Lyrical playing is key in the Blues since it evolved from a predominantly vocal form.
If you can immerse classical progressions into a blues progression seamlessly, then the range of expression widens considerably. But holding back is also important as sometimes 3 notes and silence speak volumes...

_________________
"C'est parti mon Kiki "

I think it was Albert Collins who, after playing a set with Gary Moore, told Gary, "You'll sound better if you only play every other riff." Gary, whose blues stuff I own and really love, did tend to fill all of his gaps with notes, especially when playing live - like some people who cannot abide a lapse in a conversation.

Enjoy the blues!

_________________
Dennis in CR
Rockin' since 1963

Changing up musical genres is a good thing as you said it keeps you learning and also gets you out of the same old rut day-in and day-out. Good luck and enjoy Jeffo!!

...for every action, there is an equal, opposite reaction. ...after all these years of playin' dah blues, I've decided to take up metal and hard rock.

Maybe you two should get together and compare notes!!

Stevie was also a very busy player. He had those amazing hands but sometimes I thought he played too many notes. Don't get me wrong, the man had other-worldly chops, I intend no disrespect. Jeff, if you want to study a man who's playing is almost always tasteful, artful and always enhances the song rather than showing off just because he can you owe it to yourself to give Warren Haynes a look-see. Get his solo album called Tales of Ordinary Madness. There's some tasty guitar work on there and even though it's not always Blues by a strict definition it is definitely Blues based.

_________________

Just think of how awesome a guitar player you could have been by now if you had only spent the last 10 years practicing instead of obsessing over pickups and roasted maple necks.

+1

Good location to be influenced by the blues too. Rhody, home of many modern bluesmen.
Listen to some older 'Roomful' and 'Broadcasters' and maybe some 'Sugar Ray'.

_________________
Being able to play and enjoy music is a gift that's often taken for granted.

Don't leave home without it!

Good to see you taking up the challenge of another genre Jeff.The blues comes from probably the least complex scale but then again it is a very difficult scale to become proficient in without sounding repetitive.BB King is the epitome of blues playing,he isn't fast and at times is what would be painfully slow in another player,yet his phrasing and right hand vibrato are meticulous.Albert King goes the other way,he can play fast,has an agressive right hand vibrato and does extreme bending that would cause finger bleeding and cramping in most other guitarists.

Try and listen to as many blues players that you can and try and absorb some of their licks without emulating or trying to copy any one player.After a while you'll create a style of playing that's your own,

_________________
'65 Strat,65 Mustang,65 Jaguar,4 more Strats,3 vintage Vox guitars,5 Vox amps,'69 Bassman with a '68 2-15 Bassman cab,36 guitars total-15asst'd amps total,2 vintage '60s Hammond organs & a myriad of effects-with a few rare vintage ones.

jeffo46, glad to see you have found a new inspiration. Play on and have fun

_________________
you can save the world with your guitar one love song at a time it's just better, more fun, easier with a fender solid body electric guitar or electric bass guitar.