Open String Licks – Key of C

Using open strings combined with fretted notes is a “guitar move” often associated with Telecasters and country guitar. It’s also a staple of classical guitar. “Leyenda” comes to mind with that statement. This isn’t about playing open strings while in open or first position but while fretting notes in higher positions.

These are meant to be played fingerstyle or using pick and fingers. I imagine you could use a cross picking technique if you just use a flat pick. Tough though! There are 4 phrases worked out here. They can be used over any C major chord (maj7, maj9, 6th, etc.) or G dominant chord (G7,9,11,13) that resolve to C. The suggested left and right hand fingering is also indicated.

Below is link to the notation/tab PDF. Check out the video below for further explanation and to give it a listen, if you like.

Open String Lick PDF

Simple Acoustic Blues #4 Bass and Melody – 2 against 1

In this 12 bar blues there is an eighth note lead/melody line against a steady quarter note bass line. It also has a traditional blues intro/turnaround and some walking bass lines. As always, play slow at first until you are comfortable with the individual bass and melody line. Then you can gradually pick up speed. PDF link and video below.

Blues #4 PDF

Simple Acoustic Blues Solo #2

This is another acoustic blues post showing how to make some music when it’s just you and your guitar. This is a lot like the first one with some added concepts. The first one we followed the 12 bar blues progression, played a chord and answered with a riff. This is the same idea only instead of using only the E minor pentatonic scale I’ve made use of the chord tones for each chord. There is also a basic blues intro and the ending is a little fancier. PDF link and video below. Enjoy!

Solo Blues Guitar PDF