5 Blues Rhythms Every Beginner Guitarist Should Know

Are you a beginner guitarist looking to add some bluesy flair to your playing? Look no further! Today, we're diving into 5 essential blues rhythms that every beginner guitarist should know. These rhythms are simple enough for beginners to grasp, but versatile enough to use in a variety of blues standards.

▶▶ Guide To Clear Sounding Chords - Free Download - https://www.playguitaracademy.com/chordguide

1. Straight Boogie Pattern:

Let's start with a classic - the straight boogie pattern. This rhythm is the foundation of many blues songs and is a must-know for any aspiring blues guitarist.

Simply place your first finger on the A string at the second fret and play along with the open E string. Play this rhythm by bouncing back and forth between the second and fourth fret on the A string with the open E string accompanying each note.

Remember this a straight beat (not a shuffle) That means you play each eighth note right on the beat. This rhythm is perfect for songs like High Heel Sneakers and will give your playing that classic blues shuffle feel.  

2. Shuffle:

Next up, we have the shuffle rhythm. This rhythm adds a laid-back feel to your playing and is commonly heard in blues music. With a shuffle, we delay the second eighth note of each beat. The rhythm now resembles the first and last note of an eighth note triplet.

Please see the accompanying video above to practice your shuffle rhythms.

This pattern is perfect for playing over an E7 chord and will give your playing that authentic blues sound.

3. Boogie Pattern with Embellishments:

Take your boogie pattern to the next level with some embellishments.

Add double stops on beat four of each measure to add some interest to your playing.

Experiment with different embellishments and see how they can enhance your blues rhythms.

 Need personal 1-On-1 Coaching to start moving forward again? - https://www.playguitaracademy.com/play-guitar-coaching

4. Open Position Chord Shuffle:

Mix things up with an open position chord shuffle.

This rhythm is perfect for when you want to play chords but don't want to sound like you're just strumming quarter notes.

Play an E7 chord in open position using a dotted quarter to eighth note feel (see video for examples) to create a shuffle feel.

This rhythm is great for adding some variety to your blues playing.

5. Offbeat Shuffle:

Finally, try your hand at an offbeat shuffle.

Play on the upbeats to give your playing a syncopated feel.

This rhythm adds a unique twist to your blues playing and will help you stand out from the crowd.

Academy Members get better... faster! Check out what the Academy can do for you -  https://www.playguitaracademy.com/membership

So there you have it - 5 essential blues rhythms that every beginner guitarist should know.

Practice these rhythms, experiment with different embellishments, and most importantly, have fun with it.

Before you know it, you'll be playing like a pro and impressing your friends with your bluesy chops. Happy playing!

SHOW NOTES FOR THIS EPISODE- https://www.playguitaracademy.com/blog/5-blues-rhythms-every-beginner-guitarist-should-know

PLAY GUITAR ACADEMY - Instant access to the tabs, backing tracks, and guitar pro files from all my lick videos, Monthly masterclasses, and weekly Q&A.
https://www.playguitaracademy.com

1-on-1 Guitar Lessons -
https://www.playguitaracademy.com/play-guitar-coaching

PLAY GUITAR PODCAST -
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/play-guitar-podcast/id1341900209

https://open.spotify.com/show/0MxjU2Y0L8PoYiTKmCtvpt

YOUTUBE (SUBSCRIBE)-
https://www.youtube.com/@playguitaracademy

FACEBOOK -
https://www.facebook.com/PlayGuitarAcademy/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/playguitargroup/

INSTAGRAM -
https://www.instagram.com/playguitaracademy

Copyright ©2024 Play Guitar Academy