In this video, filmed live, we’ll talk about how you use the major scale, and some basic music theory to find the I, IV, and V chords in any key for playing a blues.

You don’t have to use any music theory at all, you can just follow the process and take my word for it, but at the same time I’m going to give you some of the background material you might want.

However, it would take WAY too long to really get into all the nuts and bolts of the theory behind the major scale and the standard harmony rule that we use.

From there, we’ll talk about how the Blues breaks the standard harmony rule, and why you just have to accept that and move on with your day 🙂

And finally, I’ll take some questions and talk about some ways to practice this.


    16 replies to "How To Find I, IV, And V – And More…"

    • tony

      Interesting to say the least. I have a hard time with memorizing cord names. I will have to try this concept. The guitar is nice ,one of your best axes. A lesson on jive and jibe . jive means it don`t work and jibe means it works . A tune that comes to mind is Highway love song. Hendrix was so good at playing guitar . He could have been so great if he lived . The imagination that went into his work will never be copied. Was it all in the drugs he was doing . I heard he started with a broom as a guitar and his father gave him a one string thing of sorts . A wash tub a broom handle and a string . One song he did he used every note one his guitar in one song . Oh the most interesting is he could not read music and was self taught . Most have a teacher and still have issues woah !

    • Michael Chappell

      Hey Griff, A good refresher lesson and Live would be difficult for the AEST in Sydney depending what time you are likely to do a live?
      I have a Chart that you have in BGU called Blues Guitar Unleashed- Blues Chord Calculator. This calculator will give you the 1(1),4 (IV), 5(V) chords in any Key. The chart shows each Key and the 1 (1) Chord, 4(IV) Chord, 5 (V) Chord & the bVI Chord.
      Then provides 12 Bar Blues- Standard Common Form and then different variations of 12 Bar Blues..So maybe you could refer which BGU Course would help students as a guide like BGU Vol 2.Course.

      I have this chart always next to me on a music stand for easy reference when playing or doing a lesson.

      All good, Stay safe it looks bad in USA, maybe wear a mask everywhere you go like we do in Australia.

      Thanks

      Michael -Sydney-Australia Nov 14th , 2020

    • Richard Croce

      Really enjoyed this.

    • Ciaran Cunningham

      I’d love it, as I’m sure many others would, if you could do an in-depth lesson on that little solo you play right at the start of this video. I’ll pay my money where my mouth is and pay for it if it becomes available! Whaddya say?

      • Bryan Palm

        Thank you for your service, to lost blues guitar loving people like myself.

    • Ken M

      Just wondering when u we’re moving to Texas .
      I’m looking forward to going to one of your classes there when this COVID thing is over .
      I live in Louisiana now but I’m a native Texan “Dallas “ and have lots of family and friends who live there and I’m trying to get my wife on board to moving back next year . Probably east Texas . I know it’s a big state but better than a trip to California.

      • PAUL

        Wish you had a 7th 9th cord chart. Just can’t seem to play them and make them sound right. my memory is getting bad. Hotel California would work. One song I know, use to play as a cover song.
        Just wish I could play those tricky cords.

    • cdog085

      You stated that your new record will be out Apr 26th. Will it be available while you are at the Tacoma Guitar Festival? I’m looking forward to seeing you perform live. I have many of your courses and while I can’t play very well I love being able to share the knowledge that you have shared with me. Both of my sons and many of their friends are nearly blues converts now.

    • Docpretender

      I think I understood this lesson and, while vaguely aware that some such system existed, I thought your explanation was great. Unfortunately I know nothing about music theory but this was a great help.

      However, if I’m playing a Blues Tune, like Jesus Just left Chicago, in open G tuning, what Roman numerals apply and are those typical for similar blues tunes?

      • anon

        The tuning doesn’t matter because the chords will be the same as in standard tuning, whatever the key or progression you’re using. It’s just that in alternate tunings you’ll have to fret the chords and notes differently to allow for the tuning.

    • sean salins

      thanks Griff….good stuff! really helpful to understand how to use theory in a practical way.

    • Gordon Moore

      You have just read my mind. I was just working (well watching) the music theory videos yesterday and I was thinking, man, I wish Griff would demonstrate this stuff so I could hear it and see it. And bam, you’ve done just that.

      I think you should add this video to the course, it makes things really clear. Could you add a few more theory videos to the curse as well, especially when things get hairy towards the back end! (er)

      btw I also just love the guitar 🙂

    • Dan

      When you are at a jam, with guys you have not jammed with before, playing a song you have not played before, and your lead break comes, while the key is know, how do you determine what box to play? I find that sometimes, good old box 1 does not fit and have to make an adjustment.

      Kind Regards,
      Dan

    • Dan

      Excellent!
      From this can I assume that the blues scale will not always ‘fit’ other genres? For instance, on a solo, why does C# (Db) seem to be the first note to start a solo on Tennessee Whiskey when played in the key of A (A, Bm)?

      Hope that makes some kind of sense.

      Kind Regards,
      Dan

      • anon

        C# is the major third of A major, so it makes perfect sense.

    • Art Batti

      Great lesson. I was taught earlier how to do this with barred chords starting on the low e string and that is what I do. Now when I try to break these into little chords oh how I get lost even going over the bgu lesson over and over. I don’t and probably won’t play with a band so the low notes don’t matter, I just jam by myself. But thanks, I wish that I could do a personal lesson, it would unlock a lot of mystery. Thanks bud.

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