How to Play Blues on an Electric Guitar

Blues on an electric guitar isn’t just a genre; it’s a feeling. It’s the sound of bending strings, soul-stirring riffs, and a groove that makes you want to tap your feet. If you’re eager to learn how to play the blues on your electric guitar, you’re in the right place. In this guide, we’ll break down the nuts and bolts of blues guitar playing and give you the tools to start jamming with style.

The Heart of Blues: The 12-Bar Blues Progression

At the core of blues music lies the 12-bar blues progression. This structure is like the backbone of countless blues songs, providing a framework for both rhythm and lead playing. To get started, it’s crucial to familiarize yourself with this pattern.

The 12-bar blues is typically based on the I, IV, and V chords of a given key. In the key of E, for instance, these would be E, A, and B. Here’s a simple breakdown of the progression:

• 4 bars of the I chord (E)
• 2 bars of the IV chord (A)
• 2 bars of the I chord (E)
• 1 bar of the V chord (B)
• 1 bar of the IV chord (A)
• 2 bars of the I chord (E)

Playing this progression in various keys is great practice, and it’s a foundation you’ll use in almost every blues song you play. While practicing, try to listen to how the chords transition and how they set the stage for the melody.

Blues Rhythm: The Shuffle Feel

The shuffle feel is a hallmark of blues rhythm guitar. It’s got a swing to it—a kind of laid-back yet driving groove that makes blues so infectious. To play a shuffle, you’ll typically use eighth notes, but instead of playing them straight, you give them a swing.

Think of the shuffle as a triplet feel, where you play the first and third notes of each triplet. Here’s a simple way to practice:

E |----------------|----------------|
B |----------------|----------------|
G |----------------|----------------|
D |--------2--2--2-|--------2--2--2-|
A |--2--4----------|--2--4----------|
E |----------------|----------------|

This pattern is just the tip of the iceberg. As you get comfortable, experiment with different chord voicings and rhythms to add your own flavor. Interestingly enough, this rhythm is also a gateway to many metal rhythms, as a lot of metal bands have roots in blues.

Adding Flavor with Blues Chords

Basic chords are great, but blues often uses more colorful chords to add depth. One of the most used is the 7th chord. These chords have a slightly jazzy sound that fits perfectly into blues progressions.

For example, in the key of E, you might use E7, A7, and B7. Here’s how to play them:

• E7: 0 2 0 1 0 0
• A7: x 0 2 0 2 0
• B7: x 2 1 2 0 2

Try swapping these into your 12-bar blues progression. The addition of the 7th note gives the chords a bluesy tension and release that is so satisfying. The more you play with these, the more you’ll notice how they naturally lead into solos and licks.

Express Yourself: Blues Bends and Vibrato

If there’s one thing that separates blues guitar from other genres, it’s the expressive techniques like bends and vibrato. These techniques bring the emotion to your playing, making the guitar almost sing.

• Bends: The idea is to push or pull the string to raise the pitch. Bends can be full (a whole step) or half (a half step). Practice bending to a target note to ensure you hit the right pitch.
• Vibrato: This involves oscillating a note’s pitch slightly up and down. It’s like a singer’s vibrato and adds expressiveness to sustained notes. Try different speeds and widths to see what sounds best to you.

While these techniques might seem tricky at first, they’re worth practicing until they become second nature. Incorporating bends and vibrato into your playing will make your solos more dynamic and engaging.

Crafting Blues Licks with the Pentatonic Scale

The minor pentatonic scale is the bread and butter of blues soloing. It’s a simple, five-note scale that forms the basis for countless blues licks. In the key of A, the notes are:

A |------------------------5--8--|
E |--------------------5--8------|
C |----------------5--7----------|
G |------------5--7--------------|
D |----5--7----------------------|
A |5--8--------------------------|

Start by practicing this scale up and down the fretboard. As you get comfortable, begin experimenting with different note combinations and rhythmic patterns. Remember, blues is about feel, so don’t be afraid to bend notes or add vibrato to give your licks more character.

Once you’ve got the basics down, try using the scale to craft your own licks. Mix them with the shuffle rhythm or the 12-bar progression to hear how they fit together. You’ll find that even small variations can lead to new, exciting ideas.

Using Call and Response in Your Playing

Call and response is a musical conversation, and it’s deeply rooted in blues. This technique can make your solos more engaging by creating a dialogue between two musical phrases. One lick (the call) is followed by another that either complements or contrasts it (the response).

To practice, try playing a simple lick, then follow it with a different lick. Listen to how they interact and adjust them to make the conversation more interesting. You can also alternate between playing a lick and then ‘responding’ with a chord or rhythm part.

Not only does this technique add interest to your solos, but it also encourages you to think about phrasing and dynamics. It’s an excellent way to add storytelling elements to your music, which is what blues is all about.

Experimenting with Slide Technique

Slides are another expressive tool in the blues guitarist’s arsenal. They involve gliding your finger up or down the fretboard to reach another note, creating a smooth, seamless transition.

To perform a slide, fret a note, then press your finger down firmly on the string as you slide it to a different fret. Start with small intervals and gradually increase the distance as you become more comfortable.

Slides can be used in both rhythm and lead playing, adding a unique tonal quality to your sound. They’re particularly effective when combined with bends and vibrato, giving your playing a vocal-like quality. As you practice, experiment with different slide speeds and distances to discover what feels right.

Blues Turnarounds: Ending with Style

Turnarounds are short, catchy phrases used to transition from the end of a blues progression back to the beginning. They’re like the punctuation at the end of a sentence, giving your playing a sense of completeness.

Here’s a classic turnaround in the key of E:

E |----------------|----------------|
B |------0--1--2---|----------------|
G |-----0--1--2----|----------------|
D |----1--2--------|--1-------------|
A |---------------|----------------|
E |--0------------|----------------|

Practice a few standard turnarounds and then try creating your own. They’re a great way to inject personality into your playing and can be used to seamlessly transition into solos or new sections of a song.

Listening to Blues Legends for Inspiration

To truly understand blues, listen to the legends who defined the genre. Artists like B.B. King, Muddy Waters, and Stevie Ray Vaughan have left a rich legacy of music that can teach you more than any textbook.

Pay attention to their phrasing, the way they use dynamics, and how they incorporate different techniques. Try playing along with their recordings to internalize their style and feel.

Interestingly, many metal guitarists are heavily influenced by blues, too. If you’re a metal player, drawing from blues can add depth and emotion to your playing. At Riffhard, we often emphasize the importance of understanding blues roots, even for metal musicians. Blues techniques can enrich your metal riffs and solos, giving them more soul and expressiveness.

Final Thoughts

Playing blues on an electric guitar is about more than just technique—it’s about expressing emotion and telling a story. By mastering the 12-bar blues, experimenting with expressive techniques, and learning from the greats, you’ll develop your unique blues sound. And if you’re looking to deepen your understanding of guitar playing, whether blues or metal, we at Riffhard offer lessons from some of the world’s best guitarists. Dive into our wide array of lessons to refine your skills and add new dimensions to your playing.