Where to start for slow blues
Tue, 01/28/2014 - 23:32
Hi Dave,
where In the studies would you suggest for a beginner to pick up some tricks in learning slow blues, as wel as, some recommendations who to listen to for easier slow blues, to more advanced slow blues playing Please? I started off with the studies with really no interest in slow blues, but as I practice, slow blues has really caught my attention. Cheers.
ps I also picked up the harp ninja, and it really does help alot. many thanks for that advice too!
Shawn
Hello Shawn, I'm glad you're enjoying your studies and your slow blues, there's a lot of cool stuff you can do in a slow blues.
Sticking to your study songs at first is the best use of your time... these study songs will build up your technique the quickest. The challenge of playing a pro's song is that they use whatever technique they want, at any time, and at any speed. So you may be able to play some parts easily, but others may literally be impossible until you build a host of technique (it's common for one lick to have up seven techniques used to present it). With this said, there ARE some cool songs out there that are approachable pretty early on... and I'll list them below for you.
1) Tongue Block Study 1 "Walk with Me"
2) Bending Study 2 "Feelin' for the Blues"
3) Bending Study 2.5 (Repertoire Builder) "Take It Easy Now"
4) Bending Study 4 "My Blues"
You have now built up enough technique for these songs (though there will be some tough nuggets to chew on... mostly having to do with the speed of bends).
1) "Blue Midnight" by Little Walter
2) "Sad Hours" by Little Walter
3) "Blues for Big Nate" by Jerry Portnoy (this song is unlocked when you complete LOA-L1)
4) "Easy" by Big Walter Horton
Best wishes on your studies.