What are sliding ninths in blues guitar?

Sliding ninths are movable two-note chord shapes, typically built from the 3rd and 9th, slid between positions to add a soulful rhythm sound over a I-IV-V progression.

Which beats are emphasized for blues guitar backbeat rhythm?

The backbeat emphasizes beats 2 and 4, usually with chord stabs or muted rhythmic accents.

How can I make blues guitar string bends sound in tune?

Target the exact pitch of the destination note, support the bend with adjacent fingers, and check it against the fretted target note.

Free online course Learn Blues Guitar

Duration of the online course: 43 minutes

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Play blues guitar with confidence: master shuffle rhythm, sliding 9ths and expressive bends in a free online course with practice and tips.

In this free course, learn about

How to use barre chords and low-end rhythm in a blues progression
Identify the main G blues shuffle “big old bar chord” (I chord shape) used for rhythm
Play sliding 9th chord double-stops over I–IV–V blues progressions
Understand what “sliding nines” means in blues guitar (moving 9th shapes between chords)
Execute blues string bends with accurate pitch, control, and expressive phrasing
Know the key priority in bending: hitting the target note in tune
Improve blues rhythm timing by locking to the backbeat feel
Recognize the blues backbeat emphasis on beats 2 and 4
Play a “flat tire” blues shuffle rhythm and switch between straight shuffle and flat-tire feel
Understand the “flat tire” as a stuttered/dragging shuffle figure used for variation
Learn minor blues rhythm approaches based on B.B. King’s “The Thrill Is Gone”
Memorize a taught turnaround chord sequence for the modified “Thrill Is Gone” progression
Apply rhythm-guitar techniques demonstrated: chord voicings, groove, fills, muting, dynamics
Use call-and-response phrasing and conversational soloing à la B.B. King (incl. bends/vibrato)

About the free online course

Blues is as much about feel as it is about notes, and this free online course helps you build both with practical, guitar-ready skills. You’ll strengthen your rhythm foundation using classic blues progressions, learning how to lock in with the groove and make your playing sound bigger and more controlled on electric guitar. Instead of guessing your way through accompaniment, you’ll develop reliable chord shapes and timing habits that make jam sessions and band rehearsals far more enjoyable.

As you progress, you’ll start adding color and movement to your rhythm work with signature blues sounds, including sliding chord voicings that instantly evoke that soulful, gritty character. You’ll also work on one of the most essential lead techniques in the style: string bending. The focus is on accuracy, pitch, and musical intent, so your bends sound expressive rather than uncertain. That translates directly into more convincing solos and a stronger personal voice.

Timing gets special attention as you learn to emphasize the backbeat and sit in the pocket, transforming simple patterns into compelling rhythm parts. You’ll explore variations on the shuffle feel, including a popular stop-and-go style often heard in traditional and modern blues. Along the way, you’ll connect rhythm playing to the emotional sound of minor blues, studying an iconic approach to accompaniment and turnaround movement that gives the harmony a dramatic lift.

To bring everything together, the course encourages a call-and-response mindset, so your phrases feel conversational and your improvisation feels like it belongs in the song. By the end, you’ll have a clearer understanding of how to support a progression, add tasteful rhythmic texture, and step forward with leads that sing all while staying true to the blues tradition.

Course content

Video class: Guitar Barre Chords and Low-End Rhythm in a Blues Progression | Michael Williams | Berklee Online 03m
Exercise: When playing the blues shuffle in G on the guitar, which chord is primarily used as the 'big old bar chord' that is referenced in the text?
Video class: Blues Guitar Lesson: How to Play Sliding 9ths Over a I IV V Progression | Berklee | Michael Williams 04m
Exercise: In the context of blues guitar, what does the term 'sliding nines' refer to?
Video class: How to Do Guitar String Bends for Blues Solos | Berklee Online | Michael Williams | Guitar Lesson 05m
Exercise: What is the most important aspect to keep in mind when performing string bends on a guitar?

Video class: Learning Backbeat Timing for Blues Guitar Rhythm Playing | Berklee Online | Guitar Lesson 08m
Exercise: What is the backbeat emphasized in blues music according to the text?
Video class: Blues Guitar Lesson: How to Play a Flat Tire Blues Shuffle | Rhythm Guitar | Berklee Online 04m
Exercise: What is the 'flat tire part' commonly referred to in blues music?
Video class: Blues Guitar: Thrillin’ Rhythm 1 | The Thrill is Gone | B.B. King | Minor Blues Chord Progressions 08m
Exercise: In the modified version of B.B. King's famous blues progression as taught in the class, what is the correct sequence of chords for the turnaround?

Video class: Blues Guitar: Thrillin’ Rhythm 2 | The Thrill is Gone | B.B. King | Minor Blues Chord Progressions 02m
Exercise: What techniques will be demonstrated in the rhythm guitar course?
Video class: Blues Guitar: Thrillin’ Rhythm 3 | The Thrill is Gone | B.B. King | Call-and-Response Improvisation 06m
Exercise: Which technique does BB King's conversational style of guitar soloing in blues music usually include?

Learn aboutBlues Guitar

Explore free online Blues Guitar courses that include a certificate and learn essential riffs, scales, chord progressions, rhythm, improvisation, and soloing techniques. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced player, study at your own pace, build authentic blues skills, and earn a certificate to showcase your musical development.