The #1 Classic Blues & Rock Guitar Rhythm Pattern
The Blues Shuffle Rhythm Pattern
Whether it's the background rhythm to Johhny B Goode by Chuck Berry (in fact most of his songs) or Brown Sugar by the Rolling Stones this little pinky stretching blues rhythm pattern and variations were a staple of rock for a good 30 years.
Here is a random sampling in no particular order, of artists and their songs that use variations of this classic pattern.
Beatle's: Come Together, Revolution, I Wanna Hold Your Hand. Rolling Stones: Brown Sugar, Midnight Rambler, It's Only Rock & Roll, their blues covers. Bachman Turner Overdrive: Taking Care of Business. Bad Company: Can't Get Enough of Your Love, Moving On. Steve Miller Band: Jet Airliner, Keep On Rocking Me Baby. Eagles: Already Gone. Boston: Smokin, Led Zeppelin: You Shook Me, Cream: Crossroads, Eric Clapton: Lay Down Sally, Johnny Winter, Stevie Ray Vaughn: House Is Rockin', T-Rex: Bang A Gong, James Taylor: Steam Roller Blues, Alvin Lee (Ten Years After): Goin' Home,
Blues Rhythm Pattern Lesson
The following video lesson shows how to play a 12-bar blues in A using this classic rhythm pattern.Follow video link for online lesson.
Tab of Key of A Blues Rhythm
12 Bar Blues
Most typical blues progressions use three chords and is a repeating 12 measure pattern. A measure is 4 counts and is also know as a bar. So you could say that a typical blues is a repeating 12 bar cycle. This repeating 12-bar cycle goes by the common name of 12 bar blues. You've got to admit that sounds cooler than the 12 measure blues!
- 4 bars of A7:
- 2 bars of D7:
- 2 bars of A7:
- 1 bar of E7
- 1 bar of D7
- 1 bar of A7
- 1 bar of E7
Add them up = 12
/ A7 / A7 / A7 / A7 / D7 / D7 / A7 / A7 / E7 / D7 / A7 / E7/ Repeat
A common variation:
/ A7 / D7 / A7 / A7 / D7 / D7 / A7 / A7 / E7 / D7 / A7 / E7/ Repeat
More about the Blues Rhythm Pattern
For those of you that know a little theory, this classic blues rhythm pattern is a 5th interval (aka power chord) alternating with a Major 6th interval reached by the pinky. This 5th to 6th sound is the staple for this rhythm's "melody." Not shown in these examples is another variation where one reaches the pinky (ouch) one more fret to get the dominant 7th sound. So the rhythm's melody becomes 5th, 6th, 7th, 6th, usually two picks per interval.
Palm Mute It!
It is usually better to lay the palm of your strumming hand on top of the strings near the bridge so as to create a tighter sounding rhythm.
How to Improvise One Note at a Time
- How to Improvise One Note at a Time
Although aimed at guitarists, all musicians should learn how to solo or improvise using a single note. Otherwise why go on?
Learn The 5 Positions of the E Minor Pentatonic Scale on the Guitar Related to CAGED Chords
- Learn The 5 Positions of the E Minor Pentatonic Scale on the Guitar Related to CAGED Chords
The minor pentatonic scale on the guitar, and particularily the E minor pentatonic scale is a blues and rock guitar staple. There have been so many guitar driven songs in this key that one could easily make a case for E being the starting place.
Blues Turnarounds For Guitarists
- Blues Turnarounds For Guitarists
A lesson on how to play blues turnarounds on the guitar featuring 9 classic key of A blues turnaround examples in tablature
One Minute Shuffle Blues Rhythm Guitar Video Lesson
- Classic 12 Bar Blues Guitar Rhythm 1 Minute Lesson - YouTube
Slow Shuffle Blues using classic boogie blues rhythm pattern in a one minute lesson.
The Techniques for Learning Improvisation
- The Techniques for Learning Improvisation
An overview of concepts applied to improvisation and composition. This article gives someone a better idea of some of the elments involved in learning how to approach this.
About the nuances of bending strings on the guitar
- Bending the Strings in Blues Guitar
About the nuances of bending strings on the guitar
How To Play 12-Bar Blues Guitar Key of E
- How To Play 12-Bar Blues Guitar Key of E
Learning blues guitar involves very few simple elements to create a classic blues sound and this article will put the aspiring blues guitarist on the right path.
The Secret To Lead Guitar Phrasing
- The Secret To Lead Guitar Phrasing or How Not to Noo...
Most guitarists when they get to the point of knowing a few licks and scales find themselves rambling when they improvise. This article demonstrates how to create cohesive articulate solos.
