Week08
Blues Shuffle in A
Tempo 70 bpm
Picking Exercise
Alternate picking, 2x each time, fingers 1-2-3-4, from E to e string,
Alternate picking, fingers 1-3-2-4, from E to e string,
Alternate picking, fingers 4-2-3-1, from E to e string,
Spider picking.
e|------------4---|1---------------|
B|----------------|----------------|
G|--------3-------|----2-----------|
D|----2-----------|--------3-------|
A|----------------|----------------|
E|-1--------------|------------4---|Hybrid picking and arpeggiation
- Dsus4
- D
- Dsus2
Bar Chords with Cycle of Fourths
Write and say it out loud:
C - F - Bb - Eb - Ab - Db - F# - B - E - A - D - GCycle of Fourths on E String
Circle of Fourths — Low E string (starting from C, quarter notes)
E|--8--1--6--11--4--9--2--7--0--5--10--3--8--
C F Bb Eb Ab Db F# B E A D G C8 - 1 - 6 - 11 - 4 - 9 - 2 - 7 - 12 - 5 - 10 - 3Start with 2 notes ( C - F), then 1 - 3 (C - F - Bb), then 1 - 4, and so on.
Play full cycle of fourths, 40 bpm - 70 bpm, 2 min,
Chord Practice
- Chord progression, Dsus4 → D → Dsus2 → Dsus4
Song Practice
Blues shuffle in A
1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4
|--A---A---A---A---|--A---A---A---A---|--A---A---A---A---|--A---A---A---A---|
|--D---D---D---D---|--D---D---D---D---|--A---A---A---A---|--A---A---A---A---|
|--E---E---E---E---|--D---D---D---D---|--A---A---A---A---|--E---E---E---E---|Practice with discipline, but without friction, maintaining a calm and steady approach. Take each step deliberately to enter the flow state where progress unfolds. Though progress is not the goal, it arises as a consequence of unintended outcomes. This is the ultimate state of mind, the one that brings true contentment.
Day 1 – Bar Chords + Cycle of Fourths
Warm-up (5–7 min) - Finger stretch: 5–7–9–12 on low E and A strings. - Strum open chords (G, C, D, A) gently. - With metronome at 40 bpm: strum muted strings once per click.
Focus (20 min) - Bar chords (maj/min) through cycle of fourths on low E string. - Strum once, let ring, then move calmly to the next chord.
Secondary (15 min) - Hybrid picking: Dsus4 → D → Dsus2 (very slow).
Improvisation (7–10 min) - Soft comping with bar chords, free time.
Cooldown (3–5 min) - Play favorite open chords slowly, with breath.
Day 2 – Hybrid Picking & Arpeggiation
Warm-up - Open-string hybrid picking (pluck D–G–B–E with pick+fingers). - Slow one-octave D major scale.
Focus - Hybrid picking arpeggiation on Dsus4 → D → Dsus2. - Add metronome at 50 bpm: change chord every 2 clicks.
Secondary - Cycle of fourths (maj/min bar chords, light touch).
Improvisation - Simple melody using only open D + arpeggio notes.
Cooldown - Strum D chord softly.
Day 3 – Blues Shuffle in A
Warm-up - Down-up strumming on open A. - Play 12-bar blues in open position, no shuffle yet.
Focus - Blues shuffle in A, relaxed feel. - Add metronome at 60 bpm, play only downbeats.
Secondary - Hybrid picking Dsus chord shapes (slow).
Improvisation - Add one phrase per 12 bars, keep it simple.
Cooldown - Play A pentatonic scale slowly.
Day 4 – Bar Chords (Expansion)
Warm-up - Spider walk (1–2–3–4 across 2 strings). - Strum muted strings with metronome at 40 bpm.
Focus - Bar chords with 7th extensions (maj7, m7, dom7) in cycle of fourths.
Secondary - Gentle shuffle groove (no metronome).
Improvisation - Comp a 12-bar blues with bar chords.
Cooldown - Soft open G major chord, let it ring.
Day 5 – Hybrid Picking (Expansion)
Warm-up - Hybrid pick open strings (low E with pick, fingers on D–G–B–E). - Arpeggiate C major open chord.
Focus - Hybrid arpeggios on C, G, Am chords. - Metronome at 55 bpm, one note per click.
Secondary - Cycle of fourths (first 4 chords only: E–A–D–G).
Improvisation - Free play with arpeggio fragments.
Cooldown - Slow strum Am chord.
Day 6 – Blues Shuffle (Expansion)
Warm-up - Play open A pentatonic scale slowly. - Palm-muted downstrokes on open A.
Focus - Shuffle in A with turnaround (E7–D7–A7). - Metronome at 60 bpm: only for first 4 bars, then stop.
Secondary - Hybrid picking on Dsus shapes.
Improvisation - Call-and-response fills between shuffle rhythm and tiny licks.
Cooldown - Free play blues fills softly.
Day 7 – Integration + Simulated Performance
Pre-Performance Ritual (5 min)
1. Grounding Breath (Hand Method) - Place one hand on your belly, optional other hand on chest.
- Inhale 4 counts: feel your belly rise.
- Hold 2 counts: keep hands steady, relax shoulders.
- Exhale 6 counts: feel your belly fall, optional chest lowers.
- Repeat 3–4 rounds.
- Mental cue: “Calm and steady. Steps taken slowly.”
2. Gentle Touch - Rest left hand lightly on fretboard, right hand on strings.
- No pressure, just feel the guitar. (“Without friction.”)
3. Open String Meditation - Play a single open string (e.g., A or D), let it ring fully.
- Repeat a few times. (“Steps taken slowly.”)
4. Intentional First Notes - Play one simple chord or phrase (e.g., Em or Dsus4).
- Focus on tone, not speed. (“Progress unfolds.”)
5. Mental Cue - Remind yourself: “This is practice, not performance. Mistakes are outcomes, not failures.”
Warm-up (5–7 min)
- Finger roll across fretboard (low E → high E → back).
- Strum G–C–D–A slowly, lightly tapping foot.
- Metronome at 40–50 bpm, one note/chord per click.
Integration “Set” (25–30 min)
- Bar chords through cycle of fourths.
- Dsus4 → D → Dsus2 hybrid arpeggios.
- Blues shuffle in A with turnaround.
- Play continuously, no stopping for mistakes.
Simulated Performance (10–12 min)
- Record the full set straight through.
- Treat it like a real performance: start with breath, finish with a small bow or smile.
Recorded Performance
Fender Les Paul
Pickup Position: Neck
Master Volume: 9
Master Tone: 5
Zoom G3Xn
Preset: OFF
Joyo Tremolo
Intensity: 25%
Rate: 25%
Fender Blues Jr. III
Volume: 4.0
Fat: OFF
Treble: 5.0
Bass: 7.0
Middle: 5.0
Master: 3.0
Reverb: 3.0
Blue Yeti
Gain: 10 o’clock
Mode: Stereo, on desk near plant