Today I have a quick little trick for you to liven up your shuffle blues solos.
This is an idea that will take you seamlessly from the I to the IV chord (bars 5 and 6 of the 12 bar blues) using double stop chord fragments.
It’s one of those licks that just sounds cool. It’s not necessarily from any 1 scale… you could actually explain it several different ways if you want. So it’s easier just to learn it and use it and move on.
61 replies to "Double Stop I to IV lick"
Are the 4 note solo box and house box for the key of G or C? thanks!
You count the triplets as “1-&-uh, 2-&-uh” because the music has a shuffle feel. This is new to me. I had thought that triplets were counted “1-trip-let, 2-trip-let” regardless of whether the music was straight or shuffle. Your counting in this video makes me think that you are saying that triplets in shuffle feel should be played as a half beat followed by 2 quarter beats. Griff, will you please comment?
It’s just a different counting system… the spacing of the notes should still be the same. A (regular) triplet (also called an eighth note triplet) is a 3 note figure that splits up the space of one beat into thirds, or 3 EQUAL parts. In other words all of the notes are equal distant from one another. I prefer to count them “tri-p-let tri-p-let tri-p-let tri-p-let” which is closer to your way.. 1 +a 2+a 3+a4+a creates too much unnecessary confusion imo bc that’s the same counting method used for counting an 1/8 & (2) 1/16’s (or in other words a full group of 1/16 notes without the “E”). It seems for appropriate that triplets should have their own count as to differentiate the two. Hope this helps.
Thanks for your thorough reply, Matt. I agree your whole post, and your “unnecessary confusion” comment makes sense to me.
one-and-uh
Shuffle feel: downbeat on the one upbeat on the uh. Beat divided into 3 parts and you play on the number and the uh. ???
Really appreciate your daily lessons, they are helping me expand my playing!
Hi Griff, Thanks for all the insightful and helpful lessons this year. May God bless you and your family this coming year.
Dick…aka Fearless Freddy
Totally enjoy all your videos! Thank you. I have a question though. Why do you not, when referring to the strings, just say the “A” string, or the “B” string, etc. , rather than stumble over “the first string” or “the third string”, which requires an extra and annoying mental step? Everybody knows the names of the six strings, so why not just say, for example, “Here, I am starting this lick on the A string, third fret.” That way, students don’t have to translate “the fourth string” (uhm, the fourth string—let’s see that’s uhm oh yah the D string okay I’m ready…). I know you have good reasons for what you do, but it seems just saying the “D” string or whatever is so much simpler.
That is because the string number will always be the same. The note of the string can change. You can tune the strings to other notes, besides just the standard EADGBE. By using the number, he will always be correct.
For me it’s very acceptable and easy to understand 1st, 2nd , 3rd, etc string, there is no additional mental step, I lock right into that, it’s absolute!
Norm, I agree with. I guess people have different thought processes.
Great lesson as usual! Thank you 😎
Always a great lesson from a great teacher. Keep them coming, I always get something out of them.
Your lessons are the absolute best value on the internet. I have purchased several courses ( BG Unleashed, On The Porch, etc. and many others) but what I really appreciate is the additional lessons that you send to my email with licks and tweaks that really bring out the “flavor” of my music. And you don’t charge for them!! Thank you so much for all you have done for me. I never thought I would get to this level.
That was great…I slowed it down to .25 SLOW SPEED TO WATCH YOUR FINGERS MORE CLOSELY….Maybe I can get a slide to fit over my third finger after surgery to practice …I think Griff has a slide guitar course….
Griff has 3, intro to slide , 5 easy slide solos and Delta slide. I have all 3 they are great.
Great way to transition up the neck. I’m frequently stuck when I want to go up a box or two, get lost way too easily. This little lick has already showed me where I was going wrong. I’ll use it a lot — it’s really open to a lot of variations, including getting back down from the upper boxes. These transitions are what I’m working on mostly right now. Thanks for the terrific insights and the clear and practical teaching and advice.
Great lick griff it sets you for playing down the neck thanks for that cheers
I would like to see more transactions also I also have a problem going up the neck this video gives us an easy way to go thank you Griff I really appreciate it do more like this week thank you very much
Your teaching style has really helped me so much. These little gems help me get to the next level. Thanks for all your consistent e-mails with lessons. I read and watch every single one.
Another excellent example of putting the ‘blues theory’ into practice.
I would like to see more transactions also I also have a problem going up the neck this video gives us an easy way to go thank you Griff I really appreciate it do more like this week thank you very much
I really appreciate you and the Blue’s lessons the best!
Pretty cool I like the transition . It ties things together although it doesnt sound to good till reaching the goal intended. There is alot of diffrent approaches that can be used but thats why a guitar is so versitile . I would like to explain a thing I came up with recently but i just want to not tell i may use it sometime . add it to some of my original material.
Griff, Just watching live Johnny Winter on youtube (eg. rock me baby). He uses a ton of these sliding transitions. He plays so fast and fluidly its hard to see what hes doing. I’d love to learn more combinations of these movable shapes ala Winter but this is a great start.
Hey Griff,
Great cool lesson, even when you are not feeling very well, you should take a rest for a few days or a week and get well. Don’t worry about all od us BGU supporters we will have time to learn this Lick and be ready for your next when you are WELL. Best wishes for all your family for a speedy recovery.
Important Note: Great to see that you provide a Share FB on your screen (Right hand Corner)even if I save it to my own timeline, I have a lot of bands who are friends) this is the best way to allow all of us BGUers to tell our friends How we are learning to play Blues Guitar and get a great snap shot of our Teacher just subtitle your website in each Video lesson.
Fantastic Griff, Get some rest now and get well, see a lesson maybe from next Friday 21st April.
Take Care
Michael- Sydney- Australia 13th April 2016
Hi Griff sad to hear about the loss . But God has his way to repay you back ,in a better way . Just wait . I liked your blog and video too .My enjoying the music is okay but I play only Acoustic and same melody cannot happen .
Is there a method to play same on acoustic guitar too?
All the best . Thanks
Thanks Griff, another little gem for the toolbox, cheers.. Get well soon.. Dave..
Always enjoy all the Guitar licks you send every one get over being sick you could be here in Northern mich where we stiil have a foot of snow
Great little lesson, Griff! Super cool lick. I can use all the “simple” ones I can get!
Reminds me of my original days of learning, but I never knew what I was playing until I took a couple of your courses!
Thanks again!
Good lesson ilove the sound produced.thanks
Thank you once again Griff you make learning a pleasure rather than seen as a chore. I have a question for you – I came across the name Hamlin in context to another ‘ Hamlin’ some time back. It was a gentleman who’s Christian name for the moment escapes me ( I am on an iPad -the name is on one of my laptops), was your father also a musician?
Family illness is a grumble for all and just needs getting on with unfortunately. How do you manage it all? The dogs your sons no doubt needing attention / comfort whilst to say nothing of she that must be obeyed also I’ll . THEN you manage to fit in a gem like this for us all. You are the man that is for sure. Do not take any notice re haircut detractors. I swam competitively for over ten and a half years both at assorted galas and distance wild swimming. During all that time in my youth, when you are becoming interested in girls and your appearance, a crew cut was the order of the day – so much more manageable than, so far, full head of hair at sixty six years of age. I am sixty seven on a couple of weeks, but who is counting, right?
With kind regards.
Alex.
Another great insight from the maestro! Many thanks Griff. Hope you and the family are feeling better soon. Keep up the great work with your BGU etc., it’s superb!
Best
Andy
(UK, but presently in Saudi Arabia, where it’s raining right now!!)
Good lesson. I love double stops and use them a lot and I use passing notes or chords a lot too. I like progression that leads to the next step, or the next riff, the next power chord, as I think it makes the song sound more dramatic or powerful.
Thanks for the lesson. I hope you and yours feel better soon! 🙂
You always have cool arrangements
awesome….
Thanks for the licks. Great riffs.
Thanks Griff
Hi Griff that was great I tried that and everybody wondered where I got that from,thank you for your time and patience.
Thanks again for the tip. Never would have got that on my own unless it was a fluke.
U did it again! Dude UR simplicity, comprehensive approach to the guitar is instructive & amazing; whether it’s UR 4-note Blues solo or this dbl.-stop lick. U inspire me my friend, keep up the good work. KZAIRE in Milw. Is hanging on UR ea.& every musical syllable.
Thanks Griff, Another one for the Tank, adding to the Arsenal………. Locked, Loaded and Ready to Rock!!!
NICE LICK GRIFF, THANKS! I’M NOT SO SURE ABOUT THE HAIRCUT????
Dude,,,,, don’t mess with a cats doo. keep it to yursef.
I just want to say,Ive been a musician for 20 yrs.. I started out with just basic rhythm guitar. then decided to learn the bass. So i took it and learned to make it talk. A few yrs. ago i swithed backed to the guitar. Ive been having a hard time getting out of that bass mentality. So I stumbled accross your website and its changed my life. I would like to thank you for what you are doing for stuggling guitarists like myself. The online lessons have helped in big way. Its helped me to finally understand how it all ties together. Im a self taught, play by ear musician. Ive never had one lesson in 20 yrs. till now. You have helped me by leaps and bounds. So again I thank you for gift youve given.
Nice one! good in a rock lick too. Works well going from IV to the V.
Interesting and easy addition to the art of improvisation.Thank you much.
Thanks Griff…another great little lick to add to the repertoire…
This adds another little easy to do and easy to remember lick in my toolbox. Keep these great tips coming. I’m better than I ever thought I could be as a lead blues guitar player and I just keep getting better. Thanks, Griff!
Hate to have to say it again but would be really great if you could show the TABS for these lessons – however simple – would be really helpful
Hate to have to say it, but if you need TABS for this particular lesson, then maybe the guitar isn’t for you. Just say’n….
Would there be any chance that you will be running the $29 5 Easy Blues Solo’s Special again? I was away and did not get a chance to buy before it was ended.
Thanks,
Bob
Another kool riff Griff ! Just got done with a little woodshedin on the strat thanks again for the email lessons been following for a while now and man it’s come a long ways sounding like a blues guitarists you are a great teacher and I can’t thank you enough have a great gig !!!!!
Liked the lick – thanks, I’m going to be stealing it.
Another excellent (and quick) lesson.
I really appreciate how you point out where you ended up and the 3 boxes/houses that are under your fingers.
Is that right 30% of anything ?
Been looking to get a Beguiners course now could be the time
Hi Griff, so sorry to hear that your gear as well as your truck and trailor was stolen, makes one wonder where this world is heading huh? I really enjoy your lessons, I bought your beginning blues guitar quite some time back and was really into learning to play the guitar. I don’t know why but it just seems to be more than I am able or want to take time to do. I play the piano by ear and only for my own peace of mind, and not that often. The piano for me is so much easier to play than the guitar. I still mess with the guitar but not like I used to. Keep up the good lessons and I will check them out everyday. You are a good teacher as well as a great guitarist. Thanks. Jim
I enjoy your blog, and I have a suggestion.
Check out LoJack. It may prevent any further losses of equipment.
A very good investment.
I am trying to learn to play guitar, and having a lot of fun.
Great! Thanks from Austria! Best, Gerd
cool Griff