I love listening to the blues. I get shivers when I hear Clapton’s Strat crying like a baby or Stevie Ray Vaughan rocking out some Texas style licks. But what’s even better than listening to the blues? Playing the blues! Blues You Can Use by John Ganapes is a great starting point for anyone stepping into the world of blues guitar.

Ganapes takes a very hands-on approach to learning the blues. Each of the 21 lessons contains a short song to learn, with styles ranging from Rock n’ Roll to Delta to Texas Rock. The lessons gradually increase in difficulty and by the end you will be ready for more advanced-level blues guitar.

One of the big positives of Blues You Can Use is the Scales and Chord Progressions. Many other books are happy to publish a few licks, tell you to learn them and then send you on your merry way! Not so with Blues You Can Use. Each lesson teaches you scale and chord theory, which is put into practice when you play the song at the end of the lesson. This approach means that you will become a more intelligent blues player and will find it easier when it comes to jamming with other players.

What Will I Learn?

Skills and Technique
Plenty of skills to start jamming the blues – including bends, double stops, slides, position shifts, 16th notes, alternate picking, chord melody, string skipping, speed and plenty of licks.

Chords
Basic blues progression (I-IV-V), the circle of fifths, alternate turnarounds, minor blues progressions, partial chords, secondary chords. Using various positions and voicings of 7ths, 9ths, #9, 13ths, diminished 7ths. All of this combines into a massive amount of alternate blues progressions.

Scales
Minor pentatonic scale patterns 1 – 5. The major pentatonic scale. Combining major and minor scales. Connecting the patterns, which allows you to play over the entire fretboard. Adding notes to the pentatonic scale to add colour.

Buy This Book If…

• You’re new to blues guitar. This book will set you on the right course.
• You’ve played some blues but want to learn some of the chord and scale theory behind the music.
• You’ve played some blues but want to learn some new styles or techniques.
• You want to learn some new lead licks
• You want to learn some new chord shapes and rhythms
• You’re stuck in a rut and don’t know where to go next with your playing.

Don’t Buy This Book If…

• You’re an advanced blues player. Probably won’t be much in here that you don’t already know.
• I’m struggling to think of any other reason!

More Info

Acoustic Guitar Books, Blues Guitar, Electric Guitar, Guitar Theory, Lead Guitar, Rhythm Guitar

Beginner, Intermediate

4 Responses to “Blues You Can Use”