10 Best Classic Blues Guitar Songs
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There's something about the blues that connects with people on an emotional level. The music itself was born out of the struggle of human experience, and who can't relate to that?
Keith Wyatt has a ton of great information about the history of the blues in his lessons here at ArtistWorks. The blues sound we all love today came out of the African American experience of working in the fields and singing in church. While certain chord structures and lyrical forms can be traced back to Western Africa, most people were first exposed to the blues in the rural south during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, specifically in the Mississippi Delta. It was here that many musical tropes started cementing themsilves in the blues, such as harmonica accompaniment and the use of slide guitar. As many African American folks migrated to large cities after World War II, major metropolitan areas like Chicago, Memphis and St. Louis became Meccas for early blues musicians.
Here are 10 classic blues guitar songs that reflect that journey.
Robert Johnson – "Cross Road Blues"
There is not much known about the life of Robert Johnson while he was still alive, although the music he left us with has grown to mythic proportions. Robert Johnson is well-known now because so many other famous musicians have picked up his music.
If you listen to the original version here you’ll hear a slow tempo finger picking, slide acoustic guitar style.
Check out the video below to hear Keith Wyatt’s great, up tempo version!
B.B. King – "The Thrill is Gone"
This is a 1970 version. B.B. was not a flashy player but he was the “king” of call and response and subtle phrasing.
T-Bone Walker – "Stormy Monday"
“The eagle flies on Friday and Saturday I go out to play…” What a great blues song! In this version, there is a piano and horns so T-Bone’s riffs and solo play off the band.
Robert Johnson – "Sweet Home Chicago"
When we think of "Sweet Home Chicago", we might think of Buddy Guy's great version as seen below.
The above acoustic version is a classic example of the Robert Johnson boogie shuffle Keith teaches in his online lessons.
Muddy Waters – "Got My Mojo Working"
ArtistWorks students taking harmonica lessons with Howard Levy will enjoy this as it’s all about the harmonica player in this 1960’s video.
This is classic blues style where the guitar supports the singer and the harmonica leads.
Lead Belly – "House of the Rising Sun"
Most of us probably first heard the Animals cover version in the 1960’s. In the original version, there is some confusion about who is singing but the acoustic guitar acts as the backing band.
In the Animals' version, the guitar player “introduces” the song then plays rhythm and backs the organ.
Howlin’ Wolf – "Little Red Rooster"
Here is another song that most of us probably first heard when the Rolling Stones covered it.
In both versions, the slide guitar is accenting the song while the drummer and bass player keep the rhythm and back beat going.
Roy Orbison – "Mean Woman Blues"
You can see Roy Orbison playing the boogie shuffle that Keith teaches in open position in this version.
Bonus Fun: Can you figure out the key?
Ray Charles – "What’d I Say"
“What’d I Say” is often classified as Rhythm and Blues but in this version (Junior Wells) the guitar player is playing the rhythm and melody that Ray Charles plays on the piano.
You can hear the original below:
Hank Ballard – "Look at Little Sister"
Many of us have probably not heard this Hank Ballard version which has horns and piano. In Stevie Ray Vaughn’s version, he and his electric piano player carry the song without horns—and Stevie doesn’t really play “horn riffs” as Keith has shown us. Stevie does use the boogie shuffle in open position though.
Me too. I got into guitar many years ago in high school through surf music and of course, rock and roll.
Life took over with three years in the army, college and then a career. Over the years, I fooled around with it but never got better. Recently I started thinking about taking lessons and eventually found ArtistWorks and Keith Wyatt’s blues guitar school. Really glad I did!
ArtistWorks presents everything you need in a great format – I login to see the lessons, practice techniques I want to learn, and submit videos to Keith whenever I want his feedback on something.
In not too many days later, Keith posts a video response of what I sent him.
Submitting your first video to a great guitarist like Keith Wyatt can be a little intimidating - but the advice you get from him is definitely worth it. He's always straight forward and offers great suggestions for improvement.
Keith is a serious musician who has been playing a long time. He is also a great teacher and patient with students – especially students like me who are studying the fundamentals. Highly recommended!
- Sam C., ArtistWorks guitar student
Ready to buckle down on blues guitar? Click here for free sample lessons!
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