Book Companion
101 Blues Riffs & Solos
in Open D Guitar Tuning
DADF#AD Tuning · Riffs · Solos · Scales · Chords · Fingerstyle · Slide
This companion page is for owners of 101 Blues Riffs & Solos in Open D Guitar Tuning by Brent C. Robitaille (Kalymi Music, 2021). All audio tracks, video demonstrations, blog lessons, and reference links are indexed here by page number. Bookmark this page — resources are added as new content becomes available.
Open Tunings Guitar · Learning Path
This book is Step 3 of the Open Tunings Guitar Learning Path
The full path covers Open D, Open G, and DADGAD tunings — from first chords through blues vocabulary, slide technique, Celtic flatpicking, fingerstyle, and resonator playing. Use the learning path to know exactly what to study next after this book.
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Most Searched
| PAGE | TOPIC & CONTENT | TAGS | RESOURCES |
|---|---|---|---|
| Introduction & Foundations · pp. 3–27 | |||
| 3 |
Introduction
Scope and structure of the book. Covers fingerstyle, pick, and slide approaches for DADF#AD. Explains how the 12-bar examples work and notes on adapting hammer-ons to slide and vice versa.
|
reference | ↗ Open D Blues (blog) |
| 6 |
How to Read Open D Tablature and Chords
Reading tab: strings, frets, fingering, duration. Notation guide for hammer-ons, pull-offs, barre chords, slides, and open-string symbols. Includes how to tune from standard to DADF#AD.
|
reference technique | ▶ Open D Tuning Overview |
| 8 |
12 Bar Blues Progressions in Open D
Full 12-bar chord forms in keys of D, G, and A with chord diagrams and tablature. The I–IV–V foundation used throughout all riff and solo sections. Learn these shapes first — they appear on almost every page.
|
chord reference | |
| 11 |
Quick Three-Position Blues Scales in D
Three essential D blues scale positions: open, 5th, and 10th positions. Fretboard diagrams with all notes shown. The starting point for soloing and improvising over the riffs in this book.
|
scale | ▶ Open D Blues Scale Lesson |
| 12 |
All Five Blues Scale Patterns in Open D
Complete five-position blues scale coverage across the full neck in DADF#AD. Note charts and position diagrams for all five patterns. Master these to improvise freely anywhere on the neck.
|
scale | ▶ Open D Blues Scale Lesson |
| 15 |
Tips for Playing Slide Guitar
Technique tips specific to Open D slide playing: bar angle, intonation accuracy, left- and right-hand muting, tone control, and when to switch between fretted and slide approaches.
|
reference technique | ↗ 6 Essential Slide Guitar Skills |
| 19 |
12 Slide Guitar Technique Exercises
Progressive exercises for clean slide control in Open D: intonation, vibrato, right-hand muting, and transitioning between fretted notes and slide. Work through these before tackling the riff sections.
|
technique | ♪ Audio Set ↗ 6 Essential Slide Guitar Skills |
| 22 |
10 Tips for Making Great Blues Riffs and Solos
Practical tips for building improvised lines: phrase construction, motif development, call-and-response, and connecting riffs into full solos. Applied specifically to Open D blues vocabulary.
|
reference riff | |
| 24 |
10 Theory Tips Every Musician Should Know
Music theory applied to Open D blues: intervals, chord functions, scale degrees, and I–IV–V relationships. Understand the theory behind the riffs to speed up improvisation.
|
reference | |
| 40 Blues Riffs · Keys D, G & A · Riffs 1–40 · pp. 29–57 | |||
| 29 |
40 Blues Riffs in D (Riffs 1–~14)
Stylistic riffs in the key of D: open-position licks, hammer-ons, pull-offs, bent notes, and slide passages. The first and largest riff vocabulary block — learn Riffs 1–10 before moving to G and A.
|
riff | ♪ Audio Set |
| 39 |
40 Blues Riffs in G (Riffs ~15–~27)
Blues riff vocabulary voiced and transposed for the key of G in Open D tuning. Movable barre-chord positions, G-rooted licks, slide passages. Note the similarities to the D riffs — same shapes, different root position.
|
riff | ♪ Audio Set |
| 49 |
40 Blues Riffs in A (Riffs ~28–40)
Blues riff vocabulary in the key of A. Strong bass-string emphasis, movable chord voicings, and A-rooted phrasing patterns. By this point the movable logic of Open D tuning becomes very clear.
|
riff | ♪ Audio Set |
| 25 Short Riffs · Keys D, G, A & C · Riffs 41–65 · pp. 59–73 | |||
| 59 |
25 Short Riffs in D (Riffs 41–~47)
One- and two-bar riff cells in D. Compact, modular licks designed for combining, looping with a pedal, and building longer improvised phrases. Think of these as the atoms — combine them into molecules.
|
riff | ♪ Audio Set |
| 63 |
25 Short Riffs in G (Riffs ~48–~53)
Short riff cells voiced for the key of G in Open D. Compact G-key vocabulary for jams, 12-bar accompaniment, and combining with the D and A cells for fuller improvisations.
|
riff | ♪ Audio Set |
| 67 |
25 Short Riffs in A (Riffs ~54–~59)
Short riff vocabulary in the key of A. Compact licks that slot directly into A-key jams and 12-bar blues. Especially useful for turnaround phrases.
|
riff | ♪ Audio Set |
| 71 |
25 Short Riffs in C (Riffs ~60–65)
Short riff vocabulary in the key of C — extends Open D playing into a fourth key for broader versatility. Useful for songs in C and for practicing the movable-shape logic across the neck.
|
riff | ♪ Audio Set |
| 10 Rhythm Guitar Riffs · Riffs 66–75 · p. 75 | |||
| 75 |
10 Rhythm Guitar Riffs in the 12-Bar Blues Form
Full 12-bar rhythm guitar riffs in Open D. Chord-based grooves, turnarounds, bass-note patterns, and shuffle feels. Essential for solo performance (rhythm + melody in one) and for backing other players.
|
riff | ♪ Audio Set |
| 15 Fingerstyle Riffs · 10 Patterns (Riffs 76–86) + 5 on 12-Bar Blues (Riffs 87–91) · p. 89 | |||
| 89 |
10 Fingerstyle Riffs and Patterns (Riffs 76–86)
Fingerstyle riffs using alternating bass-note and melody patterns in Open D. Covers thumb independence, planting, and tone production. These patterns translate well to slide playing — try both approaches.
|
riff fingerstyle | ♪ Fingerstyle Set |
| 89 |
5 Fingerstyle Riffs on a 12 Bar Blues (Riffs 87–91)
Complete 12-bar fingerstyle arrangements in Open D. Full melody, bass, and inner voice movement in a single-guitar format — the step up from isolated patterns to performable pieces.
|
riff fingerstyle solo | ♪ Fingerstyle Set |
| 10 Longer Riffs & Solos · Riffs 92–101 · p. 94 | |||
| 94 |
10 Blues Solos (Riffs 92–101)
Extended solos and multi-bar compositions in Open D. Full arrangements combining melody lines, chord stabs, and bass movement into complete performance pieces. The payoff of the entire book — play these beginning to end.
|
solo riff | ♪ Full Collection |
| Scales & Arpeggios in Open D · pp. 115–163 | |||
| 115 |
Major, Minor & Blues Scales + Arpeggios — All Keys
Complete scale reference: major, natural minor, and blues scales with arpeggios organized by root note across all 12 keys in DADF#AD. Use alongside the riff sections to understand the note choices in each lick.
|
scale | ▶ Open D Blues Scale Lesson |
| 140 |
Mixolydian, Pentatonic Minor & Major — All Keys
Mixolydian mode and pentatonic scale patterns (minor and major) for all 12 root notes in Open D. Mixolydian is essential for authentic blues and country sounds — note how it differs from the blues scale.
|
scale | ↗ 10 Tips for Improvising Solos |
| 152 |
I, IV and V Primary Chord Arpeggios for Soloing
Arpeggio patterns for the three primary blues chords. Use these for chord-tone soloing — land on these notes on beat 1 of each chord change and your solos will instantly sound more intentional.
|
scale chord | ↗ Improvisation Techniques for 12-Bar Blues |
| Blues Chords & Progressions · pp. 164–180 | |||
| 164 |
Four Blues Chord Progressions with Fretboards — All Keys
Four common blues progression variations with full fretboard diagrams across all 12 keys. Practical reference for playing in any key in Open D. Compare with the 12-bar examples on p.8 to see the full range of variations.
|
chord | |
| 178 |
Open D Blues Chord Shapes to Know
Essential chord shapes for blues in Open D: dominant 7th chords, movable barre voicings, and the specific shapes that appear most throughout all riff sections. Learn these cold before working the solos.
|
chord | |
| 180 |
Open D Chord Reference
Comprehensive chord chart for DADF#AD: major, minor, dominant 7th, major 7th, minor 7th, diminished, and augmented voicings with fingering diagrams for all root notes A through G.
|
chord reference | |
| Fingerboard & Note Charts · pp. 181–182 | |||
| 181 |
Open D Guitar Fingerboard and Note Charts
Full fretboard note layout for DADF#AD shown string by string up to the 12th fret. Use alongside the scale and chord sections to build your understanding of the neck in Open D.
|
reference | |
| 182 |
Open D Guitar Notation Guide
Tab and standard notation reading guide for Open D: all six strings (D–A–F#–D–A–D) with note names per fret, open string positions, and technique symbol reference. Keep this page bookmarked while working through the book.
|
reference | |
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Open D Guitar FAQs
What is Open D tuning on guitar?
Open D tuning is D–A–D–F#–A–D. When strummed open, it forms a D major chord and is widely used for blues, slide guitar, and fingerstyle playing.
How do you play blues riffs in Open D?
Blues riffs in Open D are built from the 12-bar blues structure using movable chord shapes, blues scale patterns, and techniques like hammer-ons, pull-offs, and slide.
Is Open D good for slide guitar?
Yes. Open D is one of the best tunings for slide guitar because the open strings form a full chord, allowing smooth movement and strong resonance across the fretboard.
What scales are used in Open D blues?
The most common scales are the blues scale, minor pentatonic scale, and Mixolydian mode. These are adapted to the DADF#AD tuning for soloing and improvisation.