Acoustic Blues For Absolute Beginners

"Acoustic Blues For Absolute Beginners" is a comprehensive guitar lesson series offered by Licklibrary.com, designed to introduce guitarists to the core elements of acoustic blues. This course by Danny Gill, meticulously covers a range of techniques essential for mastering the blues genre, ensuring a well-rounded learning experience.

Techniques Covered in "Acoustic Blues for Absolute Beginners"

12 Bar Blues in E (Dominant 7th Chords)

This section introduces learners to the classic 12 bar blues progression in the key of E, utilizing dominant 7th chords. This foundational blues structure is vital for any aspiring blues guitarist.

Benefits

• Develops an understanding of traditional blues chord progressions.
• Enhances chord transition fluency and timing.
• Lays a strong foundation for improvisation skills.

Fingerstyle Blues

Fingerstyle blues is a technique where the strings are plucked directly with the fingertips, nails, or picks attached to fingers. It allows for a more intimate and intricate approach to blues playing.

Benefits

• Improves dexterity and control over individual strings.
• Encourages development of a personal playing style.
• Increases versatility in playing different blues sub-genres.

Chord Embellishments

Chord embellishments, such as adding hammer-ons, pull-offs, and slides within chord structures, provide a more expressive and dynamic blues sound.

Benefits

• Adds a layer of sophistication to basic chord progressions.
• Improves left-hand technique and finger strength.
• Enhances the ability to play rhythm and lead simultaneously.

8 Bar Blues

The 8 bar blues is a variation of the standard 12 bar format, offering a more condensed form that requires precise timing and progression knowledge.

Benefits

• Sharpens understanding of blues song structures.
• Develops adaptability in blues improvisation.
• Broadens repertoire and understanding of blues variations.

Quick Change Blues and Shuffle Rhythms

This lesson introduces quick change blues and shuffle rhythms, which are pivotal in creating the 'swing' feel in blues music.

Benefits

• Enhances rhythmic feel and groove.
• Develops timing and syncopation skills.
• Introduces essential elements of classic blues sound.

12 Bar Blues in A (6th and 9th Chords)

Expanding on the 12 bar blues, this lesson focuses on the key of A using 6th and 9th chords, adding more depth and color to the progression.

Benefits

• Introduces more complex chord voicings.
• Expands harmonic understanding in a blues context.
• Improves chord transition and fingering techniques.

Blues Bends, Soloing, and Turnaround Licks

This section focuses on blues bends, soloing over a blues progression using licks, double stops, and turnaround licks, crucial for expressive blues guitar playing.

Benefits

• Enhances expressiveness and emotional impact in playing.
• Develops essential lead guitar techniques.
• Improves improvisation skills in a blues setting.

Scales and Arpeggios

Understanding and mastering scales and arpeggios is fundamental for soloing and improvisation in blues music.

Benefits

• Builds a strong theoretical foundation for improvisation.
• Improves finger strength and agility.
• Enhances musicality and understanding of melody.

Practice with Backing Tracks

Practicing these techniques with backing tracks is highly beneficial as it simulates a real-band environment, helping students improve their timing, rhythm, and improvisational skills.

Benefits

• Provides a realistic context for applying learned techniques.
• Improves timing, rhythm, and overall musicality.
• Helps in developing the ability to play with other musicians.

Technique List

At the end of this course, students will be familiar with a variety of guitar techniques essential for blues playing. For detailed explanations on each technique, refer to the following links:

• Vibrato
• Alternate Picking
• Legato
• Double Stops
• Hammer-Ons
• Pull-Offs
• Finger Picking
• Chord Progressions
• Arpeggios
• String Bending

This course offers an extensive journey through the world of acoustic blues, ensuring that students not only learn the essential techniques but also understand their practical applications