Explore the electrifying story of British Blues, from post-war record collectors in the 1940s to the British Blues Explosion of the 1960s. Discover how American legends like Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, and Chuck Berry inspired young British musicians, including The Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton, John Mayall, and The Yardbirds, who amplified, reimagined, and exported the blues back to the world. Dive into the guitars, live performances, cultural contrasts, and lasting legacy that transformed blues into rock music.

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In this episode I give you my top 10 tips for playing acoustic blues.

1. Learn the 12-Bar Blues Form Inside Out

The 12-bar blues is the foundation. Practice it in different keys (E, A, G) until you can play it without thinking. This will make learning songs and improvising far easier.

2. Master Shuffle and Swing Rhythms

Blues rhythm isn’t straight—it's felt.
Work on:

• Shuffle feel (“da-DA, da-DA”)
• Light swing
  These grooves make even simple chords sound authentic.

3. Use Alternating Bass Patterns

A thumbed bass line (with your picking hand thumb) adds depth:

• Thumb alternates between root and fifth
• Fingers play melody on top
  This classic delta & country blues technique makes solo performances sound full.

4. Start Using the Minor Pentatonic Scale Early

It’s the essential blues scale.
Begin in A minor pentatonic and E minor pentatonic—both fit comfortably on acoustic and match common blues keys.

5. Add Blue Notes

Incorporate:

• ♭3
• ♭5
• ♭7
  These give blues its voice. Practice sliding into them for expression.

6. Work on String Bends & Vibrato

Bending on acoustic is harder than on electric, but doing it well makes your playing expressive. Start with:

• Quarter-step bends (very bluesy!)
• Slow, controlled vibrato
• Simple half-step bends on the B and G strings

7. Learn a Few Turnarounds

Turnarounds signal the end of the 12-bar form and make your playing sound “finished.”
Classic turnarounds in E and A are essential vocabulary for blues players.

8. Use Hammer-Ons & Pull-Offs for Acoustic “Snap”

Blues on acoustic thrives on percussive articulation.
Practice short licks that combine:

• Open strings
• Quick hammer-ons
• Snappy pull-offs
  They create that raw delta feel.

9. Study “Call and Response”

Think like a singer:

• Play a short melodic “call”
• Answer with a rhythmic or melodic “response”
  This makes improvisation sound intentional instead of random.

10. Listen and Imitate Blues Legends

Absorb phrasing, tone, and feel from players such as:

• Robert Johnson
• Mississippi John Hurt
• Big Bill Broonzy
• Lightnin’ Hopkins
• Eric Clapton (unplugged style)

Learning even a few of their licks will deepen your style dramatically.

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Today I'm catching up with one of the best modern slide guitarists - Johan Borgh from Sweden. In this episode we talk about Johan playing with Gary Clark Jr, his tips for learning slide, his gear and his awesome new record - Island Blues.

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Dive deep into the raw, hypnotic world of R. L. Burnside, the legendary North Mississippi hill country bluesman. From his early life on Mississippi farms to decades of regional performances, groundbreaking 1990s recordings with Fat Possum Records, collaborations with the Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, and his experimental Come On In album, we explore his guitar style, gear, live performances, and enduring influence on modern blues, rock, and electronic music.

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In this extended deep-dive, we explore the life, music, and legacy of Muddy Waters—the man who electrified the Delta blues and laid the foundation for rock ’n’ roll. From his early days on Stovall Plantation to his rise in Chicago with Chess Records, we trace his journey through iconic recordings like ‘Hoochie Coochie Man’ and ‘Mannish Boy,’ his groundbreaking performance at the 1960 Newport Jazz Festival, and the transatlantic collaborations of The London Muddy Waters Sessions.

We’ll break down Muddy’s guitar style, gear, and slide techniques, hear stories of his legendary band with Little Walter and Otis Spann, and map out how his music influenced artists from the Rolling Stones and Jimi Hendrix to Led Zeppelin and beyond.

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Why is the guitar tuned in such a strange way and what can we learn from it?

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In today's episode we're back talking about chord tones! I talk you through some great shaoes and approaches for adding these to your blues licks to create instantly better sounding solos.

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One of the most underrated guitarists of the 50s/60s. Bo Diddly gave us so much more than an iconic beat - in this episode I talk you through his classic song Roadrunner and talk about why hes awesome.

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