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Introduction:
Torrins brings you another legendary blues guitar lesson—Stormy Monday as played by The Allman Brothers Band, taught by Mike Dugan. This classic blues song is packed with soulful chords, smooth rhythm, and expressive lead playing, making it a must-learn for any blues guitarist.
Fun Fact: Originally written by T-Bone Walker, Stormy Monday inspired blues legends like B.B. King to pick up the electric guitar. Moreover, the Allman Brothers' 1971 version, with jazzy organ and extended solos, transformed it into an iconic 8-minute masterpiece.
Chords & Song Arrangement
- This song follows a 12-bar blues progression in the key of G, incorporating both open and barre chords:
- Chords Used – G#7, Am7, Bbm7, and more. Some chords are barre chords, but Mike provides easier alternatives for different playing levels.
- Since T-Bone was known for his 9th chords, Mike also teaches 9th chord variations to bring out that authentic blues feel.
- The song includes a subtle sharp climb, adding to the T-Bone Walker-style phrasing.
Rhythm & Strumming Pattern
- Time Signature: 4/4
- Main Rhythm: A slow blues groove with a simple strumming pattern at first.
- Alternative Rhythm: A 6-feel rhythm (double-time feel), adding an upbeat bluesy bounce.
Mike also demonstrates advanced rhythmic techniques, incorporating double stops, slides, and dynamic accents to enhance the song’s groove.
Intro Lick, Turnaround & Ending
- Intro Lick – A G9 chord-based intro, first broken down in a simplified version before introducing more advanced variations using sharp and augmented chords.
- Turnaround – Mike walks through classic turnaround chords, showing how they fit into the blues form.
- Ending – He teaches a common blues-style ending which is useful for countless other blues songs.
Sing & Play – Coordinating Vocals & Guitar
Want to sing while playing? Mike shares practical tips on how to sync your vocals with the guitar. He encourages adding your own feel to the song while staying true to its blues roots.
Lead Fills & Lead Playing
- Lead Fills: The lesson starts with small lead fills that complement the vocals.
- Key & Scales: He uses the G minor pentatonic blues scale and major blues in G for expressive phrasing.
- Playing Lead in Slow Blues: Mike demonstrates bends, sustains, and dynamics, making your solos sound rich and emotional.
Improvisation & Playing with a Backing Track
- Here Mike explains how to improvise and when to use the major vs. minor scale. He also demonstrates how to craft a melodic, bluesy solo.
- Follow his approach, and soon, you’ll be confidently improvising your own slow blues solos!
Final Playthrough with Backing Track
To wrap up the lesson, Mike plays the full song with a backing track, reinforcing all the techniques covered. Watch closely and play along to lock in the feel and phrasing of this blues classic.
Why Learn Stormy Monday?
- Classic blues structure – great for understanding blues chord progressions.
- Improves both rhythm & lead playing – covers everything from chords to expressive solos.
- Perfect for improvisation – teaches you how to craft slow blues solos with feel.
FAQs – Stormy Monday Guitar Lesson
Q1: Is this lesson beginner-friendly?
Yes! Mike provides simplified chord alternatives and breaks down the song step by step.
Q2: What’s the most challenging part?
The double-time solo can be tricky, but Mike teaches how to ease into it.
Q3: How do I make my solos sound bluesier?
Focus on bends, vibrato, and using both the major & minor blues scales—all of which Mike explains in detail!
Songs with Similar Difficulty
Introduction:
Torrins brings you another electrifying guitar lesson "Crystal Mountain by Death", taught by none other than Bobby Koelble, one of the original guitarists on the track. This lesson breaks down the intricate riffs, solos, and powerful progressions that make this song a metal masterpiece.
Fun Fact: Crystal Mountain was inspired by Chuck Schuldiner’s real-life experiences with his not-so-friendly next-door neighbour. Their unpleasant interactions fueled the aggression and emotion behind this legendary track!
Tuning & Gear
- Tuning: Standard tuning down a whole step.
- Use the provided tabs for a more comprehensive learning experience.
Song Breakdown
This lesson is structured into multiple sections to make learning seamless:
- Introduction
- Intro Riff
- Verse
- Chorus
- Bridge
- Solo-Tapping Section
- Main Solo
- Acoustic Solo
- Song Demo (Chuck’s Part)
- Song Demo (Bobby’s Part)
- Full Song Demo (Combining All Parts)
Chords & Riffs in Crystal Mountain
Intro Riff
- The first 8 bars feature power chords like E, Bb, and F, with vibrato. Tune in to the lesson to learn the rest of the chords.
- The second half of the intro is harmonised down a perfect 5th.
- Scale: E Harmonic Minor.
Verse
- The Am chord is played with a variation in arpeggio.
- Includes F power chords and some single notes, along with other chords.
- Heavy distortion is used to achieve that signature Death sound.
Chorus
- Chorus features single notes and an active midsection involving the open 5th string.
- Chuck Schuldiner added an intricate melody over the chorus section. Bobby walks you through this in detail.
Bridge
- It begins with power chords in the rhythm track.
- It is layered with harmonised single-note phrases on top
Solo Sections
Tapping Solo
- This solo features harmonised tapping licks at the 12th fret.
Main Solo
- Chuck’s solo—short but iconic.
- It is in the key of G# minor.
- Uses triplets and expressive vibrato.
Acoustic Solo
- An acoustic solo is a rare touch in a Death song! Bobby demonstrates 4 simple acoustic licks to round off the song.
Final Song Demo
After breaking down every section, Bobby dedicates three lessons to the song demo:
- Chuck’s part
- His own part
- The full song, combining all elements
Why Learn Crystal Mountain?
- Learning this song will help you master intricate picking techniques.
- It will also help you understand harmonised riffs and solos.
- It will expand your knowledge of scales and metal phrasing.
FAQs – Crystal Mountain Guitar Lesson
Q1. Is this lesson suitable for beginners?
A: This lesson is best suited for intermediate to advanced players because of its complex chords and solos.
Q2. What is the most challenging part of the song?
A: The solo-tapping section and harmonised melodies require precise technique and practice.
Q3. Can I play this without tuning down?
A: Yes, you can, but tuning down a whole step helps achieve the authentic Death sound.

























