After 45 years of playing blues guitar, I can tell you this: the blues isn’t complicated. It’s not about knowing a thousand licks or memorizing every position of the pentatonic scale. It’s about feel, timing, and knowing how to make a few well-chosen notes say exactly what you want them to say.
If you’ve been playing guitar for a while but blues still feels like a mystery — or if you can play some licks but they don’t quite sound “right” — you’re in exactly the right place. These lessons will show you how to build a solid blues foundation, from the essential chords and progressions to the scales, rhythms, and solos that make the blues sound like the blues.
I’ve organized over 75 lessons into six areas. Start wherever makes sense for you — there’s no wrong door into the blues.
Your Complete Blues Guitar Learning Path
Beginner Blues Guitar
If you’re just getting started with blues, this is your entry point. Over 20 lessons cover the absolute fundamentals: simple blues riffs you can play with one, two, or three fingers, basic blues chord shapes, and how to play a 12-bar blues progression without feeling lost. No theory overload — just practical, playable blues that sounds good right away.
Start here if: You’re new to blues, or you’ve tried learning it before but it never quite clicked.
Blues Chords
Blues chords are the backbone of everything. Sure, you can play a 12-bar blues with open chords, but once you start adding 7ths, 9ths, and those classic blues voicings, the whole thing comes alive. Over a dozen lessons show you the essential chord shapes every blues player needs, how to voice them so they sound fat and full, and how to move smoothly between them without sounding choppy.
Start here if: You know basic chords but want to sound more authentic, or you’re tired of the same old open chord progressions.
Blues Rhythm Guitar
The shuffle. The swing. That bouncy, rolling feel that makes blues sound like blues. Rhythm is where most players get stuck, and I get it — the shuffle seems elusive for a lot of people. Eighteen lessons break down the essential rhythm patterns, from basic shuffles to more advanced syncopation and chord embellishments. Once you nail the rhythm, everything else falls into place.
Start here if: Your blues sounds stiff or robotic, or you’re not sure how to get that swing feel everyone talks about.
Blues Scale
The minor pentatonic scale with that added flat 5 — that’s your blues scale. It’s the foundation of almost every blues solo you’ve ever heard. But knowing the pattern isn’t enough — these six lessons show you how to use it musically: where to start phrases, how to bend notes for maximum impact, and how to make it sound like you’re telling a story instead of just running up and down a pattern.
Start here if: You know the pentatonic scale but your solos sound generic, or you want to understand what makes blues licks sound bluesy.
Blues Soloing
This is where it all comes together. Blues soloing isn’t about speed or shredding — it’s about phrasing, timing, and knowing how to build tension and release. Thirteen lessons cover everything from beginner blues licks and riffs to more advanced techniques like doublestops, string bending, vibrato, and improvisation. You’ll learn how to play solos that actually sound like music, not just exercises.
Start here if: You want to learn authentic blues licks, develop your improvisation skills, or finally understand how to solo over a 12-bar progression.
Blues Songs
Sometimes the best way to learn is by learning actual songs. Six classic blues and blues-rock songs from artists like BB King, Jimi Hendrix, ZZ Top, Eric Clapton, and more. You’ll learn the riffs, the chord progressions, the solos — and more importantly, you’ll see how all the techniques from the other sections get used in real songs.
Start here if: You learn best by playing real music, or you want to add some iconic blues songs to your repertoire.
Where to Start
If you’re brand new to blues, start with Beginner Blues Guitar. You’ll get the foundational skills you need before diving into the more specialized areas.
If you already know some blues basics, pick the area where you’re struggling most. Having trouble with rhythm? Go to Blues Rhythm. Want to improve your solos? Check out Blues Soloing. Looking for real songs to play? Start with Blues Songs. There’s no single “right” path — just follow what interests you most.
And remember: quality before quantity. It’s better to really nail a few blues licks and make them sound musical than to rush through a hundred licks that all sound the same. Take your time. Have fun with it. The blues will keep you busy for the rest of your life — and that’s a good thing.
Now grab your guitar and let’s get started.