Guitar Lab: Power Chord Blues Riffs

Diagram 1shows the layout of an A5 (power chord) over the entire fingerboard. The A notes are the roots (1) and the E notes are the fifths.These scale degrees are labeled in red. Any combination of the root and fifth will generate a power chord. We will be working throughout this group of lessons in the fifth position. It is important that you learn to visualize these roots and fifths.

Diagrams one through eight show the A minor pentatonic scale in various positions on the fingerboard. The roots of this are labeled in red and the remaining three scale degrees (b3, 4, and b7) which form the A minor pentatonic scale are labeled in black. Diagrams nine and 10 show the analysis of the five notes in the A minor pentatonic scale when you are playing over the IV7 chord (D7) and the V7 chord (E7). For the 20 examples presented in the tablature, you will be using diagrams one and two. You will then be able to transfer these riffs to other areas on the fingerboard by using these other scale forms. It is important that you memorize the scale degrees in diagrams one, two, and three as you go through each riff example. This will allow you to transpose to any key and also build on the information presented in this course. Your ultimate goal will be to memorize all five scale forms in terms of scale degrees.

Chart number one shows the changes for the 12 bar blues progressions that will be your backing tracks. Both of these are in the key of A. Notice that progression number one is very basic. It does not have a quick change and also does not end on the V7 chord. Progression number two has the quick change (the IV7 in measure two) and it ends in measure 12 with the V7 chord. Chart number two shows various rhythmic options over a shuffle feel. I will demonstrate these so that you'll see how you can get a lot of mileage out of one riff. For this lesson you will be using example 1 which is simply an A5 on the first and second strings. Remember that you can play these notes together or arpeggiate them.

In this lesson you will learn how to add the b5 to 5 move to the A5 to create a bluesy sound. I will demonstrate various ways of playing this grace note D# to E move.

In this lesson you will learn how to add the 4 to 5 to 1 move. I will demonstrate various ways of playing this move.

In this lesson you will learn how to add the 4 to 5 to A5 move. I will demonstrate various ways of playing this move.