Guitar Masterclass Band 5 Play in the Style of B.B.King: Guitar Book & CD

Gritty, soulful, and utterly deliberate. B.B. King's guitar voice carries the weight of emotion in every note. You'll encounter bent strings that seem to speak, rhythmic phrasing that breathes like conversation, and a warmth that only comes from decades of living the blues. This isn't fast or flashy; it's deep.

Intermediate guitarists who have moved beyond basic chord-and-scale vocabulary and are ready to unlock the language of a specific master. This works best for players pursuing blues, rock, or contemporary styles who want to ground their playing in authentic technique rather than generic patterns.

• Study the audio tracks before reading the notation; let your ear absorb King's tone and phrasing first, then use the tab and standard notation to understand the mechanics underneath.
• Pay attention to King's use of space and silence as much as the notes themselves. Many of his most expressive licks are defined by what he doesn't play.
• Work the bends slowly and deliberately until your intonation sits perfectly in the middle of the pitch. King's bends are precise, not approximate.
• Isolate the rhythm and accompaniment patterns from the lead work. Understanding how he voices chords and maintains groove underneath the solos will deepen your interpretation of his style.

Use this as the backbone of a blues or American roots unit in your curriculum, or assign it to students working toward recital performances in contemporary and blues genres. The 48-page format allows you to integrate it over several lessons without overwhelming your practice routine.

• String bending with precise intonation
• Blues rhythm and phrasing conventions
• Reading and interpreting licks from tab and standard notation simultaneously
• Chord voicings and comping patterns in the blues style
• Listening and transcription skills using audio references