Guitar/Blues Exercises

Exercise 1

The exercise below is a blues in C using seventh chords.

C7	C7	C7	C7
F7	F7	C7	C7
G7	F7	C7	C7

The partial seventh chords below are to be played as stab chords. Play these partial chords on the back beat (play the chord on the snare) using a down-stroke to add to the rhythmic drive. Note that the second finger remains on the same string. This allows easy movement between the chords and fast tempos can be achieved with ease.

• 
  C7
• 
  F7
• 
  G7

Exercise 2

Here is a blues box in Dm

Dm7	Dm7	Dm7	Dm7
Gm7	Gm7	Dm7	Dm7
Am7	Gm7	Dm7	Am7

You can play a blues using only minor seventh chords. In most cases where you form a half-barre the first finger will be used but for the Gm7 and Am7 below you can use the third finger. The choice is yours though I think you'll find in this instance using the third finger is more comfortable.

• 
  Dm7
• 
  Gm7
• 
  Am7

In this variation you will be using a single chord shape to play the twelve bar blues. Fingering has been given for the Dm7.

• 
  Dm7
• 
  Gm7
• 
  Am7

Exercise 3

Here is a blues exercise in A using sevenths.

Twelve Bar Blues In A using Sevenths

For a soul feel try jumping from the first note to the fifth note in each bar when starting the riff.

Exercise 4

Here is a typical blues rhythm.

Twelve Bar Blues In A using Sevenths