Ask several people to define what makes a blues song a blues song and their answers are bound to vary — for some it’s the chord progressions, for others the instruments the musicians use or what they sing about, for still others a certain "feeling" to the music they can’t describe.

In this spirit, Year of the Blues proudly presents these "Blues Riff" lessons intended to help you find your own definition of the blues by learning to play them. Although the lessons are guitar-based, the concepts they present can be applied to any instrument, from banjos and violins to amplified harmonicas and electric pianos, all of which have been used to play the blues.

Year of the Blues wishes to thank our educational partners — Fender Players Club, Guitar Axis, Hal Leonard, and Riff Interactive — for generously providing these lessons.

Riff Interactive

Each of these lessons focuses on a different artist or playing style. These lessons will launch in a new browser window, and contain audio, MIDI and video media, along with tablature.

Jerry Miller - 1967 Monterey Pop Festival

Wolf Marshall - Blues/Rock Instrumentals

Wolf Marshall - British Blues Rock

Chicago Blues - John Lee Hooker Style

Chicago Blues - Slide Guitar Licks

Guitar Lick of the Day

Archived Lessons

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