The Blues Guitar Handbook

This latest entry in Backbeat's bestselling handbook series starts by exploring the humble beginnings of blues guitar through the early decades of the 20th century, including profiles of such players as Robert Johnson, CharleyPatton, and Son House. As the story moves into the '40s and '50s, and blues players migrate to major urban centers, author Adam St. James follows the evolution of the music at the hands of such electric blues kingpins as MuddyWaters, Howlin' Wolf, and B. B. King. Then it's the blues-rockers of the '60s, '70s, and '80s (including Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page, Jeff Beck, and Stevie Ray Vaughan) before the story comes up to date, with blues flame-keepers suchas Keb Mo' or Duke Robillard, and some not-quite-traditionalists, such as Robben Ford or Derek Trucks.

A comprehensive section for mastering electric and acoustic blues follows this historic overview. Starting from the verybasics, it leads you into more advanced rhythm and lead techniques before examining four key styles: acoustic blues, classic electric blues, blues rock, and jazz blues. The many exercises in the book are supported by speciallyrecorded audio tracks on the accompanying CD.