These blues rhythms are from Corey Congilio’s 50 Blues Rhythms you MUST know which covers different rhythmic and chord voicing approaches for the 12-bar blues which can be transposed and combined to craft countless blues grooves to compose or jam with.
Blues Rhythm #24: Piece By Piece
Download the tab & notation for this blues rhythm.
Let’s stick to those funky top four string chords again. We’ll break down the 9th chords we’ve learned and continue to make space.
I tossed in a little major pentatonic riff on this one too. This is a straight feel but it could also be used over a rhumba.
Rhumbas are a popular feel in blues playing and a nice change when you’ve been playing a lot of shuffles.
Check some out!
Blues Rhythm #34: Not Finished w/ Diminished
Download the tab & notation for this blues rhythm.
Like all the chords we’ve been learning, the diminished chord has a number of different fingerings.
This example is a midtempo shuffle with a few added twists. I’ve tossed in another diminished shape. I’ve also added some half step moves as well as the common I-VI-II-V progression.
I’ll explain this type of progression next. For now, try this useful blues rhythm.
Blues Rhythm #37: Unusual Sus-pect
Download the tab & notation for this blues rhythm.
This example introduces a suspended chord in bar 9 and bar 12.
The chord I’m playing is an E9sus or it can be called D/E. I’m not a stickler for chord names so, call it whatever makes sense to you.
In any case, it’s a cool option that’s not typical or usual so, try it!
Blues Rhythm #41: Rocks and Rolls
Download the tab & notation for this blues rhythm.
We’re starting to put much of the information we’ve learned into larger more complex rhythms.
From now on, we’ll see how we can take all of the concepts we’ve learned and create not only cool rhythmic ideas but, melodic ones as well.
Yes, we can have small melodies or even counter melodies in our rhythm playing. I hope these next 10 examples illustrate this concept.
Here, I’m taking you back to the beginning. I’m playing a rock n‘ roll style rhythm with power chords. I’m also throwing in some of the early 7th chord inversions I explained.
These examples are reminiscent of the ways I play blues rhythm guitar.
Now we’re off and running!
Blues Rhythm #43: D Funk
Download the tab & notation for this blues rhythm.
We’ve finally changed keys. I really hope you understand why we stayed in one key for quite awhile.
I wanted to create a foundation with shapes that will be cemented deep in your rhythmic consciousness! This example is a funky jam that incorporates another funky static riff. We’re using tried and true 7th and 9th chord shapes but, we’ve changed the tonal center.
We’re still using a 12 bar blues progression too. So, move on over to the key of D and get funky!
Blues Rhythm #44: Blues With Space
Download the tab & notation for this blues rhythm.
I’ve been talking about “space” in your rhythm playing quite a bit. In this slow blues example, I’m truly showing off my style and, my favorite use of space.
We’re in the key of G here and your I-IV-V chords are G7(9) C9 and D9. I threw in some diminished stuff as well. This example is based off of the 6th-9th move we touched on in some early slow blues examples.
One of my favorite things about this post is the suspended chords. Learn this 12 bar example and with some patience, you’ll be able to play this unaccompanied and sound like Bill Frisell meets Robben Ford!
Pretty good players to emulate I’d say.
Dig these blues rhythms? Download Corey Congilio’s 50 Blues Rhythms you MUST know for much more including tab, notation, and jam tracks!