Advanced Blues in 6 Weeks - Combined 6 Weeks Set by Stuart Bull
Welcome to Advanced Blues Guitar in 6 Weeks, an in-depth and inspiring course designed to take your blues playing to the next level. This combined 6-week set brings together a wide spectrum of ideas drawn from some of the most influential blues and blues-rock guitarists, offering a rich and diverse learning experience that blends tradition with modern innovation.
Throughout the course, Stuart Bull explores the expressive string bending and phrasing of B.B. King, the high-energy blues-rock runs of Joe Bonamassa, and the sophisticated harmonic concepts popularised by Robben Ford. You’ll also encounter the jazz-infused approaches of players like Larry Carlton, with concepts such as playing off the “five chord” and integrating advanced harmony into your blues vocabulary. This course is perfect for players who want to expand their musical language, develop their phrasing, and gain a deeper understanding of what makes great blues guitar truly compelling.
Week 1 – Foundations of Advanced Blues Expression
The first week focuses on building a strong technical and expressive foundation. Rapid-fire blues licks using hammer-ons and pull-offs are introduced, helping to develop fluidity and speed. You’ll also work on left-hand strength and stamina, essential for maintaining control during longer phrases.
A key focus here is phrasing—understanding the difference between blues and rock phrasing, and how the length of your licks can dramatically affect your musical storytelling. String bending is explored in depth, including both single-note and double-stop approaches, alongside techniques that move from slow to fast to create tension and release within your solos.
Week 2 – Jazz Influences & Modern Blues Vocabulary
In week two, the course moves beyond traditional blues into more harmonically advanced territory. Using an A minor backing track with jazz-influenced chord changes, Stuart demonstrates how to incorporate jazz licks into a blues context.
You’ll explore Robben Ford-inspired concepts, including altered scales, chromaticism, and the Lydian b7 sound. These ideas open up a new world of tonal possibilities, allowing you to create more sophisticated and colourful solos. Phrasing and dynamics remain central, ensuring that these advanced ideas are applied musically and effectively.
Week 3 – Traditional Blues with a Twist
Week three revisits Robben Ford’s style but places it firmly within a traditional blues framework. Using an E blues shuffle backing track, you’ll work on open position licks, open string motifs, and creative phrasing ideas such as odd groupings.
A major focus is connecting positions across the fretboard, helping you break out of static box shapes. You’ll also explore expressive string bending techniques, including Ford’s distinctive approach of using finger strength to “pop” notes, adding a unique articulation to your playing.
Week 4 – Joe Bonamassa Style Blues Rock
This week introduces the powerful and dynamic style of Joe Bonamassa. You’ll focus on phrasing, timing, and the use of accents to bring your playing to life. Sliding between positions is explored in detail, helping you move fluidly across the neck.
You’ll also be introduced to the use of the 9th in blues contexts and develop your hybrid picking technique, allowing for greater control and articulation. A dedicated blues jam track is included, giving you the opportunity to apply these ideas in a musical setting.
Week 5 – Pentatonics, Arpeggios & Rhythm Concepts
Week five dives into the essential building blocks of blues soloing and rhythm playing. You’ll explore major and minor pentatonic rhythm motifs, focusing on note placement and phrasing.
The course also introduces major pentatonic ideas for soloing, alongside the use of the open high E string for added texture. Harmonic concepts are expanded with the inclusion of diminished chords and dominant arpeggios, helping you outline chord changes more effectively. A jam track is included to reinforce these concepts in practice.
Week 6 – Advanced Arpeggios & Chromatic Ideas
The final week brings together a range of advanced concepts to elevate your playing even further. You’ll work on G dominant 7th arpeggiated licks, CAGED-based dominant 7th shapes, and major and minor 7 arpeggios.
Chromaticism is explored in depth, showing you how to add tension and sophistication to your lines. Hybrid picking continues to be developed, and the course concludes with a jam track and bonus footage to help you consolidate everything you’ve learned.
Techniques Covered
String Bending & Bluesy Bends
String bending is central to blues expression, and this course refines your ability to control pitch and emotion. Learning to bend accurately and with confidence allows you to create vocal-like phrasing that connects deeply with listeners.
Vibrato & Sustain
Developing a strong vibrato enhances your tone and adds character to sustained notes. Combined with an understanding of sustain, this technique helps your playing sound more expressive and professional.
Legato (Hammer-ons & Pull-offs)
Legato playing improves fluidity and speed, allowing you to execute fast runs with minimal effort. It also creates a smooth, connected sound that is essential for expressive blues phrasing.
Slides & Position Shifting
Slides enable seamless movement across the fretboard, helping you connect ideas and expand your playing beyond fixed positions.
Hybrid Picking
Hybrid picking provides greater dynamic control and articulation, allowing you to emphasise notes and create more intricate phrasing.
Arpeggios & Chord Targeting
Using arpeggios helps you outline chord changes clearly, making your solos sound more musical and harmonically aware.
Chromaticism
Chromatic notes add tension and colour to your playing, giving your solos a more advanced and sophisticated edge.
Syncopated Rhythms
Understanding syncopation improves your timing and groove, helping you lock in with backing tracks and play with a more authentic feel.
About Stuart Bull & Blues Influence
Stuart Bull is a highly respected guitar educator with a deep understanding of blues and rock guitar. His teaching draws on the influence of legendary players such as B.B. King, Robben Ford, Joe Bonamassa, and Larry Carlton—each bringing their own unique voice to the blues.
Through this course, Stuart distils these influences into practical, accessible lessons, helping you not only learn the techniques but also understand the musical concepts behind them. The result is a course that inspires creativity, builds confidence, and pushes your blues playing into truly advanced territory.
Techniques Used in This Course
About The Tutor
Tutor Profile
Stuart Bull
As co-founder of LickLibrary and Total Accuracy, Stuart plays a tremendous part of all the goings on in LickLibrary today. Looking at our entire catalogue, the entire contribution from Stuart is phenomenal and has had an impact on tens of thousands of aspiring guitar players the world over. Stuart's professional...