Product Review

So you want to play the blues? Well, veteran guitarist, instructor and Homespun Tapes founder Happy Traum offers the very best way for you to get started!

This basic course in fingerstyle blues guitar breaks it all down into easily digested topics for novice players. You’ll start by learning the basic blues forms and getting them securely under your belt. Then, Happy provides a number of "easy steps" that will build up your guitar technique, increase your understanding of the style, and help you develop the ability to start playing great blues songs.

Some of these steps include learning basic blues chords, syncopated strumming patterns, 12-bar and 8-bar blues progressions, bass runs, and more than a dozen variations for the all-important blues turnarounds, intros and endings. As you work your way through this lesson, Happy imparts numerous tips, suggestions and invaluable information about music theory and musicianship that will affect all of your guitar work.

As you conquer each of these basic steps, your playing will get stronger and more confident, and you’ll be well on your way to becoming an accomplished blues guitarist.