Walking The Long Hard Road Of The Blues

By Tom Simpson

Looking to learn to play the best licks on guitar? Well, there's nothing better than the blues. First of all, why play blues guitar when I can play jazz? B.B. King himself said that all of them back then, the blues musicians, they were all in high school --and when a fellow starts playing jazz, then he's in college. He said jazz was the big brother of blues. While it may be true that jazz is arguably a higher form of music than blues, it's a historical fact that all the musical genres of the 20th century worth giving a damn about: rock, R&B, hip hop, soul, funk, metal, and yes even jazz have deep roots in the blues. The blues gave birth to all that great music, and jazz is a credit to the greatness of old blues licks and kicks.

That being said, here are 5 tips to start on the long bumpy road to playing great blues: If you don't already have one, buy a guitar. Some licks sound better in acoustic, some in electric, so both kinds can be used to play. Consider that you can't plug in an acoustic guitar (unless it has a pick up), and that an electric guitar will always require an amplifier to play. If you've picked what you want, consider now the price. Don't be too stingy. A great guitar, if treated right, will outlast you, so go ahead and splurge if you have the cash.

Blues guitar lessons are always a good idea and will go a long way to teaching you everything from the essential basics to nailing serious licks. This may cost you, but if you're serious about learning the blues, then be prepared to spend a bit. Also, the internet offers cheaper alternatives. You can even learn online from the comfort of your own home. Listen to great blues music. Of course the best way to learn is by practicing on a guitar, but listening to the greats: B.B. King, Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, of course Robert Johnson, will help you get an idea of how to really shred licks.

There's no shame in getting help if you want to be good. Besides, blues guitar lessons are not just educational, they're a lot of fun -and that's what guitar playing is all about. As much as the blues are about misery, there's no greater satisfaction than perfectly nailing a great blues song.

Here are some great ways you can start that long lone journey to the blues: Get a guitar. The blues can be played on both acoustic and electric. Some blues styles sound better on the former, some the latter. A great consideration here is your budget. But don't be afraid to splurge either. A good guitar is an investment, and can even be an heirloom if treated properly. Go online for a blues guitar lesson. The internet's a cheap if not free way to get lessons and start on the road to shredding great licks.

Also, the blues backing tracks that are available online are great and you can listen to and learn from. A good way to learn guitar is to listen to good guitar playing. Prepared learning tracks are paced for amateur to professional playing, so there's something for everyone. Get ready for some improvisation! Don't be afraid or embarrassed if you don't sound too good. Everyone needs to start somewhere. Lashing out licks is about confidence. Lastly, remember that the blues is about feeling and emotion. Playing the blues is summoning that sound. Nearly any good player will tell you that to be a successful blues musician, you'll need 3 things: a bit of skill, a lot of licks and whole lot of soul! - 18762

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UltimateBluesBackingTracks.com is dedicated to improve your blues playing. With an accompanying blues backing tracksto follow, students can now practice at home, at their own pace without being embarrassed by their mistakes. So unveil the musician in you!!!