How To Make SURE You're Playing In The Right Key For Blues

This is an incredibly basic lesson that most of you probably don't need. But if you've ever wondered if you're playing in the right key, or felt unsure of how to find the right key when you hear a backing track, this lesson is for you. There's a very simple process you can use to find where to find your "root fret" and build from there.

[tommym]

Wish there was a video on YouTube devoted entirely to developing first finger vibrato. Yours is great. I find it challenging and I’ve been playing for a long time.

[petew.]

Back when I was a fledgling player, I would put on MTV and try to figure out the changes to songs as they played.
I found that if I could figure out the bass line (usually simple for most pop songs), I could figure out the changes and the key.
I haven't done this in a while. (ie: many years)
Thank you for reminding me. I should do this with the radio.

[ricpotvin]

Dude!! I've been looking for a lesson like this for a very long time, Well! Actually not that long, I've only been playing for a year and a half BUT I've always wondered if I was playing in the right key. Loved the Lesson, SUBSCRIBER 4 LIFE. Love the channel, keep on Rock'n that woodshed. Peace.

[DorothyOzmaLover]

So good that you comment about key and therefore music theory which I personally find very important as a musician which helps me improve. Additonally, I like your technique and sound on the guitar since your so emotive with memorable tone. As a composer of original music themes for book trailers about comics that are performed on the guitar, I love hearing and seeing players like your to learn your ideas/commentary about music and performance which you do so in such a direct and supportive manner. I like your focus in your instruction about knowing the progressions since they change and can be very different, especially if the keys change during the music. Thanks for your performance and informative instruction!

[jr]

I’d like to see that Les Paul in an upcoming vid

[sticksnstones]

Your lessons are great and so are you. Shave that face and get yourself back in shape.

[Gary_]

I'm a new subscriber to your website courses and I'm loving it! Thanks for all you do 👊👍

[CraigHollabaugh]

Hey TXBA, this is great advice how to jump into a jam and not look like a newbie. I'm definitely going to work on your suggestions mentioned here. Please consider a follow up video on how to gracefully work up the high E string during key hunt without taking half the song, you know for us near tone deafness but willing to learn. Thanks for very useful content, quality production and awesome tone. I'm getting off my butt and tuning up now.

[MrJudogo]

I really needed this lesson. I was a member of TBA and tried to use it to supplement learning to play at home. I'm still a YouTube subscriber but I dropped my membership to TBA because your lessons never clearly explained keys.

[esteban]

Oh man i always wait for this lessons, keep it up!

[fafinaf]

Love these vids. Such good advice and very helpful!

[AndyHO]

Great, smoking intro and outro sandwiching some useful info, and what an unusual but great looking thinline Tele that is.

[GJHamann]

I listen to the melody then find a common landing note that is repeated and start from that point. This is usually the root.I usually start with the pentatonic but then move to a scale. The rule I was taught is that melody is king. You can only get it by trial and error and carefully listening to what is being played. Your ears ride the sound waves like a surfer.

[intheblues]

The beard has reached "Boss Level"! 😎

[lamgefyoutoob]

You back in the game, man? Been a while!

[edwardjons]

Love the playing, love the guitar, love the lesson, REALLY love the beard! Going the full Billy Gibbons?

[roaddog]

Don't give up people. Every beginner thinks they're tone deaf.

Like he said... Listen to a song and slide a finger up and down the high E or like I do B string and pick each fret while a song is playing.

You'll hear notes that sound "sour" along the way and one that sounds great no matter where you are in the song. That one note will be the key of the song. It takes time but you'll get it. That home note will determine where you play your blues boxes...the almighty Pentatonic scale that so many made a living from.

[ericwong]

My gawd that tone. Wonder what the knob settings on the amp are like

[MightyMicrobes-]

This is one of my issues. I know how to play certain scales. But don't know when to play them and when to switch and which notes to emphasize.

[jupersnikk]

I have a question for bluesexperts from a book of licks!

"A Hammond flavoured intro" - does that "Hammond" mean the city near Chicago or something else?