Lesson Two: Easy Turnaround in the Key of E

A “turnaround” is used primarily in blues songs, but can be applied to rock and folk songs as well. In its most basic form a turnaround will allow you to finish a chord progression and get you back to the top. They can also be used to finish a song.

The thing that I love about this turnaround is that once your fingers have their place on the neck you will keep them in the same shape, just moving them down the neck toward the tuners.

I am assuming you know how to play the E, A and B7 chords. If you don’t have them down, now is a great time to learn. There are lots of online resources and books at your local music stores that offer chord charts. I’ve used www.chordfind.com and it’s very comprehensive.

“Example 1” is a basic 12-bar blues in the key of E. It is played in 4/4 time (each measure has four beats) and you will want to play steady eighth notes (8 beats per measure, 2 beats per quarter note). As you play, count out “one and two and three and four and”, putting emphasis on the “and.”

You will not be strumming full chords until the final B7 of the progression. Within the E chord you will play the low E, A, and D (sixth, fifth and fourth strings) and within the A and B7 chords you will be playing the A, D and G (fifth, fourth and third strings).

Practice Example 1 up to the turnaround until you feel comfortable with the chords and timing. If your A or B7 chords are sounding a little off make sure that you are not playing the low E, or sixth string.

Once you’ve got it, we can move on to the turnaround.

Though you can use a pick, it is ideal to play this turnaround using the thumb and index finger of the right hand. Using those fingers, you will make a “pinching” motion” on the fifth and third strings.

Play the fifth string with the thumb, moving in a downward motion and at the same time, with an upward motion, use your index finger, or first finger to play the third string. Take the time to get the pinching motion down because this turnaround sounds much better if you have a clean pinching sound. You are now ready to start playing the turnaround in “Example 2.”

You will start the turnaround with two eight notes on the E chord playing the sixth, fifth, fourth and third strings.

On the open notes in the turnaround use your third (middle) finger to play the high E, or first string and your first (index) finger to play the B or second string.

You will be playing the rhythm with a triplet feel. To get that sound you can say the phrase TRIP-A-LET. Substitute the “TRIP” with “PINCH” and you get the order of the notes. PINCH-A-LET.

After playing the descending part of the turnaround you will walk up to the B7 by playing the open A string followed by the first fret of the same string. Finish the turnaround by playing the entire B7 chord.

If you are ending a song on the turnaround, finish it off with a full E chord, omitting the walk up and final B7.

Good luck and enjoy this turnaround. Don’t hesitate to make it your own and most of all have fun with it.