What Blues Songs Should I Study?

I always recommend Cream's "Crossroads". Incredible blues rock song.

Again I can vouch for this. I'm currently working on this song. My guitar teacher wants me to gig it in a couple of weeks time with his blues band. My first live performance. :shock:

Great blues song and quite accessible for a blues beginner.

8)

I don't know, I found Crossroads to be a pretty arduous undertaking as a beginner. Even now I don't find it super easy, although the rhythm is pretty straightforward. But yeah, there are definitely great licks to be copped from that one.

BB King is an obvious and perhaps clichéd choice, but a great choice nonetheless. You'll be hard pressed to find too many blues guitarists who haven't taken a page or 10 out of BB's book. T-Bone Walker is another one.

EDIT:

A couple of T-Bone videos for you.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RzDnAQCbp9Y
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wemG2821l-o

You'll hear A LOT of blues guitarists playing those licks.

Also, since you're into Hendrix and SRV you should probably check out Albert King who both emulated extensively, especially SRV.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QaEcsQVFS20
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8yLBFweFyfE

I believe the grandfather of blues is Robert Johnson. Check him out from the 30's. Pretty good stuff if your a serious blues fan.

Hi.
Well, it sounds as if you are learning the guitar???? That wasn't quite clear.
If so - Yes, all the Blues players mentioned are outstanding. (* Stormy Monday - I love T-Bone Walker )(And I saw SRV playing with Albert King on youtube, couldn't tell 'em apart)
In my opinion though, all a bit advanced for a beginner.
I would suggest starting out with Jimmy Reed.
If you pick Jimmy Reed's songs apart, you'll be armed with a Great Blues foundation.
You'll learn all the basics in timing, rythym, licks, fills, and riffs.
While you're learning all that - practice the Blues/Minor Pentatonic scale in all keys
up and down the fretboard.

If you already know how to play the guitar - My favorite Blues player is Peter Green.

Either way, good luck. You wont be sorry.

Ken

I always recommend Cream's "Crossroads". Incredible blues rock song.

Again I can vouch for this. I'm currently working on this song. My guitar teacher wants me to gig it in a couple of weeks time with his blues band. My first live performance. :shock:

Great blues song and quite accessible for a blues beginner.

8)

I don't know, I found Crossroads to be a pretty arduous undertaking as a beginner. Even now I don't find it super easy, although the rhythm is pretty straightforward. But yeah, there are definitely great licks to be copped from that one.

BB King is an obvious and perhaps clichéd choice, but a great choice nonetheless. You'll be hard pressed to find too many blues guitarists who haven't taken a page or 10 out of BB's book. T-Bone Walker is another one.

EDIT:

A couple of T-Bone videos for you.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RzDnAQCbp9Y
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wemG2821l-o

You'll hear A LOT of blues guitarists playing those licks.

Also, since you're into Hendrix and SRV you should probably check out Albert King who both emulated extensively, especially SRV.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QaEcsQVFS20
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8yLBFweFyfE
Agreed, definitly not on the beginner end of the spectrum, more of an intermediate song, but even if the whole thing cannot be learned, just studying it, learning some of the licks, will be good for any guitar player.

Ah! Good point well presented. Though I have to say that the rhythm part and the riff that goes with it are pretty straight forward. I agree the solo is another matter if you want to do it note for note or even close to it. I don't in any way consider myself an intermediate player but I've got the rhythm and riff part sorted pretty much. Didn't take too long either.

8)

Another +1 for "Blues You Can Use" workbook. It is a great starter for learning the blues and includes a CD to play along with. The workbook can keep you busy for some time, and the author has written several follow up workbooks to tackle after the first, if you like his stuff. Well worth the $20 or so to buy it.

Check out kenny wayne shepherds new dvd and cd-10 days out--alot of legends with him there.

I always recommend Cream's "Crossroads". Incredible blues rock song.

That makes a good second (or later) song.

I teach a 'standard' blues first: anything with a 12-bar progression using I (4 bars) IV (2 bars) I (2 bars) V (1 bar) IV (1 bar), I (2 bars).

Next is turnarounds - substituting the V for the last measure to go back to the beginning. Again, any standard blues tune will do.

Crossroads uses IV in the 2nd measure - that's a variation. I'll use other tunes, blues or not, to explore other variations.

But for songs to learn, anything classic is best - Stormy Monday, Killing Floor, etc. You won't be sorry when you jam with others.

Songs like Crossroads have invariably been played many different ways by many different artists.I find it helps to hear a few different versions and learn how different artists put the groove and the theme together to get to their own interpretation. Blues is all about simplicity- even versions like the Cream version are inherently simple - despite being tarted up with few frills and a bit of bunting and a party dress. (This is not a criticism- I like that sort of thing :wink: )

Jip

Get onto iTunes and buy this album, "From The Cradle" http://www.amazon.com/Cradle-Eric-Clapton/dp/B000002MTU
I purchased it the other day (found it while browsing in a shop)
It is Eric Clapton paying tribute to his greatest influences, it is brilliant and except for 1 track or 2 it is all 12 bar blues too.
Then go here http://12bar.de/ftc.php this website will give you the keys that the songs are in.
Great learning aid IMHO

Keith

Thanks for the tip Keith. I'll check it out.