Blues in E — fingerstyle
The 12-bar blues grid in E played without a pick: the thumb covers the bass of each chord (E, A, B), while the index, middle and ring finger pick the three treble strings in rhythm. It's a coordination exercise: the thumb has to hold a steady tempo independently of what the other fingers do above it.
Tips
Work the thumb bass alone, over the whole grid, until it runs without thinking — it's what holds the tempo.
Assign one finger per treble string and don't change assignments mid-piece.
Anchor the hand: lightly rest the pinky or the side of the palm near the bridge.
Understanding this type of exercise
Bass with the thumb, chord with the fingers
The same grid without a pick: the thumb plays the root of each chord (E, A, B), the index, middle and ring finger pick the treble strings in rhythm. See fingerstyle.
Practical tips and common mistakes
- Assign one finger per string and stick to it — thumb on the bass, index / middle / ring on the treble.
- Work the thumb bass alone across the whole grid before adding the fingers.
- Anchor the hand: lightly rest the pinky or the side of the palm near the bridge.
Chord progression — E
Bar 1
E7
I
Bar 2
E7
I
Bar 3
E7
I
Bar 4
E7
I
Bar 5
A7
IV
Bar 6
A7
IV
Bar 7
E7
I
Bar 8
E7
I
Bar 9
B7
V
Bar 10
A7
IV
Bar 11
E7
I
Bar 12
B7
V
Chords
The same exercise in other keys
Related sheets
- Wide exploration riff — A minor (Level 4)
- Full round trip riff — C minor (Level 4)
- Blues in A (12 bars) — syncopated rhythm (Level 4)