Blues Guitar Basics How to Play a Blues Shuffle

Blues Guitar Basics How to Play a Blues Shuffle Sign up successful Step 1 The blues shuffle is made up of eighth notes alternating between a long and short note. The long note falls on the beat. The shorter note is in between and comes in on the upbeat. You are playing an eighth note triplet but leaving out the middle note. Simple as that. The easiest way to get a feel for the rhythm is to play along to a recording or with your guitar teacher. Mute your strings at first so youre not worried about playing specific notes while you get the rhythm down. Listening is important. After a few attempts at playing it slowly by yourself you can speed it up and play with confidence. Then you have it locked in. Like riding a bicycle, over time the rhythm will become automatic for you. Step 2 Most Blues songs are 12 bars long. Try playing through this example in A Major using the IV chord, V chord, and the I chord which are: D, E, and A respectively. Step 3 Now that youve got the rhythm, you will start to notice it and identify it in songs you have heard for years in jazz, blues, and rock.  Blues guitar inspired songs to check out include: “ Texas Flood” by Stevie Ray Vaughn and Double Trouble, “Rockin’ Me” by The Steve Miller Band, “You Shook Me” by Led Zeppelin, and “Something To Talk About” by Bonnie Raitt. Now that you know how to play a blues shuffle, youll be able to learn these tunes in a snap! If you want to take it to the next level and solo over a blues shuffle, its easiest to work off the pentatonic scale for the key you are playing in.  You can’t hit any wrong notes with pentatonic scale shapes. You can also use your ear to throw in blue notes using a blues guitar scale shape.  To find the key of the song look for the key signature on the sheet music or use your ear. While sight-reading music is a handy skill to have, I prefer to use my ears, as it is quicker for me. Find what works best for you and enjoy playing the guitar! For more tips on mastering the guitar, why not sign up for lessons with a private guitar instructor? Your guitar instructor will be able to give you the personal attention you need to reach your musical goals. Search for a guitar teacher now! James W. teaches guitar, singing, and acting  lessons in Jacksonville, FL. He specializes in teaching pop, rock, and modern country styles. James has been teaching for 10 years and joined the TakeLessons Team in 2010.  Learn more about James  here! Interested in Private Lessons? Search thousands of teachers for local and live, online lessons. Sign up for convenient, affordable private lessons today! Search for Your Teacher Photo by Kristina Servant

11 Annoying Things People Say to Female Guitarists

11 Annoying Things People Say to Female Guitarists Megan L. Female guitarists rock just as hard, if not harder than some men, yet the things people say to us sound like theyre straight from the 1950s! Ladies, women, and girls, here are 11 of the most annoying things Ive heard in my years of playing guitar. Maybe a few will sound familiar to you too? 1. Is that for your boyfriend? Why do some people find it so unbelievable that youre carrying your own gear or shopping at Guitar Center for yourself? 2. Youre pretty good for a girl. Would you tell another musician hes pretty good for a man? Nope. Please stop saying this. 3. Are you the singer? Because thats the only thing you think women are capable of? Please go back to rock and roll history and study Lita Ford, Joan Jett, Kaki King, Nancy Wilson, or any of the other hundreds of women who have made their mark in music with an ax in hand. 4. Oh, youre IN the band! If youve ever had trouble being allowed in to a venue for your own show, you know just how annoying this one can be. This is doubly annoying when someone assumes youre a groupie. 5. You should show off your body more and be sexier. Because when I asked for feedback on my performance, I really wanted to hear about how I looked. Even young girls arent immune from this misguided advice. Please stop making female performers feel like their sex appeal matters more than their music. Its just sad. 6. You only got that gig because youre hot. Like a meaner, more petty version of the last comment, this implies that any attention or success you enjoy as a musician is all thanks to your looks. Luckily, people will mostly say this one behind your back, so you only need to roll your eyes when you hear this through the grapevine. Then you can get back to crushing it. 7. Do you want to be in a band? Were looking for a chick bass player. Why would you want to work with someone whos already objectifying you before theyve heard you play a single note? 8. Let me explain your gear to you. I just haul it around, set it up, play it, own it, and love it. So sure, please tell me all about my amp. 9. Wow, are you going to play that? Nope, I just carry a guitar around for fun. 10. Chick guitarists are hot! Do you want to jam sometime? Unfortunately, nine times out of ten, they dont really mean jam. 11. I dont usually like chick music, but you were actually pretty good. For the love of music everywhere, please stop acting as if music made by women is in its own single genre. There are women who shred and women who croon, women who get down and funky and women who play smooth, sweet jazz. The sooner people can stop treating female musicians as novelties and start hearing us for the talents we possess, the sooner we all can enjoy a more equal and exciting music scene. Now its your turn. Ladies, what really grinds your gears? Share the most annoying thing someone has said to you about playing the guitar in the comments below! Interested in Private Lessons? Search thousands of teachers for local and live, online lessons. Sign up for convenient, affordable private lessons today! Search for Your Teacher