Since we never really talk much about actual technique or playing related topics I figured I would throw one of my favorites out there . The cycle of fifths that is a great writers trick as there are tons of songs based around this progression from Gary Moores Still Got the Blues, Randy Rhoad's second solo in Mr Crowley to the Beatles Golden Slumbers to just touch the tip of the iceberg.

I learned this from listening to the Beatles and how they made songs flow until I got older and found out just exactly what it was and how it worked. I am not going to go into all that now but just give it to you in the key of Am, and of course it can be transposed to any key or started from any chord in the progression and cycled. If you are playing 3 string arpeggios it sounds great that way to . Here it is

Am-Dm-G7-Cmaj7-Fmaj7-Bm7b5-E7-Am

Start and play through the progression from Am to Am then start on the Dm or any chord you wish. I think this will open up some minds to writing some songs tonight. A great tool to have.

For those who do not know how to play a Bm7b5 it is much simpler than it looks. Here is one way B second fret A string index finger-F third fret D string ring finger- A second fret G string middle finger- D third fret B string pinkie.

It is also known as the circle of fifths. Here is a useful tool to help out.

http://randscullard.com/CircleOfFifths/

Sometimes pictures are easier to understand than words :

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12 bar blues is based upon any 3 adjacent chords, for example, 12 bar blues in G uses G, C and D.

Try these using E string barre for the G and A string barre for the C and D. Try this in any other key.

So you really only need to know 3 chords to play blues, and therefore rock and roll.