Minor blues riff

A minor pentatonic riff over Am that moves to Dm — dark, bluesy and the basis of many rock riffs too.

← All bass lines & exercisesBluesBeginner
80 BPM
Start at 80 · goal 140 BPM
Press play — or hit the space bar.
Position on the neck
0 frets
Frets 5–8 · key: A minor pentatonicSee the scale →
1234EADG123412341234123455857585558575855585758555857585

Where to play it

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Playing now Notes in this lick

How to practise it

  1. Over Am the riff goes A C D E D C; over Dm the same shape moves up one string.
  2. Let the low A ring for its full length before the climb.
  3. Try doubling the riff with a guitarist an octave higher — a classic blues-rock sound.
  4. Start at 80 BPM. Only speed up when you can play it cleanly three times in a row — the goal is 140 BPM.