Learn to play "Worried Life Blues" by Big Maceo on the guitar

In this lesson, we'll learn how to play Worried Life Blues on the guitar. This old blues standard is an excellent piece to expand your blues repertoire. It was first recorded by Big Maceo in 1941 and has been covered by many artists, each adding their unique interpretation.

Worried Life Blues is an eight-bar blues, a form that might be less familiar to many guitarists than the 12-bar blues. This song provides a great opportunity to delve into the eight-bar form, which adds a fresh twist to the traditional blues structure.

The Chords

The song's basic form consists of two bars on the A chord, followed by two bars on the D7, then one bar each on the A and E7 chords. This sequence is rounded off with a turnaround, a common feature in blues songs to transition between the end of one verse and the start of the next. This progression is the backbone of the song, and getting comfortable with it will give you a strong foundation for playing the tune and understanding its structure.

Exploring different interpretations

One of the fantastic aspects of blues is that it leaves much room for personal interpretation. For instance, you can select any turnaround or stick with the basic chords. As you listen to different versions of the song, you'll notice various artists approaching the turnaround in their unique ways. This variation lets you pick the version that resonates most with you.

The original version by Big Maceo is in the key of C and features beautiful guitar work driven heavily by the piano. I encourage you to check it out and try playing along with it. Similarly, the version by Big Bill Broonzy is worth listening to. It's in the key of E and adds a shuffle feel to the song. You'll find other versions by John Lee Hooker, Eric Clapton, BB King, Chuck Berry, and Robin Ford. Each version offers different chord variations and interpretations you can explore and learn from.

Adding your touch

As you become more familiar with the song, you may wish to add your personal touch to it. You can keep it simple or add more complex elements as you progress your guitar journey. Blues music is a beautiful vehicle for guitar learning. As you learn new ideas, chords, and chord substitutions, you can start applying them to this song and others.

Wrapping Up

By the end of this lesson, you'll not only have a new song in your repertoire, but you'll also have deepened your understanding of the eight-bar blues form and broadened your musical vocabulary. Remember, learning a new song is more than memorizing chords and progressions—it's about understanding the song's structure, exploring different interpretations, and making the song your own.

So, are you ready to dive into the world of eight-bar blues? Let's get started! Don't forget to watch the video to see all these concepts and techniques in action. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced player, there's something for everyone in this lesson.

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