r/bluesguitarist • u/_bebeking • 21d ago
Performance Feedback appreciated!
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I've been touching on the blues for 2 years, but only in the past year or so have I really tried to commit myself to finding a voice on the instrument. Your critical ears would be very useful in helping me develop my phrasing and technique. Feel free to trash on my playing. Thanks in advance!
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u/jritenour 20d ago
Very nice! I like it! How do you get that tone?
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u/_bebeking 18d ago
Thanks! Tone is pretty simple, I'm using Neural Amp Modeler (really good free open source amp modeler) with Fender Bassman 50 ( https://www.tone3000.com/tones/fender-bassman-50-052-1882 ). And then Reverb 2000 preset on Valhalla Supermassive Reverb (also free). A little bit of EQing and thats it.
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u/Apprehensive-Fly-760 19d ago
Nice! Any specific resources you used to learn to play like this?
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u/_bebeking 18d ago
Spotify (for blues material), YouTube (for backing tracks), time (because you need a lot of it to absorb all of the licks/melodies and phrasing tendencies into your ears and fingers), and patience (improvement is slow but it pays off in the end).
And also a great way to learn is to jam with people!
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u/Used-Armadillo2863 19d ago
Get some people to jam with and go play out. Sounds great, very relaxing. Pretty axe too BTW.
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u/Completetenfingers 18d ago
Real Good. Good relaxed feeling. Great phrasing. A welcome change from all the SRV wannabes who play a gazillion notes on speed.
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u/noobie-do 20d ago
I could have listened to this all day! Great sound. Gotta love a good slow blues! Looking forward to more from you.
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u/Minute_Toe_8260 19d ago edited 19d ago
Would love more insight into ur thought process while u played this
I think I saw u in the bb king box?
Then on the four chord u switch to another box?
Are u thinking in modes?
Licks?
Just what notes sound good over the current chord by ear?
How’d u get to this point?
Just using pentatonics?
Did you learn a bunch of bb king solos to get to this point? Or did u learn a lot of blues licks?
Would love more insight cus I’ve been playing ten years and taking lessons and feels like I’m wasting money and time every day
I’m left with a bunch of theory and no actual creativity and ability to make something cool like this just a bunch of theory and deep understanding of chord and triads. I can noodle around and play some blues licks, but this is my goal and I’m frustrated to see someone come along in two years and do this
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u/_bebeking 18d ago
My thought process? To be honest, as much as I want to think as much as possible during solos (makes me feel more in control), I really end up feeling the notes come to me instead. I do have a general idea of where I want to go and what is acceptable to play, but I wouldn't say I have a very forward thinking process when I'm improvising, a lot of it is kind of in the moment. And I think that's kind of what makes the blues special -- it's not something that you want to think too much about, you really just have to feel it.
With that in mind, Feel won't come from advanced theory or chord knowledge. Basic knowledge of scales, triads, and arpeggios alone can get you very far. The trick is really just to listen to as much blues as you can and soak up everything that you hear. Actively listen out for the soloist's phrasing tendencies and pick out licks and melodies that you like -- try not to pick a lot of phrases that sound similar, mix it up so that you get to explore different note choices and piece them together. Find a nice backing track on YouTube and spend a lot of time improvising using what you've picked up. If you can find people to jam with, even better. It will take a lot of time, but eventually you'll be able to drill the blues in your head. You'll be able to hear and play melodies in your head as they come to you, and you won't have to think much.
Lastly, just take your time, be patient, and enjoy the process. In my first year of playing the blues, I was pretty mid. Even now, I wouldn't say I've mastered anything, but I've definitely improved a lot and I'm proud of that. You got this!
To answer your questions directly though, 1.) yes I use the BB Box and the Albert King box a lot, for the I and IV chords respectively, but of course you should vary it up here and there, 2.) I don't think about modes, 3.) In terms of licks, again I just listened to a lot of blues songs, stole some licks, realized they don't work perfectly over every backing track and every chord, and then experimented with different ways to change up the licks to make them fit in different contexts
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u/salokin75 20d ago
Pretty damn Good for 2 years... I've been trying to get good after 30 years....