaptable to blues genre as well. Cool sounds.
And another thing. You are a nice guy.
Very cool! Get some practice on chords now.
(5/30/18)
Thanks Griff – sounds like blues to me – it’s a matter of feel rather than purity. What I really like, as an old time rhythm guitarist now trying to make it cry or sing (hey! second reference to Sultans of Swing in the same thread…) is the sense that ‘playing’with chords is fun and stimulating and enables you to get out of a rhythm rut.
Guitar Griff–he knows all the riffs.
Yeah, sounds like jazz to me too. Think I’ll keep my focus on the blues for now – but it’s good to learn nevertheless. Thanks Griff.
Griff , this is what I have been looking for , some good blues chords . I have a guitar chord chart , but there are so many , as you said in this video . Thanks for putting this together . Mike Z.
Great ideas for stretching your comfort zone limitations! Thanks, Griff!
Jazz, yes……..blues, no no no!
good stuff…thanks…later.
cowboy