Stevie Ray Vaughan to B.B. King, some of the greatest guitarists of all time got their start with slow blues. Here's why you should too!

I frequently get asked "why do I call my guitar school the Art of Slow Blues when my courses have an equal focus on contemporary blues and rock soloing? To me, the answer is simple! Slow blues is the best foundation you can have as an aspiring lead guitarist in almost any genre. And don't just take my word for it! Here is Paul Gilbert, an accomplished metal and progressive metal guitarist, talking about the influence on his playing:

When it comes to playing slow blues on guitar, there are a ton of benefits that go beyond just sounding great! One of the biggest advantages is that it helps build your technical skills and dynamics as you navigate the fretboard during a solo. As the name suggests, slow blues is often played at a slow tempo, which gives you plenty of time and space to experiment with different techniques and really work on your precision and control - all of which help you to create more expressive and dynamic solos. Again, don't take my word for it! Listen to Gary Moore talking about really playing a note"

Think of other guitar legends like B.B. King, Eric Clapton, and Stevie Ray Vaughn - they all got their start playing slow blues, and their technical prowess is a testament to the power of this genre. So, let's dive in and take a deeper look at more benefits of learning slow blues guitar!

The Feel Factor
Playing slow blues allows for deep emotional expression. I don't think there is any other instrument out there that not only sounds emotional but also imparts those emotions onto your audience. When you feel the blues, your audience feels it with you! There are so many different techniques that you can make your guitar sound like it's crying or screaming with every emotion in between! There are so many different ways of bringing dynamics to the notes you play it can be a problem! The trouble is that because there are so many ways to play a note or lick guitarists end up just sticking to a few like bending, vibrato, and slides. That is why, as part of my Lead Guitar Soloing and Improvising course, I created the XYZ model of dynamics that categorizes techniques into 3 easy to remember categories. You can then literally browse through all the options in your mind as you are playing. This ensures that your soloing stays fresh and interesting to you and your audience.... even if it is only your cat!

Mastering Restraint
I'm sure if you are here reading this blog post that you have heard the age-old adage that when it comes to playing the blues "It's not what you play, it's what you don't play" that is important. It's no secret that playing fast and flashy solos can be incredibly tempting for guitarists. After all, who doesn't want to show off their skills and impress their audience? But the truth is that restraint is just as important as flashiness when it comes to lead guitar playing. By learning to hold back and only play the notes that really count, you'll create a sense of tension and release in your solos that will leave a lasting impact on your listeners. Think of a slow blues solo like a conversation - you're telling a story through your playing, and you want to keep your audience engaged by building up to moments of high intensity and then bringing it back down. By learning to use techniques like bends, double stops, and pinched harmonics in a deliberate way, you can create a sense of tension and anticipation that will have your listeners on the edge of their seats. Then, when you finally release that tension with a soulful, soaring note, it's like a huge freeing emotion for both you and your audience. Take B.B. King, for example - he was a master of playing slow blues with a deep sense of feeling, always making every note count. Or Gary Moore, whose haunting solos on songs like "Still Got The Blues" showcased his ability to build tension and release it in a controlled, emotional way. And of course, we can't forget the late, great Stevie Ray Vaughn, whose slow blues playing was both technically impressive and emotionally powerful. All of these guitarists knew how to hold back and only play the notes that truly mattered, creating a sense of depth and soulfulness that is still inspiring guitarists today.

Start Exploring some Slow Blues Solos
I strongly encourage you to try playing slow blues for yourself and experience its benefits firsthand. Not only will you develop solid technical skills and dynamics, but you will also be able to express yourself in a deep and emotional way that will captivate your audience. Here are some resources to inspire you! So pick up your guitar and start honing your skills.

Resources