Let Kirk Fletcher guide you toward creative blues turnarounds
In this Gibson App video, modern blues star Kirk Fletcher guides you toward using blues turnarounds, showcasing a country-blues-inspired turnaround in the key of E. This is perfect for bridging between chords in a 12-bar blues progression, and the classic lick will add a unique flair to your playing. If you’re looking to enhance your blues endings and transitions, this demonstration contains valuable tips from an experienced bluesman.
What is a turnaround?
A blues turnaround is that magic moment at the end of a 12-bar progression where the harmony loops you back to the beginning. It’s a short, punchy musical phrase—often only a couple of bars—that amps up the tension and prepares the listener for the next verse. These quick patterns can range from playful and whimsical to seriously gritty, making them a cornerstone of blues style and a great creative tool in nearly any genre.
Kirk Fletcher’s evolution in the blues genre
Reflecting on how his style evolved, Fletcher told Blues Blast Magazine, “Today when I play, I try to let everything go and let the music take over. It comes from playing on the road. I try to be a pretty spiritual person in general without getting too religious. I let that flow through my music. And I’m a fan first. Of B.B. King, Albert King, Luther Tucker, Eddie Taylor, and Jimmy Dawkins. So I try to make it exciting for people as they did and do for me. I really try to impart that into my guitar playing.”
Fletcher’s contributions to the Gibson App experience can put you on a creative path to your own mastery of the blues. Everyone starts somewhere, and the wise take advice from more experienced folks. With countless hours of touring and album production under his belt, Fletcher is the ideal teacher. His to-the-point demonstrations will elevate your Gibson App practice sessions.
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