Resources for learning to play the Delta blues?
April 13, 2013 7:16 AM Subscribe
I want to learn how to play the Delta blues/blues slide guitar.
I've picked up the guitar again, and I've decided I want to learn how to play slide guitar and the Delta blues. I took guitar lessons as a kid for a long time with good teachers, who made me practice all sorts of different styles, so although I'm out of practice now, I've noticed I pick up things pretty quickly. Also it turns out that barre chords are easier to play when you don't have a crappy guitar and 12-year old fingers. I knew how to read music once, and although I've forgotten a lot of it, I still prefer written notation to tablature (or at least written notation to go along with the tab). Can you recommend good song books, online tutorials, etc? I'm looking resources that will teach me specific songs, as close as possible to the originals, rather than give me a general introduction to "the blues" or teach me generic blues riffs. Blues guitarists I'm particularly interested in: Fred McDowell, Blind Willie Johnson, Charlie Patton, Robert Johnson, Son House, Mississippi John Hurt, and Blind Willie McTell. Extra bonus points for stuff about Leadbelly, even though I know he played a 12-string. I'm looking for resources aimed at playing everything on an acoustic guitar. Thanks for your help.
I've picked up the guitar again, and I've decided I want to learn how to play slide guitar and the Delta blues. I took guitar lessons as a kid for a long time with good teachers, who made me practice all sorts of different styles, so although I'm out of practice now, I've noticed I pick up things pretty quickly. Also it turns out that barre chords are easier to play when you don't have a crappy guitar and 12-year old fingers. I knew how to read music once, and although I've forgotten a lot of it, I still prefer written notation to tablature (or at least written notation to go along with the tab). Can you recommend good song books, online tutorials, etc? I'm looking resources that will teach me specific songs, as close as possible to the originals, rather than give me a general introduction to "the blues" or teach me generic blues riffs. Blues guitarists I'm particularly interested in: Fred McDowell, Blind Willie Johnson, Charlie Patton, Robert Johnson, Son House, Mississippi John Hurt, and Blind Willie McTell. Extra bonus points for stuff about Leadbelly, even though I know he played a 12-string. I'm looking for resources aimed at playing everything on an acoustic guitar. Thanks for your help.
Ry Cooder is a font of knowledge about this stuff, including the specifics of technique. I know there's some interviews & articles out there where he gets very specific & in depth into the delta guys.
posted by Devils Rancher at 12:03 PM on April 13, 2013
posted by Devils Rancher at 12:03 PM on April 13, 2013
The book I got (CD included) is by Bob Brozman.
posted by Obscure Reference at 1:40 PM on April 13, 2013
posted by Obscure Reference at 1:40 PM on April 13, 2013
Response by poster: Thanks very much for the suggestions! For other folks who are interested in this topic: I did some research on my own question, and I came across Stefan Grossman's Guitar Workshop, which looks like a good resource. They have a YouTube channel and they have a set of books tailored to specific blues singers/styles.
posted by colfax at 1:12 AM on April 14, 2013
posted by colfax at 1:12 AM on April 14, 2013
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by obscure simpsons reference at 10:42 AM on April 13, 2013 [1 favorite]