Blues scale, bends, slides and vibrato

The blues scale adds a passing note to the minor pentatonic, the flat fifth (the “blue note”). In E: E G A B♭ B D. In A: A C D E♭ E G.

M:4/4
L:1/8
Q:1/4=76
K:E clef=treble-8
E, =G, A, _B, =B, =D E =G | A _B =B =d e4 | e =d =B _B A =G E =D | =B, A, =G, E,- E,4 |]

Expressive techniques

• Bend: push the string across the fingerboard to raise the note by a semitone or a whole tone. Use three fingers together (ring finger backed by middle and index) and check the target pitch by ear.
• Slide: play a note, then slide along the same string to the next one while keeping the pressure.
• Vibrato: a small, even, repeated bend on a held note; every guitarist's signature.
• Hammer-on / pull-off: the slurs you met with the pentatonic.

A first chorus

Blues phrases are often built as call and response: a two-bar phrase, then its answer. Aim for the root or third of the chord on the first beat of each change.

M:4/4
L:1/8
Q:1/4=80
K:E clef=treble-8
"E7"(3=ge=d B2 (=G^G) E2 | (3=ge=d B =d e4 | "A7"(3A=GE A2 E =G E2 | "E7"E8 |]