Know any blues licks? Thought so. Do you use them a bit too often and wish you had some new ways to approach playing blues? Us, too. That’s why, in August, we set sail onto the Mediterranean with the Keeping The Blues Alive At Sea cruise, which played host to some of the world’s top players. Our aim was to have some frank, wide-ranging conversations about bringing authenticity, originality and a little smokestack lightning to your blues playing. We also brought home some masterclass technique lessons, to expand your blues vocabulary and spark new ideas, whether you’re a dedicated blues hound or just want to imbue your guitar playing with more mojo and nail the timeless fundamentals, such as playing over changes, with confidence. We didn’t overlook tone, either. As well as an array of iconic instruments that you’ll discover in the following pages, we also asked our pros for their road-tested insights into getting better acoustic and electric blues sounds.
We hope this voyage into the blues gives you a better handle on playing it. But, more than that, we hope the advice that follows helps unlock a more heartfelt, honest relationship with music-making itself.
FACES OF THE BLUES: ERIC BIBB
Eric Bibb is one of the world’s most powerful acoustic bluesmen and a deep scholar of blues history. We caught up with him to talk about the roots of blues guitar, how it has changed – not always for the better – and how to play more authentically today
This story is from the November 2019 edition of Guitarist.
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This story is from the November 2019 edition of Guitarist.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
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