Typical Blues Song Format

Lesson 3/40 | Study Time: 5 Min

Course: Blues Guitar Licks

Typical Blues Song Format

Here is a common pattern of call and response which is found in many Blues songs. There are lots of variations, but memorising this pattern will enable you to play call and response very effectively with other musicians or vocalists. The first two responses are played over chord 1, while the third response is a turnaround. A good example of this format is the song "Sweet Home Chicago". Listen to Blues albums for other examples.

The most important thing to develop when working on call and response, is the ability to complement what the other musician is doing without getting in their way. A great way to practice this is to play rhythm while the other instrument is playing.

Here is another example. This time the response is played with chords, working in a similar way to a horn section.

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Class Sessions

1- INTRODUCTION 2- Summary of Scales 3- Call and Response 4- Minor Pentatonic Scale Patterns 5- Dominant 7th Arpeggios 6- Blues Scale Forms 7- Fretboard Diagrams 8- Typical Blues Song Format 9- Movin’ Around 10- Open Position Blues Scale 11- E Form Licks 12- 6ths and 3rds 13- Tablature 14- Callin’ You Back 15- D Form Licks 16- Moveable Blues Scale Licks 17- Rakes and Trills 18- Learning From Other Instruments 19- Tablature Symbols 20- Licks Using 6ths 21- C Form Licks 22- Licks Using 3rds 23- Accents and Dynamics 24- Guitars and Amplifiers 25- A Form Licks 26- A and G Forms 27- G Form Licks 28- Sam’s Shuffle 29- Combining Blues Scale Forms 30- Playing Over Stops 31- Turnarounds 32- Hope Ain’t Enough 33- Lost In The Blues 34- Licks Using The Whole Fretboard 35- Endings 36- Major Pentatonic Scales 37- 12 Bar Blues Solo 38- Combining Different Scales 39- Intros 40- Mixed Up Blues

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Typical Blues Song Format