Looking to learn some clean, bluesy styles

Will Shred 4 Food

Will Shred 4 Food

New member
Forgive my ignorance on this topic, but I'm pretty much a metal guy, so I don't know the correct jargon to describe the playing style I'm interested in here. Basically, I'd like to learn some theory and technique in the bluesy style shown in these videos. Another example that comes to mind is Yellow Ledbetter by Pearl Jam. If anyone could point me toward some online tuts, lessons, books or even what I should Google to find examples of this style, I would greatly appreciate it! Thanks in advance!

https://youtu.be/_TMBGXye_Cs (around 0:45)

https://youtu.be/xIrZRKN-EFg

https://youtu.be/hs8y3kneqrs (Yellow Ledbetter)
 
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Re: Looking to learn some clean, bluesy styles

Hendrix. Yellow Ledbetter is McCready aping Jimi's chord melody style. Start with Hendrix Little Wing.
 
Re: Looking to learn some clean, bluesy styles

^^ No
I've been playing almost 50 yrs and still can't play some of it.
Indeed a master class.

PC
 
Re: Looking to learn some clean, bluesy styles

The double stop chord lead stuff that Hendrix did often (Wind Cries Mary, Little Wing, Axis Bold as Love, Castles Made of Sand, Wait Until Tomorrow, etc.) has occasionally been done by others (Pearl Jam - Yellow Ledbetter, RHCP - Under the Bridge). An awful lot of it is based around major pentatonics with an added 4th.

I found that this book http://www.melbay.com/Products/20679BCD/mbgu-rock-curriculum-fluid-soloing-book-3.aspx was a decent introduction to the style.
 
Re: Looking to learn some clean, bluesy styles

Marty Schwartz and Papa Stache have some great free lessons on the Hendrix style on Youtube. Start there. Song-wise, start with some easier tunes like Hey Joe and Wind Cries Mary before trying to tackle something like Little Wing. Sheesh, that took me years to learn and I'm still working on the SRV version.
 
Re: Looking to learn some clean, bluesy styles

learn basic scale and chord composition... after that, learn triads and the cage system... that is where that whole style comes from, in a theoretical sense
 
Re: Looking to learn some clean, bluesy styles

I think my 3rd or 4th lesson was Little Wing. I remember learning pentatonics and blues scales, Hells Bells, Fairies Wear Boots and then Little Wing. It took me quite some time to learn to play it, that doesn't mean i tried to early.
 
Re: Looking to learn some clean, bluesy styles

A few notes that aren't inmediately apprent on this style.

To echo GuitarStv and BluesGuyJ, a few years ago I wouldn't have understood how the CAGED System would relate to the Hendrix rhythm style. However, now I see how his shapes are frequently the G Barre shape moved around the neck with hammered 2nds, 9ths, 4ths and 6ths. The other item the thumb-over technique. Again, I thought this related only to playing bass notes, but what it does is open up extra fingers for the hammer-ons and pull-offs.

Both of these are severe departures from the thumb behind technique, minor scale theory approach from metal. (That was my base as well) Once you wrap your head around the technical and theoretical differences, it all falls into place. You'll hear it all over the place from Hendrix, SRV, Frusciante, McCready, Mayer, etc.

Anthony from Texas Blues Alley (Stevie Snacks) has an awesome (paid) lesson on both the technical and theoretical portions of this style. The benefit of his lessons is that it's all concise with exercises, etc. However, by searching YouTube for Hendrix Rhythm style and watching all the videos available you should be able to glean the concepts for free. Remember, if they aren't doing "thumb over", move to the next video.
 
Re: Looking to learn some clean, bluesy styles

One final touch I would like to add to GuitarStv, BluesGuyJ and PFDarkside: blues is about feel and emotion. Blues works in and out of the pocket. Blues can follow the rules and then break out of the rules. Master your CAGED system, learn the pentatonics and practice with a metronome. With metal it is about melody and speed. With blues it's about speaking from your soul so sometimes you have to feel when it's time to hold that bend and other times to know when to let it wail.

Hendrix, B.B. King, SRV, Clapton's Blues album, Jonny Lang (blues era I don't know wtf he is doing these days), Kenny Wayne, etc.
 
Re: Looking to learn some clean, bluesy styles

You want great melodic blues, perhaps the master is Peter Green. A Hard Road with John Mayall's Bluesbreakers then Fleetwood Mac.
 
Re: Looking to learn some clean, bluesy styles

yes, and exploring playing minor scales over major chords is important.... a lot of blues goes back and forth from natural and minor 3rds as well as awkward in betweens... it really simulates the human voice, when you bend up on a minor 3rd over a dominant chord, but simply choke the bend and do not go all the way to that perfect major 3rd.... quick 1/4 step and 1/2 step bends are where it's at and getting a feel for when to imply either one...
 
Re: Looking to learn some clean, bluesy styles

I just can't jibe with the thumb over technique. I understand how others can make it work, but that early classical training has left it's mark. I'm just not comfortable unless my thumb is firmly planted on the back of the neck. I don't care if that means I have to have the guitar slung higher up on my body.
 
Re: Looking to learn some clean, bluesy styles

AlexR said:
You want great melodic blues, perhaps the master is Peter Green. A Hard Road with John Mayall's Bluesbreakers then Fleetwood Mac.
Click to expand...

Some of the late 1960's Brits were fantastic blues players with a lot of feeling, Peter Green is widely acknowledged as one of the best. Other greats then were Clapton (with the Bluesbreakers and Cream), Jeff Beck (Rod Stewart era), Mick Abrams (first Jethro Tull album and Bloodwyn Pig), Alvin Lee (Ten Years After), & Danny Kirwan (Fleetwood Mac).
 
Re: Looking to learn some clean, bluesy styles

you can also pull a lot from funk, with taking advantage of the cage system
 
Re: Looking to learn some clean, bluesy styles

Thanks for all the helpful comments! Since I posted, I ended up picking up "Guitar Theory for Dummies" of all things, and it's actually really helping a lot with the CAGED system and triads. I am already very familiar with pentatonics and modes, but what I really want to be able to do is improvise with more multiple string stuff much like "Little Wing" (perfect example), and the other examples I mentioned. As dumb as it may sound, what initially inspired me was really wanting to see what my new EMG single coils had under the hood, but my clean channel improvising repertoire is primarily limited to minor, metal-ish arpeggios and licks that sound about the same through any halfway-decent pickup.

Anyway, thanks again. This forum is fantastic and I really appreciate all the help and tips!
 
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