Blues Guitar

NYC guitarist and vocalist Chris Bergson presents an intimate, hands-on look at the styles and techniques of the Delta blues masters — Skip James, Robert Johnson, Mississippi Fred McDowell, Lightnin' Hopkins and Mississippi John Hurt. Chris performs and dissects material associated with each, from Skip James's haunting DADFAD open tuning to John Hurt's sweet fingerpicking to Fred McDowell's unique slide and rhythmic style.

The class opens with Big Bill Broonzy's Key to the Highway, using its 8-bar form in E as a vehicle for exploring solo blues guitar — including Robert Johnson-style first-inversion dominant voicings, the #IV diminished move, and classic Johnson turnarounds with their unlikely half-step colors.

What's covered

• Solo playing vs. playing in a band (playing "in the rhythm section")
• Blues rhythm guitar
• Chris's top five blues turnarounds, including several learned from Robert Johnson
• Voicings for solo blues: dominant chords with the 3rd in the bass, diminished slides, open-string colors
• Taking the blues through the keys so you're as comfortable in Gb as in E
• How to really build a solo with motifs and dynamics

A deep, practical introduction to pre-war blues guitar from a player who lives in the tradition. Full class runs about 83 minutes.