Hide these ads by signing up and logging in!
Blues Chord Shapes
Written by Bryan Helmig   
Monday, 10 March 2008
 

Using different chord shapes to inject flavor to your blues comping.

Pop-up instructional video to the left.

Sometimes sitting on a simple open chord doesn't cut it. There are a couple easy shapes that can be utilized in almost any position. Not only can you use these shapes as color in the background, you can use them as a foundation to soloing.

We'll start with the patterns and move onto how to use them. Remember, guitar is a transposing instrument, once you know the shapes you simply move the shape elsewhere to match the chord or key.

Four positions

Each of these positions are based on dominant seventh chords. We'll start with an E7 chord. I you can't quite finger each note, that's fine.

blues chord shapes tab

The idea is to move between these shapes instead of just sitting on one chord shape.

Each position contains the b7 or dominant seventh in order to get that great bluesly sound. In position one, the b7th is on the D string; position two, the B string; position three, the G string; and position four, the high E string.

Here are the same positions over the A and B chords. Identical shapes but different positions.

blues chord shapes tab

blues chord shapes tab


Just paying the bills:

Quick example

It should be pretty self explanatory on how to use these shapes (you just use them!). However, here is a great example for kicking off a song or for building under someone else's solo. Play with a shuffle feel and hit those triplets at the end!

using blues chord shapes tabusing blues chord shapes tab

That should pretty much sum up how you should utilize these shapes. They are also great for solo acoustic work.

This site is FREE! If you enjoyed it, consider supporting the site by donating or by logging in to hide the ads.mfBeer Joomla! Plugin



Users' Comments (7)
Posted by John Rock, on 25-03-2008 10:28,

1. Great work

I can't believe how good this info is, and for free. What a great web site
 
» Report this comment to administrator
» Reply to this comment...

Posted by bryanhelmig, on 01-04-2008 07:33,

2. Thanks!

I appreciate the comment! Let us know what kind of articles you want to see in the forum!
 
» Report this comment to administrator
» Reply to this comment...

Posted by Harp Jim, on 11-04-2008 07:45,

3. big thanks

Thank you for this really useful lesson. I've been looking for something like that for months. Keep doing your good work!
 
» Report this comment to administrator
» Reply to this comment...
» See all 1 replie(s)

Posted by joakim drescher, on 17-08-2008 00:33,

4. nice chords.

wow, thank you for having taken the time to post that, really great all round help. 
joakim
 
» Report this comment to administrator
» Reply to this comment...

Posted by cbntmanlance, on 03-11-2008 13:45,

5. blues chord shapes

I have noticed that you didn't show the open chord shapes for the III and IV chords. I was wondering why not.This is a wonderful site.Full of great information.
 
» Report this comment to administrator
» Reply to this comment...

Powered by mXcomment 1.0.7 © 2007-2008 from visualclinic.fr