Acoustic Blues Guitar: Play This John Mayer-Inspired Solo

Dive into the soulful world of acoustic blues guitar with this captivating John Mayer-inspired solo lesson. Whether you're a beginner eager to learn how to play or an intermediate guitarist looking to take your blues to the next level, this tutorial is your gateway.

Embrace the rich, melodic textures and dynamic rhythms as we break down each lick, slide, and chord, ensuring you can play this style with authenticity and flair. 

Get ready to infuse your playing with the bluesy, rhythmic essence of acoustic blues guitar. This is the end goal:

Think you are up for the challenge? Let's go.

First Part - Cool Slide & Slap Intro

The solo starts off with a cool slide-up, followed by a slap. This opening would be very typical of John Mayer, which means you should be quite familiar with it:

To play this part, start with your finger in a loose C chord shape on the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th strings. You do not need to press down the strings but leave them open.

As you strum down, press down on the strings and slide up to the following position:

1. Index finger on the 5th fret, 2nd string
2. Middle finger on the 6th fret, 3rd string
3. Ring finger on the 7th fret, 4th string.

This should result in a sliding-up effect on the sound, giving it a bluesy effect.

Practice sliding up a few times, and once you are comfortable with it, add some muting on the top and bottom strings for a more rustic effect. Try to have your thumb slide up the guitar together with your other fingers:

1. The thumb slides up and slightly mutes the 5th and 6th string
2. Place your index finger flat on the fretboard to partly mute the 1st string. 

Once you play the strum + slide up, strum upwards, and then finish the first part with a muted slap. Loosen pressure on all strings, and then strum down. 

Second Part - Sweet Guitar Licks

The second part is a lick, where you will play a series of individual notes to follow up from the opening. The lick is based on the A-major pentatonic scale. This is how the second part sounds:

To play the lick:

1. Play the open string on the 3rd string.
2. Slide up to the 6th fret using your middle finger
3. Index finger on the 5th fret, 2nd string. Play the note twice.
4. Play the note again, but follow up with a hammer-on with your ring finger on the 7th fret.

Third Part - Part 1 + More Licks

The third part combines the first part and a different set of licks.

You start off with the exact same slide-up and slap play, followed by the following links:

1. play the open string on the 2nd string
2. Slide up to the 7th fret using your middle finger
3. index finger on the 5th fret, 2nd string
4. middle finger on the 6th fret, 3rd string
5. middle finger on the 4th fret, 3rd string
6. middle finger on the 2nd fret, 3rd string
7. middle finger on the 2nd fret, 4th string

You may need to get used to rolling your middle finger around when playing this lick, as it will be playing a series of notes on its own. You can also add a bit of palm mute here for a less bright sound.

Fourth Part - DSus2 Strums

The fourth part takes the blues solo to an airy, open place. Here, you will play four bars of strums with the D suspended 2 (Dsus2)chord. The Dsus2 chord is a variation of the open D major chord. 

This is how the strum bars sound:

To form a Dsus2 chord on the guitar, follow these steps:

1. Place your index finger on the second fret of the G string.
2. Lay your ring finger on the third fret of the B string.

Leave the high E string open to include the second (suspended 2nd) note, and do not fret the D string, allowing it to ring open. The low E and A strings are typically not played in this chord to maintain clarity and character. 

To play the fourth part:

1. Start with a Dsus2 chord position.
2. Strum down, up, down.
3. On the fourth strum, press your pinky down on the 4th fret, 1st string. 
4. Press your middle finger down on the 2nd fret the 1st string on the fifth strum. 
5. Return to the Dsus2 chord position.

When you finish playing the fourth part, go back to the first part and play out the entire first to third part.

Fifth Part - Open E Strums And Alternates

This part sort of drives up the entire solo, with loud, open strums that drive up the tension in the solo and then release it. It is based on the usual open E and A chord.

Here is how you play the fifth part:

1. Hit the open 6th string
2. Play the open E chord, strumming it three times
3. With your pinky, play the 3rd fret, first string.
4. Slide down to the 2nd fret, first string.
5. Remove the pinky, and play the first string open.
6. Two more strums on the open E chord

Next, you will change your chord shape into an open A but barre-shaped type. 

1. Play the open A chord, but use your index finger to bar the 1st to 4th string. 
2. Hammer on the A chord by placing:
1. ring finger on the front 4th fret, 4th string
2. middle finger on the 3rd fret, 2nd string
3. Strum this D-chord shape twice, up and down.
4. Slide the entire chord shape up by two frets and strum.
5. Slide your index finger up to the 7th fret, barring the 1st to 4th string, and strum down
6. Add your pinky on the 10th fret, 2nd string, and strum down
7. Strum down the chord again, but slide down the fretboard this time, and remove the fingers. 

This should create a 'reset' effect, allowing you to either stop the playing, replay from the 1st part, or play the sixth part.

Sixth Part - Bass Ring + E Major Licks

The sixth part turns the E Major scale into a series of licks that may sound difficult but are actually easier to play. 

Here's how you play this lick out:

1. pinky on 5th fret, 1st string
2. ring finger on 4th fret, 1st string
3. index finger on 2nd fret, 1st string
4. pinky on 5th fret, 2nd string
5. ring finger on 3th fret, 2nd string
6. index finger on 2nd fret, 2nd string
7. Hammer on with your middle finger, on the 3rd fret, 2nd string
8. index finger on 2nd fret, 2nd string
9. ring finger on 4th fret, 3rd string
10. Slide up your ring finger up one fret and then back
11. index finger on 2nd fret, 3rd string

Bring Everything Together For An Acoustic Blues Solo

This acoustic guitar lesson is focused on helping you play the blues and is inspired by John Mayer. With good practice, you should be able to play out beautiful bluesy tunes, making full use of your instrument.

Like other acoustic blues guitar lessons, it takes practice on your end to improve and become better. Enjoy the lesson, and see you at the next one!