A very tasteful lesson for budding blues players from the man himself.

[Phil47uk]

I was watching these B.B videos and realized this guy knows more about music theory than many people give him credit for. He just doesn't wail away round pentatonics, but introduces some beautiful chord tone patterns. A true master of phrasing and saying more in four notes than many can in four hundred. Notice carefully and you will see that although he uses few notes, he subtely bends these notes into many other notes of the scale without actually alighting on them with his fingers.
His light and shade phrasing and delicate finger technique produce the tone, not an effects box.
These are well worth watching for people whatever genre of music you are into.
Even If you are a ten million notes a minute person who can't hack it without an effects processor , sit back and watch raw basic tone in action.

Yep dear old B.B has got to be one of my favourite players. A sort of Afro American Pavarotti.
Pavarotti was known as a dolce tenor ( sweet tenor ) and I think old B.B could well be described as the same thing in blues world.
I went to see his UK farewell tour in Wembley last week.. Awesome !
This man just feels every note of music he plays..

Anyway.. If you have the time..Enjoy..

YouTube - BB King Guitar Lesson - Phrasing Over G Progression

YouTube - BB King Guitar Lesson - Phrasing Over G Progression

YouTube - Ovation TV | B.B. King: The Montreux Workshop

YouTube - Ovation TV | B.B. King: The Montreux Workshop

[huw]

Love it!

I don't care what people might say - the guy is a Jazz player, sure as Louis Armstrong was.

Those clips give the lie to the idea that he doesn't know any theory of what he's doing. He's absolutely aware of everything that he does, & does it for a reason.

[b-squared]

Thanks, man--great post. I love hearing these guys, especially monsters like BB King, talk about what they play.

This guy has so many licks stored away, and plays so much off the top of his head that's it's incredible.

I had the honor of seeing him play last year. He doesn't get around like he used to, but when he plays Lucille she still cries like an 18 year-old girl with a broken heart.

BB

[Phil47uk]

Originally Posted by huw

Love it!

I don't care what people might say - the guy is a Jazz player, sure as Louis Armstrong was.

Those clips give the lie to the idea that he doesn't know any theory of what he's doing. He's absolutely aware of everything that he does, & does it for a reason.

Oh yeah, he feels every note. The theory thing is interesting though. I wouldn't say he was knowleagable on musical theory as such, but it's obvious he knows his fingerbaord fairly well coz as he explains the notes he's playing, he names them without having to work them out on the fretboard.

[Phil47uk]

Originally Posted by b-squared

Thanks, man--great post. I love hearing these guys, especially monsters like BB King, talk about what they play.

This guy has so many licks stored away, and plays so much off the top of his head that's it's incredible.

I had the honor of seeing him play last year. He doesn't get around like he used to, but when he plays Lucille she still cries like an 18 year-old girl with a broken heart.

BB

Hi b-squared. What I love about his playing, is that the guy is not trying to impress with technique. He is merely expressing what he wants to say and if three words are all that is necessary then three words is all he'll use. That takes balls and is very hard to do.
He also seems a very genuine guy and Tom Compton who has met him on a few ocassions whilst with Johnny Winter said that he puts aside time to talk to everybody.
Tom reckoned once BB was sitting in his chair playing and Johnny came along side an pulled up another chair. B.B looked at him and said " That's ok son, you can stand up , besides you haven't had the mileage to warrent sitting in a chair yet" Then beamed all over his face laughing.

Yeah a true old guard muso who has charisma and can tell a story.. Hey, those were the days b-squared eh?

[b-squared]

Yep..they don't make 'em like that anymore.

[Jason]

While a lot of other guitarists are blazing down the highway at 90 mph, BB takes you on the scenic route and really makes you slow yourself down and savor each drop of the music. Thoughtfulness in music is a special form of genius.

[River]

If I was told I could only listen to one artist's music for the rest of my life, I'd choose BB.

[Phil47uk]

Originally Posted by b-squared

Yep..they don't make 'em like that anymore.

Amen to that..

[Phil47uk]

Originally Posted by Jason

While a lot of other guitarists are blazing down the highway at 90 mph, BB takes you on the scenic route and really makes you slow yourself down and savor each drop of the music. Thoughtfulness in music is a special form of genius.

A very nice description there Jason..

[Phil47uk]

Originally Posted by River

If I was told I could only listen to one artist's music for the rest of my life, I'd choose BB.

I'll go along with that. Not only is his playing tasteful, but what a voice. I just love this guys light and shade when telling a story.

[Jason]

My approach has always been to milk everything for what it's worth as well... I am still blown away with how many new sounds can be squeezed out of three chords and a single box. A couple of my good friends took up guitar shortly after I and they've since "blown past" me.

They're into metal, so they hammer out blisteringly fast licks with tons of distortion. I really think what they do is great. I get true enjoyment out of hearing my friends rock out like that, but my personality is different. I'm more the guy who wanders around town or the woods just observing things. I might see a leaf or a spiderweb and get to thinking about the meaning of life... Similarly, I get mesmerized by the very limited things I know on the fretboard. Even if a guitar had just one string there would be no limit to what you could do with it.

I guess you could say that, even with only knowing a couple of scales and fewer than 10 open chords, I am thoroughly overwhelmed by my musical options when I play. Sure, sometimes I feel like I'm in a rut, but if I can just skew my perspective a tad... Bam! I find another little treasure on the fretboard. Can anybody else relate?

[River]

Originally Posted by Jason

My approach has always been to milk everything for what it's worth as well... I am still blown away with how many new sounds can be squeezed out of three chords and a single box. A couple of my good friends took up guitar shortly after I and they've since "blown past" me.

They're into metal, so they hammer out blisteringly fast licks with tons of distortion. I really think what they do is great. I get true enjoyment out of hearing my friends rock out like that, but my personality is different. I'm more the guy who wanders around town or the woods just observing things. I might see a leaf or a spiderweb and get to thinking about the meaning of life... Similarly, I get mesmerized by the very limited things I know on the fretboard. Even if a guitar had just one string there would be no limit to what you could do with it.

I guess you could say that, even with only knowing a couple of scales and fewer than 10 open chords, I am thoroughly overwhelmed by my musical options when I play. Sure, sometimes I feel like I'm in a rut, but if I can just skew my perspective a tad... Bam! I find another little treasure on the fretboard. Can anybody else relate?

Yep. Only difference is I don't like hearing that other stuff. It impresses me, but I can only listen to about 30 seconds of it at a time.

[Jason]

Originally Posted by River

Yep. Only difference is I don't like hearing that other stuff. It impresses me, but I can only listen to about 30 seconds of it at a time.

I pretty much feel the same way, but it's different for me when someone I'm connected to is playing it. I could never listen to the music they listen too though!

[Volusia]

Great post.

I saw BB a few years back on his 80th Birthday tour. It was a sell out and the best concert I'ver ever attended. His stories between songs really pulled you in and you got to learn a little bit about the man behind the music.

[Phil47uk]

Originally Posted by Jason

My approach has always been to milk everything for what it's worth as well... I am still blown away with how many new sounds can be squeezed out of three chords and a single box. A couple of my good friends took up guitar shortly after I and they've since "blown past" me.

They're into metal, so they hammer out blisteringly fast licks with tons of distortion. I really think what they do is great. I get true enjoyment out of hearing my friends rock out like that, but my personality is different. I'm more the guy who wanders around town or the woods just observing things. I might see a leaf or a spiderweb and get to thinking about the meaning of life... Similarly, I get mesmerized by the very limited things I know on the fretboard. Even if a guitar had just one string there would be no limit to what you could do with it.

I guess you could say that, even with only knowing a couple of scales and fewer than 10 open chords, I am thoroughly overwhelmed by my musical options when I play. Sure, sometimes I feel like I'm in a rut, but if I can just skew my perspective a tad... Bam! I find another little treasure on the fretboard. Can anybody else relate?

That's what I always tell pupils Jason. It's not what you can play but how you play it. The simplest song can mezmerize an audience if delivered correctly.
All that million mile an hour stuff should really fall into some sort of new Olympic sport category , because 99% of it certainly doesn't do anything for me musically.

[Phil47uk]

Originally Posted by Volusia

Great post.

I saw BB a few years back on his 80th Birthday tour. It was a sell out and the best concert I'ver ever attended. His stories between songs really pulled you in and you got to learn a little bit about the man behind the music.

Exactly..

[lazz]

there are guys play all their lives and never get a vibrato as sweet as his, a true guitar legend thanks for the post phil.

[Von Bek]

Originally Posted by Phil47uk

That's what I always tell pupils Jason. It's not what you can play but how you play it. The simplest song can mezmerize an audience if delivered correctly.
All that million mile an hour stuff should really fall into some sort of new Olympic sport category , because 99% of it certainly doesn't do anything for me musically.

Exactly. I was just thinking how he's producing some truly sweet sounds with some simple movements on the board and how much I can appreciate that not being a fast player myself. Never will be, but I can still enjoy the hell out of it and even sound good thanks to teachers like B.B. He's definitely been an inspiration to me and this is a great lesson. Thanks.

[guitarEd]

nice find there Phil47. I always chuckle when young players claim they dont need no
theory because BB and others play by ear and feel.
Well Im sure a lot of these long time players may not have any formal music theory, but they have picked up a fair amount over the years.
Playing as long as BB has, you cant help it...

ed

[rambler]

awesome videos, i base my playing around his stately style :]

Every note means that much more when you hold back, and if you do play a faster or longer lick, its effect is even greater because its uncommon

[Bluesyzep]

Moving. I just love this man. The clock is ticking and I only have 1 or 2 more chances to see him.

[dcmey]

I have studied T Bone Walker and Charlie Christian music and one of the thing s those guys do is solo over moveable chord shapes. Guys like them and B.B can make the most simple lick sound so complex and get the absolute most out of it.

[ruddy]

i would never expect bb not to know a note on his fret board anyways and i would hazzard a guess that he knows what hes doing, afterall he is bb king. How good does he sound though? man he is more blues than anyone he would be gutted if you told him he was more of a jazz player lol his idles are hardcore blues players! great vids phil! i wish i had the bb touch i just hope he keeps going strong

[guitarsmark]

Originally Posted by Volusia

Great post.

I saw BB a few years back on his 80th Birthday tour. It was a sell out and the best concert I'ver ever attended. His stories between songs really pulled you in and you got to learn a little bit about the man behind the music.

I saw him too, it was such a great show, and my first time seeing KWS when he opened for him too!

[Phil47uk]

Hi guys. I think that one sometimes has to make analogies outside of music to get things across to people.

I often show pupils these two videos and ask them which is the most emotively powerful. More words, or less in the right places.

Then liken it to music.

YouTube - Fast talker - How to Auctioneer Auctioner Chant, Money,

YouTube - Fast talker - How to Auctioneer Auctioner Chant, Money,

YouTube - Shadowlands 2

YouTube - Shadowlands 2

[Blues Power]

the funny thing is i understand and know exactly what hes doing or playing but theres no way i can get it out like that or make it flow like that. i tend to speed up too much or Page out way way too much and i lose the feeling and it all gets lost.

i saw BB abut 4 times and hes a true showman. he also admits that after all these years he still has stage fright right b4 he goes on.

[huw]

Originally Posted by ruddy

...he would be gutted if you told him he was more of a jazz player lol his idles are hardcore blues players!

Really?

Go back and listen again to his list of his five guitar idols:

Charlie Christian - hard core blues? Nope - jazz...
Django Reinhart - again, hard core blues? Nada - jazz, baby...

And Lonnie Johnson, whist definitely a blues player, had a very sophisticated ability to play jazzy stuff, amongst other styles, so "hard core blues"? Again, no.

There were many links between jazz & blues back then, it's easy to forget. BB is old enough to know it first hand...

[LiveOak]

Great links, thanks! B.B. is incredible, big fan of his over here!

[terence_tez]

he reigns man...