Circle Of 4ths – Still Got The Blues, Europa Style Changes
The blues guitar world lost a great man in February, 2011 when Gary Moore passed away far too soon at 58.
One of Gary’s finest recordings is his tune called “Still Got The Blues.” It uses a chord progression commonly called a circle of 4ths.
In this video I’ll show you how to play those chords and how to do an arpeggio pattern similar to what Gary does in this tune.
This chord progression is not unique to that song. Europa is another good example, as are a few pop songs I’ve heard over the years… (even disco? just watch 
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You are such an awesome teacher man, I love this Gary Moore tune. I would so love to own all of your courses, but my wife and I are about to have a child, and I just never seem to have any money. I am a big fan of these emails though. I love the Blues gig in a thing and the 3 blues rules, you make what I already know make sense and make it so simple. Keep up the good work and may God Bless you and yours Man.
very cool Griff. I have a song i wrote back in the 90’s that uses that style, the circle of 4’s. never knew there was a name for that. i like the bar cords they give it more of a better sound up the neck. your assume. if i can get my ex band buddy who lives in cyprus we will come and see you at the hip kitty. his band broke up, but i recall they played there before. hope i can make it. be great to meet you and talk music Paul.
THIS IS LIKE PLAYING THE “HOUSE OF THE “RISING SUN” INTRO.
ARE YOU SUSING SPRING REVERB, OR PLATE?
Griff, I have been a subscriber for years now! you have helped me in countless ways…Thanks for all you have done..You are truly dedicated my friend. This set of chords sound amazing and I will commit them to memory for sure.
Thanks Griff! If anyone would like to hear what is possibly one of G. Moore’s best live guitar solos ever caught on tape(video), check out “Empty Rooms” live on youtube, espec if you’ve become jaded..
I completely agree. Make sure you get the ’87 Tour version.Simply beautiful.
Awesome lesson as always and continues my education after I learned from your Blues Guitar Unleashed cds. Thank you for the continued support Griff
I think the chord progression is based on the old Jazz Standard “Autumn Leaves” by Joseph Kosma. Also Thin Lizzy’s song “Parisenne Walkaways” (with Gary Moore) uses the same progression.
Circle of 4ths is a terrific progression and of course I like any chord that is embellished. Lots of times if I am learning a song that is using strait major or minor chords I will research various embellishments and voicing of that chord not only that it makes the chord changes sound so much more fuller, but it teaches me a lot about the guitar and where notes are, and different fingering that I have to use. Very good lesson and well worth learning.
Normally it’s not proper to go against the instructors wishes, but in this case inquiring minds just have to know:
“even disco (please don’t ask how I know that…)”
The blues man doin’ disco… ack !!
I am asking. Politely.
And only half sincerely, but curiosity is killing’ this cat.
PS>Absolutely great explanation of the circle of 4ths. I’d heard of it, but nobody could ever explain it the way you did. Thanks.
Very nice. Thank you.
Actually, Still Got the Blues is one of my favourite songs to practice. Thanks for going over that Griff. Now, I just have to get brave and go beyond box 1 when trying to play lead over the loop…. gotta practice my scales more often!
The circle of 5ths can be really cool too. Jimi Hendrix playing “Hey Joe” is basically C – G – D – A – E (Just the reverse of the Circle of 4ths)
This is great stuff Griff, I have most if not all of your courses, you’re one of the best tutors I’ve found. Keep up the great work, it really is appreciated. Thank you.
I enjoy your lessons, but i have a request. I would really like to hear the tune first, then the lesson. Maybe it just me, but it would help to know what it is I am learning.
I was just wondering if the B. minor flat 5,could be B dimished and is the Esus4 to E the end before Am.
Sir,
Can you play the total part up to speed also? So that we can hear how it’s supposed to sound?
Thank you,
MM
great way to make melodies.
And practise chord with alternate picking. Thank you Griff
The 4th of F is B flat, not B. How does it turn into B?
Dm to G is a major 4th.
G to C is a major 4th
C to F is a major 4th
F to Bb is a major 4th
F to B is an augmented 4th.
So technically, F to B is a form of a 4th.
It’s called diatonic harmony. All the chords are built from the notes of the C major scale.
So when B is the root
B D F A = Bm7b5
It’s a 4th away in terms of the number of steps in the scale
F G A B
F to B is not a fourth, F to Bb is a fourth, technicality but true. F to B is a flat 5 or sharp 4.
the different voiceings looked complicated for the beginner I am, but still cool.
Great sounding cords but when i check out the chords for this tune there are an incredible 18 different chords
Griff, what you do is truly awesome, there are people who can teach, (I myself am a drum/music tutor in Scotland) and there are those who teach WELL and have the knack of understanding those you impart your knowledge to, and you my friend fall into the latter category. keep up the good work and long may you prosper
Thanks you have help me see some stuff I have been searching for
Griff,
Again, could you please play it all through at the beginning. All I’ve heard is a series of arpeggios!
Sorry to be so grumpy!
Hey Griff, really nice chords, sweet as.
keep them coming.
Michael Sydney Australia
Technically this is the “Circle of Fifths” (ascending 4ths equal Descending 5ths: F C G D A E B Musicians, in general, always refer to it as the “Circle of Fifths” whether you are ascending or descending even Griff, before he corrected himself automatically called it the “Circle of Fifths”
GOOD TO HEAR FROM YOU AGAIN BEEN PLAYING
Add ‘Autumn Leaves’ to that list. Many thanks for all your help.
Applause for larger format of tab! Often when I click on tab icon, and hit “print”….result is too small for my aging eyes! Perhaps tabs could be formatted to print in landscape orientaion, and “fill the page”?
So of course I have seen this lesson from you before and I like and use this Circle of 4ths quite a bit, but this time, when I was watching you arpeggiate these chords, when you did FMaj7 it reminded me of that song by Chicago “Color My World”. As soon as you did that chord that song came to my mind. Now I don’t know if that song is done in the Circle of 4ths, but it is a good reason why I like watching other guitar players. Good lesson…
Like you said try something new and work at it for awhile then see how much you remember the next day with no cheat sheet . best way to learn anything pretty much.
Thanks Griff kool lesson I remember the first time I herd Gary on Thin Lizzys Black Rose album that’s high school times for me ah the memories !!!!
When I asked Kenny Kilgore (House band of Blind Willies in Atlanta) what basic would be the best to learn well, he told me, “learn the circle of 4ths. It will open so many doors for you”
Thanks, this is the best explanation of this that I have ever seen.
Many thanks Griff. Lovely chord voicings – very soulful. Heard Gary play this live in Liverpool and Manchester and it’s one of my all time favourites.
Every good wish, Andy (in UK)
The only Gary Moore I know of used to be a TV host of “I’ve Got A Secret.”
Cool Griff. I have been learning this off and on for a while now. While I don’t understand how G11 is made up, I prefer to call it Dm7/G. If you get the time I’d like to know how chords with 11ths come to being. You’re the best out there. Have been with you for a long time now.
Alan: Griff’s July 25 newsletter has links to a few videos. Video 1 has what you are looking for. Also his course on Theory.
Great as usual Griff. If you ever want to teach us the solo that would be great!
Griff,
It ‘s a cool note circle of4th i have
Been using this jazz chord and idid’nt even know the name.
Good teach you know your stuff.
I read your email all the time.
Enjoying it.
Thanks
Joe
Great lesson – well explained. Thank you 🙂
Wow you suckered me .i really thought you were going to play i will survive. You trickster you. Er when i say suckered i didnt mean that in a sexual way obviously . I am totaly heterosexual….in fact im a lezbian in a mans body….I’ll go now
Thanks again Griff! SGTB has always been one of my favorite Moore tunes! It, once again, proves – beautiful songs – need not be overly complex. Peace.
The theme song from M.A.S.H (Suicide Is Painless) utilizes this progression, or close to it.
This progression also works for Fly Me To The Moon, and You Don’t Have to Say You Love Me, by Dusty Springfield. And so many more.
Hey Griff,
Great to see this again as a good refresher. Like others have said it would be great if you played a few bars of the song so we could all see the meaning of the chords. You do this most often which is great.
I now have quite a few of your courses and like these Video lessons to top up on.
Thanks
Michael-Sydney Australia
Awesome Griff-again-as always your explanations are well worth it.I also am a Gary Moore fan (RIP)- I have this in my learning repertoire of songs to get to know well-add together with the Blues Unleashed 2.0 I purchased from you which is also awesome and going well- thanks so much
As always, your lessons are superbly informative & instructive, Griff.
So glad you touched on Gary Moore. He was brilliant & the most “feeliing” guitarist I have ever heard. I’m reluctant to say who my favourite guitar player is, because there are so many that I admire – but if I had to make a choice, I simply could not go passed Gary Moore! He was something else!
Thankyou, Griff.
Always look forward to your lessons.
Cheers.
Reminds me of a Chicago tune. Color My World… If I recall, correctly..
Great as always!
Griff, I was thinking of trashing my inexpensive Squire Telle and getting a wider board from Walmoth. They make a 1-7/8 at the nut which I think would be Great. I would also have a Luthier set it up!
I know most would say get all the parts and build your own. Just trying to save money now.
What is your or other opinions?
This isn’t the same Gary Moore that hosted a TV game show called “I’ve Got A Secret ” is it?
Love this tune. Have the chords down pat, the solo, my goodness, that’s a little “harder” to handle.
Nope, not that Garry Moore:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garry_Moore
This Gary Moore:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4O_YMLDvvnw
Griff,This is just what I wanted,thank you for reading my mind,Len