Interval Madness

Intervals in Blues, Choosing the Right Notes, Classic Blues Finger Patterns

“Sounds like the blues are composed of

feeling, finesse, and fear.” Billy Gibbons

Sessio n 5: Interval Madness

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Using Intervals in Blues

Much of blues guitar playing is based on the use of intervals—combinations of notes

that when played together create some characteristically bluesy guitar parts. This

session you will learn several of these common blues riffs using intervals.

An interval is the distance between two notes. But for our purposes, we’ll use the

term interval to also describe the combination of those two notes played together.

There are four main types of intervals that are looked at—3rds, 4ths, 5ths, and 6ths.

In the key of C, these intervals

look like this.

Let’s look at 3rds for a moment.

Start with a major scale. Then add the note of the 3rd above each note. Some of the

intervals derived end up being two whole-steps apart from each other. These are

called “major 3rds”. Some of the intervals are a step and a half apart. These are

called “minor 3rds”. Here are 3rds built from a C major scale.

4ths & 5ths

The intervals of 4ths and 5ths have a very similar “open” sound to them. Here is a

characteristic lick that uses sliding 4ths that Jimi Hendrix used in much of his playing.

But you hear it in all types of music and blues guitar playing.

Sliding 4ths in A

Objectives

• Playing 3rds, 4ths, 5ths,
  and 6ths on guitar.


• Learn some common
  blues expression
  techniques.


• Playing the interval riffs
  covered.

Key Ideas

Commonly used blues

intervals are 3rds, 4ths,

5ths, and 6ths.

4ths and 5ths have a very

“open” sound.

Playing Tip

The sliding 4ths pattern sounds great when built

off of the root as well as the 5th of the chord.

Blues Guitar with Steve Krenz 59 http://www.learnandmaster.com/bluesresources