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Chapter 7: Musical Riffs: Bedrock of the Blues
127
Shuffle, or swing, eighths
Most blues are in a shuffle feel, and shuffle-based eighth-note riffs (also called
swing eighths) are the most popular and numerous types of blues riffs.
Countless tunes employ eighth-note riffs, including such hits as “Dust My
Broom,” and “Sweet Home Chicago.” Figure 7-8 show you a classic shuffle
rhythm that employs swing eighths and the occasional eighth-note triplet.
Track 33, 0:13
Figure 7-8:
A variation
of the 5-6
move in
swing
eighths.
Shuffle (qr=qce)
A
3
T
A 2 2 2 2 2 4 2
B 0 0 0 3 4 0 0 0 0
2 2
0
5
0
4
0
2
0 0
2
3 4
2
3
Figure 7-9 is an eighth-note riff with the melody weaving in and out of the low
and high strings. This riff, once mastered, is tons of fun to play because it
takes your left hand up and down and makes you look like you’re really
movin’ on those strings!
Track 33, 0:28
Figure 7-9:
An
expanded
version of
the classic
5-6 move.
T
A
B
Shuffle (qr=qce)
A
2 2 2 2 2 2 4 2
0 0 3 4 0 0 0 0
2
2 2 4 5 2 2
2 2 2 2 2 4 2
0 0
Figure 7-10 brings together chords, double-stops, swing eighth-notes, and
eighth-note triplets. Practice this at various tempos to make sure that you’re
playing all the elements with equal precision and command.
TEAM LinG