Stormy Monday Changes
T-Bone Walker’s “Stormy Monday” is probably one of the most famous blues songs… ever.
He wrote it in 1947 and I’ve heard several versions of it. T-Bone himself hardly played it the same way twice. But one of the most familiar recordings is from the Allman Brothers Live At The Fillmore East recording.
In this video I’ll show you some chords from that particular recording of the tune. But I’ll also talk about some ways you can make it your own.
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.
The TAB for the example.This is the TAB for the example in the middle of the video
Wow! The possibilities make my head spin.
WOW GIFF, I HAVE BEN WITH YOU FOR THIS LONG. I STILL HAVE THIS IDEO IN MY MUSIC FOLDER
SUNDY, KJAZZ 88.1 PLAYED THE ORIGINAL STORMY MONDAY BY T BONE WALKER. IRONIC!
A lot of chord knowledge for me to work on! Thanks, Griff
G’day Griff, I’ve been with you now since the version 1 off blues pack, and added on gig in a box little wing, and few others. As a veteran pensioner and australian dollar trying to make getting a decent guitar. Which I was 50 3 yrs back didn’t receive a thing even from my two kids or now grand kids. As just me and my service dog. Always wanted a relic Strat or Tele in a 61,or 68 Strat or black blonde Tele 50’s era reliced. As just time at 50 that a custom shop relic is due. Yet starting of the rack at $6500 easy and up. But with my LP and 62 cherry faded SG no bigsby as one on my 335. But I’d like to say thank you for getting me back on track with my guitar playing especially my blues and old school rock. This is more a thanks for how you teach and it’s a proven way from my side. The counting and non evasive way you show and explain the lessons. I can only recommend highly your courses for those who really want to either get back after a to long a break or starting out. Griff is who I’d recommend every time. I’ve had some pretty crappy luck with medically retired discharge from arny triad hard to cover it with meds to try stay in and even on civi street. I’d just like to say thanks Mate for the years you have put in and not sent 3 emails a day with courses that are often broken down prior courses and slapped together and constant new course almost weekly. Which when your not making much money and have Australia trying to make anything guitar or music related out of reach then lowering some old extra tax on any thing that reaches 1000 dollars Australian including the postage you pay. Which was for 10k and over yet put now at 1k so $663 usa postage free and you’ll hit the 1 k amount and be sent a text saying pay ex amount which first time they wanted $285 before release from customs or would send back and start again. With strings at $18 to 28 a pack decent electric and Custom shop $6500 And up. It’s crazy and such a shame that people are finding impossible to own a decent well made and good components having to settle for cheaper brands which can be hit or really bad miss. When a cts pot comes at $26 there something wrong. Even our own built in australia guitars are now priced for USA market dollars. Causing players to buy import China guitars. Turning some future players away. From starting. Pedals at $300-1000 is really shocking. As it’s not in USA to australian exchange rate. As a plain fender t shirt if you can find one all start at $50 for a not real great t-shirt make. I’m not sure why companies are allowing this as amps are hitting hard as well. Such a benefit for mental health and enjoyment. Yet gas is a thing and I know it sounds snobbish but people do want there stars brand or just because they have wanted that as was standard USA Strat you got a well made and good electrics but standard wasn’t right for millennials and now we have 6 Strats a year from all over the globe yet hard to find all the parts that a standard USA Strat had. Then you went down to mex which the electrics where the first to go and again. It’s the voice on your shoulder, you wanted a American branded guitar but end up unless getting given lots money. A squire that many seeing the name on the headstock can dampen creativeness and not feeling you have what you wanted. All important things in playing something you love and wanted. It’s a real shame and many don’t understand the usa price seems ok, for a course or such yet add half on again and it’s not so great and often not bought and self teaching comes in. Keep great work my friend. Your a good man and give a lot more than so many others. Stay safe and string to your family and crew all best Matt🦮🫡🪖🇦🇺
Griff,
Thanks so much for the excellent lesson on the Story Monday Blue and the chord variolations
I gives me more ways to play.
John
Thanks for sharing. Not sure how it will sound on my acoustic but your Gibson is a great sounding instrument!
Wow,
This is one of my favorite all time songs. It’s fun to change it up slightly on every verse. This way you don’t get bored. Thanks again for the ideas.
Great video keep them coming.
your right its not played exactly the same way many veriations . the one thing i got outta this was the augmented cord that basically is at end of the first verse i think . beeen working one this one for many years and i do not use exactly the same cords that are used here .
Griff I have all but 2 of your courses including the new classic rock course. Stormy Monday is one of my all time favorites I play in A chords are a little different but awesome any way you play it. Iam also a blues harp player and I will jam with this tune love all your videos and information thank you. iam 69 and having a ball lets see were did I leave my guitar?
Griff, like everyone else this is one of my all-time favorites. You have just blown my mind with all the options. Which goes to show that a really great song can be played many ways. You’re the best. Thanks.
Easy for you to play…
Great song thanks Griff
How about a lesson on soloing over this song ?
Check the Allman Bros version, which has been tabbed on line.
You have two great guitarists; Dickie Betts and Duanne Allman playing over those chords
Great. Lots of chords to look at.
Reminds me a bit of Hearts “Mother Earth Blues” on their “Magazine” album which I like immensely. Maybe a short lesson on that song someday!
I just love that Am7 run up and back. It speaks to me. Thanks !
beautiful
You said this modeled after the Allman Bros. version. So, how about showing how the double time chorus is played?
The options are overwhelming and I love it! Great work!
About as far from a blues sound as its possible to get. Sounds like jazz, and boring smug jazz at that. Most of the chords you played didn’t appear to correspond with the chord windows shown alongside on screen. Not for me I’m afraid.
I don’t know. If it’s bluesy enough for T Bone Walker and Duane Allman, it’s bluesy enough for me. The solo work over these changes definitely makes it a soulful blues. Maybe listen to Duane going between the major and minor pentatonic all over this in the Filmore East recording and you might get a bluesier feel than with the changes alone. Or maybe its not your thing. 🙂
Excellent Griff – used some sections of this in the Nov 2018 BGU challenge but this adds a whole lot more scope to play with, many thanks
Holiday? Presidents Day? What the hell’s going on? Over here in the UK nobody tells us nothin’ . We’ve all been in to work today. Fully paid up BGU students should be regarded as entitled to sit on the porch today and play the blues. Like you lot. I’m gonna look into this !!!!
love it great explanation
Just fantastic Griff. Those chords and their variants – a wonderful diversion. I have most of your courses (some admittedly still the cellophane), but one on blues into jazz – yes please. Must be an age thing.
Like it love want more of it. Really good stuff.
Great!
I have tried to get that very last little minor pentatonic run, but can’t quite get it to sound like yours. Could you do a quicky lesson on that last riff and maybe some similar endings?
Wow another free bee. Between this and MY OWN FALT by Johnny W are my fav blues tunes.Thank you.
Got it! Cool!
7/11/19
Why use one word when a hundred will do. You’re talking far, far too much Griff….just show the lesson.
This is one of my all time favourite swing blues tunes. Appreciate the chord changes . I use a GM7 /C9 Combination with a mixture of finger picking and chord strumming. Finsh on a D#9. Thanks for the great lesson.
This is great, I’ve been trying to figure out the progression for awhile now, so this really awesome. Thanks for all you do.
fantastic- love the chord window in the video while you play the chards!!
too jazzy
i play with same middle and turnaround chords but start with G7 to Bflat 7th which sounds more bluesy.
G7= 3rd fret – 6th, 4th, 2nd strings;
4th fret = 3rd string
no 5th or 1st string
try it
Thanks Griif this just helps me to do more.
Great video Griff! I would like to see you do that with “Pride and Joy”! That’s one I would really like to learn. I like getting my day started with your videos.
ok
I use a Bb13 instead of Bbmin7 and it still seems to work. I like the cm7 on the turnaround, so many ways to go!
I play this using a G Maj7 rather than the G9. I started doing this because it gives the opening chord a better feel in my opinion. I also often fingerpick so having a nice fat Maj7 chord helps. As you say, many variations .
I play the song Stormy Monday. And I play it with don7 chords and 9th chords. And pick out leads parts. And sing along. Same way I play Ani’t got no Sunshine when she is gone. But your chords are different so I will down load them and play and sing along.
Love the fretboard of that LP. Looks like somebody sawed those trap inlays out of Jolly Ranchers.
Hello Griff. This is one of those lessons that makes you feel like a better guitarist just listening to it !!
I went through the stormy type slides you included in (How to jam the blues alone) and absolutely had a blast. Really appreciate you opening up the depth of the idea..Incredible progression,
and it’s a 12 bar, mind blown…
I love your explanation of the chord work here. I’m not familiar with the song itself but, nevertheless a very good lesson. Thank you Griff.
Smug, department store elevator musak.
In the 10th bar, I hear and have always played an Abmaj7 arpeggio, which shares chord tones with the Cm7 but has the distinct Ab root (which you capture differently with your alternative of playing an Ab9, which is also cool). Also, I end the song on the last chorus by going from Bm to E7 and then E7b5, and close by ascending A-B-C-C#-D-D7b5-G.
“..Tuesday, I’m just as bad!”
Thanks , but thats not really the way the Allman bros . play it kinda but not quite
Thanks! I’m an Intermediate Blues Bass player (+ ‘sometimes’ guitar player), so your breaking it all down the way you did in the video was very interesting & informative..
Hi Griff,I first heard this tune”Stormy Monday” in 1947 when I was 8 years young.This tune started me on to the blues venue and have been singing this song throughout the years as well as playing .You are such a magnificent explainer of your craft.Thanks .John.