Blues in the Key of E (Guitar Lesson)
What are you waiting for? Get your membership now!
Blues in the Key of E
Mary is back with another lesson filled with tips on playing the blues in the key of E.
Taught by Mary Flower in Fingerstyle Blues seriesLength: 6:07Difficulty: 2.5 of 5
12 Bar Blues Form
Measures 1-4: I chord (E7)
Measures 5-6: IV chord (A7)
Measures 7-8: I chord (A7)
Measure 9: V chord (B7)
Measure 10: IV chord (A7)
*Measures 11-12: I chord (E7)
*Note: The V chord can be substituted for the I chord in measure 12 to create a stronger resolution back to the beginning of the form.
The ideas in this lesson are based on a very simple minor pentatonic lick that works over all three of the chords found in the progression. This lick uses a few hammer-ons, pull-offs, and trills, but is within reach with a little bit of work. In order to make the lick really sing, Mary demonstrates a micro-bend (1/4 step bend) technique that adds a bit of soul to her lick.
Playing Over E7
An additional note must be added when playing over the E chord. Over this chord, Mary includes the major third of the I chord (G#). In this scenario, a G natural note will also work over the tonic E chord. The G natural rubs against the G# in the chord to create a bluesy sound. However, adding the major third helps the chord progression find a nice resolution.
Final Thoughts
Explore these ideas and try to mix them with the previous licks you have memorized. Using these new ideas can help you create some interesting ways to play the blues.
Video Subtitles / Captions
Supplemental Learning Material
Fingerstyle Blues
Found in our Beginner Lesson SetsThe blues is a distinctly American style of music. Many popular genres such as jazz, rock, and country music draw upon basic blues concepts. Consequently, it is advantageous for any guitarist to study the blues.
Lesson 1
Series Introduction
In this lesson, Mary Flower introduces herself and her playing style. She also discusses essential blues listening.
Length: 11:14 Difficulty: 0.5 Members Only
Blues in Drop D
In this lesson, Mary Flower talks about playing the blues in drop D tuning. She teaches two amazing song examples to get you started.
Length: 21:50 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Playing in the Key of A
In this lesson, Mary plays in the key of A major in drop D tuning.
Length: 8:36 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
Eight Bar Blues
In this lesson, Mary Flower talks about the eight bar blues. She demonstrates it in a couple different keys.
Length: 14:29 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
8 Bar Blues Progressions
Mary Flower shows several songs that demonstrate the 8 bar blues.
Length: 11:40 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
How Long and Statesboro Blues
Mary Flower demonstrates two classic songs that feature an 8 bar blues structure. The songs are "How Long" and "Statesboro Blues."
Length: 14:36 Difficulty: 3.0 Members Only
Sounding Like a Piano
Mary Flower discusses various blues guitar techniques that can give your guitar a wonderful piano sound.
Length: 13:41 Difficulty: 3.5 Members Only
Twelve Bar Blues
Mary uses the songs "CC Rider" and "When I Lost My Baby" as examples in her discussion of the 12 bar blues.
Length: 16:31 Difficulty: 3.0 Members Only
Blues Duet
In this lesson, you will learn a blues duet that you can play with someone else. Or, you can record yourself playing one part and play the second part over it.
Length: 16:53 Difficulty: 3.0 Members Only
Blues in the Key of E
Mary is back with another lesson filled with tips on playing the blues in the key of E.
Length: 6:07 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Midnight Hour Blues
Mary talks about the song "Midnight Hour Blues" and gives some great tips on how to play this beautiful tune.
Length: 9:36 Difficulty: 3.0 Members Only
Movable Chord in the Key of E
Mary Flower dives into more blues in the key of E by teaching a movable chord.
Length: 4:30 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
Arranging Songs
Mary talks a little bit about arranging songs and uses the song "John Henry" as an example.
Length: 9:00 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Spike Driver Blues
Mary teaches and discusses the history behind Mississippi John Hurt's song "Spike Driver Blues."
Length: 15:47 Difficulty: 3.0 Members Only
Diminished Chords
Mary talks about diminished chords and looks at various different shapes. You will learn the song "Walking Across the Country" as an example.
Length: 16:35 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Buck Rag
Mary teaches the classic song "Rag Time" by Rev. Gary Davis in this fun Blues lesson.
Length: 23:16 Difficulty: 3.0 Members Only
Mississippi Blues
Mary teaches a song called "Mississippi Blues" by Willie Brown.
Length: 32:03 Difficulty: 4.0 Members Only
Saturday Night Rub
Mary Flower teaches the fun and catchy song "Saturday Night Rub" by Big Bill Broonzy.
Length: 25:52 Difficulty: 3.5 Members OnlyLesson 19
Key of F
Mary talks about the key of F in this fantastic lesson.
Length: 8:20 Difficulty: 3.0 FREE
South Carolina Rag
Mary teaches the song "South Carolina Rag" by Willie Walker.
Length: 12:35 Difficulty: 3.0 Members Only
Open D Tuning
Mary Flower talks about the advantages of open D tuning.
Length: 12:44 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
Boogie Woogie Dance
Mary Flower shares her interpretation of a classic blues slide tune called "Boogie Woogie Dance."
Length: 16:44 Difficulty: 3.0 Members Only
Alabama Bound
Mary Flower shares some thoughts on the bass notes found within the song "Alabama Bound" in this lesson.
Length: 6:31 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
Blues in A
Mary Flower talks about improvising a blues in A.
Length: 13:05 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Sugar Babe
Mary Flower teaches her rendition of "Sugar Babe," a Mance Lipscomb tune.
Length: 9:49 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Michigan Water
Mary Flower teaches her rendition of "Michigan Water," a Jelly Roll Morton tune.
Length: 13:18 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Bye Bye Baby Blues
Mary Flower teaches her rendition of "Bye Bye Baby Blues" by Little Hat Jones.
Length: 12:47 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Just a Closer Walk with Thee
Mary Flower shares her rendition of the spiritual song "Just a Closer Walk with Thee" in this lesson.
Length: 10:33 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
River of Joy
Mary Flower shares an original song called "River of Joy."
Length: 16:43 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Open D Tuning Song Exercise
Mary Flower shares a song played in open D tuning that features alternating bass and syncopation.
Length: 12:34 Difficulty: 3.0 Members Only
M & O Blues
Mary Flower teaches her rendition of "M & O Blues," a Willie Brown song.
Length: 15:44 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Colored Aristocracy
Mary Flower teaches her rendition of the song "Colored Aristocracy."
Length: 13:00 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Turkey in the Straw
Mary Flower shares her modern rendition of "Turkey in the Straw."
Length: 10:24 Difficulty: 3.0 Members Only
Trouble in Mind
Mary Flower shares her rendition of the catchy blues tune "Trouble in Mind."
Length: 8:22 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Crow Jane
Mary Flower demonstrates Carl Martin's arrangement of the song "Crow Jane."
Length: 15:52 Difficulty: 3.5 Members Only
Oh Babe It Ain't No Lie
Mary Flower teaches her rendition of the song "Oh Babe It Ain't No Lie" by Elizabeth Cotten.
Length: 11:02 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
About Mary Flower
View Full Biography
Working in both the intricately syncopated Piedmont fingerpicking style and her own deeply bluesy lap-slide guitar, Mary has earned rave reviews from critics and audiences alike for her springwater-clear vocals and mastery of multiple guitar styles as well as her own compositions. Though she can create prewar blues and ragtime with the best of them, Mary draws on traditional, contemporary and original material to create something new: a sound uniquely her own that remains true to the timeless power of the blues.
Flower's elegant, funky and inventive playing on vintage guitars makes her one of a mere handful of women guitarists admired for their instrumental prowess. In 2000 and 2003 respectively, Mary placed in the top three at the National Fingerpicking Championship. Her career as an internationally known performer and teacher has spanned more than three
decades.
A recent transplant to the Northwest, Mary cut her teeth on the Colorado music scene where she played with the likes of Katy Moffatt, Pat Donohue, the Mother Folkers and more. Mary took a detour in the 80s to raise a family, all the time woodshedding and performing locally.
Mary's CD Bywater Dance, recorded pre-Katrina in New Orleans for Yellow Dog Records, has garnered widespread acclaim. An award-winning player with seven solo cds and 5 instructional DVDs to her credit, Flower is in demand for festivals, concerts and guitar workshops on both sides of the Atlantic.
"Unassuming blues heroine Mary Flower proves one again that she's one of
the nation's premier fingerstyle blues guitarists-- her technique is exceptional
throughout, and in the end, serves the highest purpose, the music--unfailingly
sweet, hot and sassy--every track on this album has something about it that will
give you the shivers... This is one of the most satisfying albums of the year."
- All Music Guide to Blues
"Her crisp, fluid fingerpicking sounds deceptively effortless, with flawlessly executed syncopation, the hallmark of a bouncing, upbeat Piedmont style. From casual listeners to devoted blues fans, Flower's music is accessible to everyone"
- Blues Review
"With her immaculate guitar playing and warm contralto, Mary Flower finds the
sweet spot between modern and rootsy in twelve tunes bred of back porches,
parlors, street corners, juke joints and country churches...one of the best blues based
singer songwriters working today."
- Acoustic Guitar Magazine
"Mary is one of those rare artists who manages to create a tincture of the aged
authentic with the freshly original."
- Fingerstyle Guitar Magazine
Acoustic Guitar Lessons
Our acoustic guitar lessons are taught by qualified instructors with various backgrounds with the instrument.
Trace Bundy
Trace Bundy talks about the different ways you can use multiple capos to enhance your playing.
Free LessonSeries Details
Hawkeye Herman
Hawkeye teaches several Robert Johnson licks in this lesson. These licks are played with a slide in open G tuning.
Free LessonSeries Details
Danny Voris
Lesson 7 is all about arpeggios. Danny provides discussion and exercises designed to build your right hand skills.
Free LessonSeries Details
Phil Keaggy
Welcome to the Phil Keaggy Master Course! In this series introduction, Phil shows and tells us what we can expect from this...
Free LessonSeries Details
Robbie Merrill
JamPlay welcomes bassist and founding member of Godsmack, Robbie Merrill. In this short introduction lesson, Robbie showcases...
Free LessonSeries Details
Mitch Reed
Mitch teaches his interpretation of the classic "Cannonball Rag." This song provides beginning and intermediate guitarists...
Free LessonSeries Details
Randall Williams
In this lesson Randall introduces the partial capo (using a short-cut capo by Kyser) and talks about how it can make the...
Free LessonSeries Details
Peter Einhorn
JamPlay is proud to introduce jazz guitarist Peter Einhorn. In this lesson series, Peter will discuss and demonstrate a way...
Free LessonSeries Details
Dave Yauk
Learn a simple mini song that illustrates just how intertwined scales and chords really are. Dave uses a G chord paired...
Free LessonSeries DetailsElectric Guitar Lesson Samples
Our electric guitar lessons are taught by instructors with an incredible amount of teaching experience.
Jeffery Marshall
Welcome to Inside and Out with Jeff Marshall! In this lesson series, Jeff takes a bottom up approach to fret board proficiency....
Free LessonSeries Details
Braun Khan
In this lesson, Braun teaches the chord types that are commonly used in jazz harmony. Learn how to build the chords and their...
Free LessonSeries Details
Tom Appleman
Tom Appleman takes a look at a blues in E with a focus on the Chicago blues style. The bass line for Chicago blues is very...
Free LessonSeries Details
John March
Take a new look at the fretboard and learn where to find a voicing that works. There are techniques that simplify the fretboard...
Free LessonSeries Details
Tosin Abasi
Tosin explains some of the intricacies of the 8 string guitar such as his personal setup and approach to playing.
Free LessonSeries Details
Brent Mason
Learn Nashville style country guitar from one of the most recorded guitarists in history. Check out rhythm grooves, solos,...
Free LessonSeries Details
Steve Stevens
Steve Stevens shows some of his go-to licks and ideas while improvising over a backing track he made.
Free LessonSeries Details
Kris Norris
Kris analyzes different pick sizes and their effect on his playing. Using a slow motion camera, he is able to point out the...
Free LessonSeries Details
Michael Palmisano
Michael kicks off his course and explains what to expect from the course, as well as who this course is designed for.
Free LessonSeries DetailsJoin over 522386 guitarists who have learned how to play in weeks... not years!
Signup today to enjoy access to our entire database of video lessons, along with our exclusive set of learning tools and features.
Unlimited Lesson Viewing
A JamPlay membership gives you access to every lesson, from every teacher on our staff. Additionally, there is no restriction on how many times you watch a lesson. Watch as many times as you need.Live Lessons
Exclusive only to JamPlay, we currently broadcast 8-10 hours of steaming lesson services directly to you! Enjoy the benefits of in-person instructors and the conveniences of our community.Interactive Community
Create your own profile, manage your friends list, and contact users with your own JamPlay Mailbox. JamPlay also features live chat with teachers and members, and an active Forum.Chord Library
Each chord in our library contains a full chart, related tablature, and a photograph of how the chord is played. A comprehensive learning resource for any guitarist.Scale Library
Our software allows you to document your progress for any lesson, including notes and percent of the lesson completed. This gives you the ability to document what you need to work on, and where you left off.Custom Chord Sheets
At JamPlay, not only can you reference our Chord Library, but you can also select any variety of chords you need to work on, and generate your own printable chord sheet.Backing Tracks
Jam-along backing tracks give the guitarist a platform for improvising and soloing. Our backing tracks provide a wide variety of tracks from different genres of music, and serves as a great learning tool.Interactive Games
We have teachers covering beginner lessons, rock, classic rock, jazz, bluegrass, fingerstyle, slack key and more. Learn how to play the guitar from experienced players, in a casual environment.Beginners Welcome.. and Up
Unlike a lot of guitar websites and DVDs, we start our Beginner Lessons at the VERY start of the learning process, as if you just picked up a guitar for the first time.Our teaching is structured for all players.Take a minute to compare JamPlay to other traditional and new methods of learning guitar. Our estimates for "In-Person" lessons below are based on a weekly face-to-face lesson for $40 per hour.
 |
||||
| Price Per Lesson | < $0.01 | $4 - $5 | $30 - $50 | Free |
| Money Back Guarantee | Sometimes | n/a | ||
| Number of Instructors | 92 | 1 – 3 | 1 | Zillions |
| Interaction with Instructors | Daily Webcam Sessions | Weekly | ||
| Professional Instructors | Luck of the Draw | Luck of the Draw | ||
| New Lessons | Daily | Weekly | Minutely | |
| Structured Lessons | ||||
| Learn Any Style | Sorta | |||
| Track Progress | ||||
| HD Video | - | Sometimes | ||
| Multiple Camera Angles | Sometimes | - | Sometimes | |
| Accurate Tabs | Maybe | Maybe | ||
| Scale/Chord Libraries | ||||
| Custom JamTracks | ||||
| Interactive Games | ||||
| Community | ||||
| Learn in Sweatpants | Socially Unacceptable | |||
| Gasoline Needed | $0.00 | $0.00 | ~$4 / gallon! | $0.00 |
Mike H.
"I feel like a 12 year old kid with a new guitar!"
I am 66 years young and I still got it! I would have never known this if it had not been for Jamplay! I feel like a 12 year old kid with a new guitar! Ha! I cannot express enough how great you're website is! It is for beginners and advanced pickers! I am an advanced picker and thought I had lost it but thanks to you all, I found it again! Even though I only play by ear, I have been a member a whopping whole two weeks now and have already got Brent's country shuffle and country blues down and of course with embellishments. Thank you all for your wonderful program!
Greg J.
"With Jamplay I can fit in a random session when I have time and I can go at my own pace"
I'm a fifty eight year old newbie who owns a guitar which has been sitting untouched in a corner for about seven years now. Last weekend I got inspired to pick it up and finally learn how to play after watching an amazing Spanish guitarist on TV. So, here I am. I'm starting at the beginning with Steve Eulberg and I couldn't be happier (except for the sore fingers :) Some day I'm going to play like Steve! I'm self employed with a hectic schedule. With Jamplay I can fit in a random session when I have time and I can go at my own pace, rewinding and replaying the videos until I get it. This is a very enjoyable diversion from my work yet I still feel like I'm accomplishing something worthwhile. Thanks a lot, Greg
Bill
"I believe this is the absolute best site for guitar students."
I am commenting here to tell you and everyone at JamPlay that I believe this is the absolute best site for guitar students. I truly enjoy learning to play the guitar on JamPlay.com. Yes, I said the words, ""enjoy learning."" It is by far the best deal for the money.
Member Comments about this Lesson
Discussions with our instructors are just one of the many benefits of becoming a member of JamPlay.I loved Mary's lessons when I first began playing and discovered JamPlay in 2011 and I am loving them again in 2014. I wish she would do more! I am finding her stuff a bit easier as I re-visit now but still struggling with the bass muting. Anyone else find this difficult?
i ran across this after years of playing guitar, I wish I would have seen this earlier, all beginners, this is a milestone
Great stuff Mary!!!!
More PLAY...less talk and history
Dazzling....... simple....? not for me just yet. I'll work on it though.
This lesson is just like 'pepper sauce' on the turnip greens. It just adds that extra something to make the results special. I just can't get enough of these practical tips...thanks for sharing this Mary.
Wow, I picked this right up and just spent quite a while working on variations of the same. Thanks!