Re: Blues guitar

Dear Olav -

I discovered your guitar website a couple of years ago. I think it is absolutely wonderful, and thank you immensely for taking the time and effort required to create this wonderful resource.

I'm 45 and have been stuck at the beginner-to-intermediate level of acoustic guitar for over 10 years. I know many chords and can make most of the basic changes on basic chords quite fluently. It's the more abstract chords that give me trouble, and I'm sure it's really nothing more than a need to practice more often.

One thing, however, that interests me more than anything is this intense desire to play the blues!!! In particular, I love the slow, really drippy blues tunes that you envision in a dreary, smoky old night club - kind of like the Allman Brothers' version of "Stormy Monday." I just bought a brand new Taylor acoustic guitar, so I'm somewhat reinvigorated once again after a brief hiatus from playing!

Where and how can I learn to play these types of blues tunes? Does your site provide lessons of this sort? Are there any books in particular that you would recommend?

I would appreciate yor comments, thoughts and advice, and thank you in advance for your assistance..........

Warmest regards,

Spence

Dear Spence

I really love these kind of blues tunes too. Even though you play acoustic, I will suggest that you lend an ear or two to one of the pioneers of electric guitar: T-Bone Walker. After all, he was the one on wrote "Stormy Monday". Although he played electric, he mainly stayed at the lower frets and it is not too hard to transfer his style to an acoustic guitar. Duke Robillard has made a video on T-Bone Walker's playing. I will also suggest that you listen to Keb Mo, who has also
made a good video on acoustic blues. Go to
http://www.torvund.net/guitar/BookLists/T-Bone_Walker.asp
and
http://www.torvund.net/guitar/BookLists/keb_Mo.asp
for more information on available material.

Olav