Bman's Blues Report

I just had the opportunity to review the a really nice instructional book from Hal Leonard Corporation , Play Like Freddie King, The Ultimate Guitar Lesson. Dave Rubin has really done it this time with a super book demonstrating the style of Freddie King. The book takes five basic King tunes, Going Down , I'm Tore Down , Remington Ride , San Jose and The Stumble and explains in great detail how to capture the spirit and articulation of King. On each of these tracks, Rubins explains the basis for the track, Kings approach and style, and then explains specifically how to articulate the ideas with detailed fingering techniques to achieve the sound. A complete tab of the track showing vocal line, guitar line as written and tab. Breaking each track down into sections makes it easy to understand and replicate. Building on this basis, the book in conjunction with the digital tracks, then shows how to build on these basics with essential King riffs, and even Signature riffs for Hideawa...

I just received the newest instructional blues book, Chicago Blues Rhythm Guitar... The Complete and Definitive Guide by Steady Rollin' Bob Margolin and Dave Rubin and it has it all. This book starts at the beginning with simple tips on setup and history. Then as you start to get into the tablature, it's all written out there for you, beginning with a boogie shuffle on the bass strings.What's really cool is they go further and show it's application in a way that you know how to apply it. Sliding 9ths never sounded so easy. These give the track fullness say like on Stormy Monday. Comping gives your track a Freddie Green richness. And flat tire that odd note out used quite effectively by SRV on Pride and Joy. The box shuffle is a standard of Buddy Guy for example. Once you understand the root it makes it soo much easier to fill. Jimmy Reeds "two beat" style is also covered. Next E major and A Major keys are covered with basic runs. On this you can build th...