How To Start A Blues Solo

bluesguitarunleashed.com/blog/... - Head there for downloads of the video and the TAB.
How to start a blues solo is one of, if not the, most common question I get from new blues players. With enough experience this problem usually takes care of itself, but without having learned a bunch of blues solos already, it helps to have a solid set of rules you can live by.
As with all of my "blues rules," you have to remember that these are guaranteed to sound good every time... that does NOT mean they are the only option. Some other options may not always work so I left them out.
I hope you enjoy the video and learn something about your blues guitar soloing from it. For more lessons or to sign up for my email newsletter please head over to bluesguitarunleashed.com.

[@00xanawolf00]

AWESOME lesson, and extremely essential viewing. I loved how you emphasized the importance of starting (and/or landing) on the root notes. I also thought that your use of popular blues songs as examples was fantastic and it really gives the student a better grasp of what you're conveying. Also, you have just the right amount of "talk time" vs. actual playing demonstrations.

[@jackusan]

One of the best lessons ever. How and when to start a solo is a huge step in this journey. Thanks.

[@riddhimanmedhi99]

really like the content and pace of your tutorials. thanks! keep 'em coming!

[@neilsthepoet]

Your relaxed manner is Verrrry helpful

[@stevehilton5717]

What an excellent teacher.

[@jamesnicholson9392]

Thanks for the lessons on pentatonic boxes.I found my self only using box 1&2 now I have a bigger perspective.I find your teaching very direct and easy to understand.James Scott Nicholson!!!

[@gallegomalo9437]

Wonderful Griff! You've showed pretty much that how to start. It's hard to avoid watching again and again. Wow! I've told you so, remember?

[@drutgat2]

Excellent, Griff. Many thanks.

[@marybethhempel9101]

Awesome lesson that I am going to have to listen to more than once. I have to digest it in chunks! Thank you!! :)

[@downhill240]

Excellent lessons here!

[@newlife3669]

Man you got a new subscriber...Cool lesson...Keep it up...

[@kevingrady8736]

Very helpful, thanks.

[@BluesRootsMusic]

These are great lessons

[@100chuckjones]

8:35 I also use second strings to vibrato as there is more room to shake it. But sometimes more importantly is the gauge of the strings. Shaking a thicker string has increased tonality's. and a perfect example is the tonal quality's in this video (when you are shaking your 1st string VS. shaking your 2cnd string on the same note. I can hear a distinct difference. As well I can on my guitar as well.

[@StratEdgy]

Great info!!!

[@sandragirard8054]

Very good explanation- even I understood it😉👍👍

[@SPIELSWHEELS]

good tips, thx

[@artwhat..]

Hi.. nice playing

[@trevorgwelch7412]

Robin Trower says he dose not read any music ... yet he is one of the top guitar players with 50 years of experience . He avoids the typical 12 bar blues format . His concert on You Tube Winterland 1975 is an excellent example .... maybe you could teach us how to do Cant Wait Much Longer . Thank You .

[@papisofishow2010]

Bellissima lezione 👏👏

[@Schlumbucketreturns]

The beginning of Red House is a descending 7th triad. Jimi is playing vibrato simultaneously on all three strings as he picks the notes and lets them ring-out.

[@imannonymous7707]

such a cool collection of amps that egnater looks early

[@johnhood3302]

In 50 years of playing blues, I have never heard any major blues guitarist play like this guy. Has he ever recorded? I'd be interested to hear ...

[@chucklutter7399]

Check out "Griff Hamlin and the Single Barrel Blues Band".

[@jeetuvermarock]

how to understand blue to me

[@pmsitko]

show

[@sueburek3725]

What would you say about this video...intermediate beginner? Are your DVDs like this? Tired of buying stuff that doesn't cut it.

[@johnhood3302]

Also I have never seen anyone (or heard) use vibrato with their first finger on the top E-string. FWIW

[@utoobia]

I do it a lot and I’m a self-taught hack. Maybe because no one told me not to.

[@elisico7335]

how do you know when a song is OK to mix with major and minor when soloing?

[@ElyRiverBlues]

As a rule it's OK for all except for minor blues

[@elisico7335]

I see.... Can the blues scale be used to play country?

[@ElyRiverBlues]

I don't play country, but normally it has a major tonality. I'm sure some people do use the blues scale however

[@starkcd]

If you are in a major key, (for the typical I IV V or A, D7, E7 etc) you can use both. If you are in a minor song, minor only.

[@elisico7335]

Thanks

[@adylp7818]

The singer points at me, I think ‘crap’ then come in on beat two!

[@pr0th0masNL]

ok i dont understand the keys stuff O_o key e/c ect.. no idea what youre talking about lol... :(

[@neilsthepoet]

XwhiSprsX be patient .... Keep searching... It's around here somewhere

[@georgedowney8533]

You keep calling it box two! That’s actually box three! Makes it confusing.

[@bluesguitarunleashed]

Watch again, I think you're missing something there. Box 3 looks very different from box 2 and would not be used that way.

[@utoobia]

Ah, Devin Nunes. Fighter of sedition, guitar instructor.

[@bobdillon1138]

What a lot of bollocks you start however the mood takes you and you finish when the audience starts throwing cans.