Guitar Lessons - Blind Blake - King Of Ragtime Blues Guitar

Discover the brilliance of Blind Blake, a true master of ragtime blues guitar! Explore what made his playing so unique and influential.

• Ragtime Blues Fusion: Blake's joyful performances mirrored the lively feel of ragtime piano, reminiscent of Scott Joplin, while forging a distinct guitar style.
• Unbelievable Syncopation: He revolutionized blues guitar techniques with incredibly complex syncopation, a hallmark of his captivating sound. Few guitarists can truly replicate his distinctive picking patterns.
• Unique Picking Style: Blake primarily used his thumb and two fingers, a departure from the single-finger approach common in many acoustic blues players. His intricate triplets are particularly challenging to master.
• Dynamic Techniques: Listen for his varied techniques within a single song! He'd alternate bass picking patterns while singing, and frequently incorporated fast single string runs using his thumb and forefinger.
• Bass Line Variations: Blake masterfully shifted between two-string and three-string bass picking variations, adding depth and complexity to his music.
• Timing & Rhythmic Complexity: He could seamlessly manipulate timing, doubling up on beats and then returning to a steady rhythm without faltering – a prime example is in "Tootie Blues."
• The Signature "Thumb Slip": Blind Blake's most recognizable technique involves a "thumb slip" or "thumb roll," creating a double bass note per beat. This requires exceptional thumb control while simultaneously picking the treble strings.

Ready to learn? Embrace the challenge and the fun of mastering these incredible blues guitar techniques!

Learn from the best! Jim Bruce, voted N°2 Internet Guitar Instructor by Truefire in 2013, will guide you.