Intended for beginning to intermediate level players, this blues guitar tutorial offers progressive lessons addressing chords, comping, scales, phrasing, and solo improvising. The book's numerous musical examples and tunes are written in both standard notation and guitar tablature as well as in chord grids when justified. All examples appear on the book's companion audio, recorded on electric guitar only. Helpful practice tips and suggestions for further reading and listening are provided.

The author methodically introduces the student to authentic blues styles and techniques, referring to specific artists, recordings and periods in the development and evolution of modern blues guitar playing. The relationship between chords and soloing is examined, as is the role of the guitar in blues ensembles and recordings. Equal emphasis is placed on chord comping, improvising and related theory. Upon completion of the book the student should be competent in performing a wide range of blues forms and idioms, comping and improvising with authority, and playing the blues in a band or larger ensemble. Includes access to online audio.

Introduction

Why the Book?
Are You Ready for this Book?
How to Use the Book

Chapter 1 - Blues Basics

How to Get the Most from this Book; Getting Organized for Practice

Lesson 1: Notation, Tablature, Chord Grids and Diagrams

Reading vs. Tab; Chord Grids
Fretboard Diagrams; Notes on the Fretboard; Notes and Rests
Chord Charts and Rhythm Slashes

Lesson 2: The Right and Left Hands

The Right Hand; Holding the Pick; Pick Angle and Size; Alternate Picking
The Left Hand

Lesson 3: Intervals, Major Scale Harmony and Chords

Intervals and the Major Scale
Major Scale Harmony and Chords

Chapter 1 Revision*

Chapter 2 - Playing the Blues

Blues Listening
Practice, Time, and Staying Motivated

Lesson 4: The 12 Bar Blues

Playing the 12 Bar Blues
Exercise 1
Exercise 2
Exercise 3
Exercise 4

Lesson 5: Comping and the 12 Bar Blues

Exercise 1
Exercise 2
Exercise 3
Exercise 4

Lesson 6: The Turnaround

Turnaround Licks

Chapter 2 Revision

Chapter 3 - Improvising and the Blues

Chords and Comping; Improvising and Ear Training

Lesson 7: The Minor Pentatonic and Blues Scales

The Minor Pentatonic Scale
The Blues Scale
Scale Practice
Minor Pentatonic and Blues Scale Phrases

Lesson 8: Applying the Scales

Slides and Microtones; Hammer-Ons and Pull-Offs
Vibrato; String Bending
More Blues Licks and Phrases

Lesson 9: 12/8 and Slow Blues

Exercise 1
Exercise 2
Exercise 3; Exercise 4

Chapter 3 Revision

Chapter 4 - At the Crossroads

The Intro; The Outro
Stop Time

Lesson 10: More Comping and the 12 Bar Blues

Exercise 1
Exercise 2
Exercise 3
Exercise 4

Lesson 11: The Minor Blues

Exercise 1
Exercise 2
Exercise 3

Lesson 12: The Major Pentatonic Scale

Applying the Major Pentatonic Scale
Major Pentatonic Scale Licks

Chapter 4 Revision

Chapter 5 - Blues In the House!

Transcription
Blues Phrasing

Lesson 13: Blues Phrasing

Playing on "2" and "4"
Call and Response Phrases
Repetition
Tension and Release

Lesson 14: More from Scales

New Scale Positions; Connecting Positions
Unison, Reverse, and Three Fret Bends
Legato Playing, Speed, and "Chops"

Lesson 15: Other Blues Forms

The 8 Bar Blues
The 16 Bar Blues
Odd Number Bar Blues; The Boogie

Chapter 5 Revision

Chapter 6 - More Better Blues

Practice and Patience; The Turnaround
Beyond the Pentatonic and Blues Scales

Lesson 16: More Turnarounds

Turnarounds and Comping
Turnaround Licks

Lesson 17: Even More from Scales

Adding the Major 6th and the 9th to the Minor Pentatonic Scale
Adding the b3 and the 4th to the Major Pentatonic Scale
Mixolydian 6ths; Bending and Playing Two Notes
"Trick" Rhythmic Phrases

Lesson 18: "Tricking up" the Blues

Rhythm Phrases
Chord Extensions and Voicing
Jazz Changes
Minor Blues Variations

Chapter 6 Revision

In Conclusion - Further On Up the Road

Guitars, Amps and Pedals
Self Expression and Individuality

* The author of this book is from Australia, where the term "revision" is used to refer to a review or going over again of material.