Staple Blues Songs

[Mikael Dez]

Hey y’all, I’m taking guitar lessons for the first time! The dude is mainly a blues/jazz player. I have the chops to play, but I don’t have the music knowledge or experience playing these genres. What are some staple blues songs that helped you the most? I’m looking for songs that are guitar heavy, and have blues soloing techniques that I would benefit from having in my toolbox. Who are your favorite blues artists? I’m only familiar with famous names, I’m sure there are gems to be heard and learned from.

 

[la szum]

I-IV-V is the standard Blues Progression (E-A-B in the key of E). Variations on that are few and far between.
Thousands of "Blues" songs have been written in that format.

There are cats like John Lee Hooker who will vamp on the I chord till the cows come home. Boogie in E.

Most of the best blues playing is non shreddy, in my experience, and will be very vocal. The 3 Kings
come to mind. Albert King. BB King. Freddie King.

Learning to use Vibrato and bending notes are probably the two most useful and effective skills to
have when it comes to Blues soloing. Make that steel sing! :)

Not playing (call and response/space) are also vital in in the Blues.

The video below is a Masterclass in the Blues, to me. If it gets better than Albert and SRV I don't know where.

 

[Aelred]

Spoonful
Dust my Broom
Smokestack Lightning
Boom Boom
Killing Floor
Born Under a Bad Sign
Baby Please Don't Go
Little Red Rooster
Rollin and Tumblin
Dark was the Night, Cold was the Ground

Apart from the 3 kings, try Elmore James, Howling Wolf, Blind Willie Johnson and Robert Johnson. Lots of Blind folk... Blind Lemon Jefferson, Blind Blake...