Playin’ the Blues
Here is another 12 Bar Blues solo moving between various forms. This one is also in the key of G. It uses all the techniques covered in the book, plus a couple of new ones.
The following examples highlight some of the techniques presented in the previous solo.
The first one involves rolling the first finger across the strings as shown in lesson 7. This technique is very important in getting a smooth transition between notes at the same fret on adjacent strings. The second lick is a variation using the same technique. You may have heard Eric Clapton or Stevie Ray Vaughan do this but it originally comes from T Bone Walker.
This next example involves the third finger rolling between the 3rd and 4th strings and then moving back to the tip on the 4th string to allow the F on the 3rd string (played with the first finger) to sound.
Here is an exercise for developing your ability to bend notes. Make sure you reach the exact pitch you are trying to bend to. In this exercise you are bending from D to E on the third string and then playing another E on the second string. Listen carefully and make sure your bent E note is not sharp or flat. Try recording yourself bending some notes and then listen to the tape to check the pitch of your bends.
Roll third finger between 3rd and 4th strings.
Here is a variation combining the A and C forms.
