Master blues
the right
way.
You know the pentatonic box. You know a few licks. But when you try to solo, it doesn't sound like real blues — it just sounds like you copying someone else.
That's not a talent problem. It's a method problem.
One membership. 25+ courses. Starting at $20/month. 30-day free trial on Monthly & Annual.
Watch: Introduction to Blues Guitar Launchpad
You know the shapes. You don't know the music.
Most blues courses teach you what to play — the shapes, the licks, the patterns. But learning shapes isn't the same as learning to *play* blues.
Real blues is about phrasing, feel, rhythm, and knowing when to play and when to lay back. It's musical — not mechanical.
That's the gap between "I can play some blues licks" and "I sound like a blues player."
Every blues player feels this…
Playing licks that technically work but don't sound authentic
Not understanding rhythm feels and swing — the soul of blues
Struggling to solo over chord changes without memorising exact licks
Knowing theory but not knowing how to use it musically
"Why does my blues playing feel so stiff and lifeless?"
What if you learned the right way from the start?
What if every lesson taught you not just *what* to play, but *why* — so you actually understand blues?
Mechanics.
This course teaches blues the way working blues players actually think about it — as a musical language, not a technique checklist.
You'll learn the phrasing, the feel, the rhythm — the human stuff that makes blues sound like blues.
And yes, you'll learn the technical stuff too. But only the stuff that actually matters in real blues playing. No filler. No fluff. Just the essentials, taught clearly.
What's Inside
Everything you need to build real blues skills. Nothing you don't.
100+ Lessons
Focused lessons on blues phrasing, rhythm feel, scales in context, and real-world soloing. Clear and actionable.
Transcribed Solos
Study the exact solos from the lessons. PDF tabs and chord charts included so you can follow along and dissect how they work.
Backing Tracks
Practice-along backing tracks in different blues feels and tempos. Take what you've learned and use it immediately.
Practice Guides
Step-by-step guides for each section. Know exactly what to work on and how to approach it so nothing feels overwhelming.
Downloadable Resources
All resources including scale sheets, reference guides, and chord charts — download once and keep forever.
Interactive Soundslice Notation
Play along with interactive sheet music. Control tempo, loop sections, and practice with full playback control.
What You'll Learn
A structured path from "I know pentatonic" to "I can solo musically over blues changes."
Module 2: Essential Tools for Playing Great Blues
Equip yourself with the must-know blues tools used by all blues artists. Discover the 12 bar blues and the blues scale, plus bust the confusing myths about how these work together.
- The 12 bar blues structure
- Blues scale essentials
- How the tools work together (simpler than you think)
Module 3: Putting It Together (Your 1st Solo!)
Learn your first authentic blues solo step-by-step. Master the two most important blues techniques: string bending and vibrato, done the right way from the start.
- String bending technique (master this first)
- Vibrato technique (the soul of blues)
- Practice tracks and backing tracks included
Module 4: Essential Blues Licks (Used by the Legends!)
Discover classic blues licks used by BB King, Jimi Hendrix, Albert King and other blues masters. Step-by-step breakdown and analysis plus how to use them to create your own.
- Classic licks from the blues legends
- Step-by-step breakdown and analysis
- How to use licks to build your own solos
Module 5: Blues 'Power Moves'
'Power Moves' are the building blocks the blues legends use to create authentic solos. Learn how to go from playing other people's licks to creating your own.
- The power moves blues legends use
- How to go from copying to creating
- The secret most courses miss
Modules 6-12: Solo Studies + Advanced Techniques
Learn the sliding blues scale, master solo studies in the styles of Eric Clapton, Chicago blues, funky blues (Freddie King, Otis Rush), and Stevie Ray Vaughan. Includes techniques for jamming in any key, equipment secrets, and more.
- The 'Sliding' blues scale (a goldmine of licks)
- Multiple solo studies from blues legends
- Become a jam session hero (solo in any key)
- Tips for great blues guitar sound and equipment
What Blues Launchpad Students Say
Players from around the world, already seeing real improvements.
"I'm only about a third of the way through and my playing has already improved __very noticeably__. My wife is my most honest critic and she agrees! The technical instruction on bending and vibrato was outstanding and the classic licks that I have learned are great building blocks. I feel like you are giving me the tools I need to __really__ do this."
Kevin M — North Dakota, USA
"An awesome course like no other! Before, I was learning all these cool blues riffs and solos, but had no idea what I was learning, I was just memorizing someone else's ideas. Now I can make up my own! I can't tell you how much this course has helped me."
AJ Miller — Rhode Island, USA
"This is the most comprehensive course I've ever taken. It builds beautifully — first the foundation, then structure, then finishing touches. I certainly will keep coming back. There is enough to keep me busy for a long time."
Gary Cook — USA
"I can't imagine a better teacher than James Shipway and Blues Guitar Launchpad is proof. I enjoyed this course so much and learned guitar techniques beyond my wildest dreams. I'm now able to play blues guitar. The course is laid out in an easy-to-follow manner and I could not be happier with what I have learned so far."
Joanne S — New York, USA
Before & After Blues Launchpad
- 01 Playing licks that technically work but sound stiff
- 02 Struggling with rhythm feel — everything sounds flat
- 03 Copying solos note-for-note without understanding them
- 04 Not knowing how to solo over changes — you're lost
- 01 Real blues phrasing — music that sounds authentic
- 02 Understanding rhythm feel — your playing breathes
- 03 Improvising creatively using what you understand
- 04 Soloing confidently over any blues progression
20,000+ Hours Teaching
Guitar Students
James Shipway
Blues Guitarist, Teacher & Author of 17+ Guitar Books
I've taught blues guitar to thousands of players, and I've seen the same frustration come up again and again: "I can play the licks, but I don't sound like a blues player."
That gap — between playing the notes and playing with soul — is what this course is built to close. I teach the why first. Once you understand how blues actually works, the technique falls into place naturally.
I'm the author of 17+ guitar books under the Headstock Books imprint, but my real credential is thousands of hours teaching guitarists just like you — helping them breakthrough from "stuck" to "confident."
Choose Your Plan
All plans include full access to Blues Guitar Launchpad and 25+ other TGL courses
Monthly & Annual include a free 30-day trial. The 6-Month plan is a one-time payment with no trial.
Monthly
- Full access to all courses
- New content added monthly
- TGL Backstage community
- Cancel anytime
- 30-day free trial
6 Months
- Full access to all courses
- New content added monthly
- TGL Backstage community
- No auto-renewal
- No free trial — one-time payment
Annual
Just $16.58/month
Get Annual Access- Full access to all courses
- New content added monthly
- TGL Backstage community
- Cancel anytime
- 30-day free trial
🎸 Not sure which to pick? The annual plan works out to less than $17/month — the best value. But if you want to try the membership first, monthly is perfect for a risk-free test drive.
Course Details
Who is this course for?
Blues Launchpad is for anyone who can play a few shapes on the pentatonic scale and wants to actually sound like a blues player. Whether you're just past the beginner stage or intermediate, if you're tired of playing licks that don't feel authentic, this course will teach you the music behind the mechanics. It's focused on electric blues guitar.
Do I need to read music?
No. Tabs and chord charts are included. The course is taught visually on the guitar, so you don't need to read standard notation.
How long does it take to complete?
The lessons total about 2–3 hours, but that's just content delivery. Real learning happens in practice. Most players spend 4–8 weeks working through the material deeply, practicing the backing tracks, and integrating it into their playing.
Can I access it forever?
Yes. As long as you're a TGL Membership member, you have full access to this course and all 25+ courses in the library. Cancel anytime and lose access; rejoin anytime and get everything back.
What if I don't like it?
Monthly and Annual memberships come with a 30-day free trial — if it's not right for you, cancel anytime, no questions asked. The 6-Month plan is a one-time payment, so there's no trial or auto-renewal to cancel — you simply have full access for 6 months.
About Access & Updates
Where do I access the course?
After purchase, you'll get instant access to the full course on the Total Guitar Lab platform. You can watch on any device — phone, tablet, or desktop.
Can I download the videos?
The videos are available to stream on the platform. PDFs (tabs, guides, scales) can be downloaded and kept forever.
Will the course get updated?
Yes. New lessons and resources are added over time based on member feedback and questions. All updates are included in your membership at no extra cost.
Ready to play
real blues?
Master the method. Own the course. Play with soul.
One membership. 25+ courses. Starting at $20/month.
30-day free trial on Monthly & Annual plans. 6-Month plan is a one-time payment, no trial, no auto-renewal.
What's TGL Membership?
All-Access Guitar Education
TGL Membership gives you instant access to our complete library of 25+ courses covering blues, rock, theory, fretboard mastery, and technique — all for one price.
What You Get:
- check_circle 25+ courses — Blues, rock, theory, fretboard, technique and more
- check_circle Study Plans — Clear paths for every level and goal
- check_circle The Guitar Clinic — Focused technique lessons
- check_circle TGL Backstage — Members-only community
- check_circle Direct access to James — He replies to your questions
- check_circle New content monthly — Added free to your membership
How It Works:
Choose any course to start with, then explore all 25+ courses in your membership. You own your learning path.
Choose Your Plan:
Monthly
$20/mo
Cancel anytime
6 Months
$109/6mo
$18.17/mo
No auto-renewal
No free trial
BEST VALUE
Annual
$199/yr
$16.58/mo
Monthly & Annual plans include a 30-day free trial, cancel anytime. The 6-Month plan is a one-time payment with no trial and no auto-renewal.