Essential Blues Guitar Expert Track

BLUES RHYTHM GUITAR & BLUES GUITAR STYLES

This special 2-in-1 course combines elements of our most popular blues guitar courses, Blues Rhythm Guitar and Blues Guitar Styles. It’s a fantastic overview of the theory and practice of six essential styles, fully-led by a blues guitar expert tutor, and taking you through the history and heritage of this iconic genre.

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online course Essential Blues Guitar Expert Track

Covering everything from Chicago to Memphis blues, get to grips with the licks, bends, progressions and riffs that make this such a timeless, recognisable style. From gospel influences to jazz and rock, you’ll chart this changing genre and delve into its vocabulary, technical moves and influential players. On this in-depth course, you’ll even learn about performing as a band, picking up tips and tricks on timing and collaboration.

You’ll have full access and unlocked course materials from day one – 74 unique lessons across 12 packed modules – including comprehensive video lessons, detailed notes and notation, backing tracks, informative readings and suggested blues guitar tasks to absorb and complete in your own time. This allows for highly flexible learning, as you can choose the order of your modules based on your interests and areas of expertise. There’s also no specific course start date, meaning you can begin your learning at a time that suits you. And once you purchase the course material, you retain ongoing access to it, so it can be reviewed whenever you like.

It’s all done online, at your pace, with optional add-ons like 121 mentoring and music lessons to hone your skills. Whether you’re a seasoned player or burgeoning beginner, consider this your ticket to truly mastering the blues.

Course T&Cs

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Essential Blues guitar bundle

Elevate special 2-in-1 blue guitar online course bundle
74 Unique lessons across 12 packed modules
Created by practicing industry experts
Learn at you own pace in your own time
HD video industry insider hints & tips
Immersive interactive learning
Certificate on completion
Downloadable lesson guides
Lifetime access
Mobile friendly platform
Access to a live session masterclass

Modules in this course

This special 2-in-1 Essential Blues Guitar Expert Track combines the Blues Guitar Rhythm &
Blues Guitar Styles courses packed full of HD video lessons, suggested tasks and industry insider hints.

Master Forms & Structure

You’ll start this course by getting a feel for blues rhythm tempo: the time, shuffle or swing of playing. Learn about everything from the equal beats of straight-time to the 12, 8 and 16-bar blues and the quick change variation, and touch on major and minor scales.

Discover Riffs & Fills

Riffs and refrains are a key element of blues rhythm music. You'll discover how to make your own through learning about chords, alongside guitar techniques like palm muting, fretting hand bounce and double stops.

Perfect Your Classic Chord Moves

To develop your own blues sequences, you'll need to understand the building blocks of rhythm and blues: chords. In this module, you'll touch on slide chords, sixth on strings, chord extensions and more, giving you an impressive bank of techniques to apply.

All About Turnarounds

Learn the formula for creating turnarounds and how to implement them into your own playing, with inspiration from greats like Muddy Waters. You'll then be able to perform standard, non-open and chordal turnarounds to improve your jazz or blues style.

Advanced Chords & Substitutions

Moving on to more advanced chords, you'll learn how to apply more sophisticated harmonies to your sequences through this module. You'll explore dominant chords, major 6th chords, the iconic 'Hendrix' chord, and the difference between static and 'moving' chords.

Playing In A Band

With everything you've learned so far, you'll have plenty to put into practice as part of an ensemble performance. You'll finish the course by developing your analytical music skills and revisiting earlier techniques on timing, riffs and types of chord.

Texas Blues

Begin your mastery of the blues with the Texas Blues, a style influenced by jazz, swing, blues rock and Southern rock. Learn how and when to use a looper, discover legendary licks and rhythms, and be inspired by greats like Freddy King and Lightnin’ Hopkins.

Chicago Blues

The inspiration behind 1960s beat groups like the Rolling Stones, get to grips with the Chicago Blues, exploring hallmarks like blues curls, and the licks and rhythms of artists like Hubert Sumlin and Muddy Waters.

West Coast Blues

After many Texas Blues players relocated to California, a new style was born: the West Coast Blues. Uncover its jazz and jump blues influence, learn how to perform bending techniques, and emulate the style of iconic guitarists like Johnny Watson and T Bone Walker.

Memphis Blues

With roots in the Deep South, the Memphis Blues was an early influencer of R&B music. Find out how to perform more extreme bending techniques, and learn from the kings of the blues: Albert King and BB King.

British Blues

A cousin to the American Blues of the 60s, the British Blues brought the style more mainstream. There's plenty to learn and master on this module, like vibrato techniques, and the licks and rhythms of legends like Peter Green and Eric Clapton.

Late Texas Blues

Get acquainted with more modern blues heroes, like Johnny Winter Licks and Stevie Ray Vaughan. In this final module, you'll perform string muting techniques, and recap bending, vibrato and looping for more polished playing.

Late Texas Blues

Blues Rhythm Guitar
1
Master Forms & Structure
You’ll start this course by getting a feel for blues rhythm tempo: the time, shuffle or swing of playing. Learn about everything from the equal beats of straight-time to the 12, 8 and 16-bar blues and the quick change variation, and touch on major and minor scales.
2
Discover Riffs & Fills
Riffs and refrains are a key element of blues rhythm music. You'll discover how to make your own through learning about chords, alongside guitar techniques like palm muting, fretting hand bounce and double stops.
3
Perfect Your Classic Chord Moves
To develop your own blues sequences, you'll need to understand the building blocks of rhythm and blues: chords. In this module, you'll touch on slide chords, sixth on strings, chord extensions and more, giving you an impressive bank of techniques to apply.
4
All About Turnarounds
Learn the formula for creating turnarounds and how to implement them into your own playing, with inspiration from greats like Muddy Waters. You'll then be able to perform standard, non-open and chordal turnarounds to improve your jazz or blues style.
5
Advanced Chords & Substitutions
Moving on to more advanced chords, you'll learn how to apply more sophisticated harmonies to your sequences through this module. You'll explore dominant chords, major 6th chords, the iconic 'Hendrix' chord, and the difference between static and 'moving' chords.
6
Playing In A Band
With everything you've learned so far, you'll have plenty to put into practice as part of an ensemble performance. You'll finish the course by developing your analytical music skills and revisiting earlier techniques on timing, riffs and types of chord.
Blues Guitar Styles
1
Texas Blues
Begin your mastery of the blues with the Texas Blues, a style influenced by jazz, swing, blues rock and Southern rock. Learn how and when to use a looper, discover legendary licks and rhythms, and be inspired by greats like Freddy King and Lightnin’ Hopkins.
2
Chicago Blues
The inspiration behind 1960s beat groups like the Rolling Stones, get to grips with the Chicago Blues, exploring hallmarks like blues curls, and the licks and rhythms of artists like Hubert Sumlin and Muddy Waters.
3
West Coast Blues
After many Texas Blues players relocated to California, a new style was born: the West Coast Blues. Uncover its jazz and jump blues influence, learn how to perform bending techniques, and emulate the style of iconic guitarists like Johnny Watson and T Bone Walker.
4
Memphis Blues
With roots in the Deep South, the Memphis Blues was an early influencer of R&B music. Find out how to perform more extreme bending techniques, and learn from the kings of the blues: Albert King and BB King.
5
British Blues
A cousin to the American Blues of the 60s, the British Blues brought the style more mainstream. There's plenty to learn and master on this module, like vibrato techniques, and the licks and rhythms of legends like Peter Green and Eric Clapton.
6
Late Texas Blues
Get acquainted with more modern blues heroes, like Johnny Winter Licks and Stevie Ray Vaughan. In this final module, you'll perform string muting techniques, and recap bending, vibrato and looping for more polished playing.

Here what our students say

Elias C.

Essential Blues Guitar Expert Track

“This is, for me the coolest course ever! I had considered the rhythm lesson but then decided to purchase this bundle, what great value for money! So much cool stuff and detailed explanations throughout the course. I was very engaged and will keep coming back to remind myself of some of the tools.”

Mike D.

Essential Blues Guitar Expert Track

“The lessons make it easy to learn rhythm blues and how to play different styles, they’re also presented in an easy way to follow. Great lesson pack to fall back on – would highly recommend.”

Kit W.

Essential Blues Guitar Expert Track

“Have been playing guitar for a while, but wanted to try something new and get out of my usual playing comfort zone. Covers a lot of good information in a relatively short time and for the money it was great value.”

Thinking about this online music course?

WHAT'S INCLUDED IN THIS BUNDLE?
Our Essential Blues Guitar Expert Track includes both our ‘Blues Rhythm Guitar’ and ‘Blues Guitar Styles’ courses. This is an Elevate special 2 in 1 bundle course.
WHO IS THIS EXPERT TRACK FOR?
If you’re a guitarist looking to dive into the blues and develop your skills as a solid and capable blues performer, this bundle will ensure you can jam to any genre of blues, both confidently and charismatically.
WILL I BE ABLE TO PARTICIPATE IN BLUES JAMS AFTER THIS COURSE?
Yes – this course was specifically designed with this goal in mind! Once you’ve finished studying the course modules, you’ll be a capable blues guitarist able to take part in any blues jam you come across!
WHAT'S THE BENEFIT OF BUYING THESE COURSES AS A BUNDLE, RATHER THAN SEPARATELY?
If you purchase these courses as a bundle, you’ll have our collection of blues guitar knowledge and lessons together in one place online. Studying both courses one after the other will allow you to truly immerse yourself in blues history and guitar techniques. You’ll gain a more complete understanding of the theory and practice of blues guitar playing, creating an extensive and well-rounded blues guitar learning journey.
WHAT CAN I EXPECT IF I SIGN UP FOR AN ELEVATE COURSE?
Expect something highly engaging! Elevate courses are packed full of interactive learning elements. You’ll have access to video and written lessons, and will use diagrams, case studies and insider hints and tips in your studies. Once you’ve completed an Elevate course, you’ll have lifetime access to all information shared, meaning you can revisit your course materials whenever you like.
WHEN CAN I BEGIN MY COURSE?
You can start whenever you’re ready! Elevate courses are accessed on demand, so you can start and pause your learning at any time. There are no deadlines to begin or complete your course by, so you can progress your studies when it suits you. All course materials are yours to keep, so you can take the course again further down the track if you’d like.
WHAT KIND OF DEVICE DO I NEED?
To study an Elevate course, you just need to bring an inquisitive mind. You can easily complete your course on any mobile, tablet, laptop or desktop computer.
DO I RECEIVE ANY DISCOUNTS AS AN ELEVATE STUDENT?
Yes. We work with a range of industry partners to provide Elevate students like yourself with discounted software to support your learning journey. Your courses will include links to discounts, where relevant.
WHO CAN I CONTACT IF I HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT MY COURSE?
If you have any questions about your course, please send an email to hello@icmp-elevate.com. We aim to respond to all emails within 24 hours – if not sooner! You can also call our admissions team on 020 7328 0222
WHAT DO I RECEIVE WHEN I FINISH MY COURSE?
Once you’ve completed all your course lessons, you’ll be awarded a certificate found on your dashboard page, which you can download and share.
DO I REALLY GET LIFETIME ACCESS?
Yes – you absolutely do! ICMP Elevate courses are designed to be revisited, so you can reuse the course material to practice, develop and continue to improve. As long as you have an account with us, you’ll have access to all the courses you’ve purchased.
HOW CAN I PAY FOR A COURSE?
We offer a range of payment methods for your course, including PayPal, Visa, Mastercard, Apple Pay and Google Pay. You can even use PayPal credit to spread your payments.
CAN I BUNDLE COURSES TOGETHER?
Yes. In fact, many of our courses are designed to be taken together as a bundle, allowing you to progress your skill level in a particular area from beginner to intermediate. Explore our Elevate bundle offers to find your perfect course bundle.

View all FAQs

Meet your tutors

Pete Whittard & Justin Sandercoe

Justin Sandercoe is a UK-based guitarist who is one of the world’s most influential guitar teachers. He has produced thousands of online guitar lessons and inspired millions of guitar players for the past 20 years. Guitar legends Brian May, Mark Knopfler and Tommy Emmanuel have all applauded Justin’s teaching style and lessons, recommending him for his comprehensive, inspiring lessons and deep insight and knowledge of guitar. He also regularly contributes to well-known guitar magazines.

Pete Whittard is a musician, professional guitarist, author and music educator. He has written a range of guitar transcription books and is a regular long-time journalist for Guitar Techniques and Total Guitar magazines.

“Getting Up and playing a blues jam is a right-of-passage for all guitarists, but how to decide what to play? I wanted to write a course that helped guitarists understand the typical ‘jobs’ that guitarists do in the rhythm section, and by using lots of examples, show how they fit together.

The aim is to give players the toolkit and confidence to sign up, get up, and jam with the band!”

See what our songwriting students say

Fun and educational

Fun, challenging, and educational all at once. Although not specifically a part of the course, I’m also learning how to keep my hands more compact while playing which is a bonus!

Mike M.

Easy to follow and good value

Loving this. Kept me reaching for the next rung. I am surprised at my progress. Lesson are well paced and easy to follow. Great value too.

Fraser R.

Great course...

The course is just what I was looking for. My rhythm playing is weak but the lessons are providing the insight and tips I needed and the examples are forcing me to improve my chord shapes and playing speed. Great course!

Mert H.

Flexible payment method

We accept payments via Credit Card, PayPal, Google Pay and Apple Pay. You can even spread your payments using PayPal Credit.

The Complete Songwriter Expert Track

The Elevate special 4-in-1, (THE BASICS, CREATIVE PROCESS, CONTENT & GENRE & LYRIC WRITING) Complete Songwriter Expert Track reveals all, covering essential technical elements of music theory, as well as guiding you to generate, develop and refine your very own songs. It’s all led by music experts, and developed with today’s industry in mind.

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