How To Play Blues Guitar - Part 1 - Introduction Solo

I hope this video is useful to anyone wanting to dive into the beautiful world of Blues. :)

[@CSW82]

As much as I love a good demo/review Dave, this is where you really shine. I know you don't realise it but your teaching style is amazing, so natural and authentic. Can't wait for more of these. Thanks Dave.

[@richardreyes5126]

Dave you badass my brother keep on keeping on we love you

[@johnspiteri2964]

An unassuming, natural teacher

[@josefromanov562]

Cool easy to follow and nice slow blues 🤩

[@petergrant7332]

As a beginner guitarist that's the best blues lesson I've seen, thanks Dave. Now wheres my guitar ?

[@MISSREEB]

Dave, Dave, Dave this is pure gold! Who said you can’t teach an old dog etc…I have a cheap tele and amp, nowt else and I’m in blues heaven Thank you so much!

[@johnnorth9355]

Oh good grief - why could this not have been done when I was a youngster ! So little time left but I shall devote as much as possible to following this series. This old dog want's to learn new tricks. Cheers Dave - you are a star.

[@HarryBarry97]

John North JESUS SAVES. If you knock on the door i will open. Not maybe open. He WILL open God bless you sir

[@frankiec2765]

@@HarryBarry97 Matthew 7:7-8

[@frankiec2765]

You're never too old John. :-)

[@HarryBarry97]

Frankie C Right on!

[@MultiCugel]

Hi John, years of life experience are a plus for The Blues.

[@shughy1]

I've been playing for 35 years and that is singularly the most helpful video I've ever seen in my life, best teacher ever 👍

[@vonRabenfels]

"Blues is good for you, don´t worry" - Johnny Winter

[@thefalcon9536]

I have seen Johnny Winter 5/6 times I believe and every time it was good ... love the Blues

[@Wynndell1]

Still Alive and Well, Johnny Winter. I was 14 when this album came out. My Grandmother, who lived in Scotland, came to Montreal to visit us. Her visit coincided with my birthday. She brought 2 albums with her for my birthday. This was one and the second one was by Jimmie Hendrex, Are you experienced. I had an electric guitar and was playing, Glen Campbell and the Monkeys, that sort of popular music at the time. She told me she thought I was old enough to start getting into some more mind bending music. Gran was pretty hip. The music changed my life

[@rodnocker505]

@@Wynndell1 awesome grandmother brother!!! My grandmother was a huge Elvis fan and she had an acoustic guitar in a case under her bed and pulled it out and started teaching me Elvis songs when I was little.

[@BobEstremera]

Dave, this is much more than an introduction to the blues and an appreciation for space in between notes. This is a master class on touch and feel for every note. I've always been more of a chord guy and never found a lesson for single notes and soloing that resonated with me. Until this one. I'm going to use this lesson to learn how to milk every last bit of emotion from each note and connect and explore how they should 'feel', not just how they sound. Thanks for this one.

[@markcartwright5769]

Dave - this is probably the best youtube guitar lesson I have ever seen. I love that you're teaching a series of licks, in context with encouragement to improvise and use them in creative ways. This is exactly what I want and need right now. Thank you !

[@andriypodolskyy]

Absolutely.

[@davefuzzforrow6627]

Not teaching...guiding😉

[@richardreyes5126]

Yup

[@davideddy2672]

As noted by Dave Forrow 🤝

[@davideddy2672]

There’s a big belief that ‘KZbin can Teach’ ... that you can learn to do anything through KZbin - WRONG! (You can watch a 1000 vids and learn feck all; there’s still the fact of finding ‘One In A Million’) Think SMART Think Dave!

[@bobbyjohnson7160]

Dave, just wow! I just discovered this series a few days ago on "The Tube". I gotta tell you, man ... I think this series is worth 5 years of guitar lessons. I have learned more from it in just the past week than I have in months of jamming with friends. I am a 68-year old American from Alabama, and have played rhythm acoustic (James, Taylor, John Denver, etc) for decades, but never delved into lead until the last couple of months. Frankly, I don't know why you aren't the biggest guitar star on The Tube. You are an amazing individual with a perfect teaching technique! Do you have a Premium channel or a Patreon? I'd love to subscribe! I owe you so much! Cheers to you, sir! I salute you!

[@thedavesimpson]

I have a patreon. Link is in the description box. :)

[@johncooper7301]

Dave , man, I always love listening to you play. But, when you get down to detailed lessons like this - your videos are gold. Please, please keep this series going. You are as good a teacher as you are a player., and that is a rare brace of talents. Your followers and YTube income are about to rocket. You’ve spoken openly about your mental health problems but you know, I hope, that you are gifted, talented and giving. People love you. And we want more. Thank you for this.

[@Dave-qy1fn]

Dave Simpson your a god .. your one of the reason i haven't gave up trying to play guitar at 59. Love Peter green and watching all your vids with these blues ..thank you sir

[@sllmark7]

Everyone else has already said it. I absolutely love the way you teach. Got my first guitar 47 years ago and learnt so much from this video.

[@christopherhogg1221]

Dave, you are a born teacher. I’ve always struggled with receiving instruction but you’ve absolutely nailed it. I can totally understand what you’re saying. Many you enjoy happiness and love for the rest of your life. Congratulations on your cooperation with Andertons. Really enjoyed the interview with Lees dad. Very moving. Thanks.

[@MrBrooxy]

This lesson is general guitar theory based on chords and notes but is delivered by a teacher who has obviously had issues learning this himself and is explaining it to us plebs in way that we can understand because he has been through the tribulations of learning musical theory. It is usually painful but this is super helpful for those of us who just can't comprehend the usual boring drudgery of guitar lesson in musical theory. Thankyou Dave please do more of these for us.

[@chrisbishop9626]

Chris Bishop I am an almost 70 year old acupuncturist from Sydney, Australia who just discovered you a week ago. I have just got back to playing blues since I reduced my working hour last year. (I did play bass professionally when I was very young but now expanding my 6 string playing). Your lessons are bloody awesome. You are just real mate.

[@user-bs3dd2rw3r]

🎸🤟🏻You make perfect sense Dave thank you so very much for making these instructional videos. I am a self taught guitar player I have recently picked a guitar back up after raising two children. Now I'm getting back into it. Your guiding methods and instructional lessons are fantastic!!! and so helpful to me. I have been stuck in a rut for over a decade and your video has helped me take the next step to becoming a better guitar player and musician Your videos have also help me understand the fretboard. I usually don't comment on KZbin videos but I decided since you took the time to make all these fantastic videos to help people become better musicians I would take the time to leave a comment to let you know you are appreciated. Now I'm off to earn it and express my emotions !!!! 🎸🤟🏻

[@larrimos]

Dave, I know playing this has become second nature to you but for most of us it’s exactly what we we want and need to learn. You do such a fantastic job of explaining it so clearly. I really appreciate the lesson and look forward to anything else you want to teach...

[@ozozerene]

Man, every time I get stuck in a rut I just watch one of your teaching videos and out I come with new inspiration. I'm half way through this piece and the whole joy of these six strings is overwhelming (and I realise how much I don't know) Not only are you teaching a blues, you are refreshing the joy of playing guitar - so many thanks.

[@codygammill8645]

Other teachers show you how to play guitar, Dave shows you how to be the guitar. But seriously I can’t thank you enough, your lessons are helping me play the way I’ve always wanted to.

[@vanguardcycle]

as a lifelong bass player who's getting way more serious about guitar over the past few years (strat and tele) this is EXACTLY what i needed. so stoked i found your channel! and no, this is def not rubbish!!!!

[@thedavesimpson]

Thank you. :)

[@tombain5665]

Dave I want to echo the comment below, (well said) brilliant! Im 65 now and this is the sound in my head from the British blus men, especially PGreen. Absolutely awesome lesson and incredible patience on your part. Can't say how great it was. Many thanks Dave.

[@blackmirror5559]

. Constantly staring at THE most gorgeous stratocaster in KZbin history helped sooth homesickness for the south of France. This was excellent, thanks Dave 👍 .

[@MultiCugel]

I am loving that guitar!

[@paulharris9309]

Beautiful guitar

[@FretFriendLaGR]

Proper bloke you are Davey boy! Best instruction I have ever seen anywhere :D

[@TankdozerCavalry]

12:12 Listen to Dave here, ladies. When bending strings? ALWAYS 'turn the door knob'. This is an amazing demonstration of how to properly turn the doorknob. It makes bending so much easier...

[@tanker1960]

AAARRRGGGHHH! Guitar School has started. Class in Session!

[@2025steve]

and may i add,what a class by a class guitarist,awesome!!

[@paulburton5150]

Dave, you are so generous with your skill, talent and knowledge. The best tones and feel of any guitarist on the tube. I am really looking forward to the rest of this series. The first lesson is killer. Thank you!

[@CentaurusRelax314]

This is awesome. You are awesome. I'm a 53 year old idiot who never learned how to solo. This is precisely the kind of thing i need, at exactly the right speed. Love you.....

[@alexandrebier4581]

I sincerely adore how you go lick by lick, go back and arrive at the newest one. Us guitarists have this thing that we need to do a full run through, forget everything we did and repeat. Your method is anxious-guitarist-proof.

[@flaherty199]

Thankyou Dave, as soon as I heard in the style of Peter Green, Robert Johnson, Son House and BB King I was like, YES😊. Grabbed my guitar and absorbed the crap out of this vid. It's not so much the notes, but the space between them. Can't wait for more of these lessons. 👍

[@davideddy2672]

The more ya see, the more ya realise - the world needs more Druids! (Dave Simpson) - live long, live strong 💪 If ever you’re ever in Cornwall, drop in! (I don’t play guitar - harmonica and mandolin banjo and half a dozen others; but string wise, just the mandolin banjo. The point, this info is valuable altogether) You’re a teacher with a whole lotta soul dude! Much respect ✊ Oll an gwella 😊

[@thehonestguitarist6543]

Dave is too humble- he's an exceptional teacher. I can actually follow him the first time around, which is miraculous!

[@jeffbradley4744]

Hey Dave. I've been learning to play guitar since the start of the first lockdown in 2020. As a 58 year old, I'm finding it doesn't come at all easy and I've used all kinds of on-line resources in the past 15 months. Genuinely man, this is BY FAR the best lesson I have ever had. So from a baldy old man from Wigan, thank you so very very much!!

[@KarthikNair7]

Yes, finally a guitar lesson. It's been a while. Was missing this part of your channel. Please keep them coming.

[@willowsmutt8313]

Think I'm living in weirdest time of my life... been playing for some 55yrs. My roommate thinks my boss katana 50 is too loud at low levels but neighbor thinks it's not loud enough at full volumes.... now I will do some blues.. thanks Dave

[@benallmark9671]

Ditch the roommate

[@charlesharper7292]

This lesson is an EXCELLENT place to learn to walk before you can run. I wish you were my teacher from the beginning. Thanks Dave.

[@chriswrighton5162]

This video is, for me, like the sun, around which revolves the solar system of the blues ... absorb and explore its content well and one is set-up to explore the vast potential of blues-based music. What a find!

[@TheWaltermelon]

I'm already in love with this series. I love blues and I love guitar, but lately my passion for most things has taken a nose dive. This has reinvigorated that passion for me. I've been trying to teach myself for years now, but I feel like I haven't really made nearly as much progress as I should have, I suck at teaching myself. You are an excellent teacher Mr. Dave, sir. You may think that you're terrible at speaking, but you speak through your guitar and how much emotion you put into how you play says more than words ever could. Keep jamming my friend!

[@terryrichards238]

I could have wrote that Walt, Verbatim, Im very old an still tryin, good LUCK,

[@MustafaBaabad]

Yes, He directly dived into the meat of the subject.

[@dontgoout1434]

Lacks emotion too many blues so bland nk vibe cal reason is the blues master

[@grahamjonescyclingasia]

As someone who decided to learn guitar in his early sixties, it was a great lesson!! Super easy to follow. More please.

[@naylor2006]

Opening solo had that guitar bursting into tears :)

[@BlueBeeMCMLXI]

I like how your guitars can play themselves. You are either a wizard or a timelord.

[@jonnorris4204]

Love this. So much to absorb here. Will be repeating this again and again. makes me actually look forward to practicing!

[@philphil6983]

Definitely more of this Dave!

[@MD-mh6iu]

“Just express YOU, and have fun.” - Dave Simpson. That sums up why I started playing guitar years ago. I love this lesson as it’s just as much about the techniques as it about expressing oneself and creating. It’s also reflective of Dave’s approach to guitar and perhaps why his music touches so many of us: It’s real and from his soul. Looking forward to part 2 and more. Thanks for what you’re doing, Dave. You’re an inspiration.

[@dbeez8317]

Thankyou this is amazing believe it or not I have just bought my first guitar at 40 I've played bass for 20 years but decided nows the time I really want to get into guitar your passion and knowledge has helped so much thankyou

[@tgdkls5891]

Fantastic. So happy when you do lessons. Your series years ago, like on how to play like John and Greeny, were as inspiring as anything I've ever found in my (slightly hapless) guitar journey. Based on this one, seems like again you have an approach figured out for this, and are actually even MORE focused and clear in telling this one, with your additional years of experience communicating on YT. I love your approach, don't change anything, but please keep giving occasional reminders where we are, eg referencing the chord tone, shape or scale etc. We all hate theory and want to play by ear not shapes, but for anyone at my (pathetic) level, the cues really help to "navigate" why we're aiming for that note over that chord, etc. THANKS MATE!!!

[@frushhhh_]

Omg, i have been waiting for this moment for a long time!!! Thanks Dave🙏

[@philjones8693]

If you'd been waiting all your life, your post would have been followed by a massive drum solo....

[@Yendorl1]

Me too..

[@w13rdguy]

Me too, also. ☺

[@joostooms7691]

From the Netherlands, had a lot of bluesteachers and guruhs, you make sense MASTER!

[@Sorc47]

It's so good to see more lessons from you, Dave. Thank you very much.

[@gav1njackson]

Dave you have an excellent conversational style, so much information conveyed without complicating the lesson. Thanks for this, looking forwards to whatever you have to say.

[@marklewis5145]

Dave, huge fan here dude, just finished my Nightshift, and seen this video, now it's not reasonable for me to whip the axe out now and start hitting so I shall be up early today before shift having a go at following this, and just to mention here mate this has to be one of the easiest going blues videos, trust me man I've watched hundreds of hours as I'm a budding learner and dude this video excited me, please please please don't stop doing videos like this!! Cheers man

[@mxaxe5591]

Dave, this is just absolutely incredible. You really have an excellent way of getting this across. Thank you so much!!!!

[@matzer8846]

Sometimes KZbin suggestions do just nail it! Somehow missed this in January ... Absolutely great ... Thanks a lot for sharing this gem!

[@miguel8454]

omg Dave, thank you so much, I was just trying to find someone who could teach me blues (specially SRV style) just like you taught me how to play like JF. THANK YOU!!

[@jackdematteo4578]

This is the good stuff Dave. Cheers

[@royvanbakel3507]

Thank you so much Dave! Extremely excited for this series.

[@jimw2997]

Yes Dave! This my favourite aspect of your playing. I needed this

[@tonybramham9096]

OMG This is awesome, I'm a beginner guitarist and love the blues. I have been waiting for someone like you Dave to come alone, this is the best on KZbin. Great teaching great video, I feel I can finally learn to play the blues. Thank you so much Dave looking forward to the next one.

[@listairgin]

Really good lesson with lots of essential blues ingredients. Thanks so very much Dave. More of this would be greatly appreciated. Very best wishes to you from Northern Ireland 🌌💕🌠🙋‍♂️

[@jimwarner8071]

Awesome and inspiring tone, dynamics and generosity of spirit. Thank you, Dave.

[@frankhemphill9904]

Brilliant Dave,you never cease to amaze me

[@vadwanuu7825]

We are in my wheel house today! Being a New Orleans musician i play a TON of blues. Fun video, Dave! Its good jamming with you!

[@thatpeterboy]

Cant thankyou enough for this Dave, I've tried so many confusing sites...this is great. :) will be learning over the weekend.

[@muddywalters]

That hit the spot Dave. Great lesson and I’m looking forward to following the series. Thanks man.

[@paulcoleman3081]

You, Sir, are magnificent. Thank you. I can't tell you how much I'm looking forward to the rest of this series.

[@alfiehenshall688]

Its all about 'that' feeling and putting your emotions into the notes you play. And NOT playing a million notes a second. Listen to Peter Green- less is more. A very instinctive / feel player. Good one dave. I love the minor keys - the 'sad' key . 👍🎸

[@insanebrain213]

This is gonna be great, thanks alot Dave.

[@insanebrain213]

What would be great too is a series for beginners, like a structure plan for learning, a road map kind of thing.

[@rtwtwetetw5488]

This video is absolutely brilliant - you are an amazing teacher and guitar player - I cannot wait for more videos from you!

[@rogbow69]

Brilliant..the best teacher of blues on youtube...thanks Dave...I'll be watching every video

[@pauldiamond2626]

Loving the lesson dude. Love how you go back to the start after each step. Any chance you can upload the backing track. I'm feeling a sunday afternoon blues session coming up. Cheers for taking the time to put this together 👍🤘

[@ianglencross]

Maybe upload the backing tracks for all in this series to patreon, or for a small donation on bandcamp

[@marianosaab2694]

Oh yeah. Boy that guitar looks fine.

[@MykelObvious]

More please! The best lesson I've seen in a long time! Thanks for being you, Dave!

[@Joseph-so6td]

Thanks, Dave! This lesson has taught me so much about Blues phrasing and tastefully mixing chords with soloing. I sincerely hope you will continue to offer more lessons in this vein!

[@MarsHalekGuitar]

Awesome lesson and playing! I really like how you handle the transitions between chords while soloing. Small technical point, those were E and F# dominant 7ths (aka plain old 7th chords), not major 7ths. Maj7 raises the 7 for that lounge-y-sweet feeling. I like to use minor 7th on the I (Bm7) and sometimes the IV (Em7). The IV is minor on "The Thrill is Gone" for one song, not sure if BB and co. used the 7th or not.

[@juanaguado5890]

Hello Tommy, I was thinking exactly the same, the IV and the V here are Dominant Chords, but they fit perfectly (Bm, E7 and F#7)

[@MarsHalekGuitar]

@@juanaguado5890 They do fit perfectly. Blues is weird that way, though, since before blues you'd only have one dominant chord. But all three I IV V chords can be "dominant" in blues, and you can get with playing both major and minor blues scales over them, or even both mixed together at the same time.

[@davidpost6902]

@@MarsHalekGuitar must agree too, but not hearing the c# on the f# major change Was odd, but if it sounds right it must be good.

[@kieranroberts9119]

@@MarsHalekGuitar this is a minor blues ther is several types minor major gospel etc they all have different chord progressions and or scales notes that can be played the blues is deep as theory wise 👍👍

[@a_random_user_1510]

"Blues is easy to play but hard to feel" Jimi Hendrix-

[@andriypodolskyy]

Thank you so much, Dave. Today I’m finally espresse myself. Waiting for the next parts of you great course.

[@noddybigears8677]

Can only say what's been said , great lesson , probably the best one I've seen on here .Thanks Dave ... Brilliant

[@hekakain4108]

Dave "The Mad Professor" Simpson! Where be part 2 you mad, passionate fool you? ; )

[@davidlouis2354]

How To Play Blues Guitar. BLUES IS EASY TO PLAY BUT HARD TO FEEL. COPYING OTHERS IS A HELP BUT ULTIMATELY DEFEATS THE POINT. UNIQUE PLAYERS KEEP BLUES ALIVE AND WELL.

[@paramediccpo]

This is by far the best thing you’ve ever done thank you so much can’t wait to hear the next blues lesson

[@richardpotter9688]

Love this. I've played for years but this has really took my blinkers off and given me loads of new tools to work with cheers.

[@davidlouis2354]

IT HELPS TO EXPOSE YOURSELF TO MANY BLUES STYLES. IT AINT ALL ABOUT STEVIE RAY. NEVER GET STUCK ON ONE PLAYER BUT YOURSELF.

[@2309612]

YES Dave, well it’s about time you gave us guitar lessons only been waiting a few years now! fantastic!! really helped my whole approach to phrasing.Keep em coming I’m getting a lot of value , so are many others I wager.

[@darkomtobia]

Dave, you do more to brighten our days more than you'll ever know!

[@LazerSparks]

Absolutely perfect lesson Dave, thanks!

[@sixstringer6074]

Thank you Dave, have been waiting on this, My pump is primed. Your lessons are so exceptional and I thank you from the bottom of my heart. Your outstanding and so generous.

[@_f_unicorn_7941]

This is pretty perfect for me. Thank you so much. Looking forward to as much of this as possible.

[@CaanDo01]

I absolutely love this! It took half the day, and I had to tab it out but its all coming together and I can't thank you enough. This is such a beautiful solo. thanks for taking the time to share this. This is going to be a great series! Thanks from Texas, Dave.

[@charlieringer3794]

This was truly excellent. Thanks a lot. That solo was both within my skill set and beautiful sound. I leant a lot, cannot wait for more lessons.

[@steveritchie3650]

I have been waiting forever for these. Loved your Greeny vids.

[@patgaff2536]

Dave, you are a great teacher. Thank you for this very valuable lesson. I've been wanting lessons just like this. Thank you again.

[@johnwhitehouse2582]

Absolutely brilliant, thank you so much for posting this lesson .... Just what I needed , you have such a Pete Green feel to your playing 🎸🎸

[@ToadLick]

This is killer... looking forward to it. Off to a great start, ty ty. I enjoy learning basic blues progressions... the rest needs to come from the heart. dig it!

[@KarthikNair7]

Yes, this is exactly what we need when we say we want to learn improvisation from you Dave. Thanks for listening to us and making this video. Looking forward to the next part in the series covering the the other pentatonic positions and fiery licks. We can take this as a skeleton and improvise using this. Already using these licks to improvise my own solos over the backing track. Thank you

[@bockjs]

This is fantastic, thanks for all the guidance! I can't wait for more of this.

[@GSXR1k600RR]

Wow, found this video noodling around and am sooo happy I did. You are an incredible teacher and player. You have a subscriber for life.

[@afhunter72]

Dave your lessons are awesome! Please keep doing them, I love your teaching style!!!

[@lyngleslogic1180]

Trying to really learn the guitar at 49 years old sometimes seems impossible. Sometimes it is discouraging when you see everyone playing so well and sounding so good and you think “ geez I will never be able to play like that “ but then you watch something like this and Dave you are able to break it down in small bites in such a down to earth way and it makes me believe it’s doable! I must press on! Thanks again from Texas sir, you definitely have a natural knack for instructing us newbies!

[@paulyoung4781]

Never give up!! And ur never to old mate never

[@stevescuba1978]

I hope you're still learning! I'm right behind you, learning new tricks. Besides marriage, learning guitar is the most challenging thing I've taken on. Every once in a while, I play something that connects to my soul, and all the frustration is worth it

[@Scott-er5cu]

This is just what I needed. Excellent lesson Dave it has really helped me out and made me pick up my guitar. Thank you it is very much appreciated. I look forward to the next.

[@jeremybearden444]

Dave, this tutorial is just what I needed to help freshen up, tighten up, and re-inspire my blues approach. Thank you very much.

[@spencerhill712]

I'm a happy bunny to be able to learn so many cool stuff through you! About gear, tones, life in general and now learn to play blues infused with your feel! Dave you are just an awesome lad!