I need to feel my blues

Subject: I NEED TO FEEL MY BLUES
From: BKblues
Date: 31 Mar 99 - 01:44 PM

I taught myself to play the guitar, and have been playing the for a couple years. When i hear blues music, or anyone play any type of blues or folk, i get completly blown away. I don't really know how to play blues, or even where to start. I can't really afford to take lessons, and i enjoy teaching myself, but i need some help with a starting point. Be it chord progressions, riffs, whatever i need help! If anyone can help me i would appreciate it. BKblues

Subject: RE: I NEED TO FEEL MY BLUES
From: Roger in Baltimore
Date: 31 Mar 99 - 01:56 PM

BKblues,

You might check out group lessons at a local store. Often they are much cheaper than individual lessons.

Otherwise, there are books and video tapes for lessons. Many are available from Elderly.com. Another excellent resource is Homespun Tapes (1-800-338-2737). You could start by ordering their catalog. Much of what you can get from Homespun you can also get through Elderly.

It sounds like you are pretty new to the guitar. I would recommend Happy Traum's "Learning to Play Blues Guitar". The two tape set is a bargain. (Available at either source given above). The advantages of tape are many. The primary one is you get to repeat the lesson as many times as you want. If you forget something, you can go back to it. The main disadvantage is that you learn only what they offer, you cannot customize a tape.

As you get more proficient, there are more tapes available.

Roger in Baltimore

Subject: RE: I NEED TO FEEL MY BLUES
From: ddw in windsor
Date: 01 Apr 99 - 01:12 AM

Hi BKB...

Know exactly what you're going through... I've been working on it off and on for years and I still feel like a beginner most of the time.

All of what Roger said is great advice ... there are lots of great books, CDs, etc. out there, many of them with tablature that can help you visualize what blues greats are doing as you listen to them. Happy Traum's books are great, but there's a series up out by Stephan Grossman that covers the styles of Mississippi John Hurt, Blind Lemon Jefferson, and a couple of others that come with CDs compiled in the order of the songs in the books. I just got the MJH one at Elderly last weekend for about $17, which is incredible when you consider it's all the words, chords, tabs and two CDs of original recordings.

The advice I wanted to add to what RiB said is to go to every LIVE venue you can and WATCH. If it's an informal place, most of the time you can talk to the musicians and I've run into very few who wouldn't share what they know very willingly. Most seem flattered that you really want to know how they get a particular sound or whatever.

Anyway, without knowing where you are, how old you are, or much of anything else about you, I'd like to say welcome to a musical world that is about as much fun as you can have with yo ur cloths on...

cheers

ddw

Subject: RE: I NEED TO FEEL MY BLUES
From: BKblues
Date: 01 Apr 99 - 09:48 AM

thanks to both of you for the great advice. i just order the happy traum's book/cd, and am looking into the stephan grossman's. and thanks ddw, i'll look into where some live shows are and check them out. i'm a freshman in college and i live in baltimore. if that gives you any lead way to more advice, i'd be much grateful

Subject: RE: I NEED TO FEEL MY BLUES
From: Roger in Baltimore
Date: 01 Apr 99 - 01:18 PM

BKblues,

Try the Full Moon Saloon, 1710 Aliceanna St. in the Fells Point section of B'more. They specialize in blues (and booze), usually no cover. You might also contact the Baltimore Blues Society at 410-329-5825.

Both places are heavily electric blues oriented, but occasionally acoustic acts come by. Some of the work is the same, electric or unplugged.

There is also a new restaurant on the Avenue in White Marsh that is supposed to feature blues performers. Have not been there myself.

Good luck and enjoy the music!

Roger in Baltimore