Blues Guitar For Dummies

Packed with musical examples, chord charts, and photos

Re–create the sounds of the blues masters without reading music!

Want to play the blues? Can′t read music? No problem! This fun, accessible guide shows you how to play blues scales, chords, progressions, riffs, and solos. From Delta blues and modern blues to blues rock, you′ll see how to use today′s guitars, amplifiers, and effects to play a wide variety of styles, with hands–on guidance on changing strings for when you really boogie down.

Discover how to

Select the right guitar and accessories Develop correct hand position and posture Explore acoustic and electric styles Tune your axe Play like a pro and improvise leads

All this on the Bonus CD–ROM

All songs and exercises from the book Audio and MP3 files as well as a PC interface with track numbers, name, and time included

See the "How to Use the CD" appendix for details and system requirements.

Introduction.

Part I: You Got a Right to Play the Blues.

Chapter 1: Every Day I Have the Blues . . . Hallelujah!

Chapter 2: Blues Meets Guitar: A Match Made in Musical Heaven.

Chapter 3: Grab Hold, Tune Up, Play On!

Part II: Setting Up to Play the Blues.

Chapter 4: Getting a Grip on Left–Hand Chords.

Chapter 5: Positioning the Right Hand for Rhythm and Lead.

Chapter 6: Blues Progressions, Song Forms, and Moves.

Chapter 7: Musical Riffs: Bedrock of the Blues.

Part III: Beyond the Basics: Playing Like a Pro.

Chapter 8: Playing Lead: Soaring Melodies and Searing Solos.

Chapter 9: Playing Up the Neck.

Chapter 10: Express Yourself: Making the Guitar Sing, Cry, and Wail.

Part IV: Sounding Like the Masters: Blues Styles through the Ages.

Chapter 11: Acoustic Roots: Delta Blues and Its Country Cousins.

Chapter 12: The Birth and Growth of Classic Electric Blues.

Chapter 13: Blues Rock: The Infusion of Ol Rock n Roll.

Part V: Gearing Up: Outfitting Your Arsenal.

Chapter 14: Shop Till You Drop: Buying the Right Guitar for You.

Chapter 15: Choosing Your Amp and Effects.

Chapter 16: Changing Strings.

Part VI: The Part of Tens.

Chapter 17: Ten Blues Guitar Giants.

Chapter 18: Ten Great Blues Guitars.

Chapter 19: Ten (Plus One) Must–Have Blues Guitar Albums.

Part VII: Appendixes.

Appendix A: How to Read Music.

Appendix B: How to Use the CD.

Index.

Jon Chappell is a multistyle guitarist, arranger, and author. He grew up in Chicago, attended Carnegie–Mellon University, and earned his master s degree in composition from DePaul University. He was Editor–in–Chief of Guitar magazine and played and recorded with artists such as Big Walter Horton, Billy Branch, Pat Benatar, Judy Collins, Graham Nash, and Gunther Schuller. Jon has also contributed numerous musical pieces to TV and film.
Jon served as Associate Music Director of Cherry Lane Music, where he transcribed, edited, and arranged the music of Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, Steve Morse, Bonnie Raitt, and Eddie Van Halen, among others. He has more than a dozen method books to his name and is the author of Guitar For Dummies, 2nd Edition, and Rock Guitar For Dummies (both published by Wiley), Blues Rock Riffs for Guitar (Cherry Lane), as well as the textbook The Recording Guitarist A Guide for Home and Studio (Hal Leonard). Please visit Jon s Web site at www.jonchappell.com for more info.