Blues Guitar Phrasing & Improvisation

The Expressive Soloist System — Coming January 2026

A brand-new online course designed and taught by Bobby Carrillo-Thompson is on the way. This 6-module program breaks down the art of authentic blues phrasing and helps guitarists move beyond scales into expressive, emotionally charged soloing.

Blues Guitar Phrasing & Improvisation is a step-by-step journey that teaches you how to unlock soulful lead playing rooted in both classic and modern blues traditions. You’ll learn how to build melodic phrases, create tension and release, use bending and vibrato as expressive tools, and weave your personality into every note. Through short demonstrations, guided practice routines, and musical examples, this course will give you a complete framework for improvising with confidence, tone, and feel. Whether you're a weekend player or a serious student, this course will help you sound more like yourself — and less like you’re “just playing the scale.”

Course Overview

Title

Blues Guitar Phrasing & Improvisation: The Expressive Soloist System

Description

A focused 6-module curriculum designed to strengthen your phrasing, deepen your musical expression, and transform the way you approach solos. You’ll learn how to shape melodic ideas with intention, connect emotion to technique, and craft solos that communicate a story. Each module blends instruction, practice tracks, creative prompts, and reflection exercises to help you internalize the language of the blues and develop your own voice.

What You Will Learn

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

Play soulful, melodic solos over a 12-bar blues with confidence
Develop phrasing inspired by B.B. King, Hendrix, Albert Collins, Susan Tedeschi, and modern blues stylists
Understand how chord tones guide strong improvisation
Use space, timing, and dynamics to create emotional depth
Build a personal vocabulary that goes beyond memorized licks
Improve vibrato, bending, articulation, and touch
Craft musical ideas that feel intentional, expressive, and truly your own

Who This Course Is For

This course is ideal for intermediate players who can solo but feel stuck repeating the same licks, want to break out of “box patterns,” or want to connect their emotions more directly to their sound.

If you’re looking to level up your tone, expression, and phrasing — this is for you.

Prerequisites & Gear

You’ll get the most out of this course if you’re comfortable with:

Basic blues progressions
Pentatonic scale shapes
Fundamental bending and vibrato
Rhythm and timing essentials

Gear: Any electric or acoustic guitar, amplifier, and the desire to learn by doing. Pedals, tone tools, and gear recommendations will be included throughout the course.

What a Lesson Feels Like

Each lesson feels like sitting down with a mentor who shows you not just what to play but why it works. You’ll walk through short, focused demonstrations built around a single musical idea — a three-note phrase, a vocal-style bend, or a rhythmic call-and-response pattern. Then you’ll apply it over guided backing tracks designed to help you feel the phrasing rather than memorize licks. Lessons blend clarity with musicality, emphasizing tone, timing, space, and emotional delivery. Every module builds on the last, helping you develop your personal voice one phrase at a time until improvisation feels natural, expressive, and deeply your own.