Blues Tracks: Guitar Book & MP3 CD

Each tune opens up like a conversation with the blues masters who made the style. You feel the influence of Big Bill Broonzy's raw authenticity, B.B. King's singing tone, and Eric Clapton's modern interpretation all woven together, inviting you to find your own voice within that tradition rather than copying any one player.

Guitarists who want a structured foundation in blues soloing and improvisation, from beginners ready to move beyond basic chord shapes through intermediate players working toward fluency in authentic blues language. Self-taught and studio musicians will find the combination of written scales, TAB notation, and backing tracks especially valuable for building independence without a teacher.

• Use the MP3 tracks to lock in the groove before focusing on melody or soloing; let the rhythm section settle your internal tempo first.
• Reference the scale diagrams while playing to internalize finger patterns and positions, not just to look them up before each attempt.
• Start with the simpler tunes to build confidence with blues phrasing and bending before moving to the more intricate arrangements.
• Extend your solos beyond the first chorus; the long accompaniment tracks give you room to develop ideas that actually go somewhere musically.

These tunes work well as an intensive supplement during a semester or summer focused on blues history and styles, giving ensemble guitarists a practical outlet for what they're learning about the genre's history and vocabulary. You might also use individual tunes as recital or coffeehouse pieces that showcase a guitarist's improvisational growth.

• Blues scale application across neck positions
• Phrasing and bending techniques used by seminal blues artists
• Chord-tone soloing and targeting guides within blues changes
• Improvisation over extended accompaniment tracks
• Reading lead sheets with accompanying scale and technique notation
• Developing personal sound and interpretation within a traditional style