Category: The Blues

Posted in The Blues

5 Fast Robben Ford Licks: Mastering Jazz-Influenced Blues (With Tabs!)5 Fast Robben Ford Licks (Yes I Have Tabs!)

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5 Fast Robben Ford Licks: Mastering Jazz-Influenced Blues (With Tabs!)

If you’re a fan of jazz-influenced blues guitar, chances are you’ve come across Robben Ford’s playing. Known for his intricate, fast-paced licks that combine the raw emotion of blues with the sophistication of jazz, Ford’s style is a goldmine for guitarists looking to spice up their soloing. Today, we’re breaking down five of his fast licks, covering everything from funky grooves to bebop phrasing. And yes, I’ve included tabs!

If you’re ready to dive into these modern blues licks, let’s get started. You can also download the tablature from my website, and follow along. These examples offer a great look at how Ford incorporates scales, bends, and chromaticism to create his signature sound.

1. Lick from “White Rock Beer” (E7 Shuffle)

  • Key: E7
  • Timestamp: ~2:33
  • Overview: This lick plays over a shuffle blues in A7, moving between E7 and A. It involves some clever position changes, utilizing open strings, and gives a bluesy feel with a jazzy twist.
  • Breakdown: Starting on the 10th fret (D) of the high E string, the lick uses pull-offs to open strings and a bend on the B string, landing on a classic E blues scale. The use of open notes gives it a fluid, fast-moving feel.
  • Technique Tip: The transition from fretted notes to open strings adds a unique flavor and allows you to shift positions quickly.

2. Lick from “Keep On Running” (G Blues)

  • Key: G Blues
  • Timestamp: ~3:13
  • Overview: This lick, played in G blues, incorporates wide-ranging movements between the 11th and 3rd frets. The lick travels up and down the neck, moving through the G minor pentatonic scale.
  • Breakdown: Beginning on the 11th fret (B-flat) of the B string, this lick makes use of slides and bends, creating a fluid, dynamic feel as it transitions across the fretboard.
  • Technique Tip: Pay attention to the bend vs. slide at the top of the phrase, as this helps create that signature Robben Ford “crying” sound.

3. Lick from “Tiger Walk” (Funky Groove in C#7)

  • Key: C#7
  • Timestamp: ~4:20
  • Overview: Here, Ford brings the funk, playing over a James Brown-inspired groove. He sticks to the C# minor blues scale, adding in flat-fives and the ninth and 13th intervals for a jazzy edge.
  • Breakdown: The lick incorporates hammer-ons and pull-offs to maintain the groove, moving from the 14th fret down the neck. The flat-five “blue note” creates tension, a hallmark of Ford’s style.
  • Technique Tip: Be mindful of the jazz articulation—smooth hammer-ons and pull-offs are essential to nailing this lick.

4. Lick from “Revelation” (B7 to E Minor)

  • Key: B7
  • Timestamp: ~5:24
  • Overview: This fast-paced lick comes from Ford’s fusion-heavy “Talk to Your Daughter” album. Starting on a B7 chord with a diminished scale run, it resolves on an E minor chord.
  • Breakdown: The lick utilizes a diminished half-step, whole-step scale before resolving to E minor. The speed and complexity suggest that Ford may have used hybrid picking here.
  • Technique Tip: Experiment with hybrid picking to nail the speed of the lick without losing clarity, especially during the diminished run.

5. Lick from “Talk to Your Daughter” (Altered Scale in A7)

  • Key: A7 to D Minor
  • Timestamp: ~6:27
  • Overview: This altered scale lick in A7 employs the super Locrian (or altered) scale, a staple in jazz and bebop. It’s a great example of how Ford blends blues and jazz phrasing.
  • Breakdown: This lick uses hammer-ons and pull-offs, with a bebop-inspired approach to rhythm and phrasing. The altered scale adds tension over the A7 chord before resolving to D minor.
  • Technique Tip: Focus on the timing of your hammer-ons and pull-offs—this lick uses bebop phrasing, meaning you’ll need to be precise with your articulation.

Wrapping It Up

Robben Ford’s fast licks showcase the fusion of jazz, blues, and even R&B, resulting in a rich, textured playing style. Whether you’re working through diminished scales, pentatonics, or funk grooves, the key to mastering these licks is paying attention to Ford’s seamless blending of techniques and his use of space and tension.

Hope this fits the bill for your blog post!

Posted in The Blues

Is Minor Major Taking Over the Blues Scene?

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Lately, there’s been a fascinating shift in the world of Blues music. Have you noticed how contemporary players like Robben Ford and session pros such as Mike Landau are steering away from the traditional blues scale? It’s all about this intriguing minor major tonality that’s making waves, and it’s a trend worth exploring.

Instead of the classic bend on the minor third that’s been a staple in blues, these modern musicians are separating and emphasizing the minor and major 3rd distinctively. It’s a departure from the familiar, and it’s giving the music a fresh, edgy feel.

What’s causing this change? Some suggest influences from the diminished scale or the fusion of major and minor tonalities found in legends like Miles Davis. These elements seem to have seeped into the Blues world, shaping a new sonic landscape.

The result? A revamped pentatonic structure: Root, minor third, major third, fourth, fifth, flat seventh, octave, and a myriad of variations. Imagine the possibilities—different fingerings, various applications, and a whole new palette to paint your musical landscape.

Curious to explore further? Dive into these musical nuances. Whether you’re a seasoned player or just starting, these shifts in tonality could be the spark you’ve been seeking to ignite your musical creativity.

And hey, if you found this insight intriguing, there’s more to delve into. If you’re up for it, check out my books on modern Blues—’Contemporary Blues Soloing’ and ‘Contemporary Blues Chords and Comping.’ They cover everything from the basics to the complexities of modern Blues. Available in both hard copy and digital formats, these resources might just be the inspiration you’re looking for.

Let’s keep the Blues evolving, pushing, and embracing these new sounds. Share your thoughts below! Have you noticed this change in the Blues scene? What’s your take on this shift to minor major tonalities?

Posted in The Blues

Gospel Blues Comping PT2 – Practical Soloing Guide

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In this video, I start by explaining that the chord progression is a 12-bar blues. The first step I suggest is finding the pentatonic scale that corresponds to the key, in this case, C minor pentatonic. By using my ears, I try to find notes within that scale that work well with the chords, even though there are some substitutions in the progression.

I play along with a backing track using a looper, sticking to the C minor pentatonic scale. Most of the notes work well, except for a section where there is a 2-5-1 progression in minor. I suggest that in that section, it might be better to play more sparingly and focus on the root notes.

I then discuss how to analyze the chord changes in more detail. For the C7 chord, I can play a blues lick. But for the Bm7-E7-Am7 progression, which is a 2-5-1 in A minor, I can choose between playing a jazz lick or shifting to the A minor pentatonic scale.

Next, I demonstrate the importance of spelling out the chords. For the Bm7♭5, E7, and Am7 chords, I show how to play the corresponding arpeggios or find phrases that fit those chords.

Moving on to the Gm7, C7, and F7 chords, which form a 2-5-1 progression in F major, I suggest playing the pentatonic scales but adding the ninth for more flavor. I also mention the option of learning phrases that fit the isolated dominant chords, such as D7 and G7.

In the last part of the video, I emphasize the use of diminished arpeggios for the diminished chord and explain how to connect phrases to the chord shapes. Finally, I touch upon playing a blues lick on the turnaround, ending on the G note.

Overall, this video serves as a practical guide for approaching chord changes in a blues progression. By focusing on the pentatonic scale, chord arpeggios, and connecting phrases, you can enhance your improvisation and better navigate through the changes.

Posted in The Blues

Gospel Blues Comping PT1 Example 7th Chords

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In this video, I discuss a page from one of my books titled “Contemporary Blues: Cause and Comping.” It’s a resource I provide to my students who are interested in learning seven chord shapes but prefer not to dive straight into jazz or complex theory. The content is applicable to blues and R&B tunes.

I emphasize the use of seventh chord shapes, including major, minor, dominant, and even diminished chords. The focus is on blues, there are no major seventh shapes incorporated. I demonstrate how to play the chords as written, but I encourage taking liberties and adding rhythmic variations to make the music more expressive.

Throughout the demonstration, I start with a C7 chord shape and progress through different chord changes, incorporating substitutions and variations. For instance, instead of strictly playing an E7 chord, I show how you can substitute it with a D half diminished chord over E.

I discuss the importance of paying attention to the melody when creating chord progressions, even during improvisation. By listening to the top melody line, I aim to create smooth and singable melodies that complement the chords. I also emphasize the significance of smoothly connecting chords and avoiding jumps that might distract from the soloist.

I cover various chord shapes and progressions, including a classic turnaround using dominant chords and secondary dominants. I demonstrate how to play different voicings and provide insights into their musical applications.

Overall, this video serves as a musical guide to help students develop their comping skills, focusing on musicality, smooth chord transitions, and supportive accompaniment. In the next video, I plan to discuss soloing over the same chord progression, offering further ideas for analysis and improvisation.