Electric Blues in 6 Weeks – Combined 6 Weeks Set

By Stuart Bull

Welcome to Electric Blues in 6 Weeks – Combined 6 Weeks Set, a complete guitar lesson course designed to focus your practice around clear, realistic goals that can be achieved in just six weeks. This structured programme is built to help you develop authentic blues soloing skills at a manageable, easy-to-follow pace, making it ideal for players who want real progress without feeling overwhelmed.

Each week, Stuart Bull introduces carefully selected techniques, concepts, and musical ideas that build upon one another in a logical and progressive way. You’ll not only learn how to play classic blues licks, but also understand how and why they work, helping you apply them in real musical situations. A key feature of the course is the inclusion of three licks each week in the style of a legendary blues guitarist, allowing you to develop your ear and gain insight into the subtle differences between iconic players.

If you’ve ever felt frustrated or unsure about what to practice, this course removes that uncertainty. The material is presented in clearly defined sections, making it easy to stay focused and consistent. As you move through each week, you’ll notice steady improvement, often looking back and being surprised at just how far your playing has come. Stick with the course, and you’ll build both confidence and a deeper understanding of electric blues guitar.

Course Breakdown

Week One – Foundations of Blues Guitar

The course begins with essential building blocks, focusing on the pentatonic and blues scales in the first position. You’ll develop core techniques such as string bending and vibrato, as well as learn how to combine them effectively for expressive phrasing. These elements are crucial for creating a vocal, emotive blues sound. The week also includes classic blues scale licks and three stylistically accurate phrases inspired by David Gilmour.

Week Two – Phrasing and Expression

In week two, the focus shifts to phrasing and note manipulation. You’ll explore grace notes and learn how to structure phrases using one, two, three, and four note groupings. This approach helps you move beyond scale-based playing and towards more musical, intentional phrasing. Three licks in the style of Gary Moore highlight how expressive phrasing can transform simple ideas into powerful statements.

Week Three – Expanding Your Scale Vocabulary

Week three introduces the major pentatonic scale and shows you how to combine it with the minor pentatonic and blues scales. You’ll explore the contrast between upward and downward phrasing, as well as develop your rhythmic feel through shuffle-based ideas. This combination of scales and phrasing concepts opens up a wider tonal palette, demonstrated through three licks in the style of Larry Carlton.

Week Four – Musical Conversation

This week focuses on developing musical storytelling through techniques such as call and response, repetition, and simplifying licks. You’ll work with the A minor pentatonic and blues scale in the second position, learning how to stretch phrases across the bar for greater expression. These ideas are brought to life with three licks in the style of Eric Clapton.

Week Five – Expanding Across the Neck

In week five, you’ll learn how to take familiar shapes and apply them across different positions on the fretboard. The focus on call and response between major and minor tonalities adds depth to your improvisation, while percussive elements and repeated phrases enhance your rhythmic control. Three licks inspired by Paul Kossoff showcase how space and feel can be just as powerful as speed.

Week Six – Blues in a Band Context

The final week brings everything together by focusing on rhythm and lead integration. You’ll explore bluesy rock and roll ideas around A, D, and E chord shapes, learn how to play up a fourth, and incorporate 6th and 9th chords into your playing. The ability to switch between lead lines and chordal accents is essential for real-world playing, and this is reinforced through three licks in the style of Stevie Ray Vaughan.

Guitar Techniques Covered

String Bending

String bending is fundamental to blues guitar. This course teaches you how to control pitch accurately while adding emotional depth to your playing, helping you achieve a more vocal, expressive sound.

Vibrato

A well-developed vibrato adds character and sustain to your notes. You’ll learn how to apply it consistently, giving your solos a more polished and professional feel.

Hammer-Ons and Pull-Offs

These techniques allow for smooth, flowing lines and reduce reliance on picking. They are essential for creating fluid phrasing and adding subtle articulation to your licks.

Slides

Slides help connect positions across the fretboard seamlessly. They enhance phrasing and contribute to the expressive, vocal quality of blues guitar.

Double Stops

Double stops provide a fuller sound and are a staple of blues phrasing. Learning to use them effectively adds richness and variety to your lead playing.

Bluesy Bends

Bluesy bends introduce microtonal nuances that define the genre. These subtle pitch variations are key to achieving an authentic blues feel.

Chromaticism

Chromatic notes add tension and colour to your lines. You’ll learn how to use them tastefully to connect phrases and create more sophisticated solos.

Syncopated Rhythms

Rhythm is crucial in blues. Syncopation helps your playing groove more naturally, making your phrasing feel more dynamic and engaging.

Chord Progressions

Understanding blues chord progressions allows you to navigate changes confidently and improvise with greater musical awareness.

Influences and Style

The course draws inspiration from some of the most influential blues and blues-rock guitarists, including David Gilmour, Gary Moore, Larry Carlton, Eric Clapton, Paul Kossoff, and Stevie Ray Vaughan. Each player brings a unique voice to the instrument, from Gilmour’s melodic phrasing to Vaughan’s fiery intensity.

By studying these styles, you’ll not only learn their signature approaches but also develop the ability to blend these influences into your own playing. This helps you build a personal style while staying rooted in authentic blues tradition.

Guitar Techniques Used

• Vibrato
• Legato
• Double Stop Bends
• Trills
• Rakes
• Chord Progressions
• Pull-offs
• Hammer-ons
• Slides
• String Bending
• Syncopated Rhythms
• Chromaticism
• Double Stops
• Bluesy Bends
• Sustain