What is a 12-bar blues riff?

The twelve-bar blues (or blues changes) is one of the most prominent chord progressions in popular music. The blues progression has a distinctive form in lyrics, phrase, chord structure, and duration. In its basic form, it is predominantly based on the I, IV, and V chords of a key.

Are riffs used in blues?

Blues riffs is usually repeating patterns, played on the lowest strings on the guitar. They are often based on power-chords, and some of them are more melodic, using the “blues-scale”, which we will take a look at later in the part about improvisation.

What does riff mean in the blues?

A riff is a repeated chord progression or refrain in music (also known as an ostinato figure in classical music); it is a pattern, or melody, often played by the rhythm section instruments or solo instrument, that forms the basis or accompaniment of a musical composition.

Is blues hard to play?

Blues can be incredibly fun to play on guitar, but many beginners start out unsure whether blues is too hard to learn. Blues guitar is not hard to learn, but it is hard to master. A beginner can learn a simple blues shuffle within a few weeks while playing a blues song with soul and passion can take years to develop.

How to play blues guitar chords and riffs?

You can also jump down and play these chords over the backing track, which has only drums and bass. Now that you have the two parts worked out separately you bring them together for a call and response type rhythm part. You play the riff in odd bars (1-3-5-7-9-11), and the chords in even bars (2-4-6-8-10-12).

Which is the best riff in the Blues?

To finish off my top 5 blues guitar riffs, here is the classic T-Bone intro to ‘Stormy Monday’. This riff demonstrates some beautiful slow blues chords with an augmented triad. This T-Bone lick is played at the turnaround of a blues progression, and can be used as either an intro or at the end of any verse during a 12 bar blues.

How to play riffs on a rhythm guitar?

You play the riff in odd bars (1-3-5-7-9-11), and the chords in even bars (2-4-6-8-10-12). By doing so you mix the two textures in your accompaniment, creating variety and inspiration for a vocalist or soloist playing over your rhythm part. Go slow with this study, as it takes time to bring both parts together.

How to play the riffs in the G Blues?

To begin, you learn the shapes used to create the rhythm riff in the G blues study below. Start by playing up and down these shapes in each key to become familiar with how they sit on the fretboard. Use only your index and ring fingers to play these notes, no need to use your pinky here, as it’s your weakest finger.