9 Blues guitar players that define the genre

Apr 14, 2022

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Sweet lyrics, softly written words, shifting and turns, as well as an exuberant , booming guitar sound are just some aspects that define blues, a genre that is derived from the music written by slaved Africans along with Black Americans that has influenced rock, soul, and jazz throughout the course of the century. Although its popularity in mainstream music has undergone its own changes and shifting, blues music has remained significant as a source of musical and technical inspiration for musicians since the beginning of its existence. It is evident that in every contemporary Western musical genres that have a following, there are signs that blues is a spoken language. The language was created by a group of incredible blues guitarists.

  1.       Muddy Waters
  2.       Robert Johnson
  3.       Bonnie Raitt
  4.       Gary Clark Jr.
  5.       Buddy Guy
  6.       T-Bone Walker
  7.       Albert Collins
  8.       Memphis Minnie
  9.       Deborah Coleman

Most famous Blues guitarists

There are some important concepts that are crucial to the blues genre. Most blues music employ the 12-bar format and is the result of diatonic scales, and the addition of "blues notes" consisting of sharp sharp 11, as well as the flat scale of 7th degree.

It is common to hear blues that are rooted in classic country style and the Mississippi Delta style that favors playing fingerpicking or acoustic guitars. There is also urban blues, which originates from Chicago and featuring electronic guitars, as well as stronger music. However, what unites all subgenre is the blues' famous instrument, the guitar.

Take a look some of the top blues guitar players of the moment, all of whom has developed their own style and tastes.

1. Muddy Waters

McKinley Morganfield, professionally known as Muddy Waters and sometimes called Muddy Waters. Often referred to as Muddy Waters. He was the "father of the modern Chicago blues" was an important musician in the canon of blues guitarists. Waters was born in Mississippi in 1913. He was fostered by the mother of his child, Della Grant, who used to call him "Muddy" because of the fact that he was an infant who enjoyed playing in the murky waters that flowed down Deer Creek near Stovall Plantation within the region where the family was.

At the age of 17 old, Waters began playing guitar and harmonica as a tribute to blues icons like the scene of Son House and Robert Johnson. In 1941, he was a musician. Waters was recording at Mississippi through Alan Lomax. Mississippi state Mississippi through Alan Lomax for the Library of Congress then shortly afterward moved to Chicago, where he began his music career.

In Chicago He bought the first guitar equipped with an electric motor. He began developing his unique Blues-infused sound. The year was 1958 when Waters played his first gig in England and introduced people to the slide guitar. It was a marked departure from the traditional blues-style acoustic. The tour was a huge impact on the lives of a number of artists, such as The Rolling Stones, Cream, as well as early Fleetwood Mac.

The pioneer of electric blues. He was also one of the major figures in the British blues revival which was happening in the late 1960s. Waters was also among the top guitar players from the past. Waters passed away in the year 1983.

2. Robert Johnson

In the role of a mysterious character, whose historical records fluctuate, Robert Johnson was undoubtedly one of the strongest and lasting talents throughout the time of the blues guitar. The greatest collection of recordings--a stunning demonstration of the guitar's vocal power, as well as songwriting talent--occurred in the span of a single year, from 1936 through 1937. Within the brief timeframe, it's an excellent source of motivation to musicians of all genres.

The father of the Delta blues genre Johnson was born in Mississippi in the year 1911. Johnson passed away in Mississippi just 27 years after his passing away. At the time, Johnson didn't have any huge fan base outside of his personal Mississippi Delta musical circuit, not recording until once, and also appearing at street corners or juke joints as well as street corners.

His use of guitars to create a intense bass beat is described as innovative. The technique is known as"boogie bass," as well as "boogie bass pattern" considered an important melody element within a range of blues music.

The details surrounding his death and life remain elusive and often debated due to the lack of evidence that his influence is evident in all areas and is considered to be an influential influence on artists such as Chuck Berry, Bob Dylan, Keith Richards, and Robert Plant.

3. Bonnie Raitt

The favorite of both fans and musicians alike Bonnie Raitt is considered one among the top musicians to play the slide guitar in recent history. To complement her powerful singing and guitar playing skills, her slide guitar abilities provide her with a taste blues rock that is a force which is not often seen by other musicians. Since Robert Johnson is known as the creator of Mississippi Delta and Muddy Waters who was the one to establish Chicago's electric blues scene , the talent of Raitt with her slide guitar has been recognized as among the top blues performers.

Raitt was born in a family of actors and musicians. The father of her was a touring Broadway actor, while their mother was an actress, singer as well as a pianist. Her path to becoming a musician started within the world of folk music that was flourishing throughout Los Angeles and Cambridge, and singing alongside blues artists like Muddy Waters as well as John Lee Hooker. While it took until 1989 for her to achieve the status of a commercial superstar, she achieved it after the release of her 10th studio album, Nick Of Time The steady rise in her popularity and ability as a performer has stood up on their own.

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4. Gary Clark Jr.

The city where he was born is Austin, Texas, a city that has been the source of numerous legends of the blues genre. Gary Clark Jr. is an important figure in this generation. and while Clark Jr.'s musicianship is an important factor in his inclusion into the best blues legends guitarist players, his skill as a musician covers several categories, from jazz to hip hop and soul.

He was only twelve at the time, Clark Jr. began studying guitar, and was also a part of some performances in Austin through his teens. His acclaim was lauded in the days before, and when he was 17 years old, the mayor of Austin named May 3 the 3rd day of May in 2001 to be known as Gary Clark Jr. Day.

In his younger years, Clark Jr. has achieved a reputation as a regular live entertainer. Clark Jr. has also been featured in numerous films, and is nominated for 7 Grammy Awards. His guitar playing abilities of Clark Jr. has been compared to the playing of Jimi Hendrix. Clark Jr. famously plays the Epiphone Casino guitar and is famous for his frequent usage of the fuzz pedal to produce the distinctive sound effects he has created.

5. Buddy Guy

Many believe that Buddy Guy to be the principal connection between rock and blues, Buddy Guy is an emblem in the Chicago blues style, serving as a significant influence on the contemporary legends of Eric Clapton to John Mayer. The native of Louisiana as a child of parents who were sharecroppers, Guy started playing guitar at the age of a young child. He began playing his own instrument with just two strings. It was this that was considered to be the primary source of inspiration for blues music.

Guy's playing of the guitar is distinguished by his unique versatility. performing effortlessly between blues-influenced rhythms from the traditional, newer more radical riffs as well as free jazz and avant-rock. Guy began his career as a musician , performing with bands in Baton Rouge, until he relocated to Chicago and came under an influence from Muddy Waters. After a night, Guy was signed by Chess Records, who mostly used his talent as a session guitar player since his style was not good enough to be a perfect combination with any package.

The blues revival took place during the 90s. Recognition for the unique talents of Guy led to an increase in popularity, and he also received widespread praise for the Album Damn Right, I've Got the Blues.

6. T-Bone Walker

It's true, Aaron Thibeaux Walker, often referred to as T-Bone Walker, was one of the most famous blues guitar players during the time of his generation. The native of Texas to parents who were musically inclined, Walker became known as the first blues electric as well as jumping blues. blues and was one of the first guitarists with electric instruments to perform solo.

In his teens, Walker performed in the Dallas blues scene in Dallas. He later settled in California and that's where Walker first began playing his first instrument, his electric guitar. In the 1950s and 1940s, Walker recorded extensively, producing timeless blues standards.

One of Walker's distinctive contributions to blues guitarist was his single-note lines as well as his broad beats. The thrones of famous musicians admit that they take in their musical inspiration from Walker's work. Chuck Berry cites Walker as his main motivation. B.B. King attributes him as his reason for getting an electric guitar, and notably, Jimi Hendrix's famed teeth and behind-the-back-styles of playing were imitations of Walker himself. Walker passed away in California in 1975.

7. Albert Collins

An electric blues guitarist with a distinctive, original style. Albert Collins was known for his innovative use of the tunes and capo. The musician was also recognized as "The Master of the Telecaster" for the connection he shared with his Fender Telecaster guitar.

Collins was born in Texas in 1932. In his early years was taking piano lessons. When he reached the age of aged 18 and was able to enjoy the music of T-Bone and Lightnin' Hopkins--who coincidentally was his cousin, He switched to guitar.

Collins first began performing in various clubs across Houston and perfecting his distinctive method that featured the use of the capo, minor tunes, as well as the acoustic-based ringing technique. In the 1960s, 1970s and the 1980s Collins was a live performer as well as recorded often. In 1993, he passed away. He lost the battle to cancer. But his influence as an innovative, dynamic guitarist is evident in the current blues artists.

8. Memphis Minnie

ugTppNogLhdxfBMagrrrrP Source: wikimedia Memphis Minnie posing for a photograph in 1930.

Naturally, she's often referred to as one of the greatest blues musicians ever. Her stage name Memphis Minnie she decided to use is one of several guitar players who she battled. Born Lizzie Douglas in Mississippi in the year 1897. Minnie started playing banjo at the age of 10, then switched to the guitar. When she was thirteen, Minnie fled her home in Memphis, Tennessee, and began playing on the edges of Beale Street, which was the center of a vibrant blues music scene.

Her illustrious career saw her all over the country throughout the country, all the way from New York to Chicago, and between multiple labels. It's fascinating to know that Minnie was one of the very rare female blues artists who composed herself tunes. In the span of thirty decades, Minnie recorded multiple hits which have been acclaimed blues standard songs, such as "Bumble Bee" and "Nothing Other Than Rambling."

Incrediblely refined and bold in her appearance and character She died in the year 1973. Her work which is a genre heavily dominated by men is the main source of inspiration for blues musicians who are influenced by her.

9. Deborah Coleman

Deborah Coleman performing in 2007.
Source: wikimedia "Deborah Coleman" by madamjujujive is licensed under the CC BY 2.0 Deborah Coleman performing in 2007.

The blues guitar's legendary virtuoso Deborah Coleman's career as a musician was brief however she was not forgotten after she died in the year 2018. She was 61 years old. Her birthplace was Virginia as a member of a family that was military and loved music, Coleman frequently moved. To keep in touch with her father who was a pianist and her brother, who played the guitar along with the sisters who played the guitar and keyboards. Coleman took up guitar and bass around 8 years old. When she reached the age of 15 she was a professional a bassist in band but switched to the guitar following her first experience with Jimi Hendrix.

After performing in a variety of bands and trios, Coleman discovered her breakthrough in 1993, when she won the first accolade during the Charleston Blues Festival National Talent Search immediately after signing to New Moon Records. The album she released at the end of 2001 "Livin' on Love," is a basis for her rise to an elite blues guitar. Her music was distinctively original with a distinctive edge that blended her love of rock and roll, as well as the blues-infused sensitivity she had.

Never-ending Inspiration

Are you looking to increase the skills of a musician or just starting out by reminiscing about the musicians who paved the way can be a source of inspiration in your quest.

It's difficult to imagine the evolution of the electric guitar without Muddy Waters or T-Bone Walker. Also, slide guitars that aren't Bonnie Raitt, or any traditional blues tunes that aren't Robert Johnson and Memphis Minnie. Learning the methods of the masters can enable you to discover new areas of your own skills you may not have thought to be feasible.

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