Fingerstyle 12 Bar Blues

carol m · #1 April 2nd, 2009

I have a new ambition in life. If I can play this tune half as well as Kirk, I will be able to call myself a guitarist. There is so much going on in this lesson, and there are so many skills buried in it, and lessons in technique, and in making it sound like music, that it might take me a year, or more most likely, but it's something to aim for.

All Kirk's lessons are full of useful knowledge and skills, but this one is a gem. Thanks.

Kirk Lorange · #2 April 2nd, 2009

Glad you like it, Carol.

eddiez152 · #3 April 3rd, 2009

Kirk,
Great blues lesson!

OldRedKarlsson · #4 April 4th, 2009

It actually the good offer?

carol m · #5 April 4th, 2009

I'm not sure what you mean, OldRedKarlson, but here is the link to the free lesson - http://www.guitarforbeginners.com/fo...r-style-blues/

carol m · #6 April 5th, 2009

For anyone trying this lesson out, I've been trying to get the first 2 bars right and it's not easy. I found it hard to get everything right all at once. I'm finally getting it by breaking it down, and it's working for me. I forgot about palm muting and sliding into the upper notes and concentrated on getting the rhythm and order of notes right.

After listening carefully I realised that the bass E note is picked very slightly ahead of the top 2 strings to give the syncopated beat and it's quite easy without the sliding and muting. Now I'm working on getting the slide going as well, and later I'll go for the bass note muting.

Bar 2 is easy by comparison, and after that it should be ok. So if you're having trouble, try this approach out. If you find it easier your own way, that's even better. Happy twanging.

Kirk Lorange · #7 April 5th, 2009

Quote:

I'm finally getting it by breaking it down, and it's working for me.

That's always the way to go Carol ... break it down into its parts and if necessary work on just one part until it's right.

Quote:

... After listening carefully ...

And that's the most important thing of all: listening. Listening carefully is a skill that's developed over time and it gets easier and easier to hear all those subtleties of timing and pitch. When I started learning, there was no Internet, few books, no video ... listening was about all I had and I learned how to do that very early on. I learned how to listen to an unknown chord and pick it apart by ear, hearing each note within.

Thanks for reminding us of these two vital aspects of learning a piece of music: breaking it down into its elements (usually bass line and top line) and listening really really really carefully. I look forward to hearing you play this little piece of blues.

carol m · #8 April 5th, 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kirk Lorange

I look forward to hearing you play this little piece of blues.

Ha ha - don't wait up!

Larry L · #9 April 25th, 2009

Finger style 12 bar blues. After download can't get it to open.
HIPS E-MAIL ATTACHMENT HELPER won't open it either.
Any suggestions
Larry L

Clancy · #10 April 26th, 2009

Hi Larry,

The file you downloaded should end with .zip - I don't know what Hips email attachment helper is...

Here are the instructions for opening the file:

First, locate the downloaded zip file on your computer. Not sure where you saved it to, but after you have located the file, right click on the zip file and click on "extract all" or "extract files" - It will then extract the files and make a new folder. From there, open the folder and double click on the pdf file Lesson_OPEN_THIS.pdf

Let me know if you still have problems.

Cheers

Clancy

eliot-ness · #11 April 26th, 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by carol m

For anyone trying this lesson out, I've been trying to get the first 2 bars right and it's not easy. I found it hard to get everything right all at once. I'm finally getting it by breaking it down, and it's working for me. I forgot about palm muting and sliding into the upper notes and concentrated on getting the rhythm and order of notes right.

After listening carefully I realised that the bass E note is picked very slightly ahead of the top 2 strings to give the syncopated beat and it's quite easy without the sliding and muting. Now I'm working on getting the slide going as well, and later I'll go for the bass note muting.

Bar 2 is easy by comparison, and after that it should be ok. So if you're having trouble, try this approach out. If you find it easier your own way, that's even better. Happy twanging.

Hi Carol, Kirk, et al. I had the same problem getting the slide and bass note to sound right. This is my first serious attempt to play anything on the telecaster and my first ever at blues so when I heard Kirk play it, then tried it myself, it seemed impossible. So, after an hour of cursing I gave up and wandered off to cook dinner, but the tune kept going around in my head, and strangely, it started to fall into place. As you pointed out Carol the trick is to pick the bass note slightly ahead and then it starts to gel. I grabbed the guitar and gave it another shot, and it worked. I'm not so useless as I thought. I can get through the whole piece now after a few days of practise, not playing well, but passable enough to make me realise that it's an acheivable goal. Now I have to figure out the muting bit and getting the slides smooth. A great lesson Kirk, thanks.

Tony.

Tony,.