Quick Licks - Robben Ford: Mastering Sophisticated Blues Guitar

"Quick Licks - Robben Ford" is a comprehensive guitar tutorial series by Stuart Bull designed to immerse guitarists in the sophisticated and soulful world of blues guitar as played by Robben Ford. Known for his impeccable taste and tone, Ford's style blends traditional blues with elements of jazz and rock, creating a distinct and dynamic sound. This series focuses on the core techniques that define his playing: blues phrasing, alternate picking, string bending, and vibrato.

What You Will Learn In This Course

35 killer blues licks in the style of Robben Ford. This course also includes a backing track to play over. The techniques you will learn include:

• Two Hand Tapping
• Rock Guitar Soloing
• String Bending
• Phrasing

Technique Breakdown

Blues Phrasing

Blues phrasing is about expressing a musical idea with emotion and clarity, much like a conversation. Robben Ford's phrasing stands out for its eloquence and expressiveness. In these lessons, you'll learn how to craft phrases that tell a story, using timing, note choice, and dynamics. Understanding Ford's approach to phrasing will not only improve your blues playing but also enhance your overall musical communication.

Alternate Picking

Alternate picking is a fundamental guitar technique, essential for playing fast and intricate licks with precision. Ford's approach to alternate picking combines efficiency with a smooth, fluid style. These lessons will help you develop a relaxed yet controlled picking hand, enabling you to navigate complex licks with ease and add a new level of dexterity to your playing.

String Bending

String bending is a powerful tool in blues guitar, allowing for emotional expression and nuanced articulation. Robben Ford's bends are precise and soulful, often adding a vocal-like quality to his playing. This series guides you through various bending techniques, from subtle half-step bends to more pronounced full-step bends, teaching you how to use them to inject emotion and personality into your solos.

Vibrato

Vibrato involves subtly varying the pitch of a note to add warmth and depth. Ford's use of vibrato is masterful, often highlighting the expressiveness of his playing. These lessons focus on developing a controlled, expressive vibrato, helping you to enhance the sustain and resonance of your notes. You'll learn to vary the speed and depth of your vibrato to match the emotional context of the music.

Practicing Over a Backing Track: Contextualizing Your Skills

Each lick and technique is practiced over a backing track, which is essential for contextualizing what you've learned. Playing with backing tracks helps you understand how these techniques fit within a song, improving your timing, groove, and improvisational skills. It also provides a realistic setting for applying these skills, preparing you for live performances or jam sessions.

Robben Ford’s Guitar Style

Robben Ford’s guitar style is marked by a blend of blues depth and jazz sophistication, with a touch of rock energy. His playing is characterized by clean, articulate lines, nuanced phrasing, and a refined, yet soulful touch. Studying Ford's style offers insights into combining technical proficiency with musical expressiveness, making it a valuable learning experience for any aspiring blues guitarist.

The Benefits of Learning These Techniques

By mastering these techniques, you will:

• Enhance your ability to phrase musically and expressively.
• Improve your technical proficiency with alternate picking.
• Learn to convey emotion through string bending.
• Develop a more expressive and controlled vibrato.

Guitar Techniques Used in "Quick Licks - Robben Ford"

Completing the "Quick Licks - Robben Ford" series will enhance your skills in the following techniques:

• Vibrato
• Alternate Picking
• Legato
• Double Stop Bends
• Unison Bends
• Trills
• Pull-offs
• Pre-Bends
• Hammer-ons
• Double Stops
• Slides
• Sustain
• String Bending
• Bluesy Bends

"Quick Licks - Robben Ford" is an essential course for guitarists looking to delve into the nuanced world of blues guitar. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced player, these lessons provide a pathway to mastering the sophisticated style of one of blues guitar’s most revered players.