Yesterday I posted a lesson where I talked about using the major and minor blues scales over different portions of a 12 bar blues progression.
I took that video clip right off the DVD and didn’t realize I had a little segue into the solo example that followed… oops.
Many of you caught it, and I didn’t intend to leave you with a cliffhanger, so I edited down part of that solo example.
It wouldn’t be fair to post the whole example, but I think by having the first 12 bars of it, you’ll both get an idea of how to use the approach, and get a good look inside Blues Guitar Unleashed and what it is all about.
In this video, I’ll walk you through the licks and what I’m thinking…
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And here is the play-along video
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The downloadables….
{ 49 comments… read them below or add one }
This video was the first time I ever saw a reason, or way, to incorporate the major and minor scales. Teachers always say to use minor and major but rarley do you get a why or really a show me how to video. I still get a bit confused when you slide up to the seventh, and say your still using box 2. Do you mean your still using the notes from box 2? Because your certainly not in box 2 when you slide up several fretts, that always confuses me to no end, I end up getting into a rutt and “boxed in” on the minor scale.
Any way…thanks for the cool lesson Griff
its cool lick your a great blues player. i like old blues the best keep up the good work. joetheshakerRBL
Hi I was wondering how you set up your amp to play the blues sound ,any affects? Also I’ve been useing your lessons and think that they are great ,I’m not sure I have the funds to buy a copy but could you sell parts of it like by the lesson? If not thanks for all the good stuff and keep rocking on.
I now know the secret to building a great melody(solo) for blues. Know the secret – when to use Major and when to use minor scales, end each solo at the root, and build tension from beginning bars to the end. with a little focus somne skill through lots of practice i think I will be able to create some really cool tunes.
Man you simply amaze me with this stuff, keep em coming. Thanks Griff
This is exactly what I need to be productive playing at church believe it or not. This stuff is awesome!!!!!!!!!
Hi Griff! You is a great blues player! I love blues. My the best guitar player is Gary Moore. Thanks for the cool lesson! You is great teacher!
Hey Griff,
Your tone sounds great. Are you playing through
a Fender Blues Deluxe and are you using any effects?
Griff
You are the only guy that makes sense.
Keep it coming.
Hey Griff
It’s been a while since you’ve added something here. I think we can understand you’ve been busy, just hope you haven’t forgotten this great site.
Hey Griff,
Enjoy your lessons! It’s helping to make sence of the blues. Is there a tab chart of the differant boxes? box 1, 2 so forth. Thanks man
Griff
I gotta say this stuff just makes sense. Plain and simple. I’ve been playing blues for close to 20 years and an avid fan of live blues (as well as a host of those guys that made all this possible that are no longer with us)! One question — do you have a breakdown of the major boxes (the one’s you reference in major/minor lesson) — and are the “boxes” the ones in the A Minor Blues pdf?
Many thanks, Griff… Great stuff!
I cannot download the PDF file. It says it is corrupt.
Question? I’m a beginner, will order your course soon, but for 300 bucks or less what fender guitar amplifier should I get that will sound somewhat like yours? thanks.
great lesson griff been wanting to know how to play major and minor together without it all going to -hi- thanks man you are good
Excellent – You make it look and sound so good.
Grif, thanks for the great lesson, I am just starting to understand the major/minor scale and the blues boxes. Is it true there is a BB King and Albert Lewis box= A Blues box???
let do a whole song from beginning to end not just parts
Hi,
I’ve been playing guitar longer then I’d like to admit to (not always constantly, my life has been very unconventional)but still if I would have put more into espescially at the times I probably could have done more of the things I’d like to have done with it then I have. Don’t get me wrong I’m glad I’ve had the ability to play music in my life no matter if I have yet to meet all my dreams or ever will.
I’m 46 and tookYMCA group lessons wheb I was 10yrs, old. Later when my mother felt I was interested enough and dedicated she paid for 1/2 hr lessons form a man who taught me to read music(poor man as best as he could), chord diagrams, picking patterns and strumming tech’s,&other. After that I took some lessons on and off basically instructors teaching me songs I requested in TAB. In my early 29′s I took some Classical guitar lessons that helped me to keep what little music fundimentals I knew from before.
I worked in a music store on and off for 7-8yrs, and although I’m no Clapton, I can finger-pick well (so I’ve been told by players I admire). I also auditioned to SHSU School of Music,and was accepted much to my suprise. Later I relize that the contributing factor to me being excepted was that they were building both the guitar program and the degree program I was attempting, “Music Therapy” (which guitar is manditory to learn even if it’s not your princiole instrument. If it was any other major mixed w/the guitar program I’m sure I wouldn’t probably be excepted. I had to quit after 3yrs, because of health issues. But now I have an extensive knowledge of Theory and Musicianship that I didn’t have before. Use it or loose it…well to cheer myself up my family helped chip in on a Les Paul Special Guitar – Electric and a big&loud enough crate amp.
Long story short, I’m good but only at certain styles especially those kin to the acoustic. I WANT CHOPS!!! I want to jamn, play some power chords w/effects, I want to be able to rip on leads, licks, my own and others. Your 4-note solo was the first time i’ve been inspired to try harder, practice, memorize scale patterns-blues,chromatic,penitonic,diotonic,other? I want to be able to find the lead to anything played by ear eventually. I have developed relative pitch and can figure out the rhythym amd other things ie:bass line or picking pattern, or strum/rhythm, ect.
But, still I need more simple 4-note solo lessons w/background and tab, I felt like maybe someday I wouldn’t be embaressed re: the guitar and amp I have (even if it isn’t a player, I still sound sucky compared to the classical,pickin and rock I can play on my acoustic). I am disabled right now and also live in TX w/no car, being from SD,CA originally by way of LV,NV-7yrs along w/alot of traveling around the USA-I’m going nuts. I need something to teach my students (even though their young and I can teach them alot I avoid showing them I have no chops)all the things they would like to learn then I could feel like a successful teacher who could cover almost everything needed to become popular with teens and young adults, other then just young childern or disabled, applying music in other aspects theroy, sight singing, writing 4-part harmony, simple piano and other type instruments along w/history and appreciation (which I like to back door them w/wheter they want it or not, hoping to open their ears and influences as well as avoiding trendy alot so that you can not experience the vast world of music and it’s variety).
Please, more simple lead type lessons like that if possible or info as to achieving it asap.
Thank-You, Sherri
PS. – Sorry to ramble. I do it alot (rather ramble on the guitar,not as annoying as me). I’m also missing a decade or two. I like starting w/blues there universal and can be used w/most rock and roll songs (I think?). The internet is such a cool tool, wish I had it when I was younger, along w/that tech. knowhow of today. Any suggestions w/updating myself,image,playing,contemporary tunes,and composing my own music. Often the best melodies and lyrics come out when I’m improvising off the top of my head or w/ a friend. Problem stopping to write screws up the flow often and it seem impossible to replicate even w/a small tape recorder (even a friend helps, but the flow gets broken easily), any suggestions?
Dm is the sadest chord there is, beautiful, but sad.
I love music and the blues. I am working on playing the blues. Unfortunately I have very little or no musical ability. But what I do have are your videos a guitar and amp and a lot of desire. When I started looking around for online lessons I was a bit leery of putting out money for something I that I had no idea of what it really would be. I must say I am really impressed by the effort you put out not only with your original lesson but the constant stream of extras you send in the mail. Keep up the good work! Maybe one of these days I will get some of this down.
Great: You react to problems immediatly. (some other programs you might get answer in a week). Your method of expressing the lessons makes it pretty easy to understand. My big problem is at 75 putting it to my brain and fingers. Not your fault for that. Think your approach far exceeds other teaching avenues. Thank you.
I GOTTA THANK YOU GRIFF SO MUCH FOR THE WORK YOU DO IN HELPING US ALL UNDERSTAND THE WAY’S OF IMPROVING OUR SKILL’S. I STARTED PLAYING @ THE AGE OF 11, I AM NOW 54. THE BLUE’S HAVE ALWAY’S BEEN MY PASSION BUT HAVE NEVER FELT COMFORTABLE WITH MY LEAD’S, RIFF’S, TURN AROUND’S ENDING ETC. YOU MAKE THIS ALL SO SIMPLE TO UNDERSTAND THAT IT ALL MAKE’S SENSE. I HAVE IMPROVED SO MUCH JUST BY WATCHING THESE CLIP’S THAT I WAS’NT GOING TO INVEST IN THE DVD’S, BUT IM SURE YOU HAVE A BUNCH MORE GOOD STUFF IN THEM THAT I WENT AHEAD & ORDERED THE SET. CANT WAIT TO SEE MORE OF WHAT YOU HAVE TO OFFER. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK THERE IS NO DOUBT MANY FOLK’S ARE LEARNING MUCH FROM YOU. KENNY
Hey Griff,
Thanks Griff for making it easy for new players like myself. I open my emails every morning in anticipation of the next lesson.
Cheers
David
Sydney, Australia
great blues yuo are allways giving us good music
I am 51 and love the blues. Spend lots of time in Clarksdale MS. with friends. Learning to play and your lessons are great. I have learned the 4 note solo to my amazement. It takes me a while to follow but I eventually come around.
I cannot download the PDF file. Any suggestions ?
Keeping the Blues alive
Grif, I have really enjoyed your lessons. I would love to purchase the entire course. Unfortunately I am a self employed custom woodworker and work as slowed down all of a sudden almost to a stop. I lost my job in the corporate Pharma world after 21 years in 2006 so went back to my woodworking full time. I am a 58 yr old male and have wanted to learn quitar for many years.
I have one question what are you referring to when you say ” Box 1 or Box 2. Thanks much.
Duane
What’s ya amp set on. Reverb? Tone? Bass? Treble? All thet good stuff.
I love the sound that’s starting to come out of my Guitar. for a beginner this is a tremendous amount of happening. Thank you Brother, Its all right with me. I guise this new shoulder isn’t so bad after all. And the feelings coming back into my hand. At least my finger’s. Keep it coming Brother, And ill keep trying to fallow. The chevyman is back with a new groove….
at 61 years old and playing for 40+ years with a degree in music.i have found out over decades what you are giving to your followers in each lesson. i have taught for about thirty of those years and surprisingly we are very similar in our thoughts.break things down into small segments that are usable and expand from that. my greatest compliments to your and your success, just wish we could set down and jam a bit. keep up the good work and the people must know that music is very therapeutic and good fro the soul.
sincerely paul
I tried to order this but your mcssl.com order processing program does not respond.
HI GRIFF I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR LESSON ON MAJOR AND MINOR BLUES ONE THING I WOULD LIKE TO ASK YOU IS HOW TO PLAY AS FAST AS YOU DO WHEN I TRY TO PLAY FAST I REALLY SUCKS THANK YOU BOB PERCIVAL
Hi Griff, I am very interested in buying your complete course, as I am in the UK, can you advise the cost total, incl packaging, etc in UK sterling. Many thanks John.
I am really impressed with your playing and teaching methods. Your courses are definitely on my to get list, just can’t right now as “spendable” cash is a bit tight. As a suggestion, maybe you could break up the dvd’s so people can buy one at a time. Not only for the “economy” of it, but you probably have potential customers who just don’t want all of it, based on their own playing skill level. Just a thought.
I was hoping in the mean time that you could help me with a question about scales. You have spoke of there being 5 different positions of the pentatonic scales, and also refer to box one stuff and box two stuff. when I see some of your sample video clips, I watch but I just can’t seem to make the connection between the “boxes” or positions.
I know I need to work on learning the fret board, and I also am working on the scales, but frankly I’m confused.
Is there a way you can help me with this, so I can one and for all clear up the playing of the pentatonic scales (major, minor, blues), what the positions or boxes are, and how they relate to each other? How do you move from one “scale” to another based on the chord progression?
Is it based on the root, then the appropriate scales played based on the neck position (box)?
Anything to help me connect the dots is appreciated.
Griff, at 72 and retired i’ve always wanted to play an instrument.
having developed a confidence in your ability to teach. i had no problem in purching both the ‘beginner blues guitar’ and the ‘blues guitar unleached’ courses. i am at the very beginning of the learning curve. still practicing the beginners course and have not allowed myself to even look at the unleached course. have introduced my son and grandsons to the experience and hope they will develope an interest.
The people commenting here are a joke… Griff, your stuff rocks!!! and is TOTALLY worth the bucks I spent to have it in hand… When I get home from work EVERY DAY I sit down and just play the videos to keep it all fresh… then, I\’ll pick up my guitar and work out the riffs you put down… THERE ARE SOOO MANY!!! All of the people who like your website that haven\’t bought BGU yet are either lame-o\’s who really don\’t have the desire, or too cheap to invest in something they love doing… i.e. playing the blues man…. I used to be in AWE when I\’d sit at Blind Willie\’s in ATL watching those old blues dudes wail… now… when I watch them I think to myself, there\’s no real trick at all (at least other than the one Griff teaches)… makes it seem so darn simple… So for all you whiners out there that love Griff\’s free stuff… get up the cash and buy the program… it\’s ALL in there… everything you need, broken down step by step and explained in language that anyone can understand…. Again, Griff… you totally ROCK!!!!!
Nice work…when I watched it I wasmore interested in your picking technique…your hammer-ons and pulloffs to give the licks speed…again…nice work.
Hi Griff,
Great lesson on the minor- major solo. I’d like to try playing it with the backing track (which is not among the list of download files).
Is the backing track you use in the video available on the DVD?
Thank you for the wonderful lessons!
Thanks Griff, I am so thankful for your help. I will tell you more when I have more time. I’ts not like you read these comments. Or maybe you do. After all, why would you take the time to send a poor old G.player like me, the kind of cool stuff you know without me having the money to buy your cd’s right now. I do not know. Just, thank you.
445824
Blues is not a song you sing, it is a way of life…(JJ Cale)
I play guitar for decades, but never it have been clear like that…tT
hank!| Benoît Laurin Montreal Canada
Hey griff , l really like your tastefull lead playing , and phrasing style , but will you please post a diagram of the major pattern you call 2 , so l know which one you r using , l already know the 5 patterns , but l am not sure which one u r using as l can’t tell from video , as you r going to fast , other wise l am guessing .
Hey griff , l really like your tastefull lead playing , and phrasing style , but will you please post a diagram of the major pattern you call 2 , so l know which one you r using , l already know the 5 patterns , but l am not sure which one u r using as l can\’t tell from video , as you r going to fast , other wise l am guessing .
just to try and help clarify some of the questions in the comments here,these boxes are moveable scale patterns that can be played anywhere on the fretboard.whats important is understanding where the root notes are.within each box there are 2 scales hidden,a major and a minor,depending on which note you use as the root note.the boxes do not necessarily start or end on a root. for example,even though box 1 starts on the 5th fret,if you use it to play a major blues,the root note is on the 8th fret (2nd note of scale pattern) the root note for the minor blues is always 1 note in the scale behind the the major root (it is also always 3 frets behind).since the major scale and minor scale both start at different points within the box this is how it is possible to be in box 2 (major) and then slide up a few frets and still be in box 2 (now minor) hope this clarifies! also the major roots are as follows: box 1=2nd note,box2=1st note,box3=5th note,box4=4th note,box5=3rd note
Griff thanks for all the great blues i am using guitar playing to rehabilitate my left
hand from a major stroke,but with a 100% blocked carotid artery there is not much
chance of me doing tweedleys ,hammer ons but i’ll keep on practicing scales blues and
pentotonic. Sad my doctors don’t give me much hope ,but your playing and downloads
are fantastic ,good luck and keep playing . I am all full on my hard drive and can’t down
load any more so i’ll have to unsubscibe sorry I’ll order if they fix me in october.
My daughter is having knee surgery in july things are tight right now. Jam session
went well on friday but a lot of clutter from 11 players everyone is looking to pickup
a part time income, didn’t know a little town had so many guitars. God bless you and your
family Aron
Hey, Griff,
I’m an old hacker since the surf days. I learned a lot on the road by putting quarters in the jukebox before the joint opened. Your lessons have helped me so much! The kids don’t know how well they have it. Your emails are very inspiring. Been out of work for a year, now, but I’m definitely going to get Blues Guitar Unleashed when I can return to work. God Bless!
Rodger
Hi Griff!
Thanks for all of the info and your hard work and dedication to the guitar and the Blues! I’ve been a ‘player’ for about thirty years and have played with and admired many of the great Bules folks. It is very refreshing to have someone like yourself with so much talent and knowledge to share it with all of us! I keep learning every day!
Thanks so much and keep up the good work! Who knows what young guitarest you may influence to keep learning, practicing and drilling down to become the next……uhm…..Griff?
All the best!
Fred
Griff you have given me so much in the past few months for free in the emails. I just got a credit card and now would love to get the lessons for bigneers in blues I can play a little but i THINK STARTING WITH THE FIRST LESSONS would be the best way to get to where i want to be. I am 62 the end of this month and have loved the blues ALL my life. Side note I build stringed instruments and repair them to keep my sefl busy I’m a disabled vet of the Vietnam war and a Marine of the united states of America f you would send the email to order the dvds I would be for ever great ful thank you sir for your time and kindness
Griff you have given me so much in the past few months for free in the emails. I just got a credit card and now would love to get the lessons for bigneers in blues I can play a little but i THINK STARTING WITH THE FIRST LESSONS would be the best way to get to where i want to be. I am 62 the end of this month and have loved the blues ALL my life. Side note I build stringed instruments and repair them to keep my sefl busy I\’m a disabled vet of the Vietnam war and a Marine of the united states of America f you would send the email to order the dvds I would be for ever great ful thank you sir for your time and kindness
Hi Griff, I’m writing to ask you if there is a way to get past free lessons sent to me because my PC crashed last week and I lost all previous free lessons…about 10 – 12 lessons. Your free lessons have really helped me, I’d like to subscribe to the other subscribtion when I can afford them. Thanks