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  • $70

Breaking Down The Blues: Rhythm and Lead Together

  • Course
  • 69 Lessons

Build a rock-solid foundation in blues rhythm and lead — even if you're just getting started.

This course is perfect for beginner and intermediate guitarists who want to play authentic blues, hold down that steady shuffle, and add tasteful lead phrases — all inspired by legends like John Lee Hooker, Muddy Waters, Freddie King, Lightnin’ Hopkins, and Jimmy Reed.

In this course, you'll learn how to:

🎸 Play steady blues shuffle rhythm and layer in expressive lead lines

🎸 Learn the foundational 12-bar blues structure to jam over

🎸 Apply rhythm and blues scales into your phrasing

🎸 Add expressive techniques like slides, hammer-ons, and pull-offs

🎸 Develop muscle memory with focused drills, exercises, and arrangements

🎸Perform specialized arrangements that build upon concepts from course

Buy now!

Contents

Course Introduction

Welcome!
Course Structure
Getting Started

Level 1: The 12-Bar Blues Foundation

The I-IV-V in The Diatonic Chord Progression
The Chords
Adding Rhythm to Chords (3 Exercises)
The 12-Bar Blues Structure
Level 1 Arrangement at 65bpm

Level 2: The Shuffle Rhythm

Feeling The Shuffle Rhythm
Switching Chords With The Shuffle Rhythm (3 Exercises)
Level 2 Arrangement at 65bpm

Level 3: Shuffle Variations

Palm Muting
The Stacatto Shuffle
Shuffle Variations and Shifting to The A5
Level 3 Arrangement at 65bpm

Level 4: Introduction to Blues Lead

The Em Pentatonic Scale
Characteristics of Em Pentatonic- Scale Degrees and Intervals
Bending
Moving From Rhythm and Lead
1/4 Notes Leads
Level 4 Drill
Level 4 Drill Arrangment at 65bpm
Level 4 Arrangment at 65bpm

Level 5: Adding 1/8 Notes with 1/4 Notes

Adding 1/8th Note Leads
Level 5 Drill
Level 5 Drill Arrangment at 65bpm
Level 5 Arrangement at 65bpm

Level 6: The Turnaround and Adding Triplets

The Basic Turnaround
Triplet Leads
Turnaround Triplet Demonstration
Level 6 Drill
Level 6 Drill Arrangement at 65bpm
Level 6 Arrangement at 65bpm

Level 7: Hammer-ons, Pull-offs and the Blue Note

The Blue Note
Hammer-ons and Pull-offs: The Basic Technique
Hammer-ons and Pull-off- Note Duration
Hammer-ons and Pull-offs: Other Techniques
Level 7 Drill
Level 7 Drill Arrangment at 65bpm
Level 7 Final Arrangement at 65bpm

Level 8: Slides, New Position and Double Stops

Slide Techniques
Em Pentatonic Extension
Other Ways to Move Up The Extension
Double Stops
Putting Double Stops In Your Turnaround
Level 8 Drill
Level 8 Drill Arrangment at 65bpm
Level 8 Final Arrangment at 65bpm

Level 9: Grace Notes and Walk Ups

Grace Notes: An Introduction with Exercises
Comparing Grace Note Rhythms
Rhythm Awareness to Articulations
Bass Line Walk Up
Level 9 Drill
Level 9 Drill Arrangement at 65bpm
Level 9 Final Arrangment at 65bpm

Level 10: Starting Leads on Off Beats and Unison Slides

Unsion Slides: An Introduction With Exercises
Starting Phrases On Off Beats
Level 10a Drill: Off Beats
Level 10b Drill: Unison Slides
Level 10 Drill Arrangement at 65 bpm
Level 10 FInal Arrangment at 65bpm

Level 11: Adding Major Pentatonic Leads with Other Blue Note

The E Major Pentatonic Scale
The E Major Pentatonic Scale: Scale Degrees and Notes
Blue Note in the Major Pentatonic
Level 11 Drill
Level 11 Drill Arrangment at 65 bpm
Level 11 Final Arrangement at 65 bpm

Level 12: Putting It all Together

Mixing Up Blues Scales
Level 12 Final Arrangment at 65bpm