This is a little bit of an off the cuff kind of thing… and you’ll notice it’s more “blog” than “video” because it’s just in my office…
But in this video you’ll see just how easily you can take the lessons you learn in Blues Guitar Unleashed or any of the other dozen+ courses I offer and apply those lessons to “real” music.
So grab your coffee and “sit a spell” as they say where I’m from. I think you’ll dig this:
And if you dig it, or if you have questions, leave it below.
76 replies to "Random Blues Songs…"
Hey Griff, can you just explain where you put your fingers? Thanks man!
I must have a half dozen different “Fake Books”, lol. If you started gigging in the late 50’s or 60’s they were a must have and most were illegally published and some were sketchy. I like that you drug this one out. If nothing else, you could grab the fake book to do a request that we didn’t play. I used to pour through them to figure out songs that I “sort of” knew but really didn’t. These days mine have collected dust. Thanks for reminding me about them and I’ll drag them out rather than noodle around aimlessly and maybe add some more tunes to my repertoire.
We should all have a copy of this!
In fact…this and “Blues Guitar Tab White Pages” also.
1/25/21
Hi Griff
I’ve down loaded a lot of songs off the inter-net and a lot of them don’t have the bars or measures. They just show the chore above the words and you can’t tell how long to play a certain chore, no time signature .. that is my question . Let me show you how they show them. Like C space F G Am space C except.
What do you do?
Hope you can find the song on Youtube and listen to it.
I think these assume you know how the songs “go” and just show you the chord CHANGES. sometimes they show a bunch of chords at the end of a vocal line but again-if you don’t know how the song sounds, you will be lost.
While your more formal lessons are always excellent, I really enjoyed the less formal off the cuff feel of this one. Just great. Thank you and Happy Mothers Day to your Laura!
Bob
I was thinkin the other day whats Griff doing next . This was it, huh, well for any one checkin this out it helped me .Cool rewind .
Great lesson on putting things together!
Hey Griff, I wonder since I’m more of a lead guitar player that I should learn or know short chords or little chords so I could transfer into soloing when the time comes.
Anything you could offer/ suggest.
Thanks
Mike Skyba
Hey Griff, I have a lot of your courses and I try to go through them all because my goal is to join in on a jam session and by using your courses I feel it will prepare me to be competent enough to be up there on stage jamming with other musicians (hopefully avoiding the train wreck). Great ideas you talked about today I’ll be keeping that in mind.
Alexander
Used to take cocaine and an open bar to get me going in the morning. Now it’s a cup of coffee and Giff Hamlin’s daily video.
Talk about crying the blues.
The Reluctant Uncle
Am I the only one not getting any sound?
I think so. I am getting good sound….and info
Once again…very cool, Griff!
4/13/19
How can I purchase the manual for Blues Guitar Unleashed? Mine got destroyed I need another.
Call Griff’s help center.
Thx Griff
What a way to sum up all this stuff I’ve been carrying in my head. I can do this; I can do that; I know these chords, these scalesI etc. i know most of this but I can’t make my music have character or come alive.
Do more lessons like these. You really opened up an other world for guys stuck where I am.
Good luck with the show tonight. Wish I was there.
Anthony
Brooksville Fl
Great stuff, Griff. Almost seems as if you had sampled some Cali Gold…LOL.
That was great…the BLG course has really great lessons and THE WORDS IF YOU CAN HUM IT YOU CAN PLAY IT is so right. I am still trying to figure out that counting thing since I play by ear the counting thing is a strange way to me. I listen and try to mimic the sound. I ever learned how to read music so tabs are great for me. And yes I bought Griff’s Theory course and went threw it about 7 times but not much help in the music reading department for me. I would love to go to music school but that cost money I do not have and I have many courses and books and learn alot from them. I would LOVE to see more videos like this on different subjects I really enjoyed it.
Great Video. Interesting
Thanks
Norm
Great lesson, lots of interesting information, very helpful, where can I find the same book to buy, I have a hard time finding the same book that you are using,any help? Thank you.
it’s on Amazon for $30.67.
Fun lesson …I like all your lessons… Only one thing…u played all the cords for the songs but u never play melody.the notes are there right under the cord notations.. Must not read sheet music. Got a lot of your courses they have really helped my plying and the understanding of how to use what I learn . My regular teacher sees my improvement but does not know I study with u . It’s fun to see what his reaction when I throw out lesson 6 a little tore down action . Learning to read sheet music is like getting a root canal at the dentist …but fun when mastered ! Thank u for your teaching it is good
hi griff. I really only play acoustic or electric acoustic blues so should I get the full blues guitar unleashed course or would acoustic unleashed be enough? I am an intermediate to advanced player but I do struggle with bar chords.love your e-mail videos and blogs.
In search of guitar tablature for the Pink Panther theme song playing solo in traditional blues style. I use thumbpick on upper E/A/D strings and finger pick the melody on strings D/G/B/E. I appreciate any pointers to get this song down pat playing solo. I don’t have any other musicians accompanying me so I’ll need to learn a percussion technique as well.
Hey Griff,
Great Blog Video, good to see you having some fun on Labor day weekend it was great fun and I enjoyed it.
I am now glad I am learning 100% BGU which will certainly help me in the future to adapt easily to other songs which is now working. I started BGU and then BGU V2, when I got stuck, I went to other BGU Courses and advanced a bit then back to BGU V2 then got stuck again and did some of your email video lessons and then back to BGU V2.. My experience was fantastic. My goal for retirement was learn Blues Guitar with BGU now since 2013 so that I can play Johnny B Goode by Chuck Berry as well as some other songs from Buddy Holly, Beatles etc. I am a Rock n Roll of the 50’s Fan..From other more experienced guitar friends, they say that Johnny B Goode is a difficult solo song to master and sing at the same time but is worth the challenge..
Maybe you can do another one of these videos so we can save it to our computer WMV. All Great
Thanks for some fun entertainment..
Michael-Sydney-Australia 9 Sept 2016.
Hi Michael, I have read a couple of your comments and believe my ambitions are very similar to yours. I am also retired and decided to learn guitar picking BGU as my preferred method. I live at the start of the blue mountains and would like to catch up for a chat and maybe play some of the lesson together. If your interested send me your contact details
I love the blues. I’ve been a big blues fan for years but the tune that really made the hair on the back of my neck stand up was when I heard Gary Moore play Red House as a tribute to Jimi Henddricks. I’ve listened to it at least 100 times. I haven’t been able to find any good tab for this tune so I’m trying to figure it out by ear and watching the video. This will probably be a project for several months…or years!
GRIFF:
Its all about the nuances and voicings of the chords that make the Blues so texturally rich. Thanks for showing us the different approaches to the same chord progressions to make an entire tune so much deeper.
Thinking back on my guitar heroes …they were the likes of Elvis, The Beatles and Paul Simon, Donovan, Cat Stevens & Crosby Stills Nash and Young for me originally .
It was nice to see you with your hair let down, man. It’s almost as though you had a couple of Labor Day drinks. And sometimes that can really work.
This was a revelation for me to see that,n it will if you identify and play a chord in a song and put a rhythm to it you pretty much got it!
I tend to take the the written music so literally, yet here you let us know that we can also take it casually at times. Wow!
You rarely fail to impress me, Griff!
It was ace for me also, except rock n roll all nite live. I’m 56 and I still want to be him
You hit a big part of playing in this no pre-planning video in that do not be set back by what you think you can not do. Stage fright gets allot of people or just sitting and playing with others. Ego’s tend to be either blemished or made stronger. Or they totally get in the way. Playing guitar is to be a good thing not a struggle. Jesse Boleyn was has put out allot of music in his own style, we sat and had a good talk about the music industry and our past experiences with it.And the recording industries. A world of its own.
400 hundred songs is a large amount of music that just made very simple to play.Breaking down the barre-ours of learning.
Hi Griff, something I feel you should know more about is the great blues harmonica player “Little Walter”, real name Walter Jacob. He had a big hit with ” Blues with a feeling” .. great tune btw. As a kid, little Walter played with the great Muddy Waters band for a couple of years before breaking out on his own. While with Muddy, he had a monster, instrumental hit sing called “Juke”.
*** Mike
P.S.I very much enjoy your teaching videos!
Also, please listen to Dixie Chicken again before using it in your next video example.. haha …
That was a great video! I got so much out of it that I had to take notes. Thank you for the formula for a sus chord. I’ve played them for years but never could explain them. Check out “Blues With a Feeling”, Paul Butterfield version, it’s kick butt! That Willie Dixon tune is killer also. And, I finally get it, the palm mute! I was watching you do it and explain it, and suddenly it clicked! Pardon the pun. Thank You!
Hey Griff!
Thanks for the tips on Dixie Chicken.
It’s probably gonna take a while to break me of the way I’ve been playing it, but I really like, and plan to use, some of the rhythm things that you showed me.
Mike (See you in a few weeks!!!!)
Hey Griff, I really enjoyed this. It flowed and helps me with my ever-improving rhythm. Now I gotta work on those fills!
So that’s what a professional guitar player/teacher does on Labor Day weekend! That was fun!
I loved your comment about “400 Blues songs – and they’re all the same three chords” (not far from the truth!).
I’m nearing the end of the BGU course and was surprised and pleased that everything you talked about in this video is covered in BGU and I actually understood everything you said!!! And you made my day when you said “if your good, and completed Lesson 14…”(your killer rhythm challenge). I completed Lesson 14 and still play it almost daily! I’m getting there! THANK YOU!
Excellent video Griff! I totally like the way you show how all this stuff links together and how we should all have the confidence to just get out there and go for it! Thanks for this great lesson!
been trying to get a buddy to understand this, he spends three weeks trying to get a song down, instead of learning the skills.
FINALLY!!!! Someone in the music teaching world has actually explained what “SUSPENDED” really means. Now I understand suspended chords! Go figure!
Thanks for the impromptu session Griff, very inspirational. Appreciate the holiday discount and made use of it. Looking forward to steady progress with your courses.
Hi Griff, that was Great!
Have you ever thought of doing a Zoom with Questions! Those of us that are not in a band or professional could ask questions for around 2 hours! Like a week day evening5:00 where you are. Have people sign in on Zoom or something similar!
Thanks Griff, i just love your free videos man, keep up the good work! Will purchase something from u some day, & i’m saving all the best ones, but 4 now the free videos u keep sending out 2 your subscribers r all i need 2 progress! Many thanks again mate from a huge fan. Very best regards, Harrry
You’re too cool! as usual, you keep it interesting by just being you -real down to earth guy kind of thing- I like it,that you never seem to take your self too seriously and you look like you are having fun almost teaching us -it just can’t get any better than that, a big THANK-YOU Griff !Enjoyed the vid of the band w/Mrs. on sax also.Respectfully,Kim
Hey Griff,
Although this is exceedingly similar to other videos you have done, it is the sought of video I hanker after most. I feel that it puts all the ‘parts’ into a ‘whole’ and to me anyway is more valuable than learning another lick (although I do appreciate those as well!!) Any way given that there is no holiday down under today I best make the most of my playing time – after work.
Cheers
Rosco
you did it in G “Crying in my sleep” lesson 1
I haven’t commented before but being so impressed by your care, thoroughness and generosity in giving your time and expertise in these free videos I felt it was about time I did. Your way of teaching is quite unique and exceptional and it’s obvious you love what you do. I’m currently doing the Strumming & Rhythm course and have just got into the percussion part so I found your demonstration of different rhythms and fills very interesting and inspiring. I’ve got the 52 Rhythms & Fills course and can’t wait to get started on it after I’ve finished the Strumming course. I’m also part way through the theory course so understood what you were talking about with the ‘sus4’. Last but not least, a very big thank you for the free ‘Down to The Station’ videos and tab; I’ve learnt it and am in the process of “making it my own”. Although I use a ‘Strat’ I’m only really interested in playing alone so that was a real treat.
ta griff.
thanks much griff happy holiday to u 2 hope the little is doin’ fine
kinger
Great lesson Griff, have a great Labor Day.
Always fun Griff…it’s like being in your living room chatting one on one. Your presentation style is easy and really fun. You take out all the mystery and confusion and lay down a senseable plan to work through the stuff you teach. It’s a pleasure working with you as your smooth technique is always a delight to watch.
God bless…
Gerry
Thanks, Griff. After a little over 2 1/2 years and almost 2 years since I got BGU, I’m finally starting to get it. Today I was able to work out a couple of song arrangements on my own, chords and melody, and although they were simple and crude, they showed me a glimpse of the future. This video is one of those that help me the most, showing how to apply the lessons learned to real life situations. BTW, I still struggle with lesson 14, but it served as a nice intro into Jazz.
Your love of teaching shows and is appreciated. Have a great Labor Day weekend!
Thanks for the Lesson Griff, it was very helpful.
Thanks for taking time for us on this holiday weekend Griff I really like when you plow through the books you make it look so easy I always got hung up on the cords being perfect but no need to have to work all weekend but gonna find some time to play of course !!
HAPPY LABOR DAY! YOUR OFFICE IS LIKE MY BEDROOM. THATS MY STUDIO. YES PART 14 ON BGU WAS HARD. I DON’T EVEN REMBER IT. IF I WAS 15 YEARS YOUNGER I COULD REACH THAT NOTE WITH MY PINKY FINGER. BUT AGE AND ARTRITIST IT’S IMPOSSIBLE. SO I SLIDE INTO IT. NEVER WOULD HEAR IT. THANKS FOR TAKEN TIME OUT OF YOUR HOLIDAY FOR THE REVIEW. TK GRIFF.
Thanks for all you do, Griff. After years and years of my stumbling around, I really appreciate you putting “it” together for me. Taking lessons gives you the foundation but you ( I ) need to know how it turns into the music.
I can’t believe how much of your own time you give to keep me motivated and bring it into focus.
I can really see the teacher in you that comes out and helps me understand what I am learning. That, my friend, is priceless!
Have a great weekend and thank you.
Tom S
in southern Ohio.
Nice lesson Griff! Bill Roth: I believe Griff is playing a “Surh” Strat copy. Surh is a boutique guitar company and they are kinda expensive.
GH at his best! Casual, fun and exceptionally helpful for all levels. More, more,more(with clapping in the background)
Griff
Thanks for the blog. I am a big fan of the late, great Lowell George. For those who
don’t know, he tuned in open G tuning. Lowell played in the keys of G,A and sometimes in Bb. Dixie Chicken is one of my all time favorite records.
nice shirt if you are ever in nyc stop down rockaway beach and thank you !!!!
Many thanks for getting this one out there. I’ll be working on this for the next few days.
Also, check out the Doors’ version of (You Need Meat) Don’t Look No Further. Ray sings and does a nice job.
Regards.
Thanks for the lesson
Hey Griff happy labor day. Wonder lf you would give a lesson on how to play the lead just like Merrel Haggard on motorcycle cowboy? I know it may not blues but it sure is good. Hope you get this. Thanks.
Hey Griff, just what I needed to hear.i’m heading on over to purchase your strumming and rhythm mastery lesson I think it would really help me! Thanks much .
a woca woca keeping the illusion that there is a drum present(good) !
ER WOKA WOKA
Thanks Griff,
What you have been talking about makes perfect sense. When one is trying to teach themselves from books and videos, it can get a little confusing.
Curiosity: What kind of guitar are you playing? Looks like a Fender, but I do not recognize the name on the headstock.
The Suhr is made in So. Calif. by a small shop. Very nice guitars and street price is about $2000.00 minimum. I have never played one but Suhr owners swear by them. Google it.
I think one of your best blogs. It’s real to just what I’m looking to do. Play. Just that. Play music have fun and learn how to make it work for me. Great stuff. As Always.
Thanks for taking the time griff. And I appreciate the discount as well. However I sadly won’t be able to take advantage of it. Maybe next time. Until such time, I’ll keep practicing with the material I do have. Have a great holiday weekend Mr. Hamlin.
….but if you could maybe extend said discount till Wednesday, I could get that course I’ve been checking out! (Just the way the funds fall) 🙂
fun video…great overview of many of the different options available in your courses but no need to overthink everything…amazing the amount of ground you covered…thanks…later.
cowboy
Hey. GRIFF
the Willy Dixon Tune
You Need Meat
I know this is an Older post.
I know you’ve heard that tune. It’s been done by a ton if blues Guys and a few rockin rollers
My point the book has it as a rock ish feel. No
I have always heard that in a straight blues
I know this is older video. But l just opened it and began to watch. Wanted to comment.
More importantly Thank you for being in the business of music 🎶You got me playing my guitar again after 40 years off . Getting Married,raising a family,and having a beautiful time of that. Then I saw a video u had out 12 years ago BLUES GUITAR UNLEASHED. I thought it was a chance to pick up my guitar again. I got the coarse. I think you approach to teaching us Great. I was able to get right into it . The way you put the coarse together is perfect 👌 . I like it l moved through the first 20 lesson and it got me back to playing daily for a few hours a day sometimes more actually .
So thanks and Be Well in these crazy times we are in