How ANYONE Can Play the Blues - Minimalistic Blues Playing

Introduction

Welcome to a two-part series on minimalistic blues playing, where we will explore a simple yet effective approach to playing blues on the guitar. Whether you're a seasoned blues player looking to refine your skills or a beginner eager to dive into the world of blues guitar, this guide will provide you with essential techniques to get started. The concept behind this approach is called "chasing the root," focusing on the roots of the chords in a 12-bar blues progression. In this first part, we'll cover the theory behind this concept, making it painless and easy to grasp.

The Theory Behind Minimalistic Blues

The beauty of blues lies in its ability to be both complex and straightforward. The idea behind minimalistic blues playing is to keep things simple and focus on the most crucial elements. For this approach, we'll use a basic 12-bar blues progression featuring the chords A7, D7, and E7. The goal is to identify the root notes of these chords throughout the progression.

Chasing the Root Notes

To start, let's understand the concept of the root notes. In the key of A, we'll be focusing on the root notes of the A, D, and E chords. Instead of using letter names, we'll use a numbering system for the scale notes. This makes it more intuitive and easier to apply. The pattern of root notes repeats across the fretboard, making it valuable for blues playing.

The pattern appears on different strings, and for the purpose of this lesson, we'll only use the following notes at the 10th and 12th frets of the first and second strings:

1. 10th fret of the second string (A)

2. 10th fret of the first string (D)

3. 12th fret of the first string (E)

Identifying the Chords

The 12-bar blues progression we'll use in this lesson is played in the key of A and features the chords A7, D7, and E7. In the first part of this series, we'll focus on hearing the changes between these chords.

Listening to the Chord Changes

The ability to hear the chord changes is crucial for playing blues convincingly. In the provided audio track, listen carefully while I play the 12-bar blues progression and hold up the fingers corresponding to the root notes of each chord (1, 4, and 5). Get familiar with the sound and feel of the changes between these chords.

Practicing with the Jam Track

To practice this on your own, use the provided jam track, which will allow you to apply the theory to your playing. If you're struggling to identify the chord changes, repeat the process until you can confidently recognize them.

Conclusion

Congratulations! You've completed the first part of our two-part series on minimalistic blues playing. You now understand the theory behind "chasing the tonic" and can identify the root notes of the chords in a 12-bar blues progression. This essential skill will set you on the path to becoming a more confident and articulate blues player.

In the second part of this series, we'll put theory into practice, combining the identified root notes with the jam track. By doing so, you'll be able to create simple yet expressive blues phrases that will take your playing to the next level.

Stay tuned for part two, where we'll delve into applying the root notes in your playing, unlocking the true magic of minimalistic blues guitar. Until then, practice the theory and familiarize yourself with the chord changes using the provided jam track. Happy playing!

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