There are a few common ailments I see with most new blues players (particularly when trying to solo)…
1. They play “in the basement” where they can’t be heard above the band…
2. They only play from the lowest note in the pattern instead of playing from the top, which is where many solos start and flow from.
3. They don’t phrase – at all – because a few beats of dead air seems like an eternity.
So I wrote a VERY simple solo for you that just basically goes through box 1 in A minor, but addresses those facets (as well as some others.)
If you struggle with counting, phrasing, timing, or any of the things I mentioned above, this might help with that.
And if you dig this, and it’s about at your level, but you’d like to step it up just a little (and play some real blues licks) then you might really dig my 5 Easy Blues Solos course.
THE TAB IS RIGHT HERE!!! (you might have to right click to save it)
20 replies to "Simple Blues Solo For Beginners"
Griff, can we download the backing track for this?
Excellent lesson for me THANK YOU
Need more like this
This little lesson was amazingly helpful to me. I had given up on trying to learn soloing. Using this lesson for beginners, learning the pauses and learning to mix and match sections I found myself able to improvise (somewhat).
Many thanks
BGU gang, I don’t have a looper yet, has anyone found a decent “slow” blues backing track similar to what Griff plays on this video? Thanks in advance for helping out a newbie!
Thanks Griff,
Yes I am a total beginner 2 years into it, still a neophyte. Please , make more videos like this. This is your best video….Why because you have become real. The most important things , seem like the most elemental things, are so important. Griff , thanks for your videos
Thanks a lot, Griff, for a simple but important lesson. Barry (an eternal beginner).
This is a particularly helpful lesson for me. I am currently working on the Blues Solo Construction Kit – Shuffle Feel. The breaks in THIS simple solo really outline the 5 places in the 12-bar pattern where the licks go.
IMO it’s probably more important it zero in on where the breaks are before learning the licks, and this simple solo allows for that. It’s easy to concentrate on where the breaks go because the solo just goes up and down the scale which doesn’t require a lot of brain power.
As a matter of fact, I think this exercise should be the 1st part of the BSCK as it is the foundation for what follows. Maybe include this in BSCK 2.0.
Very helpful, Jeff
Griff hi, I just started playing guitar, and I tried getting into other music, but when I heard the blues I fell in love
with it. I hear it and it just hits every part of body. I really love your course on the blues, keep up with the good music you play.
Greetings Griff. I am Andy Tan from Singapore. Thanks for this simple yet wonderful pointers. I had been playing the 5 boxes but failed to understand the need for a pause or rest. Appreciate your dedication in your teachings.
Griff do you have beginner right hand picking hand position. Do I float my hand 0r anchor or closed hand or open hand . I am really confused what to do . Thanks Rod oh thanks for your videos you are awesome teacher .
MAN GRIFF, I HAVE BEEN WITH YOU FOR AGES. I REMEBER THIS. IT REALY HELPED ME USSE IT AND MIX IT UP IN ASOLO. YOU CAN EVE DO PULLOFFS.
MY OLE BAND MATES ARE PLAYING AT PIZZZAZAZ IN LONG BECH. THE SAME NIGHT YOUR PLAYING IN LA MIRADA . I DO THIS OFFTEN AND GOUP AND PLAY ATUNE WITH THEM. WHERE GOING TO DO “BAD TO THEE BONE” BLUES STYLE IN G. I TUNE MY GUITAR TO G AND USE MY OLD CORECIDEN BOTTLE FOR MY SLIDE. THE TUFF PART, IS DODING SLIDE AND THEN SINGING IN BEETWE,EN THE “G” “E”‘ “G”. I HAD TO TEACH OUR LEAD GUITAR PAYER THE COUNT. MAN HE HAS NEVER COUNTED BEFORE, BUT IS A FANTASTIC LEAD GUITAR PLAYER.
THIS IS THE OLY SONG I HAVE EVER HAD TO COUNT IN MY HAD. YOU HAVE TO PLAY THE SLIDE CORDS AND THEN SING BEFORE YOU REAPEAT THE SLIDE. TOOK ME WEEKS TO FINALY GET TIGHT. ALL THANKS TO YOU AND YOUR COUNTING. THANKS GRIFF AND SORRY I CAN’T MAKE IT TO LA MARADR WHEN YOU PLAY.
Paul I know you didn’t mean it that way. But when you use all capital letters it is considered yelling.
Great intro on “how” to solo!!! Your emphasis on the scale(s) and counting has made me understand how I’m supposed to approach a solo. Now, if I could just DO it!
Thanks!
Griff this lesson will definitely get you counting and out of the basement. Great lesson even if you are not a beginner.
Griff, This is one of your best lessons ever. Simple stuff but critical to playing more advanced stuff. I haven’t found any other online instructors that teach this as clearly as you do or even stress the critical skills that you know from experience are needed to be succesful and play well.
I excellent Griff as Usual. Counting is Crucial to playing even though I Dy like to.
excuse me I meant video surgeon. they are both good tools
If you have song surgeon, you can down load it with the tube sniffer. If you don’t have song surgeon it is a great tool and not very expensive
Enjoyed the simplicity of the lesson, great for counting/timing. Is there a download for the video?