Basic Blues Guitar Method, Book 1: Guitar Book & Enhanced CD

Grounded and straightforward. The blues lives in bending notes, walking between chords, and finding space in the rhythm. This book grounds you in those essentials so you can eventually improvise and express yourself rather than just read the dots.

Beginning guitarists who want to learn blues specifically rather than general guitar technique. This method works equally well for students picking up guitar for the first time and those switching from other instruments who need blues-focused instruction.

• Reference the CD frequently while learning each new technique. Hearing the sound before you produce it trains your ear to recognize what correct execution feels like.
• Practice the chord changes slowly at first, then gradually increase tempo. Blues requires solid transitions between positions, so don't rush past the early chapters even if they feel simple.
• Use the TAB as your primary reference initially, but spend time reading the standard notation alongside it. This dual literacy pays dividends as you progress to more complex material.
• Work the double stops and slides in isolation before embedding them in full chord progressions. These details add texture and personality to your playing, but they need clean execution.

Assign this as the core text for a beginning blues guitar elective or as supplementary material in a general guitar class once students have basic chord knowledge. It pairs well with ensemble playing later, giving students foundation before they jam with others.

• Basic guitar setup and maintenance (tuning, holding position)
• Open and barre chord formation and transitions
• Reading tablature and standard notation simultaneously
• Blues-specific ornamentation (slides, vibrato, bends)
• Double stops and tritone interval patterns
• Rhythm and timing specific to blues grooves