Improvising Blues Guitar

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