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