This course will teach you “What” you can play over a 12 bar blues. Learn how to start playing and improvising over a slow 12 bar blues by using intervals, scales, and your ear.
This Course and all the Courses on the site are included in the All Access Pass.
Join NowCATEGORY: Blues Path / Beginner, Intermediate
Description
Unsure of what notes sound great over each chord in the 12 bar blues? Or does improvising a solo over a 12 bar blues seem impossible? It doesn’t have to be if you learn to look at the fretboard differently. There are certain things you can learn that will make navigating the fretboard much easier.
In this course you’ll learn exactly how to play slow blues guitar lead in an improvisational style by learning “How” to use the Minor Pentatonic Scales, Major Pentatonic Scales, Blues Scales and “Which” notes sound great when using these scales to improvise over a 12 Bar Slow Blues.
Lesson Index
Lesson 1 – The Major Scale and Intervals
Lesson 2 – Raking and Bend Vibrato – NEW Updated Lesson added 2024
Lesson 3 – Major Pentatonic Scales
Lesson 4 – The Blues Scale
Lesson 5 – Visualizing the Fretboard
Lesson 6- Improvising over a 12 bar slow blues
– The Major Minor Weave
– Active Listening
– Singing your Licks
– Using Space
– Call and Response
– Telling a Story
Lesson 7 Blues Extras
Includes
2 Hours of Video
25 Pages of PDF Tabs
20 Fretboard Maps
2 Backing Tracks
Reviews
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Member Reviews
On videos where he turns it loose, you see and hear someone that gets it
I’ve been playing in bands since 1974 when I was 17. They’ve been more or less successful over time, earning enough scratch to keep me interested. Blues has always been at the top of my list, and I got by on basic rhythm techniques and the occasional lead. “Good enough” to get by, but I was never satisfied.
I’ve tried dozens of instructors, all sorts of how-to books/DVDs/online programs…nothing seemed to click. When you hear a good blues guitar player, the distinction between good enough and great is huge. I’ve found a few online, but too many talk talk talk and play little. When I discovered Learning Guitar Now, I realized it was different on this site. First, John can PLAY. On videos where he turns it loose, you see and hear someone that gets it. But what makes his site different than the rest just regurgitating variations of the same theme is that he wants YOU to get it.
If you want to pick and choose your lessons…fine. If you want to start from scratch and build competency in technique…fine. If you want to talk to him on the forum and have a REAL exchange of ideas or ask for advice…he’s there. The lesson curriculum is huge, his freebies on YouTube vast, and his continued enthusiasm to help you become a better blues guitarist is non-wavering.
You’re not on his site to learn theory or the fretboard, although he does touch on these when necessary. You are there to play guitar. Play what you love in the style of your favorite artists or just improvising. Play, learn the phrases, the timing, the technique and you WILL get better. I’m 64 as I write this. Still playing. The difference now is I’m getting better. Good enough doesn’t cut it for me now.
When I hit a phrase just right, the audience actually pauses on that beat. The beauty of the blues just poured through my fingertips if only for a moment. Right now I’m focused on some of the Allman Brothers material. It takes me home. Sometimes, when I daydream, I see me on that stage with them, holding my own. Thanks JohnT, you’ve kept the blues alive for this old timer!
John White
I am pleased to say that I can now play a reasonable lead solo
I’m a pretty good acoustic guitar player who has always wanted to play electric blues lead. I have used quite a few other online tutoring sites some more successful than others but still didn’t manage to get it. Until, that is, I found Learning Guitar Now. With John’s tutoring style and a great website full of great courses I am pleased to say that I can now play a reasonable lead solo and I’m improving all the time. I love the way John plays guitar. It’s exactly how I’d like to play but he is very clear that you need to practice to get there. John is a very straight talker to lays out what you need to do to play blues lead and that is practice. He is also very encouraging by saying that you can do it but don’t kid yourself that buying the course will make you a great player if you don’t follow John’s useful and straight forward advice. So thank you John for everything. I get so much enjoyment from playing and see myself improving each month.
Dik McFarlane
He covers all the great blues and rock guitarists
LGN is an incredible resource for anyone wanting to get better at playing the blues. Working through John’s lessons will get you better at improvising, help with techniques like bending, slides, raking, and vibrato. He covers all the great blues and rock guitarists and some that you may not have studied previously. I highly recommend the All Access Pass to anyone who loves playing guitar!
Matt
John uses the latest tools available
I’m very happy being an All Access Pass member here at LGN. John is an excellent teacher and amazing guitar player. He not only shows you “what” to play but also focuses on “how” to play each note with emotion and feeling. That makes all the difference. Also the site interface is so easy and John uses the latest tools available to make the experience as rewarding as possible! I say “Go for it!” …you’ll be glad you did.
Philly Dupree
A lot of thought was put into this program…
John has a well thought out plan and pathways for learning guitar for all levels..slide guitar in open and standard tunings, rock and blues courses that are unmatched online… a block building approach that offers success for all members … he actually cares that you are successful.. the best way is just buy yearly all access pass and don’t be bothered with monthly payments… then go to work at your pace and be surprised at results. A lot of thought was put into this program and how lessons are rolled out.. unmatched by other lessons online with that scattered teaching approach with just licks but not teaching the musical ideas so you can stretch out on your own after understanding the concepts… it’s a very impressive program… Glen
Kamil –
Hi John, I have to congratulate you for yet another terrific DVD. As usual, I get a lesson that is insightful, informative and things to learn. The lesson on Improvisation alone is worth the price.
Hopefully there will be an expansion of that Improvisation lesson in the future. Good stuff! And make sure the backing track to the improvisation is included in the DVD.
Thanks, Kamil
Bryan K –
In these lessons John teaches how to play the blues instead of just what to play. I am truly amazed by the amount of valuable information packed into these lessons. I have studied scales before, but never with such context.
Whether you’ve never learned scales before or you have learned some scales and are wondering, ‘now what?’, this material will help you break through that barrier! John does an excellent job of dissecting scales into important and easy to remember patterns that help you really understand how to play.
We all know blues is about playing with feeling, and John’s lessons unlock a code that allows you to focus on feeling instead of memorization. You will enjoy countless hours of improvisation, and I am not just talking about playing those old familiar box patterns. You will be able to escape the box (literally and figuratively) and create your own melodies and licks that really sound good!
After studying this material, my improvisational sessions will never be the same! – Bryan K
Andrew –
John, The new and updated Blues product is absolutely fantastic. Wow! I have already picked up some new blues licks and learned more about intervals. I love your blues teaching method the best. Unlike others, your teaching style is clear, simple, and easy to learn. Being a visual learner, I love the colorful numbers on the fret board maps. It guides me as I play better and master the fingering positions faster.
Also, I get so much value in buying your products. You spend time explaining the concepts in detail so well …then you demonstrate them so that even a beginner can understand it. – Andrew
Martin Bisset in the UK –
Another great lesson from John!
I’m really enjoying this course. I’ve been playing for a few years and know a few scales but my solo improv always sounds the same and a bit random.
This course is helping me learn what notes to focus on to sound decent over each chord. Cheers!
Robert Canane in Loxahatchee, Florida –
John’s Lessons are the best I’ve ever had. I stopped playing professionally 27 years ago…wife, kids and all but I never could lose the thought of playing guitar. John’s lessons show you the magic of playing blues guitar. Really excellent work, I’m back to where I left off and much, much better. Thank you for the gift of unlocking music.
Chuck in Augusta, Maine, USA –
Excellent Basic Course.
Robert Ogden in Melbourne Australia –
Thank you John great course. The first one that I have purchased ever. Your talking to an old drummer of 66 years young, loving the blues this course will better my playing no end.
Working on the solo and getting the first couple of licks down. My son also plays and loves it .
Tom in Ohio –
hey john really like the dvd lesson,adds a new dimension to soloing and understanding why and where to solo thanks.
Barry Croucher in Suffolk, UK –
Excellent course
Great quality and clear instruction. I’m sure with some serious study on my part this course will help me greatly improve my blues guitar playing.
NYC LP Player in United States –
Fills in The Gaps
We all have access to youtube, charts, etc but these lesson are a nice way to fill in the gaps. Much better than tabs and gradually grinding out solos.
Gary Quellet in Georgia –
John, I wrote you an email last month on putting together a YouTube Video. Timing over 12 bar blues and what notes to play over the 12 bar blues. NEVER MIND!! 🙂
I received your Blues Guitar Method this weekend in the mail. It was like you made this course for my lack of understanding about the fretboard.
Lesson 5, Visualizing the Fretboard, made perfect sense and opened me up to a different way of looking at the fretboard (WOW).
Lesson 6 Improvising, gave me the understanding of chord changes and what notes belong with what chords. Timing will come with time and a good looper.
I just want to say Thank you and I do look forward to your Warren Hayes and Eric Clapton videos next but one thing at a time. Your course has taken me to a much clearer approach to the Blues.
Gary Quellet
Marcus in Denmark –
Hands down the best lesson I have found. It gave me what I needed: An easy approach to learning the important notes and phrasing when playing over blues progressions. Great exercises to combine the different boxes in both minor and major pentatonic.
And John is a great teacher imho. These lessons are the best to get the basics of blues. And I have tried, Marty, Steviesnacks, Justin etc.
I can highly recommend. Worth the money and time. Now all I need is more time to practice.
Paolo Salvati in Roma Italy –
Hi John,
Thanks a lot for these lessons! All is clear, accurate and easy to understand. Everything is taught in depth. I follow your tips, and improve day by day!
Sure I’m going to follow you on your new course when i think I’ve learned enough from this!
Regards,
Paolo
Laurence M. Schwarz –
John’s approach to teaching is outstanding. It’s like he’s sitting right in front of you. You couldn’t get better instruction unless he was. He’s also super diligent about responding to e-mail as well. There’s nothing I like better than working with people like him. A real solid, top-notch guy.
Shelby –
I first encountered John through one of his video’s on YouTube. I really enjoyed the lesson, and gained some solid information from it, so I decided to check out his web site. As I started checking out the site I was immediately impressed by not only the amount of quality content and the variety of lessons on the site, but also the style and manner in which John teaches. I especially enjoy the interactive feature for lessons. I’ve been working on Blues Guitar Method 1 for a few weeks and the lessons on Visualization and Improvising are totally changing the way I view and navigate the fretboard. If you’re serious about playing, and really looking to improve your Blues and slide playing, this site is the place to be.