Blues Rhythm Video: Slow Blues Rhythm Variations
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In This Video...
You'll discover how just a few simple variations can turn your boring basic slow blues into something that sounds musical and interesting.
67 Comments
Charlie Lynch
January 21, 2016Just 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
January 21, 2016Also for people who have arthritis or other injuries to the left hand
Steven
January 22, 2016Great 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
September 30, 2016You 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
September 12, 2018Charlie, 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
October 8, 2019Charlie,
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
October 1, 2020Charlie,
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
October 16, 2021Hi 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.
January 21, 2016Thanks Griff! Another great lesson!
Brian
September 25, 2016I 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
January 21, 2016thanks Gtiff , enjoyed this lesson , as usual a big help for an old guy learning the guitar..,,,.Nice beard
Monty
January 21, 2016Loving these lessons.. It’s great to have them broken down into easy to learn sections…
Many thanks..
Michael
January 21, 2016re 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
January 21, 2016Looks 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
January 21, 2016Great! I am really enjoying your lessons.Thanks
Bud
January 21, 2016It also sound pretty good if you arpeggiate the V and then come back with an arpeggiated IV. Kinda glues the theme together.
Babette
January 21, 2016Hey Griff, LOVE the stubble! Grow it out. Great lesson, and I MUST get one of those Nace amps.
Duke
January 21, 2016Great 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
January 21, 2016Liking 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
January 21, 2016Great 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
January 21, 2016Great lesson…technical and inspirational!
Fearless Freddy
January 21, 2016Good 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
January 21, 2016Very well done lesson Griff! You are one fine teacher thank you for all the work you!
Ian Elliott
January 21, 2016Love your work, Griff!
Tom
January 22, 2016Very cool, love it. Great lesson. short and sweet
Dan miller
January 22, 2016Thanks a bunch Griff. Your lessons are great, easy to follow and most of all fun!
Royce Cheek
January 22, 2016Griff it would help if you included a print of the chords.
Royce Cheek
January 22, 2016Oops, I missed the PDF. Sorry.
Ian Stobbart
January 22, 2016Hi Griff
That lesson was brilliant man keep then coming bro
Ian Stobbart
January 22, 2016Hi Griff
Can’t get the PDF of the tabs to open
Ian Stobbart
January 22, 2016Hi Griff
Disregard my last reply, I’m in my mistake
Sloppy John Weaver
January 22, 2016Great stuff, keep it coming
Norm Carlisle
January 22, 2016Love your daily presentations! Thank you, Griff!
Sonya Lyttle
January 23, 2016Awesome 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
January 23, 2016I 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
January 24, 2016l ‘ve got the tab for the lesson, but the video files didn’t work
Maria Pisano
January 26, 2016I 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
February 11, 2016Always great stuff Griff! love the mix. thanks!!
Fast fingers
September 25, 2016Thanks just put this in my spider jam loop amp, blown my wife away.
Eddie
September 26, 2016Hi Griff
Thanks for another really great video, it’s very helpful and inspiring.
Eddie
Jeannette
September 29, 2016Great lesson Griff,easy to understand, sound great.SMILE, not great for the short fingers.
You are a very sweet, fine teacher. Danke, ❤
Robert George
September 30, 2016Iam 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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Hosea Bradley
January 24, 2017Griff 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
January 25, 2017Fun and easy and sounds cool.
David
January 25, 2017These variations sound great, amazing how you can adlib like that!!
Richard
January 25, 2017Great lesson Griff! Thank you.
Lou
February 2, 2017This 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
February 3, 2017Thank you Griff.oh you forgot to shave.LOL.
Charlie
February 8, 2018Great lesson,thanks for all the hard work!
Byron
February 9, 2018No sound on my end.
Stephen Rockford
February 17, 2018Really 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
September 13, 2018i 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
May 31, 2019Hi Griff.. Could you please do some advanced lessons from time to time for your more experienced players ?
John Eisner
June 22, 2019Griff, thank you. As always great lesson. You are the best.
Thanks again.
Terry Tosh
June 23, 2019I 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
July 11, 2019Good lesson Griff. In my group somehow the beat to “Honky Tonk” seems to appear magically every time. Loved the lesson.
Jim
Paul David Francis
October 31, 2019Great lesson. I would love to have more fills and variations to expand my rhythm playing. More lessons like this please!
Ronny Caudill
May 30, 2020Thanks Griff, great lesson. We could use more like this.
stephen Bowyer
June 11, 2020Hi Griff! Real meaty issues covered here! Thanks! Steve B
George
July 19, 2020Griff,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
July 19, 2020Griff,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
August 10, 2020Wonderful! 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
January 14, 2022This is fantastic Griff – Thank you!
JOHN RILEY
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
June 6, 2023Brilliant thanks Griff
Aussie Chris
Bruce
January 2, 2024Griff
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.