The Blues Guitar Show

Latest Episodes:

Episode #219 Learning songs FAST (and how to remember them) Mar 10, 2025

Show notes

Something I have to do a lot in my work is learning long set lists very quickly - sometimes in just days to have them performance ready. Today I'm sharing my method for how to learn songs quickly and effectively.

This online workshop will give you all the tools you need to get started creating your own improvisations, songs and freestyles on the guitar.

When: November 14th 5-6pm GMT

Where: Online via Google Meet

Price $25/pp

https://calendly.com/ben-thebluesguitarshow/freestylin-the-blues-workshop

Support the show

To become a MEMBER and get access to over 2 Years of guitar lessons for just $5/Month head to https://www.buzzsprout.com/950998/subscribe

Episode #218 The GENUIS of Hill Country Blues Mar 03, 2025

Show notes

In this episode I'm talking to you about RHYTHM. Hill Country Blues playing is one of the most rhythmical of all the blues styles. Pioneers like R.L Burnside, Junior Kimborough and others developed this incredible picking hand technique you have to learn.

This online workshop will give you all the tools you need to get started creating your own improvisations, songs and freestyles on the guitar.

When: November 14th 5-6pm GMT

Where: Online via Google Meet

Price $25/pp

https://calendly.com/ben-thebluesguitarshow/freestylin-the-blues-workshop

Support the show

To become a MEMBER and get access to over 2 Years of guitar lessons for just $5/Month head to https://www.buzzsprout.com/950998/subscribe

Episode #217 Which Guitar Shape Is Right For You? Feb 24, 2025

Show notes

In this episode we are virtual guitar shopping ans talking about which guitar shape is the right one for you.

This online workshop will give you all the tools you need to get started creating your own improvisations, songs and freestyles on the guitar.

When: November 14th 5-6pm GMT

Where: Online via Google Meet

Price $25/pp

https://calendly.com/ben-thebluesguitarshow/freestylin-the-blues-workshop

Support the show

To become a MEMBER and get access to over 2 Years of guitar lessons for just $5/Month head to https://www.buzzsprout.com/950998/subscribe

Lesson #97 Led Zeppelin Heartbreaker Riff Feb 21, 2025

Show notes

In this episode we are talking through that classic Zep riff Heartbreaker! It's a great blues scale based riff you can start grooving on straight away.

Head to the drive folder to download this weeks TABS;
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1_WwAzYBpLKQBRAz942uqQb4u-C3PcvYz?usp=drive_link

This online workshop will give you all the tools you need to get started creating your own improvisations, songs and freestyles on the guitar.

When: November 14th 5-6pm GMT

Where: Online via Google Meet

Price $25/pp

https://calendly.com/ben-thebluesguitarshow/freestylin-the-blues-workshop

Support the show

To become a MEMBER and get access to over 2 Years of guitar lessons for just $5/Month head to https://www.buzzsprout.com/950998/subscribe

Episode #216 Vintage VS6 Guitar Review Feb 17, 2025

Show notes

In this episode I'm reviewing the Vintage VS6 (SG style) guitar.

The Vintage VS6 ReIssued Series is a solid body, double cutaway guitar that can turn its hand to anything. Be it rock solid rhythm chords providing the engine room for your sound, drop tunings soaked in fuzz, or soaring lead guitar solos which steal the spotlight, the VS6 will astound you with its versatility and vivid array of diverse tones.

This online workshop will give you all the tools you need to get started creating your own improvisations, songs and freestyles on the guitar.

When: November 14th 5-6pm GMT

Where: Online via Google Meet

Price $25/pp

https://calendly.com/ben-thebluesguitarshow/freestylin-the-blues-workshop

Support the show

To become a MEMBER and get access to over 2 Years of guitar lessons for just $5/Month head to https://www.buzzsprout.com/950998/subscribe

Episode #215 Smokestack Lightnin' - Songs Simplified Feb 10, 2025

Show notes

In this episode I'm doing another 'songs simplified' this time on the classic 1 chord vamp song - Smokestack Lightnin'.

This is a blues jam staple and a campfire classic so well worth digging your teeth into.

This online workshop will give you all the tools you need to get started creating your own improvisations, songs and freestyles on the guitar.

When: November 14th 5-6pm GMT

Where: Online via Google Meet

Price $25/pp

https://calendly.com/ben-thebluesguitarshow/freestylin-the-blues-workshop

Support the show

To become a MEMBER and get access to over 2 Years of guitar lessons for just $5/Month head to https://www.buzzsprout.com/950998/subscribe

Lesson #96 B.B King Style Focus Feb 07, 2025

Show notes

In this lesson we take a deep dive into Three O Clock Blues and look at the licks and scales BB is using.

This online workshop will give you all the tools you need to get started creating your own improvisations, songs and freestyles on the guitar.

When: November 14th 5-6pm GMT

Where: Online via Google Meet

Price $25/pp

https://calendly.com/ben-thebluesguitarshow/freestylin-the-blues-workshop

Support the show

To become a MEMBER and get access to over 2 Years of guitar lessons for just $5/Month head to https://www.buzzsprout.com/950998/subscribe

Episode #214 The Freddie King Trick Feb 03, 2025

Show notes

In this episode we're looking into Freddie Kings playing, how he strucrtures his solos, the techniques he uses and how you can use them in your playing.

This online workshop will give you all the tools you need to get started creating your own improvisations, songs and freestyles on the guitar.

When: November 14th 5-6pm GMT

Where: Online via Google Meet

Price $25/pp

https://calendly.com/ben-thebluesguitarshow/freestylin-the-blues-workshop

Support the show

To become a MEMBER and get access to over 2 Years of guitar lessons for just $5/Month head to https://www.buzzsprout.com/950998/subscribe

Episode #213 Pedals Pedals Pedals Jan 27, 2025

Show notes

In this episode I take you through my 5 essential pedals. These are the ones I use all the time and how I set them up.
1. Compressor Pedal

Why it's important: A compressor smooths out the dynamics of your playing by limiting the loudest notes and boosting the quieter ones. It helps create a more consistent sound, adding sustain, punch, and clarity. A great tool for players who want their tone to sound polished and even, especially when fingerpicking or in clean tones.
Popular choices: Keeley Compressor, MXR Dyna Comp, Wampler Ego Compressor.

2. Overdrive Pedal

Why it's important: An overdrive pedal is key for adding warmth and grit to your tone. Whether you’re looking for classic bluesy smoothness or heavier, more saturated rock tones, overdrive is essential for shaping your distortion and helping you achieve expressive, dynamic playing.
Popular choices: Ibanez Tube Screamer, Fulltone OCD, Boss OD-3.

3. Reverb Pedal

Why it's important: Reverb creates space and depth by simulating the natural reflections of sound in an environment. Whether you're after subtle room ambiance or lush, expansive reverb tails, this effect is essential for adding dimension to your sound and making your tone feel more alive.
Popular choices: Electro-Harmonix Holy Grail, Strymon BigSky, TC Electronic Hall of Fame.

4. Graphic EQ Pedal

Why it's important: A graphic EQ pedal gives you control over your tone's frequency response, allowing you to shape your sound by boosting or cutting specific frequency bands. It’s great for fine-tuning your tone, compensating for room acoustics, or dialing in specific sounds for different musical contexts. It also acts as a powerful tool to carve out space in the mix when playing in a band.
Popular choices: Boss GE-7, MXR Ten Band EQ, Behringer EQ700.

5. Looper Pedal

Why it's important: A looper pedal allows you to record short sections of your playing and loop them in real time, creating layers of sound. This is great for practice, songwriting, or performance, and it enables you to build complex, evolving compositions on the fly. It’s a versatile pedal for solo artists and can be used creatively to add texture, rhythm, or melody to your performance.
Popular choices: TC Electronic Ditto, Boss RC-3, Electro-Harmonix 720.

Honorable Mention: Delay Pedal

Why it’s important: Delay is often used in conjunction with reverb to add depth, space, and rhythmic complexity. While it's not in your top 5, it’s still worth considering for creating ambient soundscapes, rhythmic echo patterns, or lead lines with a sense of movement.
Popular choices: Boss DD-7, MXR Carbon Copy, Electro-Harmonix Holy Grail.

This online workshop will give you all the tools you need to get started creating your own improvisations, songs and freestyles on the guitar.

When: November 14th 5-6pm GMT

Where: Online via Google Meet

Price $25/pp

https://calendly.com/ben-thebluesguitarshow/freestylin-the-blues-workshop

Support the show

To become a MEMBER and get access to over 2 Years of guitar lessons for just $5/Month head to https://www.buzzsprout.com/950998/subscribe

Episode #212 Carl Bradychok - Talkin' Rockabilly Jan 20, 2025

Show notes

In this episode I sit down with rockabilly's newest wizard - Carl Bradychok
Carl Bradychok is a guitar player and a singer born in Detroit, Michigan in Mars of 1991.
He recorded his first CD at only 13 years old. This guitar master paid tribute to Rockabilly big names like Carl Perkins, Eddie Cochran, Elvis Presley, Johnny Burnett. He also had the privilege of working with Jack Scott and Don Rader.

This online workshop will give you all the tools you need to get started creating your own improvisations, songs and freestyles on the guitar.

When: November 14th 5-6pm GMT

Where: Online via Google Meet

Price $25/pp

https://calendly.com/ben-thebluesguitarshow/freestylin-the-blues-workshop

Become a plus member now: https://www.buzzsprout.com/950998/subscribe

Support the show

To become a MEMBER and get access to over 2 Years of guitar lessons for just $5/Month head to https://www.buzzsprout.com/950998/subscribe