Blues Guitar For Dummies »

Jon Chappell is a multistyle guitarist, arranger, and author. He grew up in Chicago, attended Carnegie-Mellon University, and earned his master’s degree in composition from DePaul University. He was Editor-in-Chief of Guitar magazine and played and recorded with artists such as Big Walter Horton, Billy Branch, Pat Benatar, Judy Collins, Graham Nash, and Gunther Schuller. Jon has also contributed numerous musical pieces to TV and film.
Jon served as Associate Music Director of Cherry Lane Music, where he transcribed, edited, and arranged the music of Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, Steve Morse, Bonnie Raitt, and Eddie Van Halen, among others. He has more than a dozen method books to his name and is the author of Guitar For Dummies, 2nd Edition, and Rock Guitar For Dummies (both published by Wiley), Blues Rock Riffs for Guitar (Cherry Lane), as well as the textbook The Recording Guitarist — A Guide for Home and Studio (Hal Leonard). Please visit Jon’s Web site at www.jonchappell.com for more info.

Do you wish you could play your favorite blues music on guitar? Even if you don’t read music, it’s not difficult with Blues Guitar for Dummies. With this hands-on guide, you’ll pick up the fundamentals instantly and start jamming like your favorite blues artists!

Blues Guitar for Dummies covers all aspects of blues guitar, showing you how to play scales, chords, progressions, riffs, solos, and more! It’s packed with musical examples, chords charts, and photos that let you explore the genre and play the songs of the great blues musicians. This accessible guide will give you the skills you need to:

• Choose the right guitar, equipment, and strings
• Hold, tune, and get situated with your guitar
• Play barre chords and strum to the rhythm
• Recognize the structure of a blues song
• Tackle musical riffs
• Master melodies and solos
• Make your guitar sing, cry, and wail
• Jam to any type of blues

In addition to this must-have book, a bonus CD is included so that you can listen to famous songs, practice your riffs and chords, and develop your style as a blues musician. It also features a quick guide to musical notation and suggestions on albums, artists, and guitars for further enjoyment. With Blues Guitar for Dummies, you can re-create the masterpieces of the blues legend without the expensive lessons!

Introduction.

Part I: You Got a Right to Play the Blues.

Chapter 1: Every Day I Have the Blues . . . Hallelujah!

Chapter 2: Blues Meets Guitar: A Match Made in Musical Heaven.

Chapter 3: Grab Hold, Tune Up, Play On!

Part II: Setting Up to Play the Blues.

Chapter 4: Getting a Grip on Left-Hand Chords.

Chapter 5: Positioning the Right Hand for Rhythm and Lead.

Chapter 6: Blues Progressions, Song Forms, and Moves.

Chapter 7: Musical Riffs: Bedrock of the Blues.

Part III: Beyond the Basics: Playing Like a Pro.

Chapter 8: Playing Lead: Soaring Melodies and Searing Solos.

Chapter 9: Playing Up the Neck.

Chapter 10: Express Yourself: Making the Guitar Sing, Cry, and Wail.

Part IV: Sounding Like the Masters: Blues Styles through the Ages.

Chapter 11: Acoustic Roots: Delta Blues and Its Country Cousins.

Chapter 12: The Birth and Growth of Classic Electric Blues.

Chapter 13: Blues Rock: The Infusion of Ol’ Rock ’n’ Roll.

Part V: Gearing Up: Outfitting Your Arsenal.

Chapter 14: Shop Till You Drop: Buying the Right Guitar for You.

Chapter 15: Choosing Your Amp and Effects.

Chapter 16: Changing Strings.

Part VI: The Part of Tens.

Chapter 17: Ten Blues Guitar Giants.

Chapter 18: Ten Great Blues Guitars.

Chapter 19: Ten (Plus One) Must-Have Blues Guitar Albums.

Part VII: Appendixes.

Appendix A: How to Read Music.

Appendix B: How to Use the CD.

Index.