blues

Latest about blues

Portrait of American blues-rock musician Joe Bonamassa posing with his signature Les Paul Goldtop Outfit guitar, taken on January 27, 2009 in London
Joe Bonamassa reveals how many Gibson and Epiphone signature models he’s sold – and it’s a lot

By Janelle Borg Published

The reigning king of signatures has come a long way – the initial run of his first model was limited to 300

Guitarists
Charlie Starr teaches how to write a song within a solo on his Fender Esquire
How to write a “song within a song” with your guitar solos

By Charlie Starr Published

Blackberry Smoke frontman Charlie Starr demonstrates how the solo really can serve the song – by being the song

Artist Lessons
(L-R) Frank Beard, Dusty Hill and Billy Gibbons of ZZ TOP perform in concert at The Forum on June 19, 1975 in Inglewood, California
Billy Gibbons vows ZZ Top will continue performing, following drummer Frank Beard's death

By Janelle Borg Published

Gibbons confirmed that, as per Beard's wishes, the band is going to “keep on keeping on”, with a Texas show scheduled for this weekend

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Bands
Stevie Ray Vaughan [left] slings his guitar over his shoulder and gives us a thumbs up; [right] an action shot of Albert King playing on Midnight Special
The night Stevie Ray Vaughan walked out of his own show to go watch his blues hero

By Jonathan Horsley Published

From the Archive SRV was playing a ‘pass-the-hat’ gig at one of Austin’s most notorious dive bars – until he found out Albert King was playing across town

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From the Archive
Corey Congilio in his studio space
Who’s afraid of the Mixolydian mode? Here’s how you can use it for triads

By Corey Congilio Published

Corey Congilio wasn't that fussed about the Mixolydian mode at first but now he's a believer – and this lesson shows you just how practical it can be

Artist Lessons
Stevie Ray Vaughan plays his number one Strat live
How rhythm and lead techniques can combine for the ultimate blues solo – especially in a trio

By Richard Barrett Published

This lesson presents an improvised blues solo as a launchpad for your own improv

Techniques
Jethro Tull perform at the Royal Albert Hall, London, 13th October 1970
“If it had failed and sold nothing, I still would have been happy with it”: Martin Barre on the making of Jethro Tull’s Benefit

By Andrew Daly Published

It was 1970. The British prog institution was in transition, full of inspiration, and ready to do what it takes. No-one saw what came next

Bands
Joe Bonamassa Martin 00-18 and 00-10E
Joe Bonamassa has a new Martin signature – and he's already played it live with a guitar legend

By Matt Owen Published

Two new models are inspired by Bonamassa’s prized 1937 00-18 Shade-Top

Acoustic Guitars
Jeff Beck and John Mayall
Why Jeff Beck said no to replacing Eric Clapton in the Bluesbreakers

By Matt Owen Published

From the Archive Beck was asked to follow Slowhand’s footsteps out of the Yardbirds and into the Bluesbreakers before he decided to go solo

From the Archive
Paul Kossoff's 1955 Les Paul Custom
Up close with the Les Paul Custom that both Paul Kossoff and Eric Clapton owned

By Huw Price Published

Dubbed the ‘Fretless Wonder’, the Les Paul Custom waltzed onto the scene in 1954. This particular mid-’50s model found its way into the hands of two guitar heroes

Electric Guitars
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