Pentatonic “Memphis Train” Style Blues Riff
Most people seem to think that riffs from songs are hard to figure out by ear. In reality – with an educated guess you can usually get in the ballpark without even having a guitar in your hands.
Today’s lesson uses a riff by Buddy Miles in the song “Memphis Train.” But it covers hundreds of songs that utilize these same 5 notes we call the pentatonic scale.
My hope is that the more you see how the notes from your favorite riffs just come from the pentatonic scale, the more you’ll try to figure them out on your own by guessing those notes first and seeing that you’re right 
Now if you dig this sort of stuff, I know you’ll love the Blues Guitar Unleashed course…
If you need it, here’s the TAB for it.
Downloads
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.
That was great…IT GOES ON THE WALLL….SOMEWHERE…IT IS GETTING FULL
Kingston Mines !
Isn’t this the “D” Dorian mode,starting on the 5 th. Fret !!!
No, box 4 corresponds to the Phrygian mode. The 6th string root is A so it’s A Phrygian.
Just like A minor/Aeolian corresponds to C major/Ionian, D Dorian, E Phrygian and G Mixolydian, D minor corresponds to F Ionian, G Dorian, A Phrygian and C Mixolydian.
Thanks for all you post your a great guitar player I. Just brought your blues 2.o DVD set to advanced for me but l will try to learn from it
Griff I just down loaded the BEST OF BUDDY MILES MEMPHIS TRAIN ALBUM VERSION and your video was right on you picked a great one
Hey Griff great refresher that I have seen before.. it comes back around to always find time to refresh the Pentatonic Scale and Boxes 1-5 which I am now going to make my priority before I do a BGU lesson..all good.
Michael- Sydney-Australia July 2019
The second bar in the tab has a 5th-string 5th fret note that I am pretty sure isn’t played in the video. Optional note?
As others have pointed out, love the shirt, Kingston Mines is a must visit for all blues fans.. Great lesson too!
And I always just thought of Buddy Miles as a great drummer and vocalist. My mind is going through some changes.
Lee Trevino was the golfer!! Amen to I’d rather be lucky than good! The follow up to that quote: The more I practice, the LUCKIER I get!
Great video, Griff.
I like the Box 4 reference.
But Hey, what’s with the fret buzz. LOL