How To Play Blues Guitar - Level 1

Master the rhythm guitar for blues by learning three open dominant seven chords—A7, D7, and E7—in the key of A major, then practice strumming and arpeggiation to fit 12-bar blues.

Learn power chords of blues guitar with A5, D5, and E5, focusing on two-note shapes, muting techniques, and how to pair them with open chords for clean 12-bar blues progressions.

Explore the 12 bar blues progression, the blues genre’s core structure in the key of a with one, four, and five chords, the turnaround, and the roman numerals framework.

Master the 12-bar blues rhythm by strumming open and power chords with a shuffle feel, following the 12-bar order and keep-strumming technique.

Learn the minor pentatonic scale in key A, five notes A C D E G, across two octaves using a finger pattern starting on fret five.

Explore the blues scale in A by adding the flattened fifth to the minor pentatonic, travel through the blue note for a bluesy sound, and practice with a metronome.

Master soloing and improvisation with the minor pentatonic scale, using three licks with bends, slides, and hammer-ons over a backing track with power chords.

Explore improvisation with the blues scale by mixing minor pentatonic and blues scales, featuring two new licks, a backing track, and space for tension and release.

Congratulate yourself on completing blues guitar basics, stay inspired to practice, and reach out for help via email; follow Guitar Guru on Instagram and TikTok, and have fun.