Simple Ear Training Exercises (For Blues Guitar Players)

Have you ever turned on your favorite blues recording, started playing along, but then got lost?

It’s frustrating. And, this is super common. In fact, most guitar players can not play through a simple blues without dropping the form. This means playing the wrong chords at the wrong time or getting completely lost.

Years ago when I studied with blues guitar master Kenny Burrell he would always test students with playing a simple blues. He viewed it as a great leveler. It was a quick way to assess how fluent someone is with most American music from the past 100 years.

If this has happened to you, then today I want to share some simple ear training exercises to banish this problem for good.

Now, of course, there’s only so much I can do in one quick video. And, there’s no way I can tell where you are at with your ear. Ear training is a deep topic, and if you practice things out of order, then your results aren’t going to be as solid as following a system.

But the more you can focus on clarifying the sounds you hear. Making them crystal clear in your mind, the more confidence you will have as a musician. And, when correctly applied to the blues you will never get lost again. Obviously you’re mileage may vary. But that is what’s easily possible (when you know how).

So, the first tip I want to give you today is…

How To Hear The Root Note Of Any Chord

The root is the note that names the chord. It’s the foundational note upon which the chord is built. It establishes its tonal center. For example, in a C major chord, the root note is C. In an A minor chord, the root note is A. Bass players often play the root note to establish the harmonic foundation of the chord progression.

The root note sometimes also called the bass note, is the lowest note of a chord when the chord is in its standard, or root position. Chords are built by stacking intervals (usually thirds) on top of the root note. For example: A C major chord has the notes C (root), E (major third), and G (perfect fifth). An A minor chord has the notes A (root), C (minor third), and E (perfect fifth).

When a chord is played in an inversion, the root note is not the lowest note but still remains the note from which the chord is named and built. 

Start by playing a few chords in root position. This means that the root note will be the lowest note you play. Then listen to the chord and match the root note, in your vocal range.

Then check whether you are right or not by only playing the root note of the chord. If you are right, great move on repeat with many chords. 

If you sang the wrong note, then listen to the actual root note, and sing it over the chord. See what this feels like compared to the note you thought was the root. You need to work on your ability to identify a unison feeling. When two or more notes are in unison, they have the same pitch. This means they vibrate at the same frequency, creating a single, unified sound.

Let’s try a few chords. Start with a C major chord in open position played from the 4th string down like this:

The root note is the note on the 5th string 3rd fret. Sing the root note in a comfortable octave, and listen for how it is the foundation of the chord. Play the chord as you sing it and feel the grounded sensation. 

Now try a D major chord in open position. This chord should be played from the 4th string down like this:

Listen for the root note. Then sing it in a comfortable range. The root note is the 4th string open. (Not the 5th string.)

Let’s try one more play this F chord from the 4th string down like this:

Listen for the root note. Then sing it in a comfortable range. The root note is the 4th string 3rd fret. 

Repeat this exercise across many chords and you’ll find you will start to be able to pick out root notes on command.

From there, let's try the second step and that is specifically…

Ear Training For Blues Guitar

The blues is a very simple form of music. If you want to banish getting lost when playing it, you will need to be able to confidently perform these two steps. 

The first is you need to be able to sing the blues scale. Let’s take a look at the C minor blues scale. It’s a six-note scale commonly used in blues, rock, and jazz music. It is similar to the C minor pentatonic scale with the addition of one extra note, known as the "blue note." Here are the notes and the intervals of the C minor blues scale: 

Notes of the C Minor Blues Scale: 

• C
• E♭
• F
• G♭ (or F♯)
• G
• B♭ 

Let’s now look at the Intervals of the C Minor Blues Scale. These intervals are the distance from the root to the scale degree. 

The intervals between the notes of the C minor blues scale are as follows:

• Root (C)
• Minor third (E♭) - 3 semitones above the root
• Perfect fourth (F) - 5 semitones above the root
• Diminished fifth (G♭) or Tritone (♭5) - 6 semitones above the root (the "blue note")
• Perfect fifth (G) - 7 semitones above the root
• Minor seventh (B♭) - 10 semitones above the root

Here's is an example of the C minor blues scales played in the 8th position:

If you’d like to get your hands on all the best blues scale patterns for guitar players for FREE. Then download my blues scale guide right here now while it’s still available:

You need to be able to give yourself the root note along and sing the scale ascending and descending. First, play the notes and sing along, until you start to get comfortable with each note. Remember ear training has to be done inside your body it can’t be done on the fretboard. The only real representation of whether you have it down or not is if you can lightly sing, hum, or whistle the notes with accuracy. If you can’t do that you don’t have it down yet. Once it is clearly represented in your mind this will be easy.

The final step is to sing the root notes of a blues progression. Do this by following the 12-bar form, and snapping your fingers or tapping your foot to keep the groove.

I = 1 bar

IV = 1 bar

I = 2 bars

IV = 2 bars

V = 1 bar

IV = 1 bar

I = 1 bar

V = 1 bar 

When you can do this, you will potentially hear the blues in an entirely new way. 

Conclusion:

Developing a strong ear is one of your most valuable assets as a musician. Ear training enhances all your musical talents, and is a skill that needs to be continually developed for all musicians.

If you want to develop the rare ability to figure out all the notes and chords to all your favorite songs at the drop of a hat. Get your hot little hands on my free ear training cheat sheet PDF right here now: 

Jon MacLennan