Blues Rhythm Video: Slow Blues Rhythm Variations

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67 Comments

  • Charlie Lynch

    Reply Reply January 21, 2016

    Just checking to see what you had for Basic Blues Courses on DVD for beginners showing regular chords, bar chords, all the different scales etc.
    I have short fingers and some of the chords I’ve seen and tried to play like seem impossible to stretch my fingers accross 3 or 4 frets.
    So if there is a different way to play the different chords for people with short fingers it would be great to know about them.
    Will need to see what you have to offer and how much $ they are.

    Thank you!
    Charlie Lynch
    celynch53@aol.com

    • lego47

      Reply Reply January 21, 2016

      Also for people who have arthritis or other injuries to the left hand

    • Steven

      Reply Reply January 22, 2016

      Great exercise to build rythum
      and the twelve bar form. Simple but strong.
      Simple to count and also helps builds dexterity without distraction.
      Thank you.

    • Kim

      Reply Reply September 30, 2016

      You could always do what someone else with short fingers does: play everything wrong and insist it’s actually right, as well as and yuge and beautiful.

    • Bill

      Reply Reply September 12, 2018

      Charlie, I also have stubby fingers. If there is a chord (jazzy 13th chords come to mind) that I have trouble reaching or can’t play cleanly without dampening adjacent strings my fingers aren’t long enough to reach over, I figure out how to play an abbreviated version of the chord, usually a triad.

    • Danny

      Reply Reply October 8, 2019

      Charlie,
      just noted your comments on “short fingers”. I “suffer” from the same problem, but I’m learning from watching Griff’s postings and videos that inversions, and “small chords”, are really just simpler methods to play the same chords with fewer strings – the whole bar chord is NOT a requirement for most playing; and as many other on-line instructors are showing and demonstrating, they use these small chord variations routinely. I was an “orthodoxy” guy at first too, but now realize that its OK to be less orthodox. I’d get familiar with the CAGED system, it will open your eyes to where chords can be found all over the neck. Don’t get hung up on (the entire) bar chord, per se: Knowing them is important, but knowing which notes define the chord (i.e.: root, 3rd & 5th, b/”flat” 7th, etc..) is the key. Griff has a series of Utube vids on The Major Scale, and Arpeggios. These helped me understand a lot of what he’s been talking about (eg: Theory aspect).

    • Ron Pisciotta

      Reply Reply October 1, 2020

      Charlie,

      Different guitars have different scale lengths and a short scale guitar is a bit easier on the stretch plus a bit less tension on the strings lets it hurt a tad less. Then there’s neck shape to consider. Suggest you look for a short scale with a low profile neck( meaning it’s not like a baseball bat) which will help. Gibsons usually have short scale lengths. Disregard. if you already have one. I also bought a small vibrator and work my hands over while watching tv,
      All the best,

      Ron

    • Bill

      Reply Reply October 16, 2021

      Hi Charlie, Try Theraworx spray or cream on your hands. It really does work on arthritis and Dupintin’s Contracture, your fingers are curling. It helps make practice easier. Another exercise is to spread the fingers spaced, think spider legs and with fingers on a hard surface and work on applying pressure, stretching the ligaments. Just a thought.

  • Gary L.

    Reply Reply January 21, 2016

    Thanks Griff! Another great lesson!

    • Brian

      Reply Reply September 25, 2016

      I really enjoy you Griff.I really look forward to your emails.Am a huge Blues fan.Mayalls Bluesbreakers is by far my all time favorite.I really appreciate your tips.

  • Baby Hinkson

    Reply Reply January 21, 2016

    thanks Gtiff , enjoyed this lesson , as usual a big help for an old guy learning the guitar..,,,.Nice beard

  • Monty

    Reply Reply January 21, 2016

    Loving these lessons.. It’s great to have them broken down into easy to learn sections…
    Many thanks..

  • Michael

    Reply Reply January 21, 2016

    re beard you certainly have the whiskers Griff. as a bearded guy for 3 years eat
    egg sandwiches privately before attempting in public. Your efforts=best in the biz.

  • tony

    Reply Reply January 21, 2016

    Looks like Ya went on tour and forgot your tolietries . Just never saw You with a unshaven face . Been sick for awhile and have not been checking the mail . Yet another Great music man is gone . Glenn Frey was very sick ,very sad way to leave the world .I did see the band in 2008 . They were promoting the newest work ,long road out of eden . I do have a copy, its not like anything they have done before . You know with like great hit after hit . The band changed got mellow more like a nature in mind thing . There greatest hit album is still #2. I just dont figure why Thriller is still above that . So where did Bowie rank ?

  • Gene Rife

    Reply Reply January 21, 2016

    Great! I am really enjoying your lessons.Thanks

  • Bud

    Reply Reply January 21, 2016

    It also sound pretty good if you arpeggiate the V and then come back with an arpeggiated IV. Kinda glues the theme together.

  • Babette

    Reply Reply January 21, 2016

    Hey Griff, LOVE the stubble! Grow it out. Great lesson, and I MUST get one of those Nace amps.

  • Duke

    Reply Reply January 21, 2016

    Great stuff Griff! I too have a very arthritic left middle finger (dislocated many times playing football, can’t bend it or straighten it very well) and these variations really help. Have bought many “guitar lesson” videos in the past but yours really hit the mark after all these years. Just Love it.

  • Jim

    Reply Reply January 21, 2016

    Liking the ‘Walking Dead’ look. Another good lesson – I need to go and find the vid with the Stormy Slide in it. Together, these make a varied, interesting and entertaining progression. Thanks!

  • Marty Van Til

    Reply Reply January 21, 2016

    Great lesson Griff, It is very easy to understand and sounds great. The inversion chord explanation is very helpful.
    Thanks for putting this out.

    Marty

  • Mike

    Reply Reply January 21, 2016

    Great lesson…technical and inspirational!

  • Fearless Freddy

    Reply Reply January 21, 2016

    Good ideas ,Griff. Thanks again for your great mini lessons. I am in total agreement with Charlie Lynch and lego47 asI have both problems. (small hands and arthritis) Little chords.Fearless

  • George Mount

    Reply Reply January 21, 2016

    Very well done lesson Griff! You are one fine teacher thank you for all the work you!

  • Ian Elliott

    Reply Reply January 21, 2016

    Love your work, Griff!

  • Tom

    Reply Reply January 22, 2016

    Very cool, love it. Great lesson. short and sweet

  • Dan miller

    Reply Reply January 22, 2016

    Thanks a bunch Griff. Your lessons are great, easy to follow and most of all fun!

  • Royce Cheek

    Reply Reply January 22, 2016

    Griff it would help if you included a print of the chords.

  • Royce Cheek

    Reply Reply January 22, 2016

    Oops, I missed the PDF. Sorry.

  • Ian Stobbart

    Reply Reply January 22, 2016

    Hi Griff
    That lesson was brilliant man keep then coming bro

  • Ian Stobbart

    Reply Reply January 22, 2016

    Hi Griff
    Can’t get the PDF of the tabs to open

  • Ian Stobbart

    Reply Reply January 22, 2016

    Hi Griff
    Disregard my last reply, I’m in my mistake

  • Sloppy John Weaver

    Reply Reply January 22, 2016

    Great stuff, keep it coming

  • Norm Carlisle

    Reply Reply January 22, 2016

    Love your daily presentations! Thank you, Griff!

  • Sonya Lyttle

    Reply Reply January 23, 2016

    Awesome lesson Griff! Like many others I also have a severely arthritic middle finger on my left hand. Just when I thought I’d have to quit guitar playing and take up harp or just play bongos I’m learning some variations. Thank you so much for all of the great lessons. I have enjoyed playing guitar for 45 years now and It means the world to me to keep playing. I just love it!

  • steve watson

    Reply Reply January 23, 2016

    I like this like most of your lessons , this is a beauty for acoustic warm up lesson
    i have 6 of your courses now , but , but its so easy to loose discipline at times and just put on a jam track and play along ,
    i need to just keep chipping away at your courses because they teach me heaps .
    Thanks again .

  • brad

    Reply Reply January 24, 2016

    l ‘ve got the tab for the lesson, but the video files didn’t work

  • Maria Pisano

    Reply Reply January 26, 2016

    I want to thank you for these lessons. I’m a new guitar student and I love the blues and rock. I have a long way to go still but between my weekly lesson and your online emails I’m coming along. This best is even if I can’t do something yet, I understand it and am confident that down the road I will benefit from your cd’s. I’m loving the guitar! Maria

  • Tom

    Reply Reply February 11, 2016

    Always great stuff Griff! love the mix. thanks!!

  • Fast fingers

    Reply Reply September 25, 2016

    Thanks just put this in my spider jam loop amp, blown my wife away.

  • Eddie

    Reply Reply September 26, 2016

    Hi Griff

    Thanks for another really great video, it’s very helpful and inspiring.

    Eddie

  • Jeannette

    Reply Reply September 29, 2016

    Great lesson Griff,easy to understand, sound great.SMILE, not great for the short fingers.
    You are a very sweet, fine teacher. Danke, ❤

  • Robert George

    Reply Reply September 30, 2016

    Iam not a beginner but i have plenty of holes in my theory.Standard licks are always a valued gift.Thanks Griff one never knows wht they might have missed along the way so i always give a listen.For all the thought you put in to choosing material for lessons i liked to say thank you pal.Your Friend in philadelphia Rob.

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    Reply Reply November 29, 2016

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  • Hosea Bradley

    Reply Reply January 24, 2017

    Griff I purchased your Blues Unleashed and I’m having a difficult time trying to get off the Ground… I’m truly a novice with no prior instruction. Could you please give me some starter points…… I’ve always wanted to play the blues, but I never took the steps to learn

  • Joyce Knake

    Reply Reply January 25, 2017

    Fun and easy and sounds cool.

  • David

    Reply Reply January 25, 2017

    These variations sound great, amazing how you can adlib like that!!

  • Richard

    Reply Reply January 25, 2017

    Great lesson Griff! Thank you.

  • Lou

    Reply Reply February 2, 2017

    This definitely livens up the standard 12 bar. Little (a lot) of practice and I just may be able to make it sound bluesy. Many Thanks….

  • Johnny Sanchez

    Reply Reply February 3, 2017

    Thank you Griff.oh you forgot to shave.LOL.

  • Charlie

    Reply Reply February 8, 2018

    Great lesson,thanks for all the hard work!

  • Byron

    Reply Reply February 9, 2018

    No sound on my end.

  • Stephen Rockford

    Reply Reply February 17, 2018

    Really constructive lesson for all levels. I purchased the 52 rhythm and fills lesson about a year ago and it helped me so much when playing in open jams. As you’ve said, rhythm and backup are most of what you’ll be playing when in a band. That lesson also got me into finger style picking for rhythm and fills, a softer sound and feel for backup.

  • Don Smith

    Reply Reply September 13, 2018

    i have been receiving a not secure icon,when opening your messages and videos.
    Please advise is this a problem from your end,if not i will have to take my computer
    to a tech to fix,as i use your method almost daily,

    regards

    Don

  • Tony

    Reply Reply May 31, 2019

    Hi Griff.. Could you please do some advanced lessons from time to time for your more experienced players ?

  • John Eisner

    Reply Reply June 22, 2019

    Griff, thank you. As always great lesson. You are the best.
    Thanks again.

  • Terry Tosh

    Reply Reply June 23, 2019

    I was just wondering how many times I’ve heard “Hey there, Griff Hamlin here” in the last two years. And I’m grateful for every time! Thanks, Griff!

  • Jim Pileggi

    Reply Reply July 11, 2019

    Good lesson Griff. In my group somehow the beat to “Honky Tonk” seems to appear magically every time. Loved the lesson.
    Jim

  • Paul David Francis

    Reply Reply October 31, 2019

    Great lesson. I would love to have more fills and variations to expand my rhythm playing. More lessons like this please!

  • Ronny Caudill

    Reply Reply May 30, 2020

    Thanks Griff, great lesson. We could use more like this.

  • stephen Bowyer

    Reply Reply June 11, 2020

    Hi Griff! Real meaty issues covered here! Thanks! Steve B

  • George

    Reply Reply July 19, 2020

    Griff,I love your lessons,but I love how you leave the tab where it shows how you do it. Because it is hard for me to follow with just watching. Your fingers but with the tabs I can see it better. Thank you.

  • George Borrego

    Reply Reply July 19, 2020

    Griff,I love your lessons,but I love how you leave the tab where it shows how you do it. Because it is hard for me to follow with just watching. Your fingers but with the tabs I can see it better. Thank you.

  • Bill Carling

    Reply Reply August 10, 2020

    Wonderful! I have to say that I kind of stumbled onto this bit a little on my own about a week or two ago out of boredom while practicing one of the Acoustic blues “playing on the porch” lessons. I was getting the other lesson down and wanted to switch it up to see where it went and hit this, including the V chord arpegiating because my hands are pretty mangled and sometimes just ache from stretching. I felt like I was cheating a bit, but it sounded good to me. You’ve aleviated my guilt, lol. Love it.

  • Dane

    Reply Reply January 14, 2022

    This is fantastic Griff – Thank you!

  • JOHN RILEY

    Reply Reply February 3, 2023

    ….ALWAYS TRYING TO ADD A LITTLE “SPARK OR PIZAZZ” IF YA WILL—NEVER-EVER HURTS ONES PLAYING AT ALL.GRIF SURELY BRINGS FORTH MANY,MANY GREAT IDEAS,SUGGESTIONS,AND TIPS -N- TRICKS TO THE BLUES GUITAR PLAYING ARENA FOR SURE. HE’S AN AWESOME TEACHER AND GIVES INSIGHT,VALUE,TECHNIQUE,AND SOUL TO ONES PLAYING ABILITIES AND DEFINETLY HELPS OUT MANY PLAYERS WITH ALL OF IT AS WELL. MY BLUES PLAYING HAS WENT UP TREMENDOUSLY SINCE WATCHING AND LEARNING FROM HIM.WISHED I COULD AFFORD SOME OF HIS BEST LESSONS,BOOKS,CLASSES,ETC…… BUT….atleast he has shown me some valuable insight already,and improved my blues skills a ton. THANKS FOR THAT GRIF…AND KEEP ON ROCKING US MAN…BLUES STYLE BABY !!!! GET YOUR BLUES ON YA’LL……..GOD BLESS..

  • Chris Adams

    Reply Reply June 6, 2023

    Brilliant thanks Griff
    Aussie Chris

  • Bruce

    Reply Reply January 2, 2024

    Griff
    As always great stuff.
    I would also really appreciate you including description of what your playing in terms a intervals relative to root. My fingers like those relative interval shapes more that notes of the day.

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