This unique book gives an in-depth insight into blues guitar, from early Chicago Blues, through Memphis and Detroit Blues, the British Blues boom, Jazz Blues and many other blues genres, right up to the blues styles of today’s hottest guitarists. Focusing on the playing styles of influential guitarists, author John Wheatcroft teaches the basics of blues improvisation and shows how it has developed over the years. Learn how to solo like classic blues guitarists B. B. King, John Lee Hooker and Albert Collins and then move on to find out more about the playing styles of Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Robben Ford and many others. Simple step-by-step guides introduce basic techniques, harmony and theory, with demo solos and backing tracks on the accompanying CD. Content: Contents Introduction Welcome to the Blues How This Book Works Using the CD How to Read Fretboard Diagrams 1. Acoustic Blues & The Delta Key Players Artist #1: Mississippi Fred McDowell Checkpoint Assignments and Improvisation Tips The I–IV–V Chord Progression Artist #2: Lightnin’ Hopkins Checkpoint Assignments and Improvisation Tips The Thumb-Pick Artist #3: Robert Johnson Checkpoint Assignments and Improvisation Tips The Turnaround Questions, Answers & Blue Notes Checkpoint Assignments and Improvisation Tips Microtones & ‘Blue’ Notes 2. Chicago Key Players Artist #1: Muddy Waters Checkpoint Assignments and Improvisation Tips Tailing-Off Notes Artist #2: Hubert Sumlin Checkpoint Assignments and Improvisation Tips Introduction to Vibrato Artist #3: Buddy Guy Checkpoint Assignments and Improvisation Tips Adding Simple Bends The Advantages of Downstroke Picking Artist #4: Mike Bloomfield Checkpoint Assignments and Improvisation Tips Repetitious Extended Phrasing Rhythm Study 3. Memphis & Detroit Key Players Artist #1: John Lee Hooker Checkpoint Assignments and Improvisation Tips ‘Call & Response’ Phrasing Artist #2: B. B. King Checkpoint Assignments and Improvisation Tips Artist #3: Albert King Checkpoint Assignments and Improvisation Tips Outrageously Wide String Bending Artist #4: Robert Cray Checkpoint Assignments and Improvisation Tips Staccato Phrasing & Popping the Strings Rhythm Study 4. Early Texas Blues Key Players Artist #1: T-Bone Walker Checkpoint Assignments and Improvisation Tips Swing Artist #2: Freddie King Checkpoint Assignments and Improvisation Tips Riff-Based Soloing Artist #3: Albert Collins Checkpoint Assignments and Improvisation Tips Rapid Pull-Offs Using the Thumb Artist #4: Otis Rush Checkpoint Assignments and Improvisation Tips Vocal-Like Crying Vibrato Rhythm Study 5. The British Blues Boom Key Players Artist #1: Eric Clapton Checkpoint Assignments and Improvisation Tips Applying Wide Vibrato to a Bent Note Artist #2: Jeff Beck Checkpoint Assignments and Improvisation Tips Emulation of Slide with Vibrato Bar Artist #3: Jimmy Page Checkpoint Assignments and Improvisation Tips Advanced Fast Pull-Offs and Wide String Bending Artist #4: Peter Green Checkpoint Assignments and Improvisation Tips Expressive Vibrato Technique Rhythm Study 6. Country Blues & Rock’n’Roll Key Players Artist #1: Scotty Moore Checkpoint Assignments and Improvisation Tips Rock ’n’ Roll Triplets Travis-picking Artist #2: Chuck Berry Checkpoint Assignments and Improvisation Tips Following the Changes Artist #3: Roy Buchanan Checkpoint Assignments and Improvisation Tips Harmonizing in 3rds and 6ths Volume Swells Artist #4: Danny Gatton Checkpoint Assignments and Improvisation Tips Advanced Hybrid-Picking Rhythm Study 7. New Wave Texas Key Players Artist #1: Jimmy Vaughan Checkpoint Assignments and Improvisation Tips Soloing with Chord Fragments Artist #2: Duke Robillard Checkpoint Assignments and Improvisation Tips Swing & Jazz Phrasing Artist #3: Stevie Ray Vaughan Checkpoint Assignments and Improvisation Tips Extreme Dynamics & Expression Artist #4: Eric Johnson Checkpoint Assignments and Improvisation Tips Pentatonic Superimposition Rhythm Study 8. Rock-Hot Blues Key Players Artist #1: Jimi Hendrix Checkpoint Assignments and Improvisation Tips The Hendrix chord Artist #2: Gary Moore Checkpoint Assignments and Improvisation Tips Extreme Vibrato, Palm Muting & Pinched Harmonics Artist #3: Walter Trout Checkpoint Assignments and Improvisation Tips Expanding the Pentatonic Palette Artist #4: Joe Bonamassa Checkpoint Assignments and Improvisation Tips Large Intervallic Skips via Open Strings Rhythm Study 9. Jazz Blues Key Players Artist #1: Charlie Christian Checkpoint Assignments and Improvisation Tips Eighth-Note Extended ‘Bop’ Rhythmic Phrasing Artist #2: Wes Montgomery Checkpoint Assignments and Improvisation Tips Exclusive Use of the Thumb for Picking Artist #3: Larry Carlton Checkpoint Assignments and Improvisation Tips Spelling Out the Changes Artist #4: Robben Ford Checkpoint Assignments and Improvisation Tips Tension, Release & ‘Outside’ Playing Rhythm Study 10. Slide Masters The World of Slide Guitar Artist #1: Elmore James Checkpoint Assignments and Improvisation Tips Intonation & Vibrato Artist #2: Ry Cooder Checkpoint Assignments and Improvisation Tips Muting Artist #3: Duane Allman Checkpoint Assignments and Improvisation Tips Extending the Range of the Guitar Artist #4: Sonny Landreth Checkpoint Assignments and Improvisation Tips Blues Phrasing Beyond the Box Rhythm Study 11. Acoustic Blues Revival Key Players Artist #1: Bob Brozman Checkpoint Assignments and Improvisation Tips Incorporating the Slide Artist #2: Rory Gallagher Checkpoint Assignments and Improvisation Tips Bass Line Runs & Mixing Approaches Artist #3: John Hammond Checkpoint Assignments and Improvisation Tips Fingerpicks, Fingers or Hybrid Artist #4: Keb’ Mo’ Checkpoint Assignments and Improvisation Tips Developing Your Own Voice & Making Improvements. Fast! 12. Conclusion What Is Feel Assignments and Improvisation Tips Make Your Tone Work for You Delivering the Package Suggested Listening Index CD Track Listing
