The blues is a genre that has stood the test of time, evolving over decades and influencing countless musicians. At its core, the blues is about emotion and storytelling, and the guitar is the perfect instrument to convey these raw feelings. Learning essential blues guitar techniques can take your playing to the next level, allowing you to express yourself in new and powerful ways.
From the soulful bends of BB King to the fiery licks of Stevie Ray Vaughan, blues guitarists have developed a rich vocabulary of techniques to create their signature sounds. In this article, we will explore the fundamentals of essential blues guitar techniques and how to use them to elevate your playing. So grab your guitar and let’s dive into the world of blues.
1. Mastering the Blues Scale
The blues scale is the foundation of every blues guitar solo, and it’s essential to have a strong grasp of this scale before moving on to more advanced techniques. The blues scale is a variation of the minor pentatonic scale, with an added “blue note” that gives it its distinct sound.
Understanding the Blues Scale:
To construct the blues scale, start with the minor pentatonic scale and add the flat 5th (also known as the blue note) in between the 4th and 5th degree. For example, in the key of A minor, the blues scale would be A-C-D-Eb-E-G-A.
How to Use the Blues Scale:
The blues scale can be used in both major and minor keys and can be played over both major and minor chords. This versatility makes it a powerful tool for creating melodies and solos. Experiment with incorporating the blues scale into your improvisation and see how it adds depth and emotion to your playing.
Example:
Play the following blues scale lick over a 12-bar blues progression in the key of A minor:
E|–––-|
B|–––-|
G|-5b6–5-—–-|
D|–-5h7--7–5—–-|
A|5–7-–-7–5-|
E|5–8-—–––-8–5|
2. Bending and Vibrato
Bending and vibrato are two essential techniques in blues guitar playing that can add soul and emotion to your solos. Bending involves physically bending the strings with your fingers to raise the pitch, while vibrato is a pulsating effect created by rapidly bending the string back and forth.
How to Bend:
To bend a note, place your finger on the fret and use your other fingers behind it to push the string towards the ceiling. The further you bend the string, the higher the pitch will go. It’s crucial to keep a steady bend and not overshoot the desired pitch.
How to Use Vibrato:
Vibrato is achieved by rapidly bending the string back and forth while sustaining the note. It’s important to have control over the speed and width of the vibrato to add subtle nuances to your playing.
Example:
Try adding a bend and vibrato to the following lick:
E|—–-5-8b10–8-–-|
B|–-5--5-–-|
G|—-5h7p5-—-8–5–7--|
D|––-7-––-7-|
A|-5h7-––––-7–|
E|5h8-–––––-|
3. Slides and Hammer-ons/Pull-offs
Slides, hammer-ons, and pull-offs are all techniques that involve playing multiple notes with one picking motion, allowing for fluid and seamless playing.
How to Slide:
To slide, play a note and then slide your finger up or down the string to a different fret. This can be done in both directions and can add a smooth and melodic element to your playing.
How to Hammer-on and Pull-off:
A hammer-on is when you play a note and then use another finger to “hammer” down on a higher fret, creating a new note without picking again. A pull-off is essentially the opposite, where you play a note and then “pull off” to a lower fret with another finger. These techniques can add speed and intricacy to your playing.
Example:
Incorporate slides, hammer-ons, and pull-offs into this lick:
E|—––––-|
B|–––-8-|
G|—––-5h7–5–7–5-7p5-7--|
D|-5h7–5-–-7--7-|
A|5–7–8-––––-|
E|—––––-|
4. Double Stops and Triads
Double stops and triads are chords that are played using two or three notes instead of all six strings. These techniques can add texture and depth to your solos and give a fuller sound.
How to Play Double Stops:
To play a double stop, hold down two notes on adjacent strings with one finger each. This creates a chord-like effect while still allowing for fluid soloing.
How to Play Triads:
Triads are similar to double stops but involve playing three notes instead of two. They can be played on adjacent strings or by skipping strings, making them ideal for adding variety to your solos.
Example:
Try incorporating double stops and triads in this lick:
E|—––––-|
B|–-8–10-—––-10-|
G|-/9-––-9/11–9-9\11–9--|
D|10-—––-12-—–-|
A|—––––-|
E|—––––-|
5. Dynamics and Control
One of the most crucial aspects of blues guitar playing is dynamics and control. This refers to how you play a note, whether it’s softly or loudly, and the amount of sustain and vibrato used. Mastering these elements can take your playing from good to great.
How to Control Dynamics:
Use the volume and tone controls on your guitar to adjust the intensity of your playing. Experiment with picking techniques, such as using your fingers instead of a pick, to add a softer touch to your playing.
How to Use Vibrato and Sustain:
Vibrato and sustain can be controlled by how you play a note – for example, using a light touch with your fretting hand will produce a more subtle vibrato. Experiment with different amounts of pressure and speed to find your desired sound.
Example:
Play this lick using different amounts of dynamics, vibrato, and sustain to see how it affects the overall feel of the solo:
E|—––––-|
B|8–10-10–12-––-|
G|9h11–-9h11-–-13–11–9--|
D|—––-12-—–-|
A|—––––-|
E|—––––-|
6. Advanced Techniques: Tapping and Hybrid Picking
For those looking to push their blues guitar playing to the next level, there are two advanced techniques worth exploring: tapping and hybrid picking.
How to Tap:
Tapping involves using both hands to play notes on the fretboard, producing a unique and percussive sound. To tap, use the index finger of your picking hand to “tap” on the fretboard while holding down notes with your fretting hand.
How to Hybrid Pick:
Hybrid picking combines using a pick and your fingers to pluck strings, allowing for intricate fingerpicking patterns and faster playing. Hold the pick between your thumb and index finger and use your remaining fingers to pick or pluck strings.
Example:
Try incorporating tapping and hybrid picking in this lick:
E|—––––-|
B|–-12/15p13p12-–-|
G|9-—–––-14p12-–-|
D|-t10/11–10h12-–––-12h14--|
A|––––-|
E|—––––-|
FAQs
Q: How long does it take to master blues guitar techniques?
A: Mastering any musical instrument is a lifelong journey, and there’s always room for improvement. However, with dedicated practice and patience, you can start incorporating essential blues guitar techniques into your playing within a few months.
Q: Can I use these techniques in other genres besides blues?
A: Absolutely! Many of these techniques are used in various genres, such as rock, jazz, and country. Learning blues guitar techniques can enhance your playing in any style of music.
Q: Do I need expensive equipment to achieve the blues guitar sound?
A: While having high-quality gear can certainly enhance your sound, it’s not necessary to spend a fortune to achieve a great blues guitar tone. It’s more important to focus on technique and practice than having the most expensive equipment.
Q: How do I know which techniques to use in a solo?
A: The best way to learn how to incorporate different techniques is to listen to and study the playing of your favorite blues guitarists. Pay attention to their phrasing and note choices and try to emulate them in your solos.
Q: Is it possible to play blues guitar without learning music theory?
A: While learning music theory can be beneficial, it’s not a requirement to play blues guitar. Many legendary blues guitarists had little to no formal training but still created incredible music. The most important thing is to have a good ear and feel for the music.
Conclusion
Mastering essential blues guitar techniques takes dedication and practice, but the payoff is well worth it. These techniques will allow you to express yourself in new and powerful ways, and they are essential for any blues guitarist. Remember to listen to your favorite blues guitarists, experiment with different techniques, and most importantly, have fun on your blues journey. Keep playing and let the blues guide you.
