Bluesology 1

An intensive examination of electric blues guitar theory and harmony

Marty FriedmanTommy EmmanuelSteve VaiEric GalesEric Johnson

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Bluesology 1

About this course

Bluesology thoroughly examines the theory and harmony behind performing, composing and improvising the blues. Rhythmic patterns, progressions, solo development and essential techniques for electric blues guitar are covered extensively across 80 full-length interactive video lessons in both Bluesology Volume 1 and 2 (160 video lessons total).

Bluesology presents in-depth examinations of the blues from a theoretical and harmonic perspective. Students are introduced to concepts in in bite-size chunks and can then apply them over supporting practice rhythm tracks.

Bluesology is presented in 2 volumes and covers Dominant Blues Progressions, Dominant Blues Solos 1, Dominant Blues Solos 2, Turnarounds, Minor Blues Progressions, Minor Blues Solos, Blues Techniques and Jazz Blues. Each section includes 20 full-length interactive video lessons, charts, practice rhythm tracks and text guides.

Combined, Bluesology Volumes 1 & 2 are an intensive 8-month study program at TrueFire University. Realistically, it would take much longer to fully digest all of the material presented in the course. Bluesology’s practical intent however, is to provide the student with a comprehensive resource that they can work through at their own pace, cherry-picking sections and lessons as needed.

Bluesology is not a "licks," "solos" or "style" course, rather Bluesology is an intensive study that drills down on the theoretical and harmonic building blocks that apply to all styles of electric blues guitar.

What you'll learn

  • Apply subset theory to create focused, varied solos
  • Learn to build minor seven flat five arpeggios from the third of dominant chords
  • Recognize the relationship between dominant ninth and minor seven flat five arpeggios
  • Understand the theoretical purpose of blues turnarounds (connecting I chord to V chord)
  • Count and feel shuffle/triplet rhythm accurately
Release date: 11/25/2009 • 5h 55m runtime
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Sample lessons
Dominant Blues 2
Dominant Blues 2
Dominant Blues 3
Dominant Blues 3
Dominant Blues 4
Dominant Blues 4
Dominant Blues 5
Dominant Blues 5

What's included

80 lessons • 14 charts • 40 Jam Tracks

Dominant Blues 1
Most blues players have a grip on the basic I-IV-V twelve bar blues progression and also have a few turnarounds under their belt. Part of what makes the blues so much fun to play and jam over, is its relatively simple format. But what separates the men from the boys and makes the blues fun to ""listen"" to are the endless variations of turnarounds, progressions and rhythmic patterns that great players have a handle on. In our Turnarounds series, we covered many blues turnaround variations and more importantly, showed you how to construct your own. In this series, we'll cover 29 twelve-bar major blues progressions and also show you how to construct your own variations on the fly. Michael Bloomfield, Robben Ford, Larry Carlton, Stevie Ray Vaughan and hundreds of other top blues players mix up their blues progressions with substitutions, alternate voicings and interesting turnarounds. The thought of memorizing all of these variations may seem daunting at first, but once you start working through the lessons with the charts we've prepared, you'll appreciate just how easy it is to mix up your blues progressions. So print out those charts and let's get busy playing the blues. In this first lesson, we'll review this series' charts and then discuss some of the most common blues rhythms such as the shuffle, swing and straight 8ths. NOTE: We've prepared ten jam tracks for you to practice with. See the charts for the listing of jam tracks and their structure. Each lesson bank features one of the ten tracks, although the jam track may not necessarily correspond with the video.
Dominant Blues 2
Most blues players have a grip on the basic I-IV-V twelve bar blues progression and also have a few turnarounds under their belt. Part of what makes the blues so much fun to play and jam over, is its relatively simple format. But what separates the men from the boys and makes the blues fun to ""listen"" to are the endless variations of turnarounds, progressions and rhythmic patterns that great players have a handle on. In our Turnarounds series, we covered many blues turnaround variations and more importantly, showed you how to construct your own. In this series, we'll cover 29 twelve-bar major blues progressions and also show you how to construct your own variations on the fly. Michael Bloomfield, Robben Ford, Larry Carlton, Stevie Ray Vaughan and hundreds of other top blues players mix up their blues progressions with substitutions, alternate voicings and interesting turnarounds. The thought of memorizing all of these variations may seem daunting at first, but once you start working through the lessons with the charts we've prepared, you'll appreciate just how easy it is to mix up your blues progressions. So print out those charts and let's get busy playing the blues. In this first lesson, we'll review this series' charts and then discuss some of the most common blues rhythms such as the shuffle, swing and straight 8ths. NOTE: We've prepared ten jam tracks for you to practice with. See the charts for the listing of jam tracks and their structure. Each lesson bank features one of the ten tracks, although the jam track may not necessarily correspond with the video.
Dominant Blues 3
This lesson covers some very important concepts, which will be very useful when approaching all of the material in this series and when playing the blues in a live situation with other players. We'll discuss bass lines, guide tones, 6th string and 5th string roots and various rhythmic approaches like 4 to the bar, comp style, long style and 12-8. NOTE: We've prepared ten jam tracks for you to practice with. See the charts for the listing of jam tracks and their structure. Each lesson bank features one of the ten tracks, although the jam track may not necessarily correspond with the video.
Dominant Blues 4
This lesson covers some very important concepts, which will be very useful when approaching all of the material in this series and when playing the blues in a live situation with other players. We'll discuss bass lines, guide tones, 6th string and 5th string roots and various rhythmic approaches like 4 to the bar, comp style, long style and 12-8. NOTE: We've prepared ten jam tracks for you to practice with. See the charts for the listing of jam tracks and their structure. Each lesson bank features one of the ten tracks, although the jam track may not necessarily correspond with the video.
Dominant Blues 5
Now let's start digging in on some progressions. Check your Progressions chart and look for Examples 1, 2 and 3, all of which we'll be covering in this lesson bank. NOTE: We've prepared ten jam tracks for you to practice with. See the charts for the listing of jam tracks and their structure. Each lesson bank features one of the ten tracks, although the jam track may not necessarily correspond with the video.
Dominant Blues 6
Now let's start digging in on some progressions. Check your Progressions chart and look for Examples 1, 2 and 3, all of which we'll be covering in this lesson bank. NOTE: We've prepared ten jam tracks for you to practice with. See the charts for the listing of jam tracks and their structure. Each lesson bank features one of the ten tracks, although the jam track may not necessarily correspond with the video.
Dominant Blues 7
OK so far? Now let's work through three more progressions, Examples 4, 5 and 6. We'll work with some diminished chords and alter the 1 chord to create more tension preceding resolution to the IV chord. NOTE: We've prepared ten jam tracks for you to practice with. See the charts for the listing of jam tracks and their structure. Each lesson bank features one of the ten tracks, although the jam track may not necessarily correspond with the video.

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Reviews

17 results

JamminJamesLee

Verified buyer

01/21/26

The most comprehensive course on blues yet!

anton c.

12/10/23

Take your time!

This is not for beginners as Brad packs a lot in and does not spoon feed you. I think it could well end up being one of the most worthwhile courses I've purchased however. If you do as Brad says repeatedly " keep your ears on" and you take it slowly, repeating and repeating until you get it- then even a very average student like me will find it very rewarding.

JEMJACOB

Verified buyer

08/05/23

Mustehave for Blues

Good course for the basics of the blues. Wel done by Brad as usual, lot new learnings to do and clearly explained. Must have

Ohio5665

Verified buyer

04/09/23

Bluesology 1

Take your time going through this course by Brad Carlton because it is packed full of useful information that is taught by a fantastic teacher and musician!

ibanezjs20

Verified buyer

07/10/22

All Brad courses are an excellent presentation

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