LESSONS
LESSON 3
Building Movement Within the Accompaniment
Lessons Overview → Lesson 1 → Lesson 2 → Lesson 3 → Lesson 4 → Lesson 5 → Lesson 6 → Lesson 7 → Lesson 8
This lesson is part of the Early Electric Blues Guitar Lesson Series.
For best results, complete all nine lessons in order. Each lesson builds directly on the previous one.
Lesson 3: Building Movement Within the Accompaniment
Build upon the accompaniment developed in the first two lessons by introducing movement, variation, and musical conversation within the rhythm. Learn how subtle changes in phrasing, chord voicings, and bass movement create a more expressive accompaniment while preserving the relaxed feel and understated style of Early Electric Blues (1937–1953).
25:32 • Opens on YouTube
OVERVIEW
With the rhythmic foundation established in Lesson 1 and the core accompaniment vocabulary introduced in Lesson 2, this lesson focuses on creating movement while remaining firmly in the rhythm role.
One of the defining characteristics of early electric blues guitar is the ability to make simple accompaniment feel alive without becoming busy or distracting. Players like Robert Lockwood Jr. accomplished this through subtle chord movement, sliding 9ths, double stops, melodic runs, and careful phrasing, all while maintaining a steady pulse beneath everything they played.
Throughout this lesson, you'll expand your accompaniment vocabulary by learning how these ideas fit naturally into shuffle rhythms and twelve-bar blues. Rather than separating rhythm and lead into two different approaches, you'll begin developing the ability to blend both into a single, supportive musical voice that serves the song.
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN
In this lesson, you'll learn how to create movement within your accompaniment using sliding 9ths, chord variations, double stops, melodic runs, and Lockwood-inspired phrasing. You'll discover how these ideas connect together while maintaining a steady rhythmic foundation, allowing the guitar to remain supportive without becoming repetitive. More importantly, you'll begin developing the ability to add expression and variety without sacrificing timing, groove, or restraint—the qualities that define the earliest electric blues recordings.
LESSON CHAPTERS
For easier navigation, these timestamps are also included as clickable chapter links in the YouTube video description.
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00:00 — Lesson 3 Demo
00:05 — Lesson 3.1 – Introduction
02:53 — Lesson 3.2 – Fundamentals, Feel, and Finding Your Voice in Early Electric Blues
05:10 — Lesson 3.3 – Sliding 9ths
06:46 — Lesson 3.4 – Chord Shapes
08:27 — Lesson 3.5 – 7th Variations
09:07 — Lesson 3.6 – Big 9th
09:53 — Lesson 3.7 – Comping
11:30 — Lesson 3.8 – Variations
12:06 — Lesson 3.9 – Double Stops
13:32 — Lesson 3.10 – Extended Runs
14:53 — Lesson 3.11 – Developing Double-Stop Runs with a Steady Bottom (Lockwood Style)
15:22 — Lesson 3.12 – Tough Feel
17:50 — Lesson 3.13 – Fretboard Layout
19:27 — Lesson 3.14 – Lockwood Lick
20:25 — Lesson 3.15 – Shuffle Pattern
22:03 — Lesson 3.16 – Capo in F and G
24:14 — Lesson 3.17 – Closing
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KEY TAKEAWAYS
Lesson 3 demonstrates that expressive rhythm guitar isn't about playing more notes—it's about making every note count. By introducing movement through chord shapes, double stops, and melodic phrasing while preserving a steady bass and supportive rhythm, you'll begin developing the relaxed, conversational style heard throughout the early electric blues era. These techniques become part of your accompaniment vocabulary, allowing you to create interest and expression while always remaining connected to the groove.
CONTINUE THE SERIES
Lesson 4 expands on these ideas by introducing additional chord vocabulary, movement, and phrasing concepts that further develop your accompaniment style. As your vocabulary continues to grow, you'll learn how to move more freely around the fretboard while maintaining the timing, feel, and understated approach that define authentic early electric blues guitar.
Questions?
If something in this lesson isn't clear, feel free to leave a comment on YouTube or reach out through the contact page.
Next Lesson → Lesson 4
Hear These Ideas in Context
Many of the techniques covered throughout the lesson series can be heard on my recordings.
Explore recordings available through Devil's Tale Music.
For over two decades I've independently released recordings dedicated to preserving and celebrating traditional blues through Devil's Tale Music.