Blues by the Bar: Cool Riffs That Sound Great over Each Portion of the Blues Progression Summary and Reviews
|
List Price: Category: Book See more book details and other editions |
|---|
(Click here)
Book Reviews of Blues by the Bar: Cool Riffs That Sound Great over Each Portion of the Blues Progression
Book Review: " I FOUND SOME GEMS IN THIS BOOK "
Summary: 5 Stars
I liked this book because the author gives you all the elements of creating leads on your own. If you are an intermediate level guitar player you will find some of the riffs pretty basic; however,as you move through each example you will "catch up" to your own personal skill level.The reason I sought out a book of this sort was to learn some new riffs; I found some real gems in this book that I can infuse with what I know already. One thing I really enjoyed was that each riff had an audio example with the tablature.Even though I read music and tablature, I play basically by ear.The tablature really comes in handy to make sure it is being played on the same strings or frets. Overall,I was pleased with this book and found it a very useful tool.Book Review: Entry level
Summary: 3 Stars
Well for all the stuff I read about it and thought it might turn out to be... this turned out to just about ok. I was looking for licks and this has licks that can be memorised and reissued and re used. But it stops at just phrases and at time is actually monotonous...
If you want to get a quick bunch of licks that are at best average, get this book and CD.
Else you're better off with some of the other tutorials which are more intelligent.
Book Review: My favorite blues guitar book
Summary: 5 Stars
I have bought dozens of blues guitar self-instruction books over the years, and this one is by far my favorite. The format is simple but extremely effective. Mr. Hunt gives about a dozen examples of great licks to play in each of the six main segments of a 12 bar blues progression. And what great licks they are! All are very effective without being particularly difficult or fancy.
He provides a wide range of approaches to playing blues licks- sparse and open, driving and repetitive, on the beat, on the back beat, behind the beat, etc. The examples have really helped me get out of the rhythmic ruts I have been in.
Beyond the licks themselves, he shows you how to put together an effective 12-bar blues arrangement: open simple, build tension, find the peak, and come back down for another round. This is where the true artistry of blues playing comes in, and I've never seen any book explain it so well.
The CD has tracks for every lick, but the most useful tracks are the six jam tracks at the end of the disc. These tracks have no guitar, just a backup band for you to play over. There are 2 blues arrangements each in the keys of G, A, and E.
To practice, I put on a jam track and play the licks I am learning over and over again. You can't really "get" the licks without playing over backing tracks to give them context. I usually practice like this for an hour or so, and it extremely fun and enjoyable. After a short while, I can really get the feel of the solo, and start making little variations. It sounds like the "real deal" and not some stripped-down exercises.
All in all, a terrific book that has given me a massive library of licks to choose from, and a much improved feel for playing the blues.
Book Review: Excellent book!!!!
Summary: 5 Stars
I have been playing guitar for over three years and despite constant efforts to come up with my own soloing ideas, I always seem to sound like I am just playing up and down scales. This book has really helped me get past this stumbling block and start making my solos sound like solos!!!! Definitely recommend this book!!!Book Review: wish I'd had this 20 years ago
Summary: 5 Stars
this is the book and cd I wish I'd had 20 years ago. My favorite music is blues, especially Allman Brothers, BB King, Muddy Waters. This cd and the book teach in baby steps (literally a bar at a time) and in the first five examples i've already learned licks I've tried to play for years. I'm an intermediate player.