Guitar Lab: Blues Rhythm Studies Vol. 1

Rhythm is necessary

When I began playing guitar, I discovered that learning rhythm was far more important for a beginner than developing leads. Although I come from Chicago, I didn't migrate to blues until later. Thus the nature of rhythm often confused me. This bunch of lessons did a fine job of explaining and developing chops that I could use in a blues jam. It's well worth the time that I'm spending on the material. This is one of those lesson streams that I'll go back to over and over. I truly enjoy this kind of learning, and I suspect that any blues players looking for substance will as well.

Brad Carlton's Guitar Lab: Blues Rhythm Studies Vol. 1

Brad Carlton's courses are always illuminating and this one is no exception BUT... and this is only my opinion, this one is made more complicated than it has to be. The idea is to teach the use of the 5 basic dominant chord forms in different areas of the neck. He does this by using the CAGED system. For example E7 in the first "area" is (naturally) the E-Form. This is followed in the second "area" by the D-Form because D is the next letter in CAGED ... and so on. I didn't realize until I went through the exercise that there is a much simpler way of determining the form. THE FORM IS THE STRING ON WHICH YOU FIND THE ROOT. E7 with root on the A string is A-Form,. E7 with root on the G string is G-Form etc. No need to use CAGED at all as long as you know your fretboard. The only "complication" is root on the E string. If the "area" is to the left then the root on the B string takes precedence and under this system implies the C-Form. If the "area" is to the right this implies the E-Form. ... kind of like February and leap year :)

Guitar Lab: Blues Rhythm Studies Vol. 1

This lesson goes back to the basics of the original Blues structure and it's good for mastery.

Best class I have taken for 12 bar blues rhythm I give this class 5 stars because I have had trouble in the past trying to learn chords and strumming progressions. The structure is well planned and progress is from easy to not so easy but you are ready for it if you follow along and practice!

Clear and complete explanations, you'll know what to practice and will get Brad's unique tips and humor. Very helpful to get you started with blues chords in the CAGED system.