Three hours. One original composition. Learn to speak the language of the blues.

About the Workshop

You know your pentatonic scales. You’ve learned a few blues licks. But how do you bring everything together to make music?

Learning the blues is a bit like learning a language. You need to understand its vocabulary, rhythm and phrasing before you can start expressing yourself.

In this three-hour practical workshop, we’ll explore the language of blues guitar through Rare Red Bear Blues, an original composition inspired by B.B. King, Freddie King and Albert King.

Together, we’ll learn the piece, explore the techniques behind it and develop a better understanding of what makes blues guitar so expressive.

Who Is This Workshop For?

Level: Early-intermediate to intermediate

To participate, you should:

1. 12-Bar Blues: Understand the basic 12-bar blues structure and chord progression.
2. Minor Pentatonic Scale: Know the first position of the A minor pentatonic scale (5th fret).
3. Guitar TAB: Be comfortable reading tablature and playing simple melodies or blues licks.
4. Blues Rhythm: Have some experience with shuffle rhythms and keeping a steady pulse.
5. Basic Improvisation: Have tried improvising with the pentatonic scale, even at a basic level.

You don’t need to be an experienced blues soloist or have mastered techniques such as string bending.

What to Bring

Electric guitar players: Electric guitar, guitar amplifier and jack-to-jack instrument cable.
Acoustic guitar players: Acoustic guitar only.
Optional: Music stand.

Both electric and acoustic guitar players are welcome. Please note that guitars and amplifiers are not provided.

What You’ll Receive

Every participant will receive a complete transcription of Rare Red Bear Blues, an audio recording of the composition and a backing track to continue practising at home.