The Blues Guitar Handbook - Adam St. James

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
Charley Patton
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 Muddy Waters
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 such as Keb Mo' or Duke Robillard
and some not-quite-traditionalists
such as Robben Ford or Derek Trucks. comprehensive section for mastering electric and acoustic blues follows this historic overview. Starting from the very basics
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 specially recorded audio tracks accessed online using the unique code inside each book. The audio files include PLAYBACK+
a multi-functional audio player that allows you to slow down audio without changing pitch
set loop points
change keys
and pan left or right.