Quick Wins

A collection of quick tips on a variety of topics that you can implement right away to improve your playing

COURSE OVERVIEW

Quick Wins

In my opinion, one of the biggest challenges that blues guitarists face is keeping their playing and practice fresh and interesting. 

It is very easy to fall into the trap of always playing the same licks, chord progressions and ideas. This however is a quick and sure way of killing your motivation and slowing your progress.

In this course then, you will find an extensive collection of quick tips on a variety of topics.

These are designed to help keep your playing interesting and provide you with alternative approaches for concepts that you may already be including in your playing.

What you will learn:

PART 1

Learn how you can target a specific bundle of notes in the first shape of the minor pentatonic scale to create a strong Stevie Ray Vaughan vibe in your solos

PART 2

Freshen up your blues progressions and add a little spice and tension by using 9 chords. Learn a variety of chord shapes and how to integrate them effectively in a regular 12 bar blues

PART 3

Take inspiration from Jimi Hendrix and Stevie Ray Vaughan and use trills to add an aggressive blues rock edge to your solos

PART 4

Learn how you can target the blue note all over the fretboard as a way of adding some bluesy tension to your playing whilst navigating between scale shapes

PART 5

Many of the blues greats use register as a way of managing and building intensity in their solos. Learn how you can do the same to create interesting and engaging improvisations

PART 6

Learn how to break up scale patterns and descend pentatonic scale shapes effectively using odd note groupings in the style of players like Joe Bonamassa and Eric Johnson

PART 7

Learn how Albert King and Stevie Ray Vaughan stack bends together to build intensity in their solos. Understand how you can do the same in a variety of blues contexts

PART 8

Improve your technique and the strength and dexterity in your fretting hand with this simple but effective exercise

PART 9

Learn how opting to navigate across scale shapes in awkward and unusual ways can help you create unique and interesting licks

PART 10

Understand what is happening theoretically when you play a blues curl, and how you can use this technique effectively in your solos 

PART 11

Learn how adding a single note from the Aeolian mode can add richness and texture to your standard blues licks in the style of players like Peter Green and Carlos Santana

PART 12

Study examples of famous players who frequently use rakes, and a series of positions in the minor pentatonic scale where you can implement the same idea 

PART 13

Ensure that all of your practice sessions are effective by warming up properly with this chromatic exercise that also doubles as a speed builder!

PART 14

Create more vocal and expressive guitar solos by focusing on your phrasing and ensuring you target licks in a variety of lengths

PART 15

Understand how you can get a huge amount of mileage out of a single lick by playing it in different octaves

PART 16

Utilise lateral connections across your fretboard to navigate between pentatonic shapes in a smooth and musical way

PART 17

Learn how to change keys, and how doing so will benefit you both as a guitarist and musician

PART 18

Keep your playing fresh and interesting by soloing out of your comfort zone and targeting your least favourite pentatonic scale shapes

PART 19

Add a killer Albert King vibe to your playing by finishing your licks on the 5th, rather than the tonic

PART 20

Stop wasting your practice time and make consistent progress in your improvisations by following this easy framework

PART 21

Unison bends can add an aggressive edge to your solos – perfect in a British blues rock context. Learn how to implement them in your playing here

PART 22

Hybrid picking gives you access to a wide range of sounds you can’t create using just a pick. Learn how to implement it in your solos to create variety and a little spice

PART 23

It can be difficult to start using the modes in your playing. In this lesson I break the challenge down into 3 easy steps so you can start adding new and interesting textures into your blues solos.

PART 24

In this lesson I look at the pitfalls of the major pentatonic ‘trick’ that players learn to use the scale. I also explore an alternative framework that will help you start soloing with the scale.

What you will find inside this course:

Inside all of the courses you will find:

“I first learned a blues progression 60 years ago and you’ve done more for my playing than anything in all that time!”

Mike - Shoreham, Vermont

“I am so grateful to you and the courses you’ve created in The Blues Club. I cannot thank you enough! ”

Gary - Newark, Ohio

The insight Aidan has provided has been incredibly helpful and opened up so many possibilities for me and my guitar playing

Tyler - Ontario, Canada

My story

I have played guitar for over 20 years and have loved blues music for almost just as long.

5 years ago – after getting complacent with my practice and playing – I decided I wanted to push on and develop as a guitarist.

I couldn’t find the detailed, blues focused resources that I wanted to learn from online, so I created the Happy Bluesman.

I have since gone on to work with hundreds of blues guitarists all over the world through the Blues Club and 1-2-1 coaching. 

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Quick Wins

Understanding Chords & Chord Progressions

The Essentials Of Fretboard Navigation – Part II

The Essentials Of Fretboard Navigation – Part I

The Major Scale & Why It Matters

An Introduction To Intervals

Getting Started With The Modes

Creating Solos With The Major Pentatonic Scale

An Introduction To The Blues Scale

An Introduction To The Major Pentatonic Scale

5 Techniques To Spice Up Your Blues Guitar Solos

The Ultimate Guide To Bending – Part II

How To Connect The 5 Pentatonic Shapes

Creating Solos With The Minor Pentatonic Scale

The Ultimate Guide To Bending – Part I

5 Ways To Create A Killer Guitar Solo

An Introduction To The Minor Pentatonic Scale

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Course Includes

  • 27 Lessons