Welcome to your first lesson in exploring the world of the blues on your cigar box guitar! Today, we're keeping it simple yet soulful with just four down strums. Let's dive right in!
Getting Started
Grab your cigar box guitar and ensure it's tuned to G-D-G, the classic cigar box guitar tuning. Once you're tuned up and ready to go, find a comfortable sitting position with your guitar resting on your lap or held between your legs.
The Three Chords
- G Chord: Strum the open strings without using the slide. With your strumming hand, make a downward strum across all three strings. This is a G Chord. It is why the cigar box guitar is called an “open G” tuning.
- C Chord: Move your slide up to the second dot. Again, strum downwards across all three strings. This is the C chord.
- D Chord: Slide up to the third dot. Again, strum across all three strings.
- Return to the G Chord: Release the slide off the strings across. This is G chord once again.
Strum and Feel the Groove
Strum each chord four times - as the chord progression below. Four bars of four Gs. A total of 16 strums.
Playing a Slide Guitar
When playing C and D slide up to the chord from the dot below. Slide from the dot on your first strum. You are now playing slide guitar!
Congratulations! You've just embarked on your journey into the blues with your first lesson on the cigar box guitar.
Watch the full lesson on Youtube...