Hey Blues Fans!
Here’s a little trick to make playing that blues shuffle a little bit easier, especially for beginners or those who don’t have the finger stretch. This technique can be used anywhere on the neck, but it is especially useful when you’re playing the shuffle in the key of F, F#, or G. Watch the video and you’ll see what I mean. I hope this makes your life a little bit easier.

[flv:shuffle_made_easy.flv 512 384]

Hey Blues Fans!
I heard an 8-bar blues progression the other day and I liked it so much that I thought I’d make a lesson out of it. It’s not your typical I-IV-V chord progression; it has a much jazzier feel. In the chord chart and tab, you can see that all the chords are only three notes and they are all played on the bottom four strings. I like to finger pick or hybrid pick all the chords – use whichever technique is more comfortable for you. You can even strum the chords, but make sure to deaden the A-string on the Bb7, G7, and F7.
I posted both the chord charts and the tablature, so you should have no problems learning the chords. The video will give you some good tips on the fingering and picking techniques. You should have this thing mastered quickly.

I will post a nice solo to play over these chords in the next day or two, so check back.

[flv:eight_bar_chord_progression.flv 512 384]

Hey Blues Fans!
I was on my daily walk today, listening to the iPod, and I heard several songs that used the same style chordal lick. I thought to myself, “Self, this would make a good lesson.” Basically, you barre an A-shaped chord with your first finger across the D-G-B strings, then add your middle finger one fret up on the B string, and two frets up on the D-string. When you hear the examples I play in the lesson, some of you will have an “Ah-ha” moment. Have fun.

[flv:famous_chordal_lick.flv 512 384]