Comments for Blues Backing Tracks

Comment on How Can You Play Good Blues Guitar? by BillR

BillR — Wed, 25 May 2011 17:21:14 +0000

Learn how to play the songs from the past masters. Muddy Waters, Freddie King, T-Bone Walker, Howlin’ Wolf, Albert Collins, etc. etc. etc. I will GUARANTEE that guys like SRV and JW learned this way. In fact SRV was a disciple of Albert King, and if you listen to Albert King, you WILL hear where SRV got many of his riffs from.

Another thing, don’t be like rock guitar disciples: don’t try to learn songs exactly like you hear it on the record. Blues is about feeling. Sure you can play it similar, and if it is an instrumental, you are obligated to play it close to it, but small variations are OK and it is what keeps blues fresh.

When I was younger and playing in a house band for a jam in Saint Louis, an old fellow, one of Elmore James Jr’s crew used to come down every now and then to watch (because Saint Louis guitar legend Bennie Smith was the band leader). I didn’t think he paid me much attention, but once he came up to me and said: “I see you don’t play the same song the same way every week.” And I said, “I play it close, but I play it the way I feel every week… so it probably isn’t the same… but I don’t think it’s supposed to.” He looked me in the eye and fairly powerfully said, “GOOD.” Then he walked away. Bennie overheard and just nodded to himself and smiled. Yeah!!

Mechanics and theory are important. Very important. But don’t get lost in them thinking you can find ‘blues’ by practicing techniques you read in a book. Play what you feel, and it is OK to borrow from the masters. Eventually it will evolve into your own style.

Comment on What Are Good Blues Guitar Pickups? by Johnny

Johnny — Sat, 22 Jan 2011 12:41:35 +0000

Agreed. Everything in your chain has to match up to YOUR style, or the sound you’re looking for. But, don’t be afraid to play around with polar opposites in style. Play hard and edgy to something soft and subdued and vice versa.

Comment on What Are Good Blues Guitar Pickups? by Nicolas

Nicolas — Sat, 22 Jan 2011 11:53:04 +0000

Well, in my opinion it depends on what kind of blues you prefer to play. There’s many species and styles.. For example, I love playing a little bit like Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, you know and my guitar is perfect for that (I have hard stratocaster, pickups: H-S-S, Fernandes made in Japan). However, when I m playing more “sensitive” blues (like B.B King for ex.) it sounds worst. Fortunately, I like more ymm “heavy” tones

Comment on How Can I Learn to Play Acoustic Blues Guitar Proficiently? by martin couch

martin couch — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 08:47:04 +0000

There is a wealth of help available-dvds, youtube, books w/cd, etc.

Kenny Sultan, a master of acoustic blues. Scroll toward bottom of page for his books. Ordering from him directly will be cheaper.
http://www.bassharp.com/tomball.htm

Here’s a taste of his playing
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nBeAddOZU6g

Homespun Tapes has many great players’ lessons available
http://www.homespuntapes.com/shop/category.aspx?id=325

Stephan Grossman’s Guitar Workshop/Vestapol have most of the greats not with Homespun
http://www.guitarvideos.com/

Comment on How Can I Learn to Play Acoustic Blues Guitar Proficiently? by Stef Geerits

Stef Geerits — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 15:51:08 +0000

Get yourself a guitar teacher…. only way

Comment on How Can I Learn to Play Acoustic Blues Guitar Proficiently? by crosstwntraffic

crosstwntraffic — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 04:18:56 +0000

You be here every Saturday night, and you learn them blues.

Comment on How Can I Learn to Play Acoustic Blues Guitar Proficiently? by Jonathon

Jonathon — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 02:07:31 +0000

im a believer that you have to live the blues in order to play it. think about everything that’s happened to you in your life. now imagine being born black, discriminated against every day by racists like from mississippi or alabama. imagine your father being hung from a tree. your house being burnt down, your hands blistered and bleeding from picking cotton all day. imagine getting incarcerated for just walking down the street, forced to swing an pick axe on a chain gang to a rhythm. that rhythm is what started the blues. the songs they sang helped them to pass the time. thats truly something to be sad about. listen to some muddy waters.

Comment on How Can I Learn to Play Acoustic Blues Guitar Proficiently? by ClarkL

ClarkL — Sun, 01 Aug 2010 20:21:33 +0000

I know few people who play acoustic blues.Not meaning they are not out there. You tube is the best teaching site out there. I have been playing for thirty years and I use this site all the time to learn new music that i play in my Band.Go to you tube and simply type in Acoustic blues guitar.I just did it. and pulled up some ubber fantasic. players Matter of fact I am listening to one of them as I am typing this.Look up Tommy Emmaunuel Twelve bar blues in the Key of E. Just type all this in there he is .

Comment on What Are Some Good Books for Playing Blues and Rock Guitar? by Richy

Richy — Sat, 19 Jun 2010 15:01:08 +0000

just google it homes

Comment on How Can You Play Good Blues Guitar? by Another rainy day

Another rainy day — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 21:39:22 +0000

When you learn to play like Stevie

Come to my place and teach me

i will provide refreshment.