Learn how to play this classic blues guitar groove courtesy of Kirk Fletcher, a modern blues master
In this Gibson App lesson, modern blues star Kirk Fletcher dives into a classic blues rhythm, perfect for shuffles and swing blues. Using ninth chords, this groove captures the essence of B.B. King, Magic Sam, and Freddie King, delivering a solid rhythm that locks in beautifully with the band.
Played in the key of B flat, this rhythm is for anyone looking to add some sophisticated swing to their blues playing. Once you’ve mastered this one, hop over to the Gibson App lesson on smooth chord transitions and apply it to the chord progression taught there by Irene Ketikidi. You’ll hear how blending disparate styles is the key to creative music.
Who is blues master Kirk Fletcher?
Kirk Fletcher is an American blues guitarist, singer, and songwriter known for his soulful, expressive playing that draws from classic blues traditions as well as modern influences. His latest album is Heartache By The Pound.
Born in California in 1975 and introduced early to gospel and blues music, he has worked with notable artists such as Charlie Musselwhite, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Joe Bonamassa, and Kim Wilson, earning multiple Blues Music Award nominations for his technical skill and heartfelt style.
Fletcher told Guitar World, “I started playing in my father’s church when I was nine or 10 years old. My older brother played guitar, so I picked it up, trying to be like him. Then I started playing with different bands, and that led me to this gentleman named Al Blake, who knew all the blues people, like Hollywood Fats, Jimmy Watson, Kid Ramos, and all of the LA blues guys.”
His timeless approach is often linked to icons like Albert King, B.B. King, and Stevie Ray Vaughan, yet remains distinct, shaped by a love of tone, gospel roots, and genuine emotional depth. He continues to tour internationally, releasing his own albums and collaborating with top-tier musicians, all while championing and evolving the blues tradition.
Image: The B.B. King “Rumble in the Jungle” ES-355 makes a perfect uptown blues guitar
What is uptown blues all about?
Uptown blues is the sort of affair found in big-city clubs played by horn-backed ensembles and has more jazz influences sprinkled into the music in comparison to down-home blues styles.
The guitar work showcases a greater jazz influence with a preference for cleaner tones, achieved with archtop or semi-hollow instruments. It’s melodic, with single-note lines informed by swing and jazz phrasing. Common chord voicings are often extended and laced with substitutions borrowed from jazz harmony.
In this blues style, you’ll discover a blend of fluid solos, the use of double stops, and occasional jazzy chord stabs that set the template for what is often called the uptown approach. The Gibson App equips you with the tools you need to write outstanding songs in this style. By mastering new rhythms and traditional chord progressions, honing smooth transitions, and drawing inspiration from the work of others, you’ll be able to apply these foundational skills to your creative process.
Explore the world of the Gibson App today and start your free trial on iOS and Android devices.
