Read What TGL Members Say About This Course:

5 star rating

Great starter, Excellent direction,

Tom Wells

This course excelled in many ways compared to other courses I have looked into. I have started and stopped the guitar more times than I want to admit. I thou...

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This course excelled in many ways compared to other courses I have looked into. I have started and stopped the guitar more times than I want to admit. I thought I had at least the basics down. But then I never had someone that would get the small details across that make sooo much difference. From correct method of holding the pick( if you can believe that) to correct bend technique, through slides and pull offs. I thought I at least had this down. But now that I have completed this one course I feel that now I have made great progress. Then I noticed something that is quite unique with this course and James Shipway's methods- There is a building method that he takes you through by stepping through licks and pieces of licks that is helping to develop your skills without you realizing it's there. This only becomes evident after about half way through this first blues module. Then all of a sudden you are able to pick things up a bit easier, you begin to hear where notes are coming from on the fretboard because you have tried them before and therefore you are making progress. Now the licks do not get easier but your learning of them does. It is a really well developed course and the attention to detail has not been missed. I cannot wait to begin the next module and get straight into learning more. If I was an accomplished blues soloist I could be incorporating these licks right now into songs. I just need more practice....I highly recommend this course. I am finally turning up the amp!

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5 star rating

More than a years progress in just a few months!

David Carter

I looked at this course after having subscribed to other blues guitar tuition courses. I have made more progress in the past three months than in a yea...

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I looked at this course after having subscribed to other blues guitar tuition courses. I have made more progress in the past three months than in a year before finding James (even my cynical wife notices!) I thoroughly recommend TGL.

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5 star rating

James is an excellent guitar player and more importantly ...

Todd Thayer

Lots of guys can play. I'm a pretty good skier but I can't explain how it is done. James does both really well. I love TGL because it gives me all the to...

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Lots of guys can play. I'm a pretty good skier but I can't explain how it is done. James does both really well. I love TGL because it gives me all the tools I need to master something. I.E. the explanation, demonstration, chord sheets, backing tracks etc. And in the rare case where I still have questions I can post a message to the TGL group and either another member or James himself will help me out. Yup, you heard that right. I've honestly made more progress with TGL than anything else I've tried. Todd

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5 star rating

Really gave me the tools to solo

Ross Horne

This has really helped my blues and rock solo’s, from what should I play, some great phrases as complete solo’s . I have even learnt more notes in different ...

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This has really helped my blues and rock solo’s, from what should I play, some great phrases as complete solo’s . I have even learnt more notes in different positions which really helped getting me out of being stuck soloing at the same position. I can now solo right up and down the fretboard. Thanks James for an awesome course which is easy to understand.

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0 star rating

BLUES GUITAR LAUNCHPAD

Paul Robertson

Hi James, I upon joining as a full time member, I decided to start with the Blues Guitar Launchpad even though I've been playing for a number of years. I ...

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Hi James, I upon joining as a full time member, I decided to start with the Blues Guitar Launchpad even though I've been playing for a number of years. I didn't want to miss out on anything and I'm glad I started from the beginning as there is a lot of material any guitarists can learn from regardless of their level. You have certainly put a lot of thought into your instructional web site as it is very comprehensive and excellently reinforced with audio/visual, printable tab etc! Even though I'm just getting started, I believe this is going to be exactly what I've been looking for, as I've mentioned in my last email that taking private lessons seemed to leave me spinning my wheels. Your lessons are very inspirational and touch on all the questions I've had for years about waning away from memorizing TAB to being more creative on my own! Furthermore you are always there to answering any questions I have. Thanks again! Paul R

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5 star rating

Great Course! Makes the mysterious understandable

Gary Cook

Well, I know a whole lot more than when I started. This is the most comprehensive course I've ever taken, and it builds, first with the foundation, to struc...

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Well, I know a whole lot more than when I started. This is the most comprehensive course I've ever taken, and it builds, first with the foundation, to structure, to finishing touches. Whilst I've finished it, I certainly will keep coming back. There is enough to keep me busy for a long time. And I didn't get frustrated and quit. Great course!

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WANT TO PLAY AWESOME BLUES GUITAR BUT DON'T KNOW WHERE TO START?


How about starting with the exact same tools and techniques the blues guitar legends use (taught in a way that'll quickly have you using them too)?

I'll let you into a little secret that most blues guitar courses and videos don't tell you...You don't need to know much to play great blues guitar...

...and playing cool, authentic blues solos is not difficult to do.

You just need the right things and be shown what to do with them.

Without all the confusion and distracting fluff (which teaches you nothing,wastes your time and makes everything sound more complicated than it really is!)


That's why I created Blues Guitar Launchpad

You see...unlike many guitar teachers and players, I remember how confusing it is when you're starting out.

I used to listen to the great blues players and wonder...

What makes them sound so good?

Are they using tools and tricks I don't know about?

What are the most important things for me to learn right now which will actually make a difference to my playing?

And WTF is a 'one four five' ( or some other confusing term)?


Have you been there?


Learn blues guitar the right way and save yourself years of confusion and frustration with Blues Guitar Launchpad !



Blues Guitar Launchpad gives the essential tools you need to play great blues guitar.

So that you can:

Rip out a high impact blues solo over almost any blues song

Hit your local blues jam session (super confident and prepared for almost anything!)

Create solos of your own which sound like some of the biggest blues legends ever!


C'mon...That Sounds Impossible!!

You might think that the blues legends are using all sorts of fancy stuff in their smoking solos. Stuff that takes years of blood, sweat and tears to learn.

But most of the time they're not!

In fact they're using just a handful of simple and easy to learn tools..and I'll show you exactly how to play and use them in Blues Guitar Launchpad.

I'm not saying I can turn you into a blues guitar 'hero' overnight...

But I can show you the 'lions share' of what you need to know to get there... explained and demonstrated in a way that makes sense and will get you up and running quicker than most players.

In Blues Guitar Launchpad you'll discover:


  • The only two 'easy' tools you need and how to use them to start jamming out blues solos right now (some of the greatest blues legends don't know much more than this...it's amazing what you can do with them when you know how!)


  • Must know tips and 'secrets' to help you nail essential blues techniques like bending, vibrato, 'blues curls' etc. and bypass the frustrating mistakes most guitarists make (so that you can make your solos sing, scream and stand out much sooner!)



  • The simple scale shape that can transform your playing almost instantly (a 'goldmine' of awesome blues licks, bends and moves!) and get you playing many of the blues legends hottest, 'ear catching' licks straight away



  • Using 'power moves' as building blocks to create a huge soloing vocabulary and hundreds of your own licks (eventually you'll be able to solo as fluently as a pro without worrying about running out of ideas!)



  • How to easily move everything you play into any key and play great blues over any blues tune (most guitarists can't do this and it holds them up big time. Crack it now!)



  • Plus... setting your amp for a great blues sound, game changing tips for jamming and improvising and much more!

Here's What Guitarists Say About Blues Guitar Launchpad:

5 star rating

Loved it...Fantastic Course!

Paul Houston

Fantastic course! The Blues Brew solo was daunting at first, until I took it lick by lick! Highly recommended.

Fantastic course! The Blues Brew solo was daunting at first, until I took it lick by lick! Highly recommended.

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5 star rating

Fantastic course, Learned loads

mark brown

Right for the first lesson, this module is engaging and thought provoking. I have really enjoyed learning these differing styles of the blues. I was previous...

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Right for the first lesson, this module is engaging and thought provoking. I have really enjoyed learning these differing styles of the blues. I was previously impervious to them but I have learned loads of new licks and phrases that I will be very happy to work into my own playing. As always, James has made this interesting for players of all standards. Great job James!

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Ready to Launch YOUR Blues Guitar Journey? Get Access to Blues Guitar Launchpad and Everything Else in Total Guitar Lab with a Monthly or Annual Pass!

Frequently Asked Questions


How is the Blues Guitar Launchpad training delivered?

The course uses a mixture of short video lessons, audio downloads, backing tracks and PDF downloads. Everything is fully explained and demonstrated in simple 'BS free' language (no confusing jargon!) and close up video shots.


Is there TAB available for the lessons?


Yes. Each module comes with a professionally transcribed and fully downloadable PDF workbook featuring all the examples in guitar TAB and notation.


The workbook also contains the 'homework' for the module! Working through these short practice routines will help you learn, remember and be able to use everything in the module much more easily.


How do I know if Blues Guitar Launchpad is right for me?

If you want to start playing electric blues guitar without all the confusion and hold ups most players face...then Blues Guitar Launchpad will be a perfect fit!

Or if you have some experience of playing blues but feel like you never really covered the essentials and have big gaps in your understanding then it's just what you need to get back on track.

If you consider yourself a fairly fluent soloist, can solo over the 12 bar blues in any key, have a range of blues licks and runs at your disposal but want to expand your playing then you may be better suited to my follow on course, Blues Guitar Lick Lab.


How long will it take me to work through Blues Guitar Launchpad?

The modules in Blues Guitar Launchpad are 'bite sized' and designed to be fun and manageable to work through. Plus you don't need to master every single thing in a module before you move on.

Having said that you should expect to spend around a month on most of the modules if you're going to cover them properly.

You may find you're faster than this...or slower. It doesn't matter, the whole beauty of an online course is that you get to go at your own pace!


Are YOU Ready To Launch Yourself Towards Becoming a Great Blues Guitarist?


If you are ready to start taking the steps to becoming a great blues guitar player then I invite you to join Blues Guitar Launchpadnow and get started on your journey right away!

Kiss goodbye to endlessly hunting through YouTube videos (searching for the 'secret sauce' to playing great blues!)

Everything you need to know is right here inside Blues Guitar Launchpad shown to you in 100% 'confusion free' step-by-step lessons mapped out in the best order for rapid learning and speedy progress.

So join now and prepare for blast off...with Blues Guitar Launchpad!

See you on the inside...





Praise for this course:

5 star rating

Brilliant Course!

Dave Mathers

Brilliant course. Covers all aspects of Blues soloing. Nice steady build up of modules at about the right pace for me.

Brilliant course. Covers all aspects of Blues soloing. Nice steady build up of modules at about the right pace for me.

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5 star rating

Online training at it's best!

Robert Stocks

This really is good and very easy to follow! The course content and James enthusiasm and patience are as good as anyone I've tried out there. It's just what...

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This really is good and very easy to follow! The course content and James enthusiasm and patience are as good as anyone I've tried out there. It's just what I have been looking for.

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5 star rating

Excellent course - well paced - well taught - no bull!

Barry Matthews

I've used BGL for 3 wks. What a revelation! I've seen vast improvement in my ability. I absolutely recommend Total Guitar Lab - it's taught me the differenc...

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I've used BGL for 3 wks. What a revelation! I've seen vast improvement in my ability. I absolutely recommend Total Guitar Lab - it's taught me the difference between playing and practice, as a result I'm finally learning and improving. Thanks James!

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5 star rating

This course should have been available 15 years ago!

Jürgen Vandenhouwe

If James had been online when I was younger, I'd have been a shredder ages ago! BGL exceeded my expectations. James' teaching is clear, concise and I'm alr...

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If James had been online when I was younger, I'd have been a shredder ages ago! BGL exceeded my expectations. James' teaching is clear, concise and I'm already experimenting with some cool blues licks. Fun, motivating, can't wait for the rest!

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5 star rating

More than a years progress in just a few months!

David Carter

I looked at this course after having subscribed to other blues guitar tuition courses. I have made more progress in the past three months than in a yea...

Read More

I looked at this course after having subscribed to other blues guitar tuition courses. I have made more progress in the past three months than in a year before finding James (even my cynical wife notices!) I thoroughly recommend TGL.

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Course Curriculum

  • 1

    WELCOME TO BLUES GUITAR LAUNCHPAD

    • WELCOME TO BLUES GUITAR LAUNCHPAD (THIS COURSE IS FOR YOU IF...)

    • HOW TO USE THIS COURSE (AND WHAT IT TEACHES YOU)

    • WATCH: GETTING GREAT RESULTS WITH THE BLUES GUITAR LAUNCHPAD ROADMAPS!

    • DOWNLOAD THE FIRST CHAPTER OF YOUR BLUES GUITAR LAUNCHPAD ROADMAP!
  • 2

    THE ESSENTIAL TOOLS YOU NEED TO KNOW (TO PLAY GREAT BLUES!)

    • DOWNLOAD THE ROADMAP FOR THIS MODULE HERE (INCLUDES ALL TAB!)

    • THE TWO MOST IMPORTANT THINGS YOU NEED TO PLAY BLUES

    • THE 12 BAR BLUES: WHAT IT IS AND HOW TO PLAY IT

    • 12 BAR BLUES VIDEO 'DRILL'

    • [DOWNLOAD] 12 BAR BLUES AUDIO PRACTICE TRACK

    • THE BLUES SCALE (THE ONLY SCALE YOU NEED TO KNOW TO PLAY AWESOME BLUES)

    • WHAT TO DO WITH THEM (HOW DO THEY FIT TOGETHER?)

    • HOMEWORK TIME!

    • DOWNLOAD MODULE GUITAR PRO FILE
  • 3

    PUTTING IT TOGETHER (YOUR FIRST SOLO, BENDING, VIBRATO AND MORE)

    • DOWNLOAD THE ROADMAP FOR THIS MODULE HERE (INCLUDES ALL TAB!)

    • PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER - INTRODUCTION

    • 12 BAR BLUES SOLO DEMO

    • [DOWNLOAD] 12 BAR SOLO PRACTICE TRACK

    • STRING BENDING AND VIBRATO (HOW TO START DOING IT THE RIGHT WAY, RIGHT NOW)

    • SOLO BREAKDOWN

    • [DOWNLOAD] 12 BAR BLUES JAM TRACK

    • HOMEWORK TIME

    • DOWNLOAD MODULE GUITAR PRO FILE
  • 4

    ESSENTIAL BLUES LICKS (ALL THE LEGENDS USE!)

    • DOWNLOAD THE ROADMAP FOR THIS MODULE HERE (INCLUDES ALL TAB!)

    • ESSENTIAL BLUES LICKS - INTRODUCTION

    • WHAT ARE LICKS, WHY YOU SHOULD LEARN THEM AND WHAT TO DO WITH THEM

    • LICK 1 'KICKING OFF'

    • [DOWNLOAD] 'KICKING OFF' PRACTICE TRACK

    • LICK 2 'KING THING'

    • [DOWNLOAD] 'KING THING' PRACTICE TRACK

    • LICK 3 'BLUE JIMI'

    • [DOWNLOAD] 'BLUE JIMI' PRACTICE TRACK

    • HOMEWORK TIME!

    • DOWNLOAD MODULE GUITAR PRO FILE
  • 5

    BLUES 'POWER MOVES' ( THE BUILDING BLOCKS OF AWESOME LICKS AND SOLOS!)

    • DOWNLOAD THE ROADMAP FOR THIS MODULE HERE (INCLUDES ALL TAB!)

    • BLUES 'POWER MOVES' - INTRODUCTION

    • ESSENTIAL POWER MOVES LESSON

    • POWER MOVES DRILL EXERCISE (FOR FAST LEARNING!)

    • WHAT TO DO WITH THESE 'POWER MOVES'

    • HOMEWORK TIME!

    • DOWNLOAD MODULE GUITAR PRO FILE
  • 6

    LET'S RECAP ON WHAT YOU KNOW SO FAR (PLUS A FEW OTHER COOL THINGS!)

    • DOWNLOAD THE ROADMAP FOR THIS MODULE HERE (INCLUDES ALL TAB!)

    • SO NOW YOU KNOW HOW TO...

    • HERE'S ANOTHER WAY TO PLAY THE 12 BAR BLUES (LEARN THIS... SUPER IMPORTANT LATER ON!)

    • 12 BAR BLUES DRILL (NEW RIFF!)

    • 3 SIMPLE TIPS FOR BETTER JAMMING AND SOLOS

    • TONE TIPS (GETTING THE BLUES SOUND)

    • DOWNLOAD MODULE GUITAR PRO FILE
  • 7

    THE 'SLIDING BLUES SCALE' (A GOLDMINE OF AWESOME LICKS AND SOLOS!)

    • DOWNLOAD THE ROADMAP FOR THIS MODULE HERE (INCLUDES ALL TAB!)

    • THE SLIDING BLUES SCALE - INTRODUCTION

    • WHAT IS THE SLIDING BLUES SCALE (AND HOW TO PLAY IT)

    • ESSENTIAL SLIDING SCALE MOVES (FOR CREATING HUNDREDS OF AWESOME BLUES LICKS)

    • SLIDING SCALE POWER MOVES 'DRILL' (FOR FASTER LEARNING!)

    • LICK 1 'SIR ALBERT'

    • LICK 2 'BLUES BENDER'

    • LICK 3 'DOUBLE ERIC'

    • HOMEWORK TIME

    • DOWNLOAD MODULE GUITAR PRO FILE
  • 8

    'BLUES BREW' ( BLUES SOLO IN A BASED ON 'STRANGE BREW')

    • DOWNLOAD THE ROADMAP FOR THIS MODULE HERE (INCLUDES ALL TAB!)

    • 'BLUES BREW' INTRODUCTION

    • 'BLUES BREW' (DEMO)

    • 'BLUES BREW' (HERE'S HOW YOU PLAY IT...)

    • 'BLUES BREW' PRACTICE VIDEO (TRY TO STAY WITH ME!)

    • [DOWNLOAD] BLUES BREW PRACTICE TRACK

    • 'BLUES BREW' BACKING TRACK

    • HOMEWORK TIME

    • DOWNLOAD MODULE GUITAR PRO FILE
  • 9

    BECOME A JAM SESSION HERO (PLAYING IN OTHER KEYS!)

    • DOWNLOAD THE ROADMAP FOR THIS MODULE HERE (INCLUDES ALL TAB!)

    • OTHER KEYS...WHY THIS CAN MAKE OR BREAK YOUR PLAYING!

    • MOVING THE SCALE INTO ANY KEY (IT'S EASY AFTER YOU WATCH THIS)

    • KEY CHANGING DRILL VIDEO (FOR NAILING THIS ESSENTIAL SKILL!)

    • PLAYING THE 12 BAR BLUES IN ALL KEYS (NAIL IT NOW SO IT NEVER HOLDS YOU UP!)

    • HOW TO GET GREAT AT PLAYING IN ANY KEY (POWERFUL PRACTICE TIPS AND HACKS!)

    • ONE MORE SUPER IMPORTANT 12 BAR BLUES TRICK (WATCH!)

    • HOMEWORK TIME

    • DOWNLOAD MODULE GUITAR PRO FILE

    • [DOWNLOAD] Blues Guitar Launchpad Blues in D Jamtrack

    • [DOWNLOAD] Blues Guitar Launchpad 'Blues in G' Jamtrack

    • [DOWNLOAD] Blues Guitar Launchpad Blues in E Jamtrack
  • 10

    SOLO STUDY 1: 'WINDY CITY' (EARLY CHICAGO STYLE BLUES SOLO)

    • DOWNLOAD THE ROADMAP FOR THIS MODULE HERE (INCLUDES ALL TAB!)

    • 'WINDY CITY' - HERE IT IS!

    • 'WINDY CITY' LICK BY LICK BREAKDOWN (FOR FAST LEARNING)

    • [DOWNLOAD] 'WINDY CITY' PRACTICE 'PLAY-A-LONG' VIDEO DRILL

    • [DOWNLOAD] 'WINDY CITY' AUDIO PRACTICE TRACK

    • [DOWNLOAD] 'WINDY CITY' BACKING TRACK (BLUES IN G)

    • [DOWNLOAD] MODULE GUITAR PRO FILE
  • 11

    SOLO STUDY 2: 'DON'T RUSH!' FUNKY BLUES SOLO (FREDDIE KING/OTIS RUSH STYLE)

    • DOWNLOAD THE ROADMAP FOR THIS MODULE HERE!

    • 'DON'T RUSH' - HERE'S HOW IT GOES (DEMO VIDEO)

    • 'DON'T RUSH' LICK BY LICK BREAKDOWN (FOR SPEEDY LEARNING)

    • [DOWNLOAD] DON'T RUSH PLAY-A-LONG VIDEO DRILL

    • [DOWNLOAD] 'DON'T RUSH' AUDIO PRACTICE TRACK

    • [DOWNLOAD] 'DON'T RUSH!' BACKING TRACK

    • [DOWNLOAD] MODULE GUITAR PRO FILE
  • 12

    SOLO STUDY 3: 'TEXAS PRIDE' (STEVIE RAY VAUGHAN STYLE)

    • DOWNLOAD YOUR ROADMAP FOR THIS MODULE HERE!

    • 'TEXAS PRIDE' (DEMO)

    • 'TEXAS PRIDE' (HERE'S HOW YOU PLAY IT...)

    • [DOWNLOAD] 'TEXAS PRIDE' PLAY-A-LONG VIDEO DRILL

    • [DOWNLOAD] 'TEXAS PRIDE' AUDIO PRACTICE TRACK

    • [DOWNLOAD] 'TEXAS PRIDE' BACKING TRACK

    • [DOWNLOAD] MODULE GUITAR PRO FILE
  • 13

    YOU MADE IT! NOW WATCH THIS...

    • CONGRATULATIONS! WATCH THIS NOW YOU'RE AT THE END...

Sign Up for a Monthly or Annual Pass and Access Blues Guitar Launchpad PLUS Everything Else in Total Guitar Lab!