Learning acoustic blues guitar opens up a whole world of soulful playing. This acoustic blues guitar lesson breaks down the essential licks, techniques, and rhythm patterns you need to start playing authentic blues on an acoustic guitar.
In this lesson, Marty Schwartz teaches you a killer blues riff in E minor pentatonic, complete with double stops, bends, and that classic blues feel that makes people stop and listen.
The E Minor Pentatonic Scale – Your Blues Foundation
Everything in this acoustic blues guitar lesson revolves around the E minor pentatonic scale. This five-note scale is the backbone of blues guitar—whether you’re playing acoustic or electric.
The E minor pentatonic notes are: E, G, A, B, D
On guitar, you’ll find these notes clustered around the 12th fret position for this lesson, but the scale works all over the neck. Master this scale, and you’ve got the foundation for thousands of blues licks.
The Double Stop Riff
The star of this lesson is a sweet-sounding double stop riff. Double stops are when you play two notes at the same time—in this case, notes from the E minor pentatonic scale.
Here’s what makes this riff special: you’re hitting two strings simultaneously, creating a harmony that just screams “blues.” The specific double stop Marty teaches uses notes on the B and high E strings.
Start by placing your fingers on the 12th fret of both the B and high E strings. Pick both strings together. That’s your first double stop. From there, you’ll slide or move to other positions along the scale.
The key is getting both notes to ring out clearly and evenly. Don’t let one string overpower the other—you want balanced tone from both.
The Quarter Note Bend – Essential Blues Technique
Around 3:40 in the lesson, Marty demonstrates a quarter note bend—this is pure blues gold.
A quarter note bend is smaller than a half-step bend. You’re only pushing the string up slightly, just enough to add that bluesy “cry” to the note without reaching the next note in the scale.
This is trickier than it sounds because your fingers naturally want to do a full half-step bend. You have to train yourself to stop short.
How to practice quarter bends:
- Start with your target note (let’s say the 12th fret)
- Bend up slowly, listening carefully
- Stop when you hear that slightly sharp, crying sound—before you reach the next note
- It should sound “in between” notes—that’s the blues
This technique is what separates players who “play blues notes” from players who “play the blues.” It’s all about the feel.
Combining the Techniques
Once you’ve got the double stops and the quarter bend down separately, Marty shows you how to combine them into a complete blues lick.
The lick flows like this:
- Play the double stop
- Slide or move to another position
- Add a quarter bend on one of the strings
- Resolve back to a resting note
This is a classic blues phrase structure—tension and release. You build tension with the bend, then release it by landing on a stable note.
The Blues Jam Track
The second half of the lesson features Marty laying down a blues groove for you to solo over. This is where you take everything you’ve learned and put it into practice.
Tips for jamming over the backing track:
- Start simple. Don’t try to play a million notes. Play a few notes with feeling.
- Use space. Let your phrases breathe. The silence between notes is just as important as the notes themselves.
- Repeat licks. Blues is about repetition with slight variation. Play the same lick three times, changing just one note each time.
- Bend those notes. Quarter bends, half bends—use them. That’s what gives you the blues sound.
Acoustic vs. Electric Blues Guitar
While this is an acoustic blues guitar lesson, these same licks work perfectly on electric guitar. The main differences:
- Acoustic requires more finger strength for bends—the strings are usually heavier and there’s more tension
- Electric sustains longer, so you can hold bends and let notes ring
- Acoustic sounds more percussive, which is great for rhythmic blues playing
If you’re learning on acoustic, your fingers are getting a serious workout. When you switch to electric, everything will feel easier.
Common Mistakes in Acoustic Blues
Over-bending: New players often bend too far. Remember, blues bends are often quarter or half-step bends—not full step bends.
Rushing the licks: Blues has a laid-back feel. If you’re rushing, you’re not playing blues—you’re just playing fast notes in a blues scale.
Ignoring the rhythm: Blues is as much about rhythm as it is about lead. Pay attention to where you place notes in time.
Not using dynamics: Play some notes loud, some quiet. Some notes strong, some gentle. Dynamics create emotion.
Next Steps for Blues Guitar
Once you’ve got this E minor pentatonic riff down, here’s where to go next:
- Learn the same pattern in different positions on the neck
- Practice playing over a 12-bar blues progression
- Learn some classic blues songs (Robert Johnson, Muddy Waters, etc.)
- Experiment with different rhythms and timing
- Work on your fingerpicking for blues—fingerstyle blues is a whole other world
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best scale for acoustic blues guitar?
The minor pentatonic scale is the foundation for blues guitar. Start with E minor pentatonic (E-G-A-B-D) and you’ll have the core of almost every blues solo ever played.
Can you play blues on acoustic guitar?
Absolutely! Acoustic blues has a rich history from Delta blues to modern fingerstyle blues. The techniques are the same as electric, but the tone is more raw and percussive.
What is a double stop in guitar?
A double stop is playing two strings simultaneously to create harmony. It’s a staple technique in blues, rock, and country guitar.
How do you bend strings on acoustic guitar?
Acoustic string bending requires more finger strength due to heavier gauge strings and higher tension. Push the string up (or pull down) perpendicular to the fretboard. Start with small quarter-note bends before attempting full bends.
Is acoustic guitar harder than electric for blues?
Acoustic requires more finger strength for bends and has less sustain, making it physically more demanding. However, the techniques are the same—once you master blues on acoustic, electric will feel easy.
The beauty of blues is that you don’t need to know a thousand licks. Learn a few solid phrases, play them with feeling, and you’re playing real blues. This E minor pentatonic riff is a perfect place to start.
Rock on!