Monkey01
Verified buyer
07/03/26
A bit of blues never went astray
It’s a good refresher. I’ve always liked Sue Foley when she plays and that is what clenched me to get these demonstrations.
Blues Rhythm Spectrum
The Essential Blues Rhythm Handbook
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About this course
Blues is a genre deeply rooted in storytelling, and its rhythmic foundation is crucial for breathing life into those stories. Having a diverse palette of rhythms is vital because it allows players to convey a wide range of emotions and dynamics, making their playing more impactful and engaging.
In her “Blues Rhythm Spectrum” masterclass, Sue Foley shares eight blues rhythms that have become staples in her playing, including shuffles, slow blues, boogies, a boogaloo, Piedmont style, and a flamenco-inspired blues groove.
” Blues guitar playing is all about feel, expression, and connecting deeply with the audience. The more rhythmic feels and grooves a guitarist has, the more freedom for creativity and expression.
I’ll perform each rhythm style like I would on the stage or in the studio. After which, I’ll break down the rhythmic qualities and techniques used to play in that style. We’ll practice each style together over backing tracks. You can slow the video down to practice at your own pace and then work it up to tempo.
When ready, mute me and practice playing over the track yourself. I hope these rhythms will elevate your playing just as they have mine!”
Sue includes performance studies presented in three segments: an overview, a performance, and a breakdown: "Shuffle in E," "G Box Shuffle," "Slow Blues in B," "Boogaloo Jam," "Latin Blues," "Piedmont Fingerstyle Blues," "Boogie in A," and "Lightnin' Boogie." In each segment, Sue provides an overview to introduce the style, performs the rhythm over a backing track, as she would in a live or studio setting, and then breaks it down in detail to explain the techniques used.
This comprehensive approach gives learners everything they need to understand, practice, and master these essential blues rhythms.
You'll dive into each groove, learning to develop your rhythmic vocabulary and strengthen your ability to flow between different blues styles, whether you're on stage or in a jam.
The demonstrations and performances are tabbed, notated, and synced to the video lessons with controls for looping, slow motion, fretboard animation, and other tools designed to accelerate your progress.
You’ll also get tab and standard notation files to print out, downloadable Guitar Pro files, and backing tracks to practice and record with.
Grab your guitar, and let’s dig in with Sue Foley!
In her “Blues Rhythm Spectrum” masterclass, Sue Foley shares eight blues rhythms that have become staples in her playing, including shuffles, slow blues, boogies, a boogaloo, Piedmont style, and a flamenco-inspired blues groove.
” Blues guitar playing is all about feel, expression, and connecting deeply with the audience. The more rhythmic feels and grooves a guitarist has, the more freedom for creativity and expression.
I’ll perform each rhythm style like I would on the stage or in the studio. After which, I’ll break down the rhythmic qualities and techniques used to play in that style. We’ll practice each style together over backing tracks. You can slow the video down to practice at your own pace and then work it up to tempo.
When ready, mute me and practice playing over the track yourself. I hope these rhythms will elevate your playing just as they have mine!”
Sue includes performance studies presented in three segments: an overview, a performance, and a breakdown: "Shuffle in E," "G Box Shuffle," "Slow Blues in B," "Boogaloo Jam," "Latin Blues," "Piedmont Fingerstyle Blues," "Boogie in A," and "Lightnin' Boogie." In each segment, Sue provides an overview to introduce the style, performs the rhythm over a backing track, as she would in a live or studio setting, and then breaks it down in detail to explain the techniques used.
This comprehensive approach gives learners everything they need to understand, practice, and master these essential blues rhythms.
You'll dive into each groove, learning to develop your rhythmic vocabulary and strengthen your ability to flow between different blues styles, whether you're on stage or in a jam.
The demonstrations and performances are tabbed, notated, and synced to the video lessons with controls for looping, slow motion, fretboard animation, and other tools designed to accelerate your progress.
You’ll also get tab and standard notation files to print out, downloadable Guitar Pro files, and backing tracks to practice and record with.
Grab your guitar, and let’s dig in with Sue Foley!
What you'll learn
- Use nylon string guitar for blues expression
- Apply rasgueado technique in blues context
- Learn multiple blues rhythm styles including shuffles, boogies, and slow blues
- Develop right-hand classical/flamenco techniques for blues playing
- Develop a broader rhythmic vocabulary for blues performance
Release date: 11/14/2024 • 1h 25m runtime
Sample lessons
Latin Blues
Overview
Latin Blues
Performance
Latin Blues
Breakdown
Boogie in A
Performance
What's included
27 lessons • 8 charts • 4 Jam Tracks
Blues Rhythm Spectrum
Blues guitar players have a rich variety of rhythmic feels and styles to express themselves, tell their stories, and connect with their audience.
I’m excited to share some of my favorite blues rhythms that have become staples in my playing, including shuffles, slow blues, boogies, a boogaloo, Piedmont style, and a flamenco-inspired blues groove.
I’ll perform each rhythm style like I would on the stage or in the studio. After which, I’ll break down the rhythmic qualities and techniques used to play in that style. I hope they’ll elevate your playing just as they have mine.
You can use TrueFire's looping and slow-motion controls to learn at your own pace.
Ready to get started? Grab your guitar, and let's play!
I’m excited to share some of my favorite blues rhythms that have become staples in my playing, including shuffles, slow blues, boogies, a boogaloo, Piedmont style, and a flamenco-inspired blues groove.
I’ll perform each rhythm style like I would on the stage or in the studio. After which, I’ll break down the rhythmic qualities and techniques used to play in that style. I hope they’ll elevate your playing just as they have mine.
You can use TrueFire's looping and slow-motion controls to learn at your own pace.
Ready to get started? Grab your guitar, and let's play!
Shuffle in E
In this performance, I'll demonstrate how I approach a bouncy E shuffle. There are many ways to play a shuffle in E, but this is an energetic approach with plenty of right-hand snap. Check it out!
Shuffle in E
In this performance, I'll demonstrate how I approach a bouncy E shuffle. There are many ways to play a shuffle in E, but this is an energetic approach with plenty of right-hand snap. Check it out!
Shuffle in E
This lesson breakdown explores a dynamic approach to the E shuffle, focusing on creating a strong, energetic attack through consistent downstrokes with the right hand. Using a thumb pick, the technique emphasizes a staccato feel by engaging the whole forearm to mimic a drum-like snap, while also muting certain strings with the left hand to control overtones. Incorporating elements like Robert Lockwood Jr.'s turnarounds, subtle rhythmic variations, and a mix of blues and country techniques, this approach brings both nuance and power to the shuffle. The use of seventh chords and playful blues-scale runs further enhance the rhythmic groove, making the performance feel lively and distinctive.
G Box Shuffle
In the next segment, I'll demonstrate a simple box shuffle in G, playing three rhythm patterns that build on each other. These can be mixed, matched, or played alongside another guitarist. The focus is on tone, accenting, and staying in the groove with the drums.
G Box Shuffle
In the next segment, I'll demonstrate a simple box shuffle in G, playing three rhythm patterns that build on each other. These can be mixed, matched, or played alongside another guitarist. The focus is on tone, accenting, and staying in the groove with the drums.
G Box Shuffle
This lesson breakdownfocuses on mastering the box shuffle in G, a simple yet foundational blues rhythm used in styles like Chicago and Texas blues. The approach emphasizes clean, punchy tone with minimal effects, ensuring that each note is round and well-accented. The shuffle builds on layering three key elements: the bass-like rhythm pattern, a complementary ninth chord rhythm, and triplet accents. These elements can be mixed and matched, especially when playing with other guitarists, to create a cohesive and powerful groove. The key takeaway is finding beauty in simplicity and maintaining tight, controlled rhythm for a strong, distinctive sound.
+ 20 more lessons
Reviews
16 results
markscott
Verified buyer
06/02/26
Good blues rythmn lesson
The importance of rythmn is underrated. Sue shows how to make rythmn a priority in the pursuit of guitar excellance
rapavi
Verified buyer
03/20/26
Great course, great teacher
Sue is a great teacher. Loving this course so far.
prokaw
Verified buyer
03/10/26
Blues Rhythm Spectrum
Another Great course from Sue Foley, breaking down the intricacies of guitar playing all the while appreciating each moment of playing whether it be a simple rhythm or an more advanced technique. She is very soulful. Love her in her guitar playing voice and songwriting . I love how she works with a simple set up with here telecaster and Bassman and gets such a Big sound. A great teacher as well. Very clear her explanations, Thanks Sue.
Richy11
Verified buyer
01/15/26
Not just for blues fans
Great course. The explanations are excellent; it teaches you the basic blues rhythms. It looks so easy, but that's precisely where the difficulty lies.
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