Most of the old blues guys used what was available--they didn't think, "This one is what my hero used!"
They thought, "I hope to God these strings don't break, cuz I don't have any more!"

They might have had preferences in equipment or a specific type of guitar they wished or GAS'ed for, but they used the best that they could get their hands on, nothing else.

...if you don't believe me, remember that Freddie King didn't record any of his early albums on an ES-345 (he used a Les Paul with P90 pups), Jimmie Vaughan used a 70s Telecaster for a good portion of his early albums (even though he had a Strat on hand, he was using that Tele for one reason or another), and Muddy Waters used everything from a Les Paul to a Guild S-200 Thunderbird to his well-known Telecaster "Hoss".

Yes, every guitar "plays" a little different, and every guitar can sound different, but all of these guys sounded a whole lot like themselves no matter what axe or amp they were using--because their sound is in their emotion, phrasing and hands--not the axe itself.

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Good Vibes To Y'all!



Screamin' Armadillos
Texas Roadhouse Music
Guitar/Slide Guitar/Harp/Vocals

Oh yeah, just look at Hound Dog Taylor's gear. Looked like he had a Tiesco guitar and an old Silvertone amp. I thought he sounded awesome.

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Life...... It's sexually transmitted and always fatal

Wise words from all but never forget facial expression can portray emotion your guitar playing....well may not be on a par with, practice practice practice steal all the licks you can and tinker with them slide to a note instead of hammering on etc, but don't forget that facehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XlVoX2nLNCQ
or you could go the cheap sunglasses and hair route
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XHtPYZRVeGI

Many years ago when Clapton's version of Crossroads came out I recognized it for what it was,him doing an old blues tune....nothing more,my uncle and his friends had bands in the late '50s early '60s and they were doing the same thing,they taught me Jimmy Reed licks and B.B.'s licks and so on,Clapton just brought it to the mainstream listners at the time who had for all the reasons back then didn't listen to black music....sounds racist but it's the way it was......a listen to Pat Boone's milky version of "Tutti Fruitti" tells the tale,we all know who did the real version.
I agree with your statement about "Pride and Joy",I did my own version right after SRV's album came out and I used a Les Paul and Marshall 2x12 combo,and my own licks!
I don't like it anymore either.

+100000

AK and most of the Blues greats have a story to tell... listen to their music over and over again, the Blues will come natural to you then. There's no science behind it, it's all about feel and emotions as others have said.

But if you really want to mix up major and minor listen to a lot of BB... his Blues style is full of exactly what you're looking for IMO. 2 very important albums to have, Live in Cook County and Live at the Regal, study them for weeks or months, play along with BB, you'll start to get a feel for what works and what sounds right, and when to play certain licks.

Just don't go to the same face school that John Mayer, Jonny Lang or the young Joe Cocker went to.

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Life...... It's sexually transmitted and always fatal

When I first started playing, and learning to 'solo', I read in Guitar Player magazine to play a solo like you were singing lyrics to a song. When you see BB, Eric, Buddy, etc, moving their mouth/jaws, they're actually 'singing' the notes.

Also, as others posted, don't get too frustrated if you don't sound like your favorite guitarist. For years I was depressed (musically) that I couldn’t sound like Jimi or Eric, it wasn’t until that I accepted my ‘tone’, that it freed me to be ‘me’. But later, people would tell me that I sounded like Jimi or Eric, or Buddy.

Also play along, and learn solos/riffs, this will be build your ‘riff’ vocabulary. To this day, I still play along to CDs, and to music videos.

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Tony Houston

Funny thing is I can't remember BB playing and singing at the same time. Frank Zappa never did either. it's all about phrasing and knowing when not to play too. The important thing is to express yourself and have a ball. There is no right or wrong or good and bad.

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Life...... It's sexually transmitted and always fatal

Never seen BB either and specially not Clapton... but this guy sure sounds good when he does it

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cz6LbWWqX-g

Give him about a minute and he'll start...

Nothing cooler than the Iceman. Boy do I miss Albert.

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Life...... It's sexually transmitted and always fatal

I love the blues. I love to listen to it and all but I will be honest, I am a terrible blues player. The main reason...I am a very happy guy and I just can't translate what the greats do into my playing. IMO you can always tell a faker from a genuine. I have had such a great life that my playing reflects it. Hmmmm, maybe I can play the blues about not being to play the blues
ABS

There's plenty of happy and fun Blues. Give it a shot.

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Life...... It's sexually transmitted and always fatal

Cherokee, thanks for the quick response. Thanks to all for the information and advice.

As I said I am plodding along on the learning curve. It's funny how you can or hear about a subject or technique.... and not really take notice, and then later you grasp upon it, I guess when your mind is ready; or have the need, and wow, oh yes! I remember that....now I understand and see how it fits into the scheme of things. I can use this! Epiphany?

I knew about relative minor and major relations but it did not "click" until a few days ago. Immediately I though, why this must be fertile ground for "call and response" in the Blues. You guys confirmed it. thanks.

As far as progressing, I am slow and it comes in spurts. But I am having a good time with it. Becoming too much like any one player would never be a problem for me. If I had to figure out a song note for note, I might as well give it up alltogether. I just cannot pick up music that way. I can approximate what a player is doing, but note for note never. I don't get caught up with amp types and effects and who plays what size stings. I have several strats and a LP. I play the strings I like, and play clean except for the reverb and gain that my Blues Deluxe Reissue has. Real basic.

As far as players that inspire me I very much like and listen to B.B. and Freddie King for electric blues. Elmore James moves me as well.

My favorite Freddie:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wTNV84AmyU4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PURIZ388xvE

Thanks again all!

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I remember when we were free!

Alot of people say less is more. I try to stick within that rule and not get to flashy. I've been told that you can hear clapton and BB in my solos, which makes me feel good but also bums me out 'cause I want my own sound. Try playing along with backing tracks, like the King of the Blues tracks, from guitar center contest. Also playing at various blues jams helps too. Its hard not to be influenced by your guitar heros. good-luck and keep jamming !!!

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2012 American Vintage Telecaster 1958
09 Fender american deluxe strat.
97 Gibson les paul special P90's double-cut
65 Princeton reverb re-issue
2010 Guild Gad-F40e

Thanks for bring that up, I forgot to ask. Currently I play along to the blues part of my GDEC 15. I do want something better, backing tracks, where do I get those?

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I remember when we were free!