Born In Chicago Groove
If you’re not familiar with Mike Bloomfield of the Paul Butterfield Blues Band you might want to make yourself familiar real fast.
Mike was a brilliant guitar player who inspired many great guitar players since.
In today’s video I’ll cover the riff used in Butterfield’s tune, “Born In Chicago.” You’ll also notice it sounds a lot like the old surf tune, “Wipeout” 
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This Video (MP4)Mac users should use the MP4 version to download the video
- This Video (WMV)
Windows users should use the WMV version to download this video.
The TAB for the example.This is the TAB for the example in the middle of the video
Hi Griff. You mentioned you use a pod instead of an amp. Do you just connect speakers to the pod, or go into an amp? If speakers, I assume they must me high power to get the sound level good enough. Could you please share the setup you use, I.e. Pod model and speaker configuration? Thanks.
-Mark
“Sweet Home Chicago”….Thanks!
you did this a few months ago. it can go a long way into other styles. i like the a chord. for the guy that asked about the pod. he can get a TECH 21 POWER ENGINE 60. it has no preamp and i use 2 differant multi effects boxs with it. it does not dis clolor your sound and it really loud. #350.00 with a 12″ speaker. you can dasiy chain them together.
I’m thinking that Chet Atkins may have used a pod instead of an amp at times. He would appear on some TV shows and there wasn’t a cord going from his guitar. Is it possible to use an electric guitar in the same way you would use a wireless microphone., such as with a small box attached to your waist and a short cable going from the guitar to the box?
I just bought a guitar bug (wireless transmitter) from Pyle Audio through Amazon. It is a small unit about the size of a thumb drive with a 1/4″ plug on it that uses an AA battery and plugs into your guitar. There is a small wire on it for an antenna, and a receiver with two solid antennae that connects to your amp. It runs for about $120. Customer service for Pyle is horrible, so I recommend that you buy it through Amazon in case you get a bad one (like I did) so you can swap it for a good one.
YOU DID THIS BEFORE AND I LOVED IT. GOOD FOR JAMMING.
MARK! THE POD WILL NOT WORK PLUGED INTO A SPEAKER SETUP ,ANLESS IT HAS IT;S OWN PREAMP. I HAVE THE TECH 21 POWER ENGOINE 60 WATTS. NO PREAMP. I USE A VOX TONE LAB FOR MY PREAMP AND EFFECTS. MY BOSS ME 70 HAS A PREAMP AND IT SOUNDS BETTER THAN THE VOX. OK? 🙂
Hey Griff….
Very nice little groove….. but to really play I need a little more than a lick for something that cool. You stabbed an A chord that got me going…. but which course shows me how to throw in the other chords?
I think my problem is I want to play lead AND rhythm. ……..
Sounds like wipeout to me:) My question is what’s your opinion of the 40 watt blues re issue amp? I’m thinking of buying it, but everyone says it’s too much, even for clubs. Thoughts?
Great fast practice exercise and you can continue in a linear fashion up the fretboard. Good for speed.
Mike was another “gone too soon” artist that left some wonderful music behind. According to Wiki he blended pentatonic, blues and chromatics in his playing. A version 2 of this video with some discussion on this would be way cool. Thanks, Griff.
great. You have taught me so much.
My comments mirror those of aaronosaurus. I have the tab that you sent out with this some time ago. is it possible to enhance it with more of the cords like you did on the 3rd and 4th bar?
Thanks.
a good little change of pace for beginners to practice with,& it leads into further progtressions too-very interesting,Griff- Ron Towle
Being a geriatric guitar student, I do know The Paul Butterfield Blues Band. In fact, I have his album “The Resurrection of Pigboy Crabshaw” on vinyl that is still in remarkably good condition and gets occasional airplay on my old Bang and Olufsen turntable. I also have upgraded his more popular “East-West” album to CD. Bloomfield was also well known “back in the day” for his “Super Session” recordings with Al Cooper and Steve Stills. My wife and I hope to see you next Sunday at the Black Marlin restaurant. I am currently in West Covina, California until Monday, Oct 20 to see a medical specialist so the drive is considerably more reasonable than from my home in rural, Southern Virginia, lol! Thanks for all your work, Griff and see you soon if my plans work out!
Thanks Griff.I like that.
Give lessons on a Bass Guitar
Alice
All of this stuff works on the bass.
in fact, this lesson is really a bass riff. The only difference is that the chords don’t work well on the bass because they get too muddy when played in the lower octaves.Anything played on the third,fourth,fifth and sixth strings of the Guitar directly translates to the 1st, 2nd, 3rd & 4th strings of the bass, The notes are the same–only they sound an octave lower. If you need more help in adapting a particular lesson to the bass I can help.
jj
Cool little surf riff Tater !
Neat ! Simple and something to help exercise my broken finger instead of killing it !
Love the groove, almost ran to my guitar to give this a go. Exciting times Griff, thanks
easy nuf
I like the idea of being able to use these riffs in trying to improvise.
Thks.
Griff,this lesson is so cool . You break it down so it is easier to learn.thank you . Mike Z
Paul Butterfield Blues Band played at my college orientation week (U. of Chicago, 1964). Still have the album with “Born in Chicago”. I’m studying your Acoustic Blues course, I’m a late blooming Boomer that digs Bloomfield! Thanks, Grif, this is great fun
I liked that a lot. I’ve learned a lot from you Griff. Any chance you could show tab for it?
Tab s next to video
thats cool surfin and Butterfield lick, thanks for refreshin my mind.
Griff,
That first PBBB album was one of the first blues albums that I purchased around ’66. I still have and play it. It still sounds great. Thanks for making a lesson out of one of its’ licks.
Good stuff, as always
Terrible, just terrible!!!!
I was in Maine this past weekend and missed you.
Next time you are in the Pine Tree State, please send an e-mail or an announcement.
Mi casa e su casa
hi Griff,awesome,sweet tune that I would like to try.but u make it look so easy.
to bad i did not know you were in maine. i am iin connecticut i would have gone to maine to meet you in person oh well to bad . i like this jam because it is close to something else.
Luv the little ditties Griff. The key is putting them all together where appropriate. In my experience, this is what takes a long time and a lot of noodling.
i love the tune, hope i can do it.
you make it look easy. thank you, for taking out your time to teach us
we love you!you”re a good teacher!
Thanks Griff. Very simple to learn will do so tonight also a fun licker and who knows where I might just happen to use it. A little more knowledge that’s fun to learn is always great. Thanks for sharing.
Great tone on the Strat. That is a nice little riff, the A accent chord makes it sound sweet. My first time on your website, look forward to hearing more. Thank you very much.
This certain speaks for the previous message / video’s you sent regarding Clapton and Guy playing a simple riff over and over which made the basic rhythm of the song. Great stuff and always a thank you for the tabs.
Ah Jimi Page must have got something from this as well as long as this piece was written before his time anybody know which tune I am refering to? Hint it is on the stairway to heaven album! Have a good one ! ; < )
GREAT MUSIC
Great riff Griff, live it,love it
Speaking of Led Zeppelin how about the power blues progression of “Heartbreaker” and the “Lemon Song” to name a few. One day I was just doodling on the guitar and did a hammer on, on 6th string (E).
Hammered from the the fifth fret to the 7th, and my brain took it to an old song by the Standells called “Dirty Water” a riff I always liked and wanted to play.
Cheers Griff have a good weekend 21 again
Another excellent piece to the GIANT puzzle that’s called the blues!! Happy Birthday Griff; enjoy many more years of good health & great guitar teaching!!
That’s funny Paul cuz that’s what I got too I used to play that dirty water riff on a Gibson SG I had at that time the teacher I had at the time put that song in his set he liked the riff so much happy birthday Griff just had my 54th on Sept 30th 🙂
Griff,
I really want you to know how much I appreciate these “Pearls” you cast out to your students.
There have been times when I have become frustrated or began to doubt my abilities, then I get an email from you that sets me back on track.
Happy Birthday, Dude!
You played a neat tune at the LA Amp Show using a Nace Amp. Sure like to see you play it without all the advertising.
Thanks Griff,Love it.Len.
great stuff Griff !! By way HAPPYBIRHDAY!!!
John
Happy birthday partying with relatives this weekend I’ll try a solo for your birthday hope you have the best day.
Hi Griff. Another great gem for us. You’re a great tutor. Hope your birthday is an enjoyable one with many more to come. Cheers form New Zealand.
nice riff Griff!!
fun to play and a good finger picking exercise.
Hi Griff, thanks for all you do to help us play the Blues without making it too complicated.
Best wishes for your Birthday, hope you enjoy it with you family & friends.
Cheers
Graeme
Griff, are you playing at Black Marlin in Tustin this Sunday?
Hey Griff,
This is so cool and simple and I like to be able to play it with so many types of songs Like Stand by Me?
Happy Birthday Griff, I hope you get spoiled by your family & friends. Have a great day and best wishes to continue teaching us all and providing great Blues Music.
Thanks
Michael-Sydney- Australia
Really easy and simple. It’s cool.
this is one i have seen before and commented on. seems a very well used format but not the same . it has inspired other guitarist . c ya
You want sound of Wipe out,try alternate picking & faster tempo. Sounds good as well.
more reruns…rarely anything new. He has inherited Hillaries “Reset Button” and renamed …”Rerun Button”