"If you don't know the blues, there's no point in picking up the guitar and playing rock and roll or any other form of popular music." Keith Richards
"The Blues are the true facts of life expressed in words and song, inspiration, feeling, and understanding." Willie Dixon
The experience:
Do you have a basic knowledge of guitar and want to take your playing to the next level? This hands-on class is designed for guitarists who are ready to explore the fundamentals of blues and develop their own bluesy sound. We’ll start by learning a classic I-IV-V blues shuffle in the key of A, building a solid foundation in blues rhythm, groove, and feel. From there, we’ll bring the blues to life by arranging and building a complete 12-bar blues progressions, exploring how different guitar parts work together to create a full, dynamic sound.
Along the way, you’ll learn bluesy chords, rhythmic patterns, riffs, and essential guitar techniques that add character and attitude to your playing. You’ll discover how to mix and match these elements to create different parts, develop your sense of timing and groove, and play with the energy and feel that make the blues so distinctive.
No prior blues experience is necessary—just bring your guitar, a willingness to experiment, and a love of music. By the end of the class, you’ll have the tools to play a variety of 12-bar blues, understand how its parts fit together, and start making the blues your own!
