Robben Ford: Playin' the Blues

Ford distills decades of playing experience into a method that treats blues as a coherent language rather than a collection of licks to memorize. The progression from foundational scales and chord forms through applied examples and complete solos gives students a clear path to understanding how professional players actually construct their ideas, making this especially valuable for guitarists who want to move beyond copying into real musicianship.

Direct and no-nonsense, with Ford's teaching voice coming through clearly in every section. The material feels earned rather than imposed, grounded in real playing rather than theoretical abstractions, with a blues sensibility that understands groove, feel, and human touch as much as mechanics.

Intermediate to advanced guitarists ready to move beyond basic blues riffs into the technical and conceptual foundations of the style. This works equally well for self-directed learners and students preparing for ensemble work where blues knowledge strengthens overall musicianship.

• Study the fingering patterns Ford demonstrates before running the licks at tempo; his hand position choices directly influence how smoothly you can execute string bends and vibrato.
• Pay close attention to the rhythm and phrasing of each lick excerpt. Placement within the measure matters as much as the notes themselves in blues playing.
• Work through the comping patterns in strict time, even at half speed. Clean rhythm guitar work is what separates professionals from hobbyists.
• Record yourself playing the chord progressions and solo over them repeatedly. Hearing these phrases in context builds the ear faster than notation alone.

Use this as primary text for a blues guitar elective or as required supplementary material for any guitarist in jazz or contemporary ensemble settings. The systematic approach to technique and vocabulary makes it ideal for students working independently between lessons while building a shared technical foundation across your guitar program.

• Blues scale applications across different positions on the fretboard
• Vibrato control and intonation in bent notes
• Seventh and extended chord voicings commonly used in blues comping
• Rhythmic phrasing and articulation to serve the style
• String bending technique with consistent pitch control
• Solo construction using call and response principles