Classic Blues Riff in the 12 Bar Form

Questions & Answers

2 months ago

How is he muting the open strings like the A string? I get the harmony string is muted by lifting the finger but how does he mute the open strings ?

Mike Olekshy 2 months ago

Hey there - thanks so much for your question! The open strings are muted by draping your fingers across the higher open strings while fretting the lower notes. This will come more naturally in time. For right now, I wouldn't worry too much about that. The important thing is to work on strumming the 2 strings required - whether it be the A and D string together, or the low E and A string, or the D and G string together - depending on which chord you are strumming. If you focus on just strumming those 2 strings, the muting becomes less important. Hope this helps!!

3 months ago

Hello, when i do the A5 & A6 => the A string is ringing too much same when i do the D5 & D6 => the D string is ringing too much compared to what it sounds in the tuto - how can i correct this pls? thank you very much - really appreciate your lessons :)

Mike Olekshy 3 months ago

Hey there - thanks so much for your question! Try not to dig in as hard with your strums - a lighter strum can make a big difference here. Go slow, and focus on strumming both strings as evenly as possible. Be sure to keep your strumming hand and wrist as relaxed as possible when you play it. Try not to get too frustrated - as your skills improve you'll find it easier to control the overall sound of what you're doing. The important aspect right now is to build your muscle memory and groove with these rhythms. Keep at it - it will come! Hope this helps!!

9 months ago

Anderson, Juar. note to let you know I have taken guitar lessons at a music store several times. I have enjoyed your presentation and have learned twice as much as I did previously. Thanks for your guidand

Mike Olekshy 9 months ago

Thanks for the kind words!

1 year ago

My A string seems to ring out and wash out the sound of the 2nd and 4th fret strum on the D-string. Are you deadening the A string somehow to make it more stacatto?

Mike Olekshy 1 year ago

Hello - thanks so much for your question! Anders seems to be strumming both strings wide open, so he's not doing anything to mute down the A string. Try to make your strum across both strings as even as possible. Perhaps you are strumming with too much force, and the A string is ringing out louder. Try easing up on your strums and keep your strumming hand and wrist as relaxed as possible. With more practice - you'll get it - so keep going!! Hope this helps!

1 year ago

I'm having trouble getting the rhythm down on the shuffle. I can hear it when its played but can't seem to duplicate it. Is it the first strum normal than the next two fast. HELP

Mike Olekshy 1 year ago

Hello - thanks for the question! The shuffle rhythm can be very challenging at first. I suggest going slowly with it at first. Keep at it, it will come. These are 8th note strums with a shuffle feel, so you are strumming with the following count : 1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and. But the ands are delayed a little bit - that's what gives the shuffle feel. I would discourage you from thinking of it as 1 normal strum then 2 fast strums. Without playing your guitar at all, just count along with the example and try to sync up with: 1 and-2 and-3 and-4 and-1 and-2. etc. Hope this helps!

2 years ago

Could someone explain why this works? The theory behind it. Why do these frets specifically work to do this? Is it because it's inside one of scales, chord shapes? Thank you!

Mike Olekshy 2 years ago

Hello - thanks for your question! The fretboard is laid out so that as you move a chord shape up and down the frets, it transposes to a new chord. In this case it is a power chord (root and fifth). As Anders explains, when you move the shape to a new root, the new root note will become the chord you are moving to. For example - he moves the shape of the A power chord to a D power chord. Hope this helps!