Blues guitar for dummies : [start playing the blues and jam like the all-time greats

From the Back Cover \*\*Packed with musical examples, chord charts, and photos\*\* \*\*Re-create the sounds of the blues masters—without reading music!\*\* Want to play the blues? Can't read music? No problem! This fun, accessible guide shows you how to play blues scales, chords, progressions, riffs, and solos. From Delta blues and modern blues to blues rock, you'll see how to use today's guitars, amplifiers, and effects to play a wide variety of styles, with hands-on guidance on changing strings for when you really boogie down. \*\*Discover how to\*\* \* Select the right guitar and accessories \* Develop correct hand position and posture \* Explore acoustic and electric styles \* Tune your axe \* Play like a pro and improvise leads \*\*All this on the Bonus CD-ROM\*\* \* All songs and exercises from the book \* Audio and MP3 files as well as a PC interface with track numbers, name, and time included See the "How to Use the CD" appendix for details and system requirements. About the Author \*\*Jon Chappell\*\* is a multistyle guitarist, arranger, and author. He grew up in Chicago, attended Carnegie-Mellon University, and earned his master’s degree in composition from DePaul University. He was Editor-in-Chief of Guitar magazine and played and recorded with artists such as Big Walter Horton, Billy Branch, Pat Benatar, Judy Collins, Graham Nash, and Gunther Schuller. Jon has also contributed numerous musical pieces to TV and film. Jon served as Associate Music Director of Cherry Lane Music, where he transcribed, edited, and arranged the music of Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, Steve Morse, Bonnie Raitt, and Eddie Van Halen, among others. He has more than a dozen method books to his name and is the author of \*Guitar For Dummies\*, 2nd Edition, and \*Rock Guitar For Dummies\* (both published by Wiley), \*Blues Rock Riffs for Guitar\* (Cherry Lane), as well as the textbook \*The Recording Guitarist — A Guide for Home and Studio\* (Hal Leonard). Please visit Jon’s Web site at www.jonchappell.com for more info.

Do you wish you could play your favorite blues music on guitar? Even if you don’t read music, it’s not difficult with Blues Guitar for Dummies. With this hands-on guide, you’ll pick up the fundamentals instantly and start jamming like your favorite blues artists!

Blues Guitar for Dummies covers all aspects of blues guitar, showing you how to play scales, chords, progressions, riffs, solos, and more! It’s packed with musical examples, chords charts, and photos that let you explore the genre and play the songs of the great blues musicians. This accessible guide will give you the skills you need to:

• Choose the right guitar, equipment, and strings
• Hold, tune, and get situated with your guitar
• Play barre chords and strum to the rhythm
• Recognize the structure of a blues song
• Tackle musical riffs
• Master melodies and solos
• Make your guitar sing, cry, and wail
• Jam to any type of blues

In addition to this must-have book, a bonus CD is included so that you can listen to famous songs, practice your riffs and chords, and develop your style as a blues musician. It also features a quick guide to musical notation and suggestions on albums, artists, and guitars for further enjoyment. With Blues Guitar for Dummies, you can re-create the masterpieces of the blues legend without the expensive lessons!

Introduction You got a right to play the blues: Every day I have the blues... Hallelujah! Blues meets guitar: Match made in musical heaven Grab, hold, tune up, play on! Setting up to play the blues: Getting a grip on left-hand chords Positioning the right hand for rhythm and lead Blues progressions, song forms, and moves Musical riffs: Bedrock of the blues Beyond the basics: Playing like a pro: Playing lead: Soaring melodies and searing solos Playing up the neck Express yourself: Making the guitar sing, cry and wail Sounding like masters: Blues styles through the ages: Acoustic roots: Delta Blues and its country cousins Birth and growth of Classis Electric Blues Blues rock: Infusion of Ol' Rock'n' Roll Gearing up: Outfitting your arsenal: Shop till you drop: Buying the right guitar for you Choosing your amp and effects Changing strings Part of tens: Ten blues guitar giants Ten great blues guitars Ten (plus one) must-have blues guitar albums Appendixes: Appendix A: How to read music Appendix B: How to use the CD Index. Do you wish you could play your favorite blues music on guitar? Even if you don't read music, it's not difficult with Blues Guitar for Dummies. With this hands-on guide, you'll pick up the fundamentals instantly and start jamming like your favorite blues artists! Blues Guitar for Dummies covers all aspects of blues guitar, showing you how to play scales, chords, progressions, riffs, solos, and more! It's packed with musical examples, chords charts, and photos that let you explore the genre and play the songs of the great blues musicians. In addition to this must-have book, a bonus CD is included so that you can listen to famous songs, practice your riffs and chords, and develop your style as a blues musician. It also features a quick guide to musical notation and suggestions on albums, artists, and guitars for further enjoyment. With Blues Guitar for Dummies, you can re-create the masterpieces of the blues legend without the expensive lessons! [Publisher description] This accessible guide shows guitarists and would-be guitarists how to start playing the blues - without having to read music. It shows step-by-step how to play blues scales, chords, riffs, progressions and solos