Blues Rhythm Guitar

[bigben55]

Is there any good websites, video lessons, books, etc on intermediate/advanced bleus rhythm playing? I consider myself pretty good but find myself, especially at local blues jams, playing the basic, easy, everyone knows them chord progressions for rhythm. I'd like to go beyond that. Basically, some sort of educational media or lessons that give you non run of the mill chords that go together in the I- IV-V chord progression, when to use them and where to be for leads over them.

[Breen]

How bout just ask the good folks here?

Advice which I am semi qualified to give is know your 7th chords and their blues friendly extensions, ie, 9th, 13th, #9.... I have chords under my fingers I don't even know what to call them, I just know it sounds cool in a blues jam.

Learn to comp like a jazzer sorta, but lock in with the drummer. I like to just play the upper notes of a big chord, as there is already a bassist, a keyboarder, a guitar-er who may or may not be playing the chords, and maybe a harpist. Too much going on, I just keep the musical blues padding going. Throw in some movement, like on the IV throw in a #9 or 13th when your on a 9th chord on the A string. Diads help as well, just giving some sort of movement in the rhythm at tasty times rather then just a big ol' 7th chord all night long.

Diads and sliding them around too are great for that T-Bone Walker sound too. Your adding over the singer, but staying out of the words.

Remember your volume knob! Blues jams over here are just way too loud for another guitar player.

[Mark Moore]

I once heard Robben Ford recommend the Mickey Baker book for learning jazz chords.

http://www.amazon.com/Mickey-Bakers-.../dp/0825652804

[klasaine]

The Mickey Baker book(s) is great for blues and R&B chording.
I like this Robben Ford book for blues comping ...
http://www.amazon.com/Robben-Ford-Rh...1590629&sr=1-1
He's actually adapted many of the Mickey Baker voicings to his particular brand of comping.

[weelie]

The Green/Baker chords are fun. You don't need a book for them. Willy Brown does those as part of "720 chords on minutes" or something on youtube. http://www.elisanet.fi/petri.krzywac...uotteet_en.pdf

Basic substitutions and such are good to know:
http://www.angelfire.com/fl4/moneych...chordsubs.html
http://www.angelfire.com/fl4/moneych...dernblues.html
these links are to be found on this page:
http://www.angelfire.com/fl4/moneychords/Blues.html

As for books, I dig Rubin's stuff.

[Axis29]

I am a big fan of 9th chords and approaching chromatically from up or down. It adds a lot to the sound.

You could take the T-Bone approach and move those 9th chords up, down and all around to add a new melody line.

I really like the suggestion of playing just the high notes. Really, though, I think play whatever the other guitarist(s) aren't playing. If they're playing open position stuff, work up the neck. If they're playing high on the neck got to open position stuff. Actually you could adjust that to, "don't ever play the whole chord" it usually ends up sounding kinda square.

If you're stuck in the typical shuffle patterns, try figuring out what chords you're comping there and pick higher voicings of them.

Or you could be really sneaky like me... when I got another guitar player who's playing all the chords, I get my leads in in between his chords and the vocals by hitting little fills here and there... but being repetitive and complimenting the melody. This makes it a good single, or double note rhythm. Then when it comes to my turn to lead, I take what I've been doing and build on it.... and when it's his turn to lead, i drop back and play the chords.

[Dan_in_WI]

I have a book called Power Trio Blues I think is pretty good. There are a lot of good ideas in there.

[BoogerRooger]

Originally Posted by Dan_in_WI

I have a book called Power Trio Blues I think is pretty good. There are a lot of good ideas in there.

That's the one by Dave Rubin isn't it? He did Birth of the Groove as well and they both go into more unusual chords and rythms. Good stuff.

[birddog01]

I'm with Axis29, I saved several of Mike Willaiams youtubes to study. He was a professer at Berklee. I noticed he's got a book/CD out in the Elderly catalog. He segments every video and keeps them short and sweet and easy to learn.

[hidesertmusic]

You can also check out Truefire.com. Larry Carlton started the website and they have courses for jazz, blues among other lessons. Good Luck!

[Dan_in_WI]

I signed up for a month of free Truefire last weekend.

There is a lot of great stuff in there. It could keep a guy busy the rest of his life.

[jjkrause84]

Dono't forget arpeggiated chord fragments. Was messing around with some today...lots of fun!

[RCinMempho]

Complete Rhythm Guitar Guide for Blues Bands

If you want something with examples on CD and the parts written out - this is your baby. If you just need chords, go somewhere else. But if you want 20 or more common rhythm licks explained with examples and play along tracks, this is it. It will take you a couple months or more to work the book.

[Mjark]

A nice shape shown here in A is x45x55 is really nice 7th with the root on the high E the fifth on the B string the dominant 7th on the D string and major 3rd on the A string going between it and the IV as a 9th or seventh is easy and sounds cool. My only video camera is my phone sorry for the quality...

[Tommy Biggs]

[QUOTE=Breen;3197179]How bout just ask the good folks here?
QUOTE]

All good advice given so far.
My best advice is that "less is more".

[twintwelve]

Remember blues rhythm guitar isn't only about chords! Learn box shuffles in all their many variations-Buddy Guy's playing on Jr. Wells' "Hoodoo Man Blues" CD is a primer-learn 'em all, especially "Snatch It Back and Hold It"! Learn boogaloo patterns-Louanne Bartons version of "Tee Na Nee Na Nu" is a good start. Rumba blues like the T-Birds ""Walkin' To My Baby" or the song "Early In The Morning". Learn "Baby, Scratch My Back" Riff based backup guitar is a lot of fun, and most importantly, leaves SPACE! Don't clutter all the available space in the sonic palate.

[justatwanging]

Here is a Texas Legend talking about "Bump Blues".

[backalleyblues]

One of my favorite things to do is to cop piano-organ lines, especially when there is no piano or organ on the stage... throw in a tremolo, and you can cop a B-3 sound ala Danny Gatton, which makes a nice compliment to both the singer and other guitar player(s) on stage... of course, always play to a volume that's BEHIND the lead (singer or instrumentalist) for best results...

Franc Robert

[Paul in Colorado]

Mike Bloomfield was a hell of a rhythm player. I don't hear in his recordings what I heard when he played live. Maybe seek out some boots?