Learning the blues

[monquixote]

I disagree - memorising every shape is not a great use of time. In fact, I advise the opposite - get to know position 1 so well that you sing licks as you play. After that, allow yourself an extra few notes. I think that gaining a feel for what you play is far more important than memorising pentatonic boxes - you'll find you don't end up using all of them anyway (I certainly don't).

Agreed

Position one is fine while you are finding your feet.

[Dulcetjones]

Whichever scales you start to get a handle on can give you the ability to play along to blues records once you get the idea of how to improvise. I used to put on a record(I Know....) by any of the old greats, Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, any blues artist, then find the key of each song as quick as you can and play the scale all over the song until you start hearing what works and what doesn't. You will find yourself sometimes playing the same lick they are, but the best part of doing it this way is you start carving out your own style right away. While this is great for playing lead, you do need to hit the books and learn what chord progressions they use most often and how to work with them, a point a lot of players used to miss. The blues are great though, I revert to playing just blues licks for months at a time when I can't think of anything new and progressive to write.

[barney.]

just another thought ...iff you can already play the but you just want it to be more intresting with fresh ideas check out Chuck D'Aloia Blues With Brains its available to download on his site at a cost but well worth it....similar sort of ideas as carlton/ford so iff you like these definitly worth while..

[Bingefeller]

I disagree - memorising every shape is not a great use of time. In fact, I advise the opposite - get to know position 1 so well that you sing licks as you play. After that, allow yourself an extra few notes. I think that gaining a feel for what you play is far more important than memorising pentatonic boxes - you'll find you don't end up using all of them anyway (I certainly don't).

If you want to spell out the changes, to any extent, you're going to need to know a lot more than one pentatonic position.

[alexanderzz]

Take a trip down to the crossroads 'round about midnight and make a deal involving your immortal soul!

[les_paul]

If you want to spell out the changes, to any extent, you're going to need to know a lot more than one pentatonic position.

Maybe. But the point I'm trying to make is that playing authentic blues is just as much about note delivery/feel as it is about note choice - and the best way to really become articulate with those bluesy bends etc is to start off simple.

[rockdudemitch]

Take a trip down to the crossroads 'round about midnight and make a deal involving your immortal soul!

When the dark shady figure asks if he can tune my guitar ill say yes

[DaveMcK]

Technique! A good blues player can make three notes sing. It's all about the bends, vibrato, hammer ons, etc. Bend those strings till your fingers bleed.

[barney.]

Technique! A good blues player can make three notes sing. It's all about the bends, vibrato, hammer ons, etc. Bend those strings till your fingers bleed.

this is how i teach ....get them to use 2 strings at a time and get as much feel as possoible just out of them...then move on adding strings....it stops the constant running up and down the penta scales..you need to know the scales first but after that they need to be broke up...but i agree with the above....maybe not the fingers bleed bit...
its all down to phrasing again....i dont think theres enuff attention paid to this...

[bertie]

Technique! A good blues player can make three notes sing. It's all about the bends, vibrato, hammer ons, etc. Bend those strings till your fingers bleed.

and phrasing/timing

having never knowingly learnt a single scale in 35+ years, my mantra has always been play what you think is right, and if it isnt bend it until it is