American Blues In 6 Weeks - Week 2 - Johnny Winter
Dive deep into the heart of American blues with our specialized course, "American Blues In 6 Weeks." Week 2 shines the spotlight on Johnny Winter, delving into his unique style and contributions to the blues genre. This course is carefully crafted to showcase Johnny Winter’s signature techniques, providing guitarists with the essential skills needed to excel in blues music. This course is taught by Steve Trovato.
Guitar Lesson Overview
Exploring Blues Scale Patterns
Our course kicks off with an in-depth look at blues scale patterns, the cornerstone of blues guitar. Learning these patterns is vital for guitarists to express a wide array of emotions and to navigate the fretboard with ease. Mastering these scales opens the door to improvisation and personal expression, allowing for a more dynamic and engaging playing style.
Mastering Repetitious Phrasing
We then move on to mastering repetitious phrasing, a hallmark of Johnny Winter’s playing style. This technique emphasizes the power of repeating musical phrases to build a compelling story within a solo. It teaches students how to use repetition creatively, adding depth and intensity to their playing.
Enhancing Licks with Hammer-Ons and Pull-Offs
The course also focuses on enhancing licks with hammer-ons and pull-offs, pivotal for achieving fluidity and expression in guitar playing. These techniques give your playing a more legato feel, making your solos sing with a smooth, vocal quality. Through these lessons, guitarists will learn to integrate these techniques seamlessly into their playing, adding sophistication and finesse.
Grooving with Triplets 'In the Pocket'
An essential aspect of the course is learning to groove ‘in the pocket’ using triplets, essential for achieving a tight, cohesive sound. Mastery of triplets brings a rhythmic swing to playing, essential for capturing the true essence of blues music. This section is key for those looking to improve their rhythmic accuracy and inject their performances with irresistible groove.
Crafting Licks with Pentatonic Scale Sequencing
Our exploration extends to using pentatonic scale sequencing for crafting captivating blues licks. The pentatonic scale is fundamental to blues soloing and, when sequenced creatively, provides endless opportunities for improvisation. This technique encourages guitarists to explore new patterns, expanding their creative horizons.
The Value of Practicing with a Backing Track
Including a backing track for practice is a critical component of this course, offering invaluable benefits for timing, groove, and musicianship. Practicing with a backing track simulates the experience of playing in a live band setting, crucial for preparing students for real-world performance situations. This practice tool is essential for enhancing musicality and fostering a deeper connection with the blues genre.
By the end of Week 2, students will have a profound understanding of Johnny Winter’s legendary techniques and a solid foundation in blues guitar. This course not only honors a blues icon but also equips guitarists with the skills to create their own blues masterpieces with authenticity and passion.
About The Tutor
Tutor Profile
Steve Trovato
To fans of country music, Steve needs no introduction and as an educator Steve holds a fulltime position in the Studio Jazz Department of Southern California. Steve has had a huge impact on the guitar learning scene with his old country guitar video and his Voodoo Blues series of books...