Blues guitar may seem, to some, like a style that was only popular in a past era. But the reality is that whether you are listening to rock, jazz, pop, country, or any modern genre, chances are that its roots lie in the blues – which had some of its early beginnings with blues guitar players!

Blues music originated as spirituals and work songs sung by African slaves in America, but the earliest indication of blues being played on the guitar didn’t come until about 1903. Then, it wasn’t until the late 1930s when blues guitarists started turning to the newly-invented electric guitar. And since then, some of the greatest players have left their legacy in the blues songbook and inspired the players you know and love today. Here are 4 of the best electric blues guitar players ever!

 

 

1. Chuck Berry

Dubbed, “The Father of Rock ‘n Roll,” no blues guitarist list is complete without this electric guitar pioneer. Not only was Chuck Berry a masterful guitar player with a style that’s emulated today, he was also known for incredible on-stage showmanship.

 

 

 

 

 

Chuck Berry Guitar Lesson with Jeffery Marshall

Get the tab & notation for this Chuck Berry guitar lesson.

In this Chuck Berry guitar lesson, Jeffery Marshall shows you some of Chuck’s most famous guitar licks and tricks. He was known for holding down the rhythm section with 5ths (with added 6ths) through the blues form, and his rhythmic double stop lead guitar lines.

2. Albert King

Albert King, one of the “Kings of Blues,” had a dramatic style of playing that has inspired countless other blues guitarists since the 1950s. Albert was able to achieve large, multi-step string bends due to the fact that he was a left-handed guitarist that played an upside-down, right-handed guitar, and was able to pull strings with better leverage. This is often the most emulated hallmark of Albert’s playing style.

 

 

 

 

Albert King Guitar Lesson with Jeffery Marshall

Get the tab & notation for this Albert King guitar lesson.

In this lesson, Jeffery Marshall shows you how to approach playing lead guitar like Albert King. Get ready for some big string bends and fierce vibrato!

 

3. Jimi Hendrix

Jimi Hendrix, inspired by the blues greats, himself, is regarded as one of the most prolific instrumentalists in guitar history. A champion of the fuzz and ‘wah’ effects pedal, Jimi pioneered psychedelic rock and was an electric blues savant. Similarly to Albert King, Jimi Hendrix was also a left-handed guitar player who wielded an upside-down, right-handed guitar. The difference, however, was that Jimi restrung his guitar in ascending order as thought it were a standard left-handed six string.

 

Jimi Hendrix Guitar Lesson with Jeffery Marshall

Get the tab & notation for this Jimi Hendrix guitar lesson.

In this lesson, Jeffery Marshall shows you how Jimi played licks and riffs. This playing style includes using your thumb to reach for notes on the 6th string – don’t worry, we won’t tell your local guitar instructor!

4. Stevie Ray Vaughan

By Bbadventure – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0

Know for his aggressive right hand strumming technique, Stevie Ray Vaughan brought the blues genre well into the limelight during 1980s. Stevie performed on David Bowie’s Let’s Dance album, released four studio albums, and made many television appearances during his short, 7-year career.

Stevie Ray Vaughan Guitar Lesson with Jeffery Marshall

Get the tab & notation for this Stevie Ray Vaughan guitar lesson.

In this lesson, Jeffery Marshall dives into some of Stevie Ray Vaughan’s unique playing techniques. Get ready to strum the strings like really mean it!

 

Digging these free guitar lessons? Check out Jeffery Marshall’s full JamPlay guitar course, Legends of Blues Rock: Learn Their Tricks.

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