English | Sep 1, 2011 | ISBN: 1617130117 | 259 pages | PDF&MP3 224 kbps | 130 MB

This latest entry in Backbeat's best-selling handbook series starts by exploring the humble beginnings of blues guitar through the early decades of the 20th century, moving into profiles of such players as Robert Johnson, Charley Patton and Son House. As the story moves into the 40s and 50s and blues players migrate to major urban centres author Adam St James follows the evolution of the music at the hands of such electric blues kingpins as Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, and B.B. King.

Then it's the blues-rockers of the 60s, 70s, and 80s (including Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page, Jeff Beck, and Stevie Ray Vaughan) before the story comes up to date, with blues flame-keepers such as Keb Mo' or Duke Robillard, and some not-quite-traditionalists, such as Robben Ford or Derek Trucks. A comprehensive tutor for mastering electric and acoustic blues follows this historic overview. Starting from the very basics it leads you into more advanced rhythm and lead techniques, before examining four key styles: acoustic blues, classic electric blues, blues rock and jazz blues. The many exercises in the tutor are supported by specially recorded audio tracks on the accompanying CD.

If your serious about learning blues guitar, and you don't want to settle for random riffs and licks, this is the book you need to study. The Blues Guitar Handbook does its best to leave few if any stones untouched. Not only does it go into detail about how to do rhythms, riffs, and leads, the book answers questions of why certain aspects of the instrument and technique are necessary. In other words, this book treats the reader with intelligence and respect. This one teaches the reader how to think like a blues player so when you put down the book you can play, really play, and not just mirror exercises. This is the one.

It has a pretty detailed history of the blues which is nice; if you aren't familiar with some of the old greats you can look up these names on youtube and listen to what they contributed to the genre. There is also a good section on reading music and tab. Then the book is broken down into sections on rhythm, riffs and leads. Keep practicing, add in other sources, lessons, etc. and you'll be well on your way.