I thought this would be a fun topic to talk about. So... pull up an old chair and let's get started.
I've got a number of them but one of my favorites is Blind Lemon Jefferson. Here's why: Some folks collect guitars... well, I can't afford that. I have several but I use 'em as tools. But... I do collect guitar licks and Lemon had a bunch of them that he always pulled out of his hat in different and interesting ways. I think his favorite keys were C and A. What he does with 'Black Snake Moan' and 'Matchbox Blues' are simply wonderful. I've actually compiled a collection of these beautiful licks to I could add them to my playing... as spontaneously as possible.
While I'm at it with 'Masters of Country Blues Licks;' another favorite is Mance Lipscomb. He had so many great ideas going on in the keys of E and A. He'd drone away on that 6th and 5th string respectively while playing complicated figures above them on the top 4 strings... incredible stuff. Listen to 'Captain Captain' or 'Shake Shake Mama' for examples.
Oh.. by the way... I used a lot of Lemon's licks on a song that I recorded on my last CD called 'Central Islip Blues.' Ok... it's a shameless plug but I think that if you're able to take some of these ideas and infuse them into your own playing and songs it gives you a better understanding of where they came from and, just as importantly, makes you a better player in the process.
Best to all,
Toby Walker
I've got a number of them but one of my favorites is Blind Lemon Jefferson. Here's why: Some folks collect guitars... well, I can't afford that. I have several but I use 'em as tools. But... I do collect guitar licks and Lemon had a bunch of them that he always pulled out of his hat in different and interesting ways. I think his favorite keys were C and A. What he does with 'Black Snake Moan' and 'Matchbox Blues' are simply wonderful. I've actually compiled a collection of these beautiful licks to I could add them to my playing... as spontaneously as possible.
While I'm at it with 'Masters of Country Blues Licks;' another favorite is Mance Lipscomb. He had so many great ideas going on in the keys of E and A. He'd drone away on that 6th and 5th string respectively while playing complicated figures above them on the top 4 strings... incredible stuff. Listen to 'Captain Captain' or 'Shake Shake Mama' for examples.
Oh.. by the way... I used a lot of Lemon's licks on a song that I recorded on my last CD called 'Central Islip Blues.' Ok... it's a shameless plug but I think that if you're able to take some of these ideas and infuse them into your own playing and songs it gives you a better understanding of where they came from and, just as importantly, makes you a better player in the process.
Best to all,
Toby Walker
