Need Blues Instruction Book Recommendation

[FatBack]

I entered and totally messed up the GC "King of the Blues" contest this year. The problem is, I've always liked some blues but never really learned how to play that style of music. Arlen Roth's Masters of the Telecaster book doesn't really go deep enough.

My well-worn tele has really gotten a workout over the years with these contests. I usually at least win the preliminaries....not this time.

Anybody got a recommendation for a blues instruction book? I can't describe the stuff I like only that it's kinda like Ry Cooder (without the slide) and kinda like George Thorogood. The old blues guitar music where some old down & out guy is playing chords with all 6 strings and it really drones on like a train in the distance.

That's what I'd like to get better at on my favorite guitar...the telecaster! Any recommendations are appreciated, just post the link & I'll check it out. Thanks.

[jcayer]

http://www.bluesyoucanuse.com/

[zombywoof]

Agree with the above recommendation of "Blues You Can Use." Ya might want to try Homespun Tapes and see what they have.

Also pick up a copy of Mike Bloomfield's - "If Ya Love These Blues Play "em As You Please." The first part of the current release was actually an instructional flexi disc that came in an issue of Guitar Player Magazine back in '76. I still have my original although it is beat to heck.

[zombywoof]

Originally Posted by FatBack

Anybody got a recommendation for a blues instruction book? I can't describe the stuff I like only that it's kinda like Ry Cooder (without the slide) and kinda like George Thorogood. The old blues guitar music where some old down & out guy is playing chords with all 6 strings and it really drones on like a train in the distance.

If it is open tuning stuff you are interested in, check out instructional books and DVDs by Woody Mann and Stefan Grossman although they center on fingerpicking styles.

BTW, I would not be too downhearted about not being crowned the king of the blues. If Son House himself walked in he would probably not make it past the first round.

[FatBack]

Thanks for the recommendations, guys.

I think all the stuff I like hearing lends itself to open tuning but I'd like to get the same sounds in standard tuning using the right chords.

I'm trying to get away from picking single notes and get into fuller sounds playing 4-5 or all 6 strings.

And...yeah, the judges at the blues contest really don't know blues from heavy metal but I'd like to learn blues, nonetheless.

[BottyGuy]

If your entering GC contests I assume that you probably know your blues pentatonic scales over the neck, that's the main aim of the first half of Blues You Can Use *BYCU 1. You might be interested in BYCU 2 which covers more chordal territory and can probably help get you away from the redundant single line blues scale noodling.

You should be able to find both of these are GC, take a look. The example/backing CDs for both are very good.