blues | Guitar World

How to play old-school blues

By Richard Barrett

Learn some six-string rhythms in the style of blues heavyweights Howlin' Wolf and Hubert Sumlin

Greg Koch shows you how to solo over a blues shuffle in the style of Albert Collins

By Greg Koch

Learn to alternate between parallel major and minor pentatonics, and incorporate jazzy chord substitutions

Kirk Fletcher: ”Some players neglect the history. The most iconic players of all time – Hendrix, Clapton and Page – all had that foundation”

By Amit Sharma

The blues ace takes us deep into the heart of his newest release, the aptly titled My Blues Pathway

4 guitar tricks you can learn from Gary Clark Jr.

By Richard Barrett

Throwing some curveballs in among old-school John Lee Hooker callbacks, Clark's style is fresh, vital and liberating

GA-20's Matthew Stubbs: ”By 16, I really had the blinders on for that early electric blues sound”

By Andy Aledort

The Boston-based retro blues-wailers are the product of swampy influences, impressive pedigree and total dedication

5 guitar tricks you can learn from Peter Green

By Richard Barrett

You might never be able to wield Greeny yourself, but you can still learn the nuances of the blues legend's playing...

4 ways to make a bold statement in a guitar solo

By Richard Barrett

Add a little intensity to your blues soloing game

Junior Watson: "Everybody goes for the blues Kings - B.B., Freddie and Albert, but go beyond that - listen to what they listened to"

By Dan Emerson

The California-based blues guitarist on paying dues, learning the history and finding your own voice

The story of Peter Green's Fleetwood Mac, as told by John Mayall, Mike Vernon and Green himself

By Johnny Black

How the British blues-rock powerhouse came together, according to the people who were there

Fatoumata Diawara: “When I started to play guitar, it resolved everything. It was like healing my soul”

By Rod Brakes

The guitarist, actor and singer talks about her musical journey, the power of the Gibson SG, and why she wants to see more women playing guitar

A new photo of Robert Johnson - the third in existence - has been uncovered

By Richard Bienstock

“It shows Brother Robert the way I remember him – open, kind, and generous,” says his stepsister

Jeff Schroedl: "I like to think of my style as guitar gumbo - I focus on the things that set me apart"

By Mark McStea

The bluesman serves up some of the genre's most satisfying licks on Altered Five Blues Band's new album, Ten Thousand Watts

The best blues guitar gear: get the sound of your heroes with these essential guitars, amps and pedals

By Total Guitar editors

Got the blues but not the rig? Kit yourself out with our authentic guide to the best bluesy gear around

Guitar player with a PRS Brent Mason Signature electric guitar

Upgrade your leads by learning to solo over non-diatonic blues chord changes

By Richard Barrett

Richard Barrett is on a mission to make you a better blues player - with full audio examples and backing tracks

Blues-rocker Hamish Anderson delivers a fuzz-fueled playthrough/lesson of You Give Me Something

By Sam Roche

The track represents the grittier side of the singer/songwriter's latest album, Out of My Head

Sick Riffs: Learn a clutch of killer blues licks with Jackson Stokes’ Slave For Your Love lesson

By Michael Astley-Brown

The Devon Allman protégé teaches you a speedy yet tasteful run

20 of the best modern blues riffs

By Total Guitar editors

The hottest riffs from today's masters of the blues - complete with video lessons

Gary Clark Jr: "I got my education from Chuck Berry and Jimi Hendrix more than going to grade school"

By Amit Sharma

How the modern blues trailblazer has defied convention and broken the mould in order to find himself, pushing the genre in new directions along the way…

Go from Johnny Cash to Polyphia with these 6 diverse licks

By Pat Heath

Advance your guitar playing in 30 minutes by nailing these distinct styles

Joanna Connor: "Besides the human voice, the guitar is the most expressive instrument there is - what’s more amazing than a killer guitar solo?"

By Richard Bienstock

Slide guitar maniac Joanna Connor talks being an inspiration to female guitarists, jamming with Jimmy Page and Otis Rush - and her brand-new album, Rise