BB King devoted his life to performing the blues in every corner of the world, and he was perhaps the genre’s greatest ambassador. His remarkably expressive sound, rhythmically inventive, melodically sophisticated and incredibly influential style, spoke to audiences ranging from prison inmates to presidents and everything in-between. BB did so for well over 50 years and never lost his infectious enthusiasm, vitality and commitment to performing. His work earned him numerous awards, including a Grammy for Best Traditional Blues Album, plus an induction into both the Blues and the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame. He even has a museum in his honour, the BB King Museum and Delta Interpretive Centre, in Indianola, Mississippi.
A huge part of King’s almost universal appeal lay in his undeniable ability to communicate his ideas to everyone in the audience. While musicians love his playing, with a list of devoted A-lister fans too vast to list here, he also had massive appeal with non-players. You really don’t have to be a guitar player to get BB’s playing. The emotional intent, beauty, touch and feel of his sound came across loud and clear. One way that King managed to convey his intentions so articulately, along with his beautiful tone, was in the way that his phrasing evolved in a logical and highly compelling way. Each musical idea was explored fully, using repetition, question and answering, theme and variation and motivic development to allow him to say such a great deal, and often within a fairly restricted selection of notes.
Denne historien er fra August 2023-utgaven av Guitar Techniques.
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Denne historien er fra August 2023-utgaven av Guitar Techniques.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
PAT METHENY
Nick Mellor offers an insight into the jazz great's 16th-note lines, and his approach to improvising over static Minor and Dominant 7th chords.
MARTIN MILLER
Another fabulous JTC guitarist demonstrates his impressive techniques for us, focusing on an approach called Rythmically Dependent Alternate Picking.
THE KINKS' RAY DAVIES
This month Stuart Ryan takes a virtual trip into to North London to get to grips with the acoustic style of the original Muswell Hillbilly.
STEVE LUKATHER
This month Andy G Jones looks at the fluent soloing style of the LA guitarist who co-founded Toto in 1977 then ruled the 80s session scene.
JEFF HANNEMAN
This month Charlie Griffiths Shows No Mercy as he lays down the gauntlett with five shred licks from Slayer's undisputed master of attitude.
10CC
This month Martin Cooper checks out Eric Stewart and Lol Crème, whose distinctive styles helped give this UK band its unique sound.
T-BONE WALKER
From the heart of Texas to the cool West Coast, join David Gerrish on the journey of this hugely influential electric blues guitar innovator.
FERDINANDO CARULLI Andantino In G (Opus 241)
This month Declan Zapala goes back to basics to explore core classical technique with this emotive miniature by the pioneer of classical guitar playing.
THE CROSSROADS Steely Dan's Mu Chord
This month John Wheatcroft shows us how Donald Fagen and Walter Becker dressed their harmony to the 'nines, as he explores their trademark chord voicings.
GET YOUR MOJO WORKING! 60 Years Of Blues Licks
From the Kings to Jimi and Eric, Blackmore, Stevie Ray, Gary Moore, John Mayer, JoBo and beyond, Jon Bishop introduces six decades of blues guitar innovation.
