With his dextrorotary Flying V string conventionally, but then flipped to be played left-handed, the Indianola, Missisippi native ’ randomness style was always likely to be different. But his improper set-up doesn ’ t account for the raw, dramatic power of King ’ s act, which was much littered with some rightfully jaw-dropping bends – much a tone and half or two tones in width .
If you haven ’ deoxythymidine monophosphate heard it recently, before we get into this lesson stick on his iconic 1967 album, Born Under A Bad Sign and enjoy in the genius of one of the genuine kings of the blues .
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Reading: How to play blues like Albert King
Lick 1
This first lick, like all of the licks here, is in the key of C♯ minor, and is a typical Albert King-style race. You ’ ll notice that we start with a fold on the irregular exhaust of the bar, followed by a run down the first human body of the minor pentatonic scale. By not coming in on the first beat, it give the part a slinky, behind the outwit find. The second stripe uses the second determine of the scale to pull off a textbook Albert King lick, which is besides a go-to for Eric Clapton .
Lick 2
The double flex is a authentication of King ’ mho solo, and you ’ ll see one at the end of the first bar here. Bend the 14th fret up a tone, free it, and bend it up again as the bars hybrid over. The rest of the punch demonstrates how you don ’ t need many notes to make a great guitar part – there are only three in the wholly thing !
Lick 3
ad sometimes a ‘ wrong ’ note can be efficaciously used in blues playing to create interesting textures, and it ’ s something King was a overcome of. In this lawsuit, you ’ ll notice we ’ re playing the F on the 13th fret of the lead e string, which does not sit well in the minor pentatonic. The flim-flam is bend it up half a gradation to so it ’ south in key, creating about a slide guitar consequence .
Lick 4
You can ’ triiodothyronine probe Albert King ’ s playing without tackling some huge, ambitious overbends. This lick is based around the third human body of the minor pentatonic and features some two-tone bends, which will take some practice ! namely, tou ’ re bending the 17th fret up to the pitch of the 21st. Play the target note first of all and get that in your head, then attempt the bend – Albert used light ( 0.009-0.052 ) strings, which makes these big bends easier. The first bar ends with a double bending. The first base bend is a full tone, acquittance that to the starting deliver then push it up two tones without repicking the note.
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Lick 5
This final model uses the second supreme headquarters allied powers europe of the minor pentatonic in the lower strings. It ’ south made up of some note patterns that may initially feel a little unusual under the fingers, as we start with a tone and a half bend before a three-note chromatic summation. This cream has triplets on the second and fourth beats sol be careful of the time of those. You ’ ll detect that we end on the settle note here, so it ’ s a great part to play when you ’ re returning to the I chord in a 12-bar blues .
About the Author
Leigh Fuge is a guitar teacher and professional musician from Swansea, UK. He has taught hundreds of students face to face and via the MGR Music platform. He has more than 10 years of experience working as a tour musician, seance guitarist and teacher. Visit mgrmusic.com to find out about guitar tutors in your area .