History of Blues

The history of blues in 50 riffs

 50 Blues & Blues/Rock Guitar Riffs:

1. Black Snake Moan - Blind Lemon Jefferson - 1927
2. Matchbox Blues - Blind Lemon Jefferson - 1927
3. Sittin' on Top of the World - Mississippi Sheiks - 1930
4. Devil Got My Woman - Skip James - 1931
5. The Angel's Message to Me - Reverend Gary Davis - 1935
6. Crossroads Blues - Robert Johnson - 1936
7. Sweet Home Chicago - Robert Johnson - 1937
8. Key to the Highway - Big Bill Broonzy - 1941
9. Boogie Chillen' - John Lee Hooker - 1948
10. Baby, Please Don't Go - Lightnin' Hopkins - 1948
11. Rollin' Stone - Muddy Waters - 1950
12. Rollin' & Thumblin' - Muddy Waters - 1950
13. Dust my Broom - Elmore James - 1951
14. Mannish Boy - Muddy Waters - 1955
15. Need Your Love so Bad - Little Willie John - 1955
16. Smoke Stack Lightnin' - Howlin' Wolf - 1956
17. Mojo Hand - Lightnin' Hopkins - 1960
18. Tobacco Road - John Loudermilk - 1960
19. Hideaway - Freddie King - 1960
20. Boom Boom - John Lee Hooker - 1961
21. Little Red Rooster - Howlin' Wolf - 1961
22. Stone Crazy - Buddy Guy - 1962
23. Homesick's Shuffle - Homesick James - 1964
24. John Henry - Mississippi Fred McDowell - 1966
25. Born Under a Bad Sign - Albert King - 1967
26. Red House - Jimi Hendrix - 1967
27. Oh, Pretty Woman - Albert King 1967
28. Jumper on the Line - RL Burnside 1967
29. Crosscut Saw - Albert King 1967
30. The Thrill is Gone - BB King 1969
31. Killing Floor - Albert King - 1969
32. Taylor's Rock - Hound Dog Taylor - 1971
33. La Grange - ZZ Top - 1973
34. Cradle Rock - Rory Galagher - 1973
35. Sweet Home Chicago - Blues Brothers - 1980
36. Bad to the Bone - George Thorogood - 1982
37. Rood Mood - Stevie Ray Vaughan - 1983
38. Pride and Joy - Stevie Ray Vaughan - 1983
39. Texas Flood - Stevie Ray Vaughan - 1983
40. Born Under a Bad Sign - Roben Ford - 1988
41. See the Light - Jeff Healey - 1988
42. Oh Pretty Woman - Gary Moore - 1990
43. Damn Right I Got the Blues - Buddy Guy - 1991
44. Layla Unplugged - Eric Clapton - 1992
45. He Don't Play Nothing But the Blues - Roben Ford - 1993
46. Riding With the King - Eric Clapton & BB King - 2000
47. Ball and Biscuit - The White Stripes - 2002
48. Cut My Wings - Seasick Steve - 2006
49. Ballad of John Henry - Joe Bonamassa - 2009
50. Tedechi Trucks Band - Come See About Me - 2012

riffstation

Riffstation is a site which helps figure out what chords are being played in pretty much any song you might be interested in learning.

How does it work?

Just search for any song or artist and Riffstation will give you the chords for any song synced with the YouTube video! You can view the chord diagrams in sync with the music for guitar, ukulele and piano.

Where do the chords come from?

Riffstation uses an automatic chord recognition algorithm to "listen" to the music and figure out the chords for you!

How accurate are the chords?

The chord recognition algorithm detects major, minor and 7th triads with about 85% accuracy in typical rock/pop music. The chord positions shown are in root position only. The chords will always be detected and shown in the actual key the song was recorded in. If the song is in difficult key to play in, you can use the capo tool and play in any key you like with a capo on your guitar.


https://play.riffstation.com/

Loar LO-215

MODEL NUMBER:	LO-215-SN
MODEL NAME:	The Loar Small Body 0-Style with a Dreadnought Scale Length
BODY SHAPE:	0
TOP MATERIAL:	Solid Sitka Spruce
BACK MATERIAL:	Maple
SIDE MATERIAL:	Maple
TOP BRACING PATTERN:	Scalloped X-Bracing
TOP BRACES:	Sitka Spruce
NECK MATERIAL:	Mahogany
NECK PROFILE:	Thick C
NECK JOINT:	Dovetail
FRETBOARD MATERIAL:	Rosewood
SCALE LENGTH:	25.4"
# OF FRETS CLEAR:	12
# OF FRETS TOTAL:	19
NUT MATERIAL:	Bone
NUT WIDTH:	1-11/16"
HEADSTOCK OVERLAY:	Black
HEADSTOCK INLAY:	The Loar Script & Fleur de Lys in Pearl and Abalone
TUNING MACHINES:	Golden Age
BODY BINDING:	Ivory
ROSETTE:	5 ply
TOP PURFLING:	5 ply
FRETBOARD INLAYS:	Mother of Pearl dots
FRETBOARD BINDING:	None
BRIDGE MATERIAL:	Rosewood
BRIDGE SHAPE:	Straight
SADDLE:	Bone, compensated
BRIDGE PINS & ENDPIN:	Plastic, Ivory Color
PICKGUARD:	None
FINISH:	Gloss
ELECTRONICS:	None
Color Options:	Sunburst

Hola! HG-41Dreadnought

 Hola! HG-41N Dreadnought features:

• Spruce top, Mahogany back, sides and neck. 
• Natural warm satin finish. 
• Rosewood fingerboard and bridge with ABS nut and compensated saddle. 
• Tuners: Geared, die-cast chrome covered. 
• Strings: steel core, copper wound. 
• Decoration: Traditional white ABS binding with celluloid purfling on body, neck and head. Inlaid celluloid rosette.

Sound Comparison -Taylor/Gibson/Martin

One often hears about the Martin sound (or Taylor or Gibson). You can take a listen for yourself

"The Acoustic Guitar Is the Most Important"

Yamaha F325 D - The World's Best Starter Guitar?

Considered one of the world’s most popular guitars, the Yamaha F325 is a finely-crafted acoustic guitar that provides great sound and playing ease, at a great price! Great for beginners or someone looking for a low-maintenance, durable guitar.

• Top: Laminated Spruce
• Back & Sides: Meranti
• Neck: Nato
• Fingerboard: Rosewood
• Bridge: Rosewood
• Tuners: Die-cast Chrome
• Body Style: Dreadnought
• Pick Guard: Tortoise-shell
• String Scale: 25″
• Body Depth: 3 3/4″ – 4 9/16″
• Nut Width: 1 11/16″
• Color: Natural
• Finish: Gloss
• Warranty: Limited Lifetime

Humidifying Your Guitar

With the winter heating season on it's way (at least in the more northern climes), it's important to make sure your guitar does dry out due to lack of relative humidity in the air.

I've been using one of these home made humidifiers in each of my cases, they are cheap to make and work great.  They hold a fair amount of water, so don't need frequent refilling.  One tip, use a decent quality sponge, they are treated to prevent mold growth.

The CLASSIC Blues

The blues are fun to play

The D-C-G Trick

You've got your new guitar, let's play something

Things To Look For in a Fingerstyle Guitar

Video Surgeon

How to Set a Floating Bridge

Choosing A Guitar 101

Interesting article by Janis Ian (renowned folk singer) -

http://www.janisian.com/reading/care.php

in summary

• Buy what you like. Don't buy what Eddie or Bonnie plays. Don't buy what your pals think is cool. Don't buy what the salesman says "will sound great in a few of years." Don't listen to anything but your body and your heart.
• Listen. To the instrument as you play. To the instrument as other people in the shop play it. Don't be afraid to ask them for the favor; guitars sound remarkably different when you're standing a foot away. Do not ever believe the guitar is perfect "except it needs to be broken in". A good guitar sounds good right away; later, it should sound better.
• Look at the instrument. Does it seem right to your eye? Are the frets even in spacing and height? Is the bridge steady, do the tuners look evenly spaced, and the like? Can you sit comfortably and write for five hours with it? And look at the mundane - will it look good on you when you're performing? is the color all right? the body shape? After looking, you should:
• Taste and smell. A lot of the input we receive comes through our noses and mouths. Put your mouth against the sound hole and breath in simultaneously through your mouth and nose. Does it smell good? musty? fresh? An old (or "vintage", if you're a salesman) guitar may have layers of dust in there – you can clean that. But an old guitar can also have mildew, and you can't get rid of it. Make sure the guitar smells okay to you. Then:
• Feel. Feel the wood under your hands. Feel the guitar on your lap. Heft it for weight. If the neck stock is too heavy, you won't be able to change that! If you perform, think about whether you can stand for two hours with this guitar strapped around your neck. Touch it everywhere. Guitars, like all instruments, enjoy being touched. If the finish is so fragile that the shop owner asks you not to get fingerprints on it, that's not the guitar for you. And finally:
• Trust your instincts. You trust them as a writer; you trust them as a performer. Why not trust them now? And if instinct says Don't buy this, don't buy it under any circumstance. Conversely, if you put the guitar down and walk around outside for two hours, have lunch, and still can't stop obsessing on it, better go back for that guitar, because it's talking to you.

The Loar LH-204 Brownstone

Top:	Solid Sitka Spruce
Back & Sides	Mahogany
Neck:	Mahogany, C-Shape
Fretboard:	Rosewood
Headstock Inlay:	None
Finish Type:	Satin
Finish Options:	Brown
Tuning Machines:	TonePros TPKR3-N
Scale Length:	25.4”
Truss Rod:	Two-Way Adjustable
Frets:	19, Medium
Binding:	Ivory
Bridge:	Straight Rosewood
Upper Bout:	10.75”
Lower Bout:	14.75”
Nut, Width:	Bone, 43mm
Depth:	4.25”
Body Length:	19.75”
Total Length:	40.75”

How strings Vibrate

Jeff Baxter

I heard Jeff Baxter speak yesterday.  He is one of the most interesting guys I have ever encountered.  He is definitely the smartest guy in most rooms -

How much do I need to spend?

How much do you need to spend to make some great music?

Not much -

Waking Up

Organizing your practice time

Here's a sample practice checklist! The trick is to get organized BEFORE the practice session.

1. Clear expectations of what you want to achieve in the practice session.
2. Guitar (tuned)
3. Guitar stand
4. Music stand
5. Computer (Internet connected)
6. Metronome
7. Timer (watch)
8. Study materials
9. Good lighting (full spectrum lighting)

Why I suck at Guitar

Dirty 30's Harmonella Single O

BODY SHAPE: 0 Style

TOP MATERIAL: Solid Spruce

BACK MATERIAL: White Wood

SIDE MATERIAL: White Wood

TOP BRACING PATTERN: X-Bracing

TOP BRACES: Scalloped

 NECK MATERIAL: Nato

NECK PROFILE: Contemporary "C"

NECK JOINT: Dovetail

FRETBOARD MATERIAL: Rosewood

SCALE LENGTH: 25.4"

# OF FRETS CLEAR: 14

 # OF FRETS TOTAL: 20

NUT MATERIAL:Bone

NUT WIDTH: 1-11/16"

HEADSTOCK OVERLAY: Rosewood

HEADSTOCK INLAY: Recording King Decal

 TUNING MACHINES: Vintage-Style, Plastic Button

BODY BINDING: Ivory

ROSETTE: Classic Style

TOP PURFLING: None

FRETBOARD INLAYS: Stencil Fret Markers

FRETBOARD BINDING: None

BRIDGE MATERIAL: Rosewood; Floating

BRIDGE SHAPE: Straight

SADDLE: Bone

TAILPIECE: Metal

PICKGUARD: None

FINISH: Vintage Matte Sunburst 

BODY SHAPE: 0 Style TOP MATERIAL: Solid Spruce BACK MATERIAL: White Wood SIDE MATERIAL: White Wood TOP BRACING PATTERN: X-Bracing TOP BRACES: Scalloped NECK MATERIAL: Nato NECK PROFILE: Contemporary "C" NECK JOINT: Dovetail FRETBOARD MATERIAL: Rosewood SCALE LENGTH: 25.4" # OF FRETS CLEAR: 14 # OF FRETS TOTAL: 20 NUT MATERIAL:
Bone NUT WIDTH: 1-11/16" HEADSTOCK OVERLAY: Rosewood HEADSTOCK INLAY: Recording King Decal TUNING MACHINES: Vintage-Style, Plastic Button BODY BINDING: Ivory ROSETTE: Classic Style TOP PURFLING: None FRETBOARD INLAYS: Stencil Fret Markers FRETBOARD BINDING: None BRIDGE MATERIAL: Rosewood; Floating BRIDGE SHAPE: Straight SADDLE: Bone TAILPIECE: Metal PICKGUARD: None FINISH: Vintage Matte Sunburst - See more at: http://www.recordingking.com/products/guitars-all-models/rph-07#sthash.Oa1bdXFV.dpuf

BODY SHAPE: 0 Style TOP MATERIAL: Solid Spruce BACK MATERIAL: White Wood SIDE MATERIAL: White Wood TOP BRACING PATTERN: X-Bracing TOP BRACES: Scalloped NECK MATERIAL: Nato NECK PROFILE: Contemporary "C" NECK JOINT: Dovetail FRETBOARD MATERIAL: Rosewood SCALE LENGTH: 25.4" # OF FRETS CLEAR: 14 # OF FRETS TOTAL: 20 NUT MATERIAL:
Bone NUT WIDTH: 1-11/16" HEADSTOCK OVERLAY: Rosewood HEADSTOCK INLAY: Recording King Decal TUNING MACHINES: Vintage-Style, Plastic Button BODY BINDING: Ivory ROSETTE: Classic Style TOP PURFLING: None FRETBOARD INLAYS: Stencil Fret Markers FRETBOARD BINDING: None BRIDGE MATERIAL: Rosewood; Floating BRIDGE SHAPE: Straight SADDLE: Bone TAILPIECE: Metal PICKGUARD: None FINISH: Vintage Matte Sunburst - See more at: http://www.recordingking.com/products/guitars-all-models/rph-07#sthash.Oa1bdXFV.dpuf

BODY SHAPE: 0 Style TOP MATERIAL: Solid Spruce BACK MATERIAL: White Wood SIDE MATERIAL: White Wood TOP BRACING PATTERN: X-Bracing TOP BRACES: Scalloped NECK MATERIAL: Nato NECK PROFILE: Contemporary "C" NECK JOINT: Dovetail FRETBOARD MATERIAL: Rosewood SCALE LENGTH: 25.4" # OF FRETS CLEAR: 14 # OF FRETS TOTAL: 20 NUT MATERIAL:
Bone NUT WIDTH: 1-11/16" HEADSTOCK OVERLAY: Rosewood HEADSTOCK INLAY: Recording King Decal TUNING MACHINES: Vintage-Style, Plastic Button BODY BINDING: Ivory ROSETTE: Classic Style TOP PURFLING: None FRETBOARD INLAYS: Stencil Fret Markers FRETBOARD BINDING: None BRIDGE MATERIAL: Rosewood; Floating BRIDGE SHAPE: Straight SADDLE: Bone TAILPIECE: Metal PICKGUARD: None FINISH: Vintage Matte Sunburst - See more at: http://www.recordingking.com/products/guitars-all-models/rph-07#sthash.Oa1bdXFV.dpuf