blues guitar

Latest about blues guitar

A black-and-white action shot of electric blues pioneer T-Bone Walker performing in the '60s.
How T-Bone Walker invented electric blues guitar

By Denny Ilett Published

T-Bone Walker may have been the first true hero of modern electric blues, but he stood upon the shoulders of jazz and blues giants

Guitarists
David Gilmour is bathed in blue stage lights as he performs with a black Stratocaster.
“Albert King once advised Gary Moore to ‘play every other note’”: Why keeping it simple can improve your blues solos

By Richard Barrett Published

Peter Green, George Harrison, Gary Moore, David Gilmour... These are just some of the players inspiring this lesson in stylistic restraint, all in the pursuit of the blues

Techniques
Eric Gales
That time a 14-year-old Eric Gales won a battle of the bands competition that got him signed

By Phil Weller Published

It was a gig that changed Gales’ life forever

Guitarists
Cut-out black and white images of T-Bone Walker and B.B. King on a purple and blue background. Text reads 'Bl-azz?! Where blues meets jazz.'
Bend it like B.B.: What you can learn from these 6 blues and jazz guitar greats

By Alex Farran Published

Bends, embellishments, arpeggios and more – from Charlie Christian to BB King and George Benson, how to unlock the genius of the jazz and blues icons

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Techniques
Joe Louise Walker
Blues guitar great Joe Louis Walker dies at 75

By Phil Weller Published

He played with Muddy Waters and B.B. King, opened for Jimi Hendrix, and was called “The Bluesman” by Aretha Franklin

Guitarists
Eric Gales takes a solo on his signature Magneto electric guitar, with its gold pickguard matching his thick gold chain. He wears a ball-cap and tinted glasses.
Why rhythm is as important as the notes you play in a blues guitar solo

By Richard Barrett Published

Inspired by Eric Gales, Joe Walsh, Earth, Wind & Fire and Motown, this blues lesson puts the rhythm first

Lessons
Tosin Abasi of Animals as Leaders performs at The 2020 NAMM Show Opening Day on January 16, 2020 in Anaheim, California
Tosin Abasi once said he wanted to release a blues album – is that still on the cards?

By Matt Owen Published

We asked the progressive metal innovator for an update on his prospective blues record, which he teased back in 2022

Guitarists
Joe Bonamassa
“There’s nothing more Spinal Tap”: Joe Bonamassa reflects on the worst show of his career

By Phil Weller Published

Today, he’s one of the most celebrated blues guitarists in the game, but JoBo faced a harsh reality when he embarked on his first headline tour

Guitarists
Joe Bonamassa wears a blue suit, polka dot shirt and shades as he takes a solo on his signature Epiphone Les Paul. Josh Smith is in the background on rhythm guitar.
“It works every time… although you'll ruin your pick”: How to end a slow blues solo, by Joe Bonamassa

By Joe Bonamassa Published

Drawing upon B.B. King's seminal Live at the Regal, JoBo offers pointers for "high-note activity" and the emotional build-up before deferring to Jeff Beck for the coupe de grace

Artist Lessons
Jim Suhler & Stevie Ray Vaughan
Jim Suhler on the first time he met SRV – and the profound advice he received

By Phil Weller Published

Suhler crossed paths with the blues great entirely by chance when he visited the family’s jewelry shop in 1989

Guitarists
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