This is just a quick video lesson, but it’s a cool little rhythm move you’ll want to use when comping in a swing blues style.

To download the video right click here


    222 replies to "A6 to A9 Blues Rhythm Move"

    • CRAIG

      It was an interesting change to start with and then I started noodling and jazzed it up a bit and thought , wait a minute , I’ve got a spare finger here . So I intermittently added a seventh, third and fifth to the a6 and the root note on the fourth string and a third to the A9 and the result was incredible

    • Edward bargery.

      Love the blues solo’s in fact to myself. Blues music is most emotive incidentally. Just gotten a little les Paul LPJ a Little powerhouse job. Griff. Thanks for the blues griff. All the best Edward bargery plymouth. England

    • Harmon Biehl

      Hi Griff, I been playin these chords for years and had no idea what they were called.
      Learn sumpin new every day.
      Be Blessed;
      Harm…..:)

    • Sue

      Thanks Griff! Love the sound of these together. Thanks for all the cool videos you so freely share. You are the best!

    • Anthony Blancett

      Thank you for that. Very interesting. Will practice more.

    • Jim

      … wanted to see where this ends up…it’ s a “trackback” vs. a “comment” (?)
      I did want to suggest another simple lesson for Griff. A simple move (like this A6-A9 move) that my guitar mentor showed me and he called a “turnaround,” which Griff references here.
      In the key of A, it’s the D7 to D#7 to the E7. I think it makes the end of the 12 bars sound really finished.
      Griff can demonstrate and explain much better!

    • Ray Schwanenberger

      I’m fairly new to the theory aspect so I hope this isn’t a stupid question. If the A6 shape is played down two frets; Wouldn’t that be a G6?

      • MichaelL

        Ray.. you’re correct that it could be called a G6. As you get deeper into theory you’ll see that chords can have many names. In this instance since you’re in the key of A and playing over an A chord and probably including the open A string as your root note on both chords, and that G is not part of the key of A (A B C# D E F# G#) it makes sense to call it an A9 or maybe even an A79 since the G is the b7th. The intervals being used in this chord are root, the open A, the 5th- second string 5th fret, the b7th – fourth string 5th fret and first string 3rd fret and the 9th- the 4th fret of the 3rd string… or notes A B E G. All notes that are also found in the key of C. So if you were playing this over a C chord you could call this a Cmaj7add13. (As Griff shows over and over again with his partial chords you don’t necessarily need to play the root.)

        Theory can make your head spin. Better to sound good first then figure out why later.
        (hopefully I got all this right)

    • Jean Dominique

      It sounds good to the ear. Did they forget to turn the mic on? No tab?

    • James

      Good move.

      Would like to see to in the context of the complete 12-bar blues in action just to complete the idea.

    • Ian Robins

      Hey Griff,

      Thanks so much for this. I so appreciate your little clips. They have taken me to all sorts of new and interesting places on the guitar. I’m spending hours on all this stuff and the time just seems to zip by. My playing is coming along in leaps and bounds.

    • Ron

      As always, thank you for your time and effort in producing these videos for us. They are all helpful. However, for some reason I could not hear the guitar very well. It sounded as though it was not plugged in. Maybe it is me as I do have some hearing loss. Anyway, thanks again.

    • Raul Moralez

      That easy! Good to know!

    • Phill Robinson

      GREAT FOR INTROS AND FINISHES

    • Paul Warner

      There are a million of these kind of moves on the guitar which help make the song full, interesting, and the person playing look like he knows what he is doing. Embellishing chords and understanding voicing are big steps in learning the guitar and becoming really accomplished.

    • tony

      kool walk down . Now throw a solo in there . seems to me that some just do not get the picture . A9 to A6 . SUGGESTION get a book of cords . I use one alot, variables of all cords just the pitch mind you. This book i have has 3300 cords, amazing helpfull thing to have . got the book from a friend when i was 17 im now 55 and countless times i have used to find cords in printed music which does not display the cords .I wonder how many can say that they know what for instance to play a Dm7add9. I had to find it . I concider myself a good guitarist but not that knowledgable.

    • Michael Chappell

      Hi Grff,
      Great little sound…
      All these little lessons all start to create a great Digital Library, good for a refresher every now & then.

      Thanks heaps Griff keep them coming.

      Michael -Sydney Australia

    • leon

      I thought that if you bar chord the 5th frett like you show it is an “A” chord. Now slide that bar chord down to the 3rd fret, I thought that was a “G”. Same same, but only playing all the strings. I do not understand the A9 and A6 definition. I am dumb I know.

      • Ben

        I’m new here but I’ll try to answer your question:
        The A6 chord is made up of A C# E F#(6th)
        Note String Fret
        A 1 5
        F# 2 7
        C# 3 6
        E 4 7
        A 5 0
        The A9 chord is made up of A C# E G(dom7) B(9th)
        Note String Fret
        G 1 3
        E 2 5
        B 3 4
        G 4 5
        A 5 0
        What’s missing is the C#…but like Griff says: “you’re not playing the whole thing.”.
        Hope this helps

    • Philip Chapman

      Yes ignore the Flash player requirement. Just download and it plays straight away (on iphone 5).

      • B. Stewart

        Thanks for the tip

    • Llewellyn

      Thanks Griff,Good as usual.

    • Frankie

      Thank you Griff…

    • Mike Hughes

      Hey Griff,
      Love these little “bytes” of a lesson that you throw out there. The little nuances and little chords really turn heads and make me sound much more accomplished than I am!
      Thanks again,
      Mike

    • tony

      Yeah thats a cool move guess it could be used as a turn around . the course study has been a very good for me so far although i havent finished it yet . the idenifing the tone part has been so good for me i can just about play anything now by just hearing it . thank you so much . keep the little cords coming i use them myself alot . i also use what jimmy page calls extended cords ! i love the little spanish bits he does as well . pick up if you can still find it led zepplin complete and you will know what im talking about. keep on jammin . its a good book to start with if you like the zep stuff.

      • John

        Sorry griff flash player not used by iPhone used to be able to watch anything you sent this is about the third one that won’t work on iPhone which don’t support flash player have a look tonight when I get home

      • Claude Cashon

        Thanks for tip

    • Gary

      Can,t see the video, won,t load up on media player Griff !!

      • Norm

        Have an iPad and cannot. Pick up vidio

    • james burton

      if you try it with headphones on you’ll be amazed at how well you hear it

    • steve

      can`t see the video or dowload it sorry

    • Skip

      Agreed that Griff needs to quit using the Flash format. If you have an Apple device, you can download the Puffin browser to view it on an iPad. You’ll have to buy it for permanent use of Flash but it’s worth it.

    • Cecil

      Nice way to add a little flare to a bluesy sound. Thanks.

    • mike z

      Griff,thanks again for another fun lesson. You make it so easy to understand. Thanks ,Mike

    • Roland

      Just a thought; an explanation of how the shift up two frets changes an A6 chord to an A9, especially when shifts in barre chords change the root and its name.

    • ARTHUR TRACEY

      Hi Griff, That A6 AND A9th. chords are the intro to Huey Lewis and the News song Heart AND SOUL.

      • Neil

        Griff,
        does it follow that A9 is also G6??

        • Vince

          An A must have its third (C#) which would clash with the fifth of the G chord (D). They are 2 different chords.

          • Vince

            I went back and looked at the video. That is a G6 and not a true A9. Listen to what Griff says. If you slide down 2 frets and the band DOESN’T change, you have the 9th. The reason it isn’t an A9 on its own is there is no third (C#). You’re adding in the notes to make it a 9th and someone in the band is hitting the 3rd “and the band doesn’t change” so it SOUNDS like a 9th with the rest of the band. Talk about small chords, you can do a chord with 2 notes, the root and the 3rd. You must have the 3rd to know if the chord is major or minor. Unless there is another instrument playing that chord, you CANNOT play any chord without a 3rd.

    • Bob

      Important! When I first tried to open the video it stated that I needed flash player but when I tried to download flash player it stated that my device does not support flash player. I
      IGNORE THIS AND DOWNLOAD THE VIDEO and Microsoft player appeared with anotber player and I chose the Microsoft player and the video played superbly.

    • Skip Anderton

      Thanks Griff. Keep it coming.

    • donald

      hi griff. great short vidio and whats more its a great extra to my learning . now using it evrywhere. thank you

    • Colin Campbell

      Thanks Griff for this excellent and not too difficult chordal demo.

      Purely by accident I discovered sixth chords which are a joy to rhythmically improvise with and uniquely easy to play unlike so many bluesy sounding chords!

    • Larry

      Thanks, nice little move.

    • Sharen Munk

      great idea!

    • Raul Moralez

      Great and its simple…Good work.

    • Three Finger Phil

      Griff. Thanks for this. I found out right away I could move up to the 12th fret and back as well.

    • Luther Redd

      Hi Griff, thank you for the little chord, I like it, Luther.

    • AzMike

      Awesome Griff!! Thank you.

    • Ray Jackson

      This is a move that us compers have done automatically over the years, but, the explanation is GOLD for our cred. Thanks, Ray (UK)

    • John P Caines

      Hi Griff , Nice little chord like it thanks, John.

    • Stuart Connell

      nice little move, thanks for these tips I really appreciate them.
      Cheers,
      Stu

    • Donald

      cool stuff! Thanks

    • PAUL

      That was nice of you Griff. . Funny thing that chord progression is in one of my songs I wrote in the 90’s. Country rock tune. Thanks alot for it. It sparked the memory on how to play it . the brain damage I have I forget alot of things. short term. alot of the songs I have on demo Theres a few I still remmber how to play. I save all your lessons. I’m always opening them up to remmeber the solos and licks. I also love little chords. makes it easer for me , because my fingers are not that strong to do bar chords for a hole song. Thanks again. hope you and your family are doing well. Paul.

    • dale

      cool move, love that sound……….

    • Paul Dragotto

      REPLY TO KENDAL IN JAPAN!. I understand how you feel. I wish i had someone to jam with. Backing tracks are good, but nothing better than a good guitar player to jam with. I was a Flight Engineer and been to japan a number of times. Found a Guitar store in dakota and they all spoke English. I played pretty womwn and 2 guys that workred there sang the song. Alot of japanese speak English. Don’t give up , don’t be shy , and you’ll find somoene who speaks English and will teach you some good stuff . have Faith .

    • Paul Dragotto

      Short but sweet. Never knew the names of the cords, but have played those same cords alot . Somtimes I’ll use Bm7th and run it up oand down afew frets. Again Thanks, you keep my spirits up and keep me with you encourging lessons to not give up. The doctor gave me this cream to use on my hands so the artritist doesn’t cause my fingers to lock up. So far it seems to help.Sad we just lost another Blues great. Watched a Video of Clapton doing stormy monday live. Really would like to learn the lyrics, but can’t find them. Most sites have closed the tab pages.His solo was assume. watching him on the fret board using his signature runs up at the 20th and 19th/17t fret. Well my goal is to through out a solo like that. Hope all is well with your family and you. thanks again, Paul in Redondo Beach.

    • Marvin G

      Thanks Griff!

    • james sternberg

      Great little tip
      I shall use it
      thanks Griff
      jim

    • gene

      cool I realy like this

    • kenny mathes

      cool

    • Maurice Mason

      Thank you.

    • Steve G.

      I never would have thought to do this chord change, looks simple, easy and must add it to my list. Thanks

    • cj

      hey griff, this chord shape is was used a lot by bobby gentry, example g7, d7, d9, c7 in ode to billy joe, i love moving these chords around, and my students have fun with your lessons as well, thanks!

    • Don

      Thanks Griff.

    • Gus Bellamy

      Love the way you do the videos without any sound distortion.

    • Kendall Sasaki

      Thanks for all the tips, & stuff, for lack of better words. Now my comment, your advice & instruction are most helpful, easy to follow, with of the course the much needed reasons for why, should I bother in the 1st place, so thanks.
      Now I have learned many open & barre cords, yet my rhythm leaves so much to desire, it’s bad. So this is what I really need to focus on. I am learning to play alone, without the much needed help, from a guitarist or instructor.
      As many people, hey I cannot afford the price tag. Yet I want to play, “rhythm” guitar. I live in Japan, i’m an American, using my wife’s family name, I cannot speak Japanese, yes, a world of hurt, when trying to find a guitar buddy so to speak.
      So my question is simple, how do I learn, what structure do I follow. What do I do with what I have learned {open & barre chord}. I am at a blank spot, yet I want to play the guitar, it’s that’s simple.
      Lame questions & situation I know, I really do not expect a reply, just thought I would give a try, & yelp for help is all.
      Thank you, Kendall

      • Jim

        Can you get Griff’s courses in Japan? It’s really difficult to find other guitarists who are at the same place as you (musically), even in the US! Check out “strumming and rhythm mastery” course. Seems like a perfect fit for you. Good luck!

    • John

      Probably a rookie observation:

      Why wouldn’t A6 moved back 2 frets be G6 (instead of A9)?

    • wyley braddam

      i like that move thanks

    • Mark

      Hi Griff, this link did not open for me either – 🙁 Please can you resend in a format that is usable by all of us?

      many thanks

    • Peter

      I love these snippets, always fun to learn and play them…P

    • lou

      Hey Griff, many thanks for all your tips.

    • rooster

      thanks griff love all yr lessons i realy get a lot out of them

    • bill

      link doesn’t work, had probs with a few of your video’s to be honest

    • Gerald Irwin

      I like it, but it sounds like your guitar was not plugged in!

    • John

      Don’t have flash player 🙁

    • Rick Haverland

      Thank you Griff,

      This lesson content involving cool Blues chord progressions is the exact content I am most looking out for in my current learnings. Rick H

    • Ann

      thanks for the little snippit.have been out of circulation for awhie.

    • Good Rockin' Dan

      Tks Griff keep up the good wor! Have a great day!!!!

    • diddly do

      Cool Griff – love these snippets – keep them coming please it all adds to learning something new everyday.

    • Dave

      cool, would that be a G6 3rd fret also without the A bass? i like to do this move and Embellish it or Arpeggiate it i actually move it around the board its also great for funk etc if you have high BPM and quick changes

    • Cynicure

      Cool move Griff!

      🙂

    • Mike

      cool…as heard in Stairway by JP –

    • Nola

      Thanks for all the tidbits. Very fun to learn new stuff!

    • Dave

      I like the short lessons such as A6 to A9.

      Would like to see something like that with a James Brown rhythm beat.

      Thanks.

    • Johnny Wales

      Cool trick!
      For some reason any new technique from guitar to my I phone I call a new trick. It seems to make it seem less scarey of the “learning Curve”.
      Cool trick Griff…
      Johnny Wales [The Idea Man]

    • Roger

      thank you for the tip

      Rog

    • Steve R

      Nice sounding chords Griff..as I was playing them it reminded me of I’m not in love by 10cc one of my fav tunes.. Cheers 🙂

    • Jim

      Can you fix your downloadable videos in mp3 also. I can’t use the mp4 videos. Thanks

    • jeffro

      OR, you could thump your A bass note twice, then slide that 3 string group serving as the A9 and slide it up to the A6 and back to A9, OR, A bass once and A9, slide to A6, back to A9 – then open D bass and play/slide partial D9 (GB&E strings barred @ 5th fret) up to 7th fret and back – you’re on your own to figure out the E placement – I like to turnaround on the E7+9 (hendrix chord) with a ‘Rock Me, Baby” authority…call it ‘Rock My Albatross”…that’s the ticket!

    • Peter Kape

      Neat, useful rhythm to kow..thanks.

    • Oliverio Garza

      Gracias por la leccion

    • Faus

      Thanks for these mini lessons they are a big help

    • Dan B

      Thanks Griff!
      Excellent “ditty” .

      Best,
      Dan

    • Ray Allen

      cooooool

    • Wayne

      Nice, thanks

    • roger robichaud

      Great tip thanks Griff!

    • Len Lawson

      Hi Griff,Thanks a super bit of info.Thanks so much your a super teacher,move to Calgary,right.

    • ROBERT

      I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE VIDEO PIXSATING STOPPING AND STARTING ALL THE TIME.

    • richard in toronto

      Thanks – very cool. Will this work with an A6th chord in any form for example I might bar the first four strings on the second fret as an A6, if I played the first four strings open would that give me an A9 sound.

    • RogerW

      Fun and simple. Doing great job.

    • Jim Breeding

      Great little tip.

    • MikeS

      Stan Here’s one way you could use it:
      Poorly played & recorded, but you’ll get the idea.
      http://dl.dropbox.com/u/26911731/Misc/A6-A9%20use.mp3

    • MikeS

      Cool. Thanks Griff! Most of us are here (Blues Guitar Unleashed) because we want to learn to play blues lead, but the reality is that for large portions of songs, we’ll be comping. a little tip like this will make my chord playing MUCH sweeter.
      Thanks again.

    • Stan Arnold

      Great tip Griff, but how does it fit back into a typical ‘blues in A’ pattern? When I play it, the sequence seems to resolve into D, not A. Could this be the musical breakthrough the world has been waiting for. Or am I just dumb?

    • Granfer Chris

      Love it !

    • Chris L. Babcock

      Nice one!

    • skip

      A great tip Griff. Adds a little varity.
      Thanks.

    • Audrey

      Thanks, simple but great.
      Audrey

    • Joe

      Thanks for all these videos Griff ive some seen some not.

    • Colin Campbell

      A great useful tip Griff and has helped me realise that a lot of famous songs, blues or otherwise, are based on excellent rhythmic patterns that consist of relatively simple voicings of 6th and 9th chords the same or similar to what you have shown in this video.

    • Bob

      Griff,
      Interesting vid but it might be more valuable to hear it through an amp?

    • MACK

      GREAT TIP GRIFF….
      HOW DO I PLAY THE B 9???

      THANKS….MACK

    • David Munson

      Another cool idea.Your “Blues” really “Rock”
      Thanks for all you do..

    • Karol

      @ John Avent get iSwifffer browser for iPad and you can view Flash, although the quality is not as good as when Griff posts in QuickTime and you view through Safari.

    • Wayne

      Simple, sounds great, I’ll definetly be using it. Thanks once again Griff.

    • dennis

      As always you make easy to pick up. THANK YOU!!!!!!

    • Richard

      The A6 you show is different than the A6 on different websites.
      They show AEAC#f3 – second fret, first 4 strings played.

    • Tootz Concepcion

      Nice cool stuff , Griff Thanks !

    • John Avent

      Hey Griff, why does this one need Flash Player? I watch all your stuff on iPad which doesn’t support Flash.

    • Roger

      Love those little chords! TNX!

    • Jim

      Beautiful little tip….I have been playing for over 50 years and have used that move occasionally but never bothered to analyze it to see why it worked. I’ll use it more often now. Thanks.

    • Randie Blunt

      Hi Griff, Love all the little tid bits you email. Also appreciate how you jump around experience levels with the tips. Nice for us intermediate players and great for the novices to try. Keep them coming and many thanks. Randie

    • john p caines

      Great Tip Griff Thanks……….JPC.

    • david griffith

      love the slide from A6 to A9 and figure that a A9 could also be called a G6 ?

      I’ll go back to the book and have a look

      cheers

    • lance

      Trun on your amp. Could not hear the chord very well.

    • Alasdair Sutherland

      Thanks for the video Griff. You do a lot of good work for your students. Have just started working through your Blues Unleashed programme, and am finding it really helpful. Got to lesson 14 – nice chords. Keep up the good work.

      Alasdair

    • vito

      nice try on the rudolf song need some words

    • Ron Garris

      Just the sorta stuff i need to see, thx Griff

    • Armando Pena

      a great little rhythm slide.

    • robert kalma

      Hey Grif love your stuff any chance of putting a small tab /chord window in your video’s?To make it easier to visualise.

    • Phil

      …just love these little bite size bits… they are so useful to work in with other licks that then go on to make soloing sound a little more fluid. Don’t know about you other guys, but blues solos for me tend to be built up “magpie” like ..stealing licks and bits from here and there, then pulling them out the bag when it just feels right..the other thing about the major/minor difference when moving to the second chord also makes a difference! keep bringing them on!!

    • Bob Straughan

      Thanks for the info. I like your site…very helpful

    • Christopher G

      Good stuff for a simple bloke like me. Looking for suome simple shuffles in E and A. Any ideas where to look?

    • John Williams

      Thanks loads. I am just an old guy who many years ago picked up a guitar and just started playing. I never got anywhere because everyone who taught was just in so much of a hurry. I am so lucky to find you,now I sit and learn stuff. Enjoy you, thanks

    • Bob Lloyd

      Thanks Griff!!!

      Talk about useful, flexible and expandable – and it sounds great on a Guild D40.

      Best,

      Bob

    • Kev

      The permutations and twists of chord play never cease to amaze and one never stops learning. Thanks.

    • larry

      Flashplayer problems, new updates do not work peoperly,

    • Don

      Hi, Griff!
      Nice shift, there. Reminds me of “Heart and Soul” by Huey Lewis and the News! They did it in G (G6 to G7+9). I like your fingering though. I was doing it with three fingers (in A:A C# F# to G B E, or in G: GBE to FAD) before.

    • Nick108

      Hey Griff, thats a handy little riff, now I know what to do next time there is a traffic jam in A. thanks.

    • JDinOR

      Griff:
      I love the riff, but help me understand the nomenclature.
      The A6 I understand; the chord triad is I-III-VI, or A-C#-F#. But why is the second one A9? The notes (if you play an open A on the fifth string) are A-G-B-E-G. The B is the ninth; so far so good. But what do you call the G? A flat seventh? And why isn’t this chord a G6 instead of an A9?
      (A little knowledge is never quite enough.)

    • kevin lee kessinger

      HI Grif , I am inindated by about 6 guitar so called “GURU” s with these lessons , usually of offbeat crap that I am never going to use , but I have to say that I look forward to youre little lessons because they are always something I can use and you do a good job of explaining them and if I wasn’t out on disabillaty from Kidney cancer I would purchase youre CD but money is tight .Keep them coming , And when I get better I will be able to purchase yore CD . I played professionally all through the 80’s with 2 famouse prople whoose names I will not drop . But most off the lessons out thier treat players like they are stupid and spend allot of thier time showing off , like look at me . not you , you have more class than that , thanks

    • Rob

      Cool man Griff,many thanks.

    • SEO Ventura

      That Chord progression in also used in All Day Music by War. Very good tutorial. Thanks!

    • Wayne

      Cool,
      treied mixing it into guitar lead riff in Buddy Holly “Oh Boy!”. It almost works!

    • Rick

      Very nice, thanks. Would like to see more of this type of lesson.

    • Dan

      Nice! Thank you.

    • bill

      great little chord, bill

    • bilbaggins

      Nice little tip there Griff. Gracias amigo!

    • John Sherry

      I enjoy these tips. Very helpful. Keep sending them. Thanks!

    • A Martinez

      Thanks Griff as always. These great little lick tidbits really can add to some great fills without mudding up the other guitarist. Have a great day!

    • Big Dan

      Griff, you are the king of the great tips! Sounds awesome! Can’t wait to use it with the boys.

    • lester

      thanks Griff,priceless tips go a long way! you make it so easy to follow and these
      occassional little pop ups of yours show what a great teacher you are and care
      about us novices trying to learn at a steady pace without complicated moves.
      take five griff haha,your an “Ace” !!

    • Kevin Buechel

      Thanks Griff. Now that’s the kind of stuff I can easily work into my sessions.

      KB

    • Phil Wazer

      Love the music love the tips. I think I may be improving…but ever so slowly

    • Robert cook

      Hi Griff, thats a real cool sound, I like it ! keep them coming, and just to let you know I’m still working on BGU; and SWS; You know I wonder how guitarist like yourself sounded when you were learning or were you just a natural? I once showed a 9 year old how to play E A and D chords , met him a year later and he was playing along to Pink Floyd ( The Wall ) A short motivation video on this would help guys like myself who are learning at home, as we dont have a yard stick to compare with! Many thanks. Robert ( Gold Coast Australia)

    • brad wellstone

      Thanks, Griff makes me want to send some money! Seriously.

    • Andrew

      Hi Griff,

      Usually you say what fingers you are using and you don’t in this video. Am I right in thinking that you have 1st finger across 1st and 2nd strings, middle finger on 6th fret 3rd string, third finger on 7th fret 4th string and little finger on 7th fret 5th string, 5th string open? Most chord charts don’t seem to play A6 like this although it sounds great.

      Andrew

    • Maurice

      Thank you. Always a pleasure.

    • richard livesay

      thanks again its the little stuff that takes so much time and u throw it to us in a simple to learn approach. that is what sets u apart from other teachers and keeps me coming back these tips and tricks that no one will show us or expect us to pick up on our own which we might do years down the road. keep’m comin!!!

    • Paul

      Griff I really think your layed back style of explaining those Tips & Tricks is so cool. Easy to follow. Keep ’em coming , mate.

    • Ronnie S

      Thanks always a pleasure and treat to get your tips

    • Eugene Wollerton

      Hey Griff,

      Thanks for all the great stuff you show us. I love little tips like this one. I’ve played all my life, but never really focused or made anything out of my guitar playin. So there is alot of things I can do, but to learn the knowledge and make it all work together is hard for me. I have your blues guitar unleashed stuff and I work at that alot. Thanks again for all the great stuff you do.

      Gene

    • Bill

      Reminds me a bit of “Memphis”.

    • greg kimmerly

      its always the little tricks…very cool greg kimmerly

    • Gary

      Thanks, Griff. I really appreciate the tips you give. Should have bought your course when you had it on special. Will continue to follow you and perhaps one day, buy your course.

    • Jeffro

      Sound suggests “Albatross” by the ‘original’ Fleetwood Mac….

    • Mike

      You help alot and you are way cool!! Thanks!!

    • Alvaro

      Nice one! thank you so much and have a great weekend Griff.

    • Bobby

      As usual…simple but useful….Thanks

    • stafford

      thanx griff straight in no nonsense and really usefull.

    • shane

      Thanks for all that you do and the examples of what to do with playing the blues you are truly blessed with a GOD given talent of making things look so much easier and bringing simplicity to just enjoying the fruits of playing the guitar and ever since I have gotten your cds I know for me it has definitely made me a better guitar player and I actuality have found a new love and fire to want to be the best guitar player that I can be I no longer put the limitations on myself as I once did you have made me realize that all things are possible no matter what.

    • Gravy Man

      Oh yes, it’s sounding kuhl, but anyone who knows bar chords will tell you the fifth fret A7th moved down to the 3rd fret is a G7th.
      If not? where did the G7th go??
      …..move down 2 more frets ? F7th !
      yada…..yada…..yada…..!
      7th fret?…………B7th
      8th fret?…………C7th
      10th fret?…………D7th
      12th fret?…………E7th .
      yada…..yada…..yada…..!
      yada…..yada…..yada…..!
      yada…..yada…..yada…..!
      yada…..yada…..yada…..!

    • Don

      Cool. An easy, simple trick that really does work well. Good job, Griff.

    • Mike

      Hi Griff
      A very happy New Year to you and yours.
      I’m working through the Blues Unleashed, but progress is interrupted by work, how boring !!
      Excellent methods, most enjoyable and rewarding

      Keep it up

      Cheers and many thanks
      Mike

    • Ed Pierson

      I love your videos keep them coming

      later
      Ed

    • margaret

      Love all your little tunes – mine never sounds like yours – but thankyou for the info

    • Terry Shield

      Hey Griff,
      Thanks for the inspiration, motivation and all of the wee lessons for free. I’m snowbound in bonny Scotland awaiting delivery of my Blues Guitar unleashed package. I too have been playing guitar on and off for 30 years and hope to be ‘born again through your teaching. Thanks in anticipation!

    • Rex Walker

      Thanks, I am a very beginner.
      I tried a couples in my life to start playing and gave up for one reason or another.
      I found me a Squire Strat and a 4×12 box with a VTR120 head for like $350 and couldnt pass on it while working in 29 palms CA.
      Now I am back in Texas and starting again to try and learn. I actually bought me a small Taxi Crate(love it).
      I been really enjoying your lessons and decided to order the Beginning Blues DVD,( That price drop for Black Friday really did the trick). Waiting for it in the mail, delivers tomorrow. This little tricks and tips really help me keep practicing chords and riffs. I hope i can play for other people to enjoy one day. I gain more confidence everyday.

    • Johnny

      Thanks Griff.
      Can you tab the exact cords to me.

    • jim

      straight to it! Griff I love what you share!

    • mpoteete

      Thanks-as a beginner I really appreciate the extra information you give us in these videos. It’s just another reason that you are the best.

    • michael

      I have been playing a lot with these exact cords, for months now , kinda created a for lack of a better name (song) out of it , you can also take those exact cords and keep going two frets down at a time past the twelve fret that cord is great for Arpeggios , and you can’t go wrong with the picking order, now throw in some muted, don’t let them ring out and play just one note at a time and then the cord, you are a smart guy , cool sound all on their own, and together

    • jeffro

      one more thing from the ‘big picture’….you see how the A6 was a blues/rock A7 shape with the color note, the b7, (the 2nd string, 8th fret) flatted down to be a natural 6? Well, that’s all that happened with the D6…mash strings 4,3,2 across the 7th fret and add the ring finger fretting the 1st string on the 8th fret and there is the D7 – universal sliding 7th chord shape……

    • jeffro

      take it a wee bit further….play the open A string as a bass note, and slide that ‘cup shape’ on strings 4,3,2 as described in the vid….now, play the open D string as a bass note, and fret strings 3,2,1 across at the 7th fret – (a D6) and slide it down to the 5th fret…and your on your own (but its kind of obvious) what to do to get the E6….shuffle tempo and turnaround on the E7#9 (Hendrix chord) et voila! (remember “Albatross” from the early, early Fleetwood Mac?) more coffee!

    • kathy

      hay griff.. love it your cool ..hay but i really am not the best at thruming… have you got any hints or tips on this…hmmm… i write songs so maybe rythum in my playing would help my song writing…im more of a finger picking gal.. thanks griff.. miners are nice and dark ..like those chords ..a little more so..but both are nice together at times…peace..

    • Soumojit

      Hello Griff Sir
      I know you since a very long time & every time when I get your mail it will serve a new lick/technique of guitar playing. Thanx & Today in India it is Diwali festival season. So Happy Diwali from me to you & your family.

      Regards
      Soumojit

    • John Ricciardi

      I’m stationed in Iraq and I enjoy playing thre clips you send me. It really makes time go by faster. AgainThank you.

    • Dennis

      Thank you, Griff, nice little progression.
      @Steve, to answer your question, the notes when you move 2 frets down would be (open A), G, B, E, G, so it has all the notes of the 9 chord except the C#, and it could also be a E min/A. This could make ya nuts if you think about it too much. 🙂

    • Sunny Sundberg

      Griff (or whoever),

      What kind of Strat do you play? – doesn’t look like a Fender to me.

      Sunny

    • Dave

      Super, always good and simple works:)
      Am really enjoying BGU!
      Hope you’re back now and we get more cool stuff, you inspire me to keep at it.

    • Emilio

      Hi griff:
      A6 to A9 , nice sounds , just great, Thanks

    • Justin

      Right on Griff, that’s another great add on.

      Thanks.

      Justin
      Canada

    • TMichael

      Great vid!! Very helpful as always. Thanks Griff….

    • Cynthia

      Thanks for this Griff……I have missed your updates. Like Paul sez, “where have you been?” Keep the communication coming 🙂

    • Paul

      Hey Griff
      Where have you been ???
      Give us more of these little lessons they are great !!

    • Simon Saunders

      Nice move. But can I suggest plugging into your amp so we can hear it!

    • fred

      Hi Griff i just got your beginner blues and i am impressed by the easy way you teach. I am slow but it won’t be long before i start playing something that sounds like music. keep up the good work!!!!

    • fred

      Hi Griff i just got your beginner blues and i am impressed by the easy way you teach. I am slow but it won’t be long before i start playing something that sounds like music. keep up the good work!!!!

    • Cynicure

      Hello again, Griff, as someone who is unfortunate enough to be ordering your course from the other side of the planet, and who therefore must perforce wait, (oh so impatiently!) a couple of weeks for it to arrive, I must say how grateful I am for these ‘appetizers’; these little snippets of lessons; which at least keep my appetite whetted until I can get my hot little hands on the main course!

      😉

    • Marvelous Marvin

      Why don’t you turn your guitar up?

    • Lutzy

      Hi Griff and thanks for all of the fun stuff you put out!
      After thinking about the slide down, I have a question. After you slide down to the ‘A9’ on the 3rd fret, does that mean that that chord could be called both an ‘A9’ and/or a ‘G6’? I seems logical if you move an ‘A’ down 2 frets that it would now become a ‘G’.
      Thanks again,
      Lutzy

    • Dave AKA Bluewater

      Griff,

      A6-A9 is Pure Gold… So cool… Thanks!!!

    • John F

      Griff,

      Another great video lesson! Thanks!! 🙂 So much fun picking up the tips and tricks you provide and applying them right away. Haven’t been able to follow much lately, but I hope you and your band won the Crossroads band contest!! I voted!! 🙂

    • Gene Thomas

      I got Blues unleashed and I’m lovingit Griff. I am 65 and can’t read music. I have been playing by ear since I learned my first Duane Eddy song at age 16:) Never to old to llearn and I really enjoy your teaching.

      Gene

    • EIEIO

      Griff,
      Great passing chords to the D7.
      And your fan Clu did a great job of explaining what’s going on.
      Good job Clu.
      Going to play with the guys tomorrow. I’m for sure going to whip this on ’em.
      Thanks Griff, as always, something that is relevant and sweet simplicity.
      Gary

    • EIEIO

      Griff,
      Great passing chords to the D7.
      And your fan Clu did a great job of explaining what’s going on.
      Good job Clu.
      Going to play with the guys tomorrow. I’m for sure going to whip this on ’em.
      Thanks Griff, as always, something that is relevant and sweet simplicity.
      Gary

    • Clu

      Steve,

      Your thinking of an A add9 which is 1,3,5,9 or A,C#,E,B. This is in the major chord groups. Griff is playing blues so he is using an A9 which is 1,3,5,b7,9 or A,C#,E,G,B. This is in the dominant 7 chord group. In the piece of chord Griff is using he is playing a G,E,B,G top to bottom so the root is dropped and is inferred since it used as a passing chord to get to the IV chord or D7 in the example Griff is using. That missing root gives it that cool, unresolved, blue sound that just wants to get that IV chord. Great question!

    • Bill

      Dear Griff
      Do you know anyone that teaches on line for beginners ragtime (free)

    • Bill

      Dear Griff
      Do you know anyone on the web that teaches bigginers ragtime (free)?

    • Andy M

      Hi Griff
      Good to see you again with another little piece of the puzzle, to help us with the mistery to this simple form of music called the” BLUES “. Steve toyour comment and I add who am I to say.Some of you guys are looking at this thing to hard. My understanding of the Blues and the most effective way to play the blues is the use notes dare I say from the” Blues scale ” to create musical tension around the chords you are playing. Maybe it would help by playing these notes that make up the chords and mixing them with the “BLUES SCALE” I could be very wrong, but this would give you an unfair advantage . Arpeggios are very important knowing them will help. Hope I make some sense I not the best writer.
      Highest regards
      Andy M
      Griff you have helped me more than you can know.

    • Steve

      But an A6 is 1,3,5,6 or A, C#, E, F# and an A9 is 1,3,5,9 or A, C#, E, B… If I saw your video correctly, when you moved it down two frets your index finger is on a G note which isn’t in A9. What am I missing?

    • Steve

      But an A6 is 1,3,5,6 or A, C#, E, F# and an A9 is 1,3,5,9 or A, C#, E, B… If I saw your video correctly, when you moved it down two frets your index finger is on a G note which isn’t in A9. What am I missing?

    • Denise

      This is awesome. I got your "Beginning Blues Guitar" as a Christmas. Love it!! Thanks Griff!

    • Denise

      This is awesome. I got your “Beginning Blues Guitar” as a Christmas. Love it!! Thanks Griff!

    • giannib

      Griff, thanks for all the good work you do for us. You’re a bona fide Good Guy.

    • Moon

      Griff,

      Thanks’ for the hints..!! I play totally by ear and some knowledge just from playing for many years. I play “Blues” because for me that was the easiest way for me to start plus I loved it from the beginning. Much of what I learn and play comes naturally from my ear and feel.
      I have been noodling the A6-A9 move for as long as I can remember. Thanks’ for putting it in a better perspective. There are so many of these combination’s that are very simple to hear and play. I don’t have the opportunity to play with others, so seeing you highlight the simple things that can be put together is a BIG help..!

      Moon

    • Keith Schwartz

      Thanks but what is the fingering that you’re using for the A6?

    • Dave Hardy

      These short info clips are so cool and helpful that I can’t even express how much help they are to me. Thanks very much Griff.

    • Dave Hardy

      These short info clips are so cool and helpful that I can’t even express how much help they are to me. Thanks very much Griff.

    • Javier

      That easy! Interesting…

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