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Saturday, June 27, 2009

Walking The Long Hard Road Of The Blues

By Tom Simpson

Looking to learn to play the best licks on guitar? Well, there's nothing better than the blues. First of all, why play blues guitar when I can play jazz? B.B. King himself said that all of them back then, the blues musicians, they were all in high school --and when a fellow starts playing jazz, then he's in college. He said jazz was the big brother of blues. While it may be true that jazz is arguably a higher form of music than blues, it's a historical fact that all the musical genres of the 20th century worth giving a damn about: rock, R&B, hip hop, soul, funk, metal, and yes even jazz have deep roots in the blues. The blues gave birth to all that great music, and jazz is a credit to the greatness of old blues licks and kicks.

That being said, here are 5 tips to start on the long bumpy road to playing great blues: If you don't already have one, buy a guitar. Some licks sound better in acoustic, some in electric, so both kinds can be used to play. Consider that you can't plug in an acoustic guitar (unless it has a pick up), and that an electric guitar will always require an amplifier to play. If you've picked what you want, consider now the price. Don't be too stingy. A great guitar, if treated right, will outlast you, so go ahead and splurge if you have the cash.

Blues guitar lessons are always a good idea and will go a long way to teaching you everything from the essential basics to nailing serious licks. This may cost you, but if you're serious about learning the blues, then be prepared to spend a bit. Also, the internet offers cheaper alternatives. You can even learn online from the comfort of your own home. Listen to great blues music. Of course the best way to learn is by practicing on a guitar, but listening to the greats: B.B. King, Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, of course Robert Johnson, will help you get an idea of how to really shred licks.

There's no shame in getting help if you want to be good. Besides, blues guitar lessons are not just educational, they're a lot of fun -and that's what guitar playing is all about. As much as the blues are about misery, there's no greater satisfaction than perfectly nailing a great blues song.

Technique. As with any skill, you need to know how to play the guitar. You'll need musicality -an appreciation and fairly good execution of good music. Not just anyone can play the blues. Practice makes perfect. Licks. If technique is your ticket to playing, then a bottomless bag of tricky licks is your game plan. Blues licks are actually a sticky combination of technique and confidence. Playing the blues is a whole lot of improvisation, and a good player needs to be ready to spit out and good licks. Don't be afraid to have some fun. Blues is about expression.

They say to play the blues; you'll just need 3 really important things besides a guitar: First, you got to have a bit of technique. Second, you need a lot of soul, soul, soul. Lastly, practice endless blues guitar licks to last you two lifetimes. It's all about improvisation and confidence. Keep these simple steps in mind and you'll be shredding with the best of them in no time. - 18758

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