How to play blues on the acoustic guitar

If you're a music enthusiast with a particular fondness for the blues and you've got an acoustic guitar lying around, you've come to the right place. This guide will walk you through how to play blues on an acoustic guitar. We'll cover blues techniques, chord progressions, scales, and offer some tips for beginners. So, grab your six-string, and let's dive in!

Blues Techniques for Beginners

Blues music has a distinctive sound, and part of that comes from the techniques used in playing. Here's a rundown of some basic blues techniques you should master:

1. Bends: This is when you strike a note and then push the string up or down to change the pitch. It's a key part of giving blues music its distinctive sound.

2. Slides: This is when you strike a note and then 'slide' your finger along the string to a different note.

3. Hammer-ons and Pull-offs: These are techniques where you strike a note and then either hammer your finger onto another fret or pull it off, to quickly play a second note without having to pluck the string again.

4. Vibrato: A technique where you rapidly bend the string back and forth after striking a note to give it a vibrating effect.

Blues Chord Progression

Understanding chord progression is crucial when learning how to play blues. A common chord progression in blues music is the '12 bar blues'. Here's an example of a 12 bar blues progression in the key of E:

Basic Blues Scales for Guitar

When it comes to playing lead in blues music, the blues scale is your best friend. Here's how to play the A minor blues scale:

E|------------------------5-8-----|
B|------------------5-8-----------|
G|--------------5-7----------------|
D|----------5-7--------------------|
A|----5-6/7----------------------|
E|--5-8---------------------------|

Acoustic Blues Riffs

Riffs are a great way to practice your blues techniques and scales. Here are two simple riffs to get you started:

Riff 1 in E:

E|----------------------|
B|----------------------|
G|----------------------|
D|----------------2-----|
A|---------2--4---------|
E|---0--3---------------|

Riff 2 in A:

E|----------------------|
B|----------------------|
G|----------------------|
D|----------------2-----|
A|---------2--4---------|
E|---5--8---------------|

Remember, learning to play blues on your acoustic guitar is a journey.