No stranger to 12-strings and acoustics in general, if you see any of your favourite guitarists on the big screen with a 12-string. Generally you will have the choice between a small body or a jumbo acoustic. It’s the mantle in which the lead guitar dances. So, you’re looking for the best acoustic guitar to play blues on, but where do you start? They are strongly connected to each other and found in every style of music, whether you’re playing rock, country, jazz or metal. They have … GIBSON LES PAUL. It’s all well and good reading our reviews and top picks, but what do these guitars actually sound like? When we say small body when it comes to blues guitars, we are usually talking about parlour guitars (such as our winner, the Fender PM-2). Next, try tuning your guitar to open G “Spanish” tuning. Updated in Fenruary 2020 with updated pricing and a fresh selection of guitars added to the guide. You can also, quite literally, use a bottleneck to produce this sound, but it’s not always as precise. Pros: Amazing tone and price / Superior build quality to many acoustics guitars of this price range, Cons: May be slightly too large for beginner guitarists or players with small hands. Watch this instructional guitar video that shows you how to play simple Blues Runs in basic keys, all on two strings. Other points of note from the Little Martin include classic martin hardware and the iconic dreadnought shape which Martin are famed for introducing to the world. The guitar also has a thin neck, which makes the entire build suitable to guitar players looking for an acoustic guitar for small hands, especially one for blues playing and learning chord progressions on a thinner neck. With its simple chord shapes and steady rhythm, blues can provide the perfect way to improve your … Why not checkout our guide to the best parlour guitars for blues players too! For me guitar and blues are like salt and pepper, or like Yin and Yang. Pros: Slim body and neck / The ideal guitar for players with small hands / A great guitar for beginners who struggle with a standard neck size / Great overall look and price tag, Cons: Players used to the standard shape and width of a guitar neck may struggle to come to grips with the size-downed attributes. At this price the guitar can be altered to have a high action, rendering the neck specifically set up for using a slide (a higher action means the strings are raised, and the slide will not be pressing down on to the strings). When you hear its wonder voice, you are transported to small juke joints on the Mississippi Delta. Personally, I’ve fallen victim to multiple issues that, whilst …, Fret Buzz - It's a frustrating norm for many guitarists! If you want to find a vintage-style blues guitar, or need a smaller guitar to learn blues as a beginner, then we’ve got your back. Sometime in the 1920s, a peculiar form of blues emerged that was substantially different from the better-known varieties. You’ll also get a comprehensive overview of how to fingerpick melodies and solos over independent bass patterns, perform in the acoustic bottleneck slide style in standard and open tunings, and develop a varied repertoire of acoustic blues that includes historic as well as contemporary examples. A Fishman pickup carries the crisp tone of this guitar when plugged in, and when it comes to playing blues you cannot go wrong with a quality 12-string for taking your jamming to the next level. Pros: Supreme build quality / Dreadnought shape / Beautiful natural finish. return false; Playing an alternating bass means that rather than solely driving the root of a chord on a single string, the alternate bass will have a secondary bass note, usually the root in a higher octave or the 5th of the chord. EARN YOUR BACHELOR’S DEGREE IN GUITAR FROM BERKLEE ONLINE. 12 Bar Blues Blues Guitar Chords Popular Chords. Time to check out the TW15ASM from Tanglewood. Using Slides: Playing simple chords to back up a blues singer is still a form of blues guitar — as is playing chords with a slide. Most acoustic blues guitarists use a thumb pick to play the root of the chord, driving the rhythm of the bass line, which takes the place of percussion. When learning acoustic blues guitar, it’s important to learn the traditional techniques that these contemporary artists employ, such as finger-picking and slides, as well as the history of where the genre originated. This guitar has all the features you would expect from the Epiphone Acoustic Jumbo range, including a solid spruce top, mahogany body, and classic rosewood fingerboard. This is a brilliant mid-range purchase and will provide a new approach to the playing of any guitarist. The song “Death Letter” by Son House is vocally, musically, and lyrically one the most powerful blues tracks ever recorded, and uses a slide in open G tuning. Founded in 2002, Berklee Online is the premier innovator and largest provider of Learning to play fingerstyle blues can be rewarding for many types of players. All bass notes are to be picked with the thumb. chances are it’s going to be a Martin. We’ll send you the Take Note digest each month including the latest in music news, video tutorials, podcasts, e-books and more. This is just a simple collection of basic runs that beginners can incorporate into their playing - just gets away from basic chords a little. Let’s finally talk about the best acoustic guitars for blues. Taylor 114ce 100 Series Acoustic Guitar. “Freight Train” by Elizabeth Cotten (Nevills) is an important song in the acoustic blues repertoire. The reason for this is traditional acoustic blues guitar players operated as a one-person band, providing the groove for dancing all night long in juke joints, at parties, and at Saturday night fish fries. The style is commonly known today as talking blues. However, the Telecaster in general is a fantastic blues guitar and all-around instrument. With thousands of guitars coming out every year, we’ve decided to focus on the best acoustic guitars that are available in 2017, specifically for playing blues, rock ‘n’ roll and even slide guitar. With a mahogany build and modern Fender guitar quality, to the classic guitar shape and vintage natural finish, the PM-2 is as close to a genuine vintage parlor guitar as any modern acoustic will get, and with a very fair price tag this really isn’t to be sniffed at! Pros: Great look and overall style / The ideal guitar for players looking for an acoustic that stands out from the crowd. —@BerkleeOnline instructor Dan Bowden on #BluesGuitar. This Eastwood Airline Bighorn electric guitar has a s … Check out our extensive list, and make sure you take advantage of any deals that are on offer (don’t worry, we list those too). Jody will teach you how to play the lick in detail with note by note instruction. Be mindful of a few basic concepts that will help you to channel your electric blues playing into a more acoustic blues sound. Within this guide, you will see guitars of many different sizes, styles and materials, to appeal to each individual guitarists needs. Here is the chord progression to “Freight Train,” in Roman numeral form: You may be approaching acoustic blues soloing with an electric blues background and orientation. This simple acoustic blues lick , adapted from the famous train whistle blues sound, is a great way to introduce a simple lick into your playing. The Taylor 214ce DLX stood out from the crowd because of its sturdy build, which features Indian rosewood on its back and sides. Video Lesson: Learn to Play the Talking Blues. The Artwood vintage is no exception, with a traditional take on the classic Parlor acoustic guitar and a faded tobacco sunburst finish to really seal the aged and road-worn guitar look. Having said this, the most common material and wood you will come across is mahogany. Other features include an ebony fingerboard, nubone nute and a sapele neck. Not to say that you can’t shred on this acoustic if you want to! Beginner Blues Lick by Jody Worrell is a free blues guitar lesson designed for the guitarist who is just starting to play lead. document.getElementById('confirmform').style.display = 'block'; Pros: Vintage look, modern build / Beautiful acoustic blues tones / Certified Fender quality guitar, Cons: May be too vintage for some guitarists / is primarily suited for old-school blues and slide guitar. Now, here’s an acoustic guitar for the true vintage fans. playing an open E chord for 4 measures while alternating a big downstroke with a quick upstroke With a surprisingly loud sound emerging from the laminated mahogany body, this new to 2017 parlor acoustic boasts a solid spruce top, classic parlor body shape, rosewood fingerboard and vintage nickel hardware. Think Robert Johnson, Lightning Hopkins, Mississippi John Hurt (here is a list of the most influential blues guitarists ). But, exactly what is it and how can you stop it? Top Blues Acoustic Guitar . With a slightly thinner body and neck in comparison to many of the standard classical guitar shapes, this classic acoustic will make a great tool for looking at the acoustic guitar differently, with the almost soothing touch of the nylon strings offering a welcoming alternative to the cold steel of the typical blues guitar. Best Acoustic Guitar Strings For Playing Blues. When it comes to choosing a guitar for any genre, what you decide on may be different to the next person. Dedicated followers of blues and rock ‘n’ roll will notice this Gretsch as a beautiful tribute to the iconic parlor guitars that spawned an acoustic blues revolution. These will give you the punch in the resonance that you need for the chords to ring during the song. This six-string resonator demonstrates how a great blues guitar should sound. Guitar Scales 101 with Boston’s Rush Hour Rockstar Peter Wolfe, Evan Dando of the Lemonheads Talks Songwriting, Guitar Preferences, and That Simon & Garfunkel Song That He Doesn’t Hate Anymore, Learn Intermediate Guitar Fundamentals with Amanda Monaco, The bottleneck, or slide, style of guitar comes closest to conveying the emotion of the human voice. Watch our Fender Vintera Series video demo. Required fields are marked *, A fantastic Gibson-style acoustic on a budget, Looks and plays like the perfect blues acoustic guitar, For the player looking for a premium, full-bodied acoustic tone. Gretsch G9511 Style 1 Single-0 Parlor Acoustic Guitar. The bottleneck, or slide, style of guitar comes closest to conveying the emotion of the human voice. Playing and Improvising Acoustic Blues Doug Young Acoustic Blues Workshop Notes q= 96 Our goal is to be able to play a simple, but effective solo blues guitar piece, hopefully with some improvisation. Curious about whether playing the guitar will lead to issues later on? If you learn to play the blues really well, you’ll have an excellent tool and color to use in your guitar playing, and when it’s appropriate, you can pull it up in other styles of music you play too. Favor the Use of Open-String Notes over Fretted NotesOn electric guitar, it feels comfortable and sounds great to play the entire solo up on the fretboard. }); Pros: Classic blues guitar styling and build / Stunning hardware and Diamond Inlays / Perfect neck size for beginners and guitarists looking for an alternative to the standard acoustic fit. Martin 000-15M. Considered by many as the classic campfire guitar, the Martin LX1 also makes a great, low cost acoustic for playing blues on the road. I would avoid nylon string guitars for blues guitar playing. Most acoustic blues guitarists use a thumb pick to play the root of the chord, driving the rhythm of the bass line, which takes the place of percussion. It’s also our winner in this list. The rhythm guitar is all about chords, not single lines or licks. Well, today we […] There's a short demo piece in E at the end of the video. The supreme build quality and natural gloss finish really add to the overall quality of the guitar, and a rosewood fingerboard ties the guitar together. I hope you enjoyed this excerpt, from the Berklee Online course Acoustic Blues Guitar. It's certainly quite a common question! It has been played by countless legends of the blues, including the dark troubadour himself, Mike Bloomfield. Not a guitar traditionally suited for slide or shredding blues, this Taylor acoustic is best suited for blues rhythm guitarists or those guitarists who are after a greater tone, and don’t mind a larger body-type or thicker neck. This guitar is also a great introductory item for guitarists who want to learn how to play with a slide. Berklee College of Music, at a fraction of the cost. Light guitar strings aren’t as suitable for … The classic dreadnought shape and the precision-built sapele & sitka spruce boy combination helps to resonate low notes, whilst also providing a crisp-high end on the higher strings. Now, here’s an acoustic … Now… This simple lick is in the key of A and is based on the Am Pentatonic Scale at the 5th fret. Pros: Classic profile and headstock / Premium build at a low price / Dreadnought body successfully carries the steel, vintage acoustic blues tone. Your job is keeping the groove tight and stable. Here is a cool blues number, reminiscent of Taj Mahal’s “Fishing Blues” to help you develop your finger picking, hammer-on skills and use of … First off, it depends on, what style of acoustic guitar to want to play. Guitar Injuries – 7 Common Issues & Treatment Methods, 6 reasons guitar frets buzz (and how to stop it), The 10 Best Taylor Guitars of 2020 (complete reviews), The 20 Best Flanger Pedals – Buyers Guide, The 15 Best Wah-Wah Pedals for Guitarists – Buyers Guide, The 10 best Eight String Guitars – Ultimate Buyers Guide, Martin D12X1AE 12-String Electro Acoustic. …, Wondering what the best acoustic guitars are from iconic brand Taylor? This is a great entry guitar and the perfect go-to practice guitar, especially for learning blues and classic acoustic music. Subscribe now for updates from the world leader in music education. Few things scream "guitar" as loud as playing the blues. It mainly depends upon the quality of the guitar. You can’t help but sound bluesy when you move a slide from one position to another to play the different chords in a song — especially if you do it expressively. this dreadnought Fender is not one that fans of the vintage, steel acoustic tone want to miss. A slide is a glass or metal tube you put over your fret finger to glide up and down the fretboard. The Fender CD-60 is the ideal blues acoustic guitar for beginner to the intermediate level player wanting to learn the blues genre. 5 of 5 Star Rating. A good acoustic guitar for blues is one that lets you go wild and surrender to emotions. //return false to prevent the submission handler from taking the lead to the follow up url. Additionally, this guitar’s patented neck provides you with a marvelous playing experience. Pros: Classic blues guitar look and feel / Thin neck and body appropriate for both blues and fingerpicking styles, Cons: Fans of the traditional acoustic look, shape and natural finish may not like the pre-worn guitar approach. With a solid Sitka spruce top, strong mahogany body build and birch laminate fretboard, this guitar is structured from a variety of quality materials, which add to the already warm tone of the 12-string. worldwide music education, offering more than 75,000 students from 144 countries the renowned curriculum of Your email address will not be published. To play this style, you’ll need to purchase a slide. Jumbo guitars tend to have a much richer tone, however are not as well-suited to be beginners who are looking to conquer the fretboard first. Whilst many players go straight to a steel string acoustic guitar, the classical nylon string guitars offer a great alternative for beginners or guitarists looking for something a bit different when playing and learning the blues. The blues has been prominent in modern music since the 1930s and has a deep, soulful, rich sound, Whether it’s a killer solo from the guitarist or a tight rhythm section working together; blues music has a great groove. Many of you have been asking us what the best blues acoustic guitar is. The Gretsch G9511 is finished in a vintage Appalachia Cloudburst colour, which completes the overall vintage look. Alternating bass, which is fundamental to the acoustic blues guitar style, is the next level of complexity you’ll encounter. Taylor 114ce 100 Series Acoustic Guitar. Martin, of course, needs little introduction. Another beauty from Fender, this time looking at their Parlor range. What is Blues and Where Did it Originate?Blues is a word that describes a distinctive form of musical output, developed by African Americans that lived primarily in the South. So it’s a good thing for every guitar player to learn some vital blues skills. I'm assuming a little bit of basic knowledge and ability on the guitar. //get the form's jQuery element and hide it Pros: Spruce Top / Maple Body / Mahogany Neck and Ebony Fretboard / Natural Finish, Cons: May be considered too much of a standard classical guitar for more traditional blues players. Taylor has earned a solid reputation for … A dreadnought, acoustic steel guitar, this axe will remind you of the old blues guitars of the past, with a mahogany body to elevate the vintage acoustic tones. Cons: Whilst surprisingly loud, the guitar may not be loud enough for some / Fans of the standard acoustic shape may not like the Parlor styling. From the January 2018 issue of Acoustic Guitar | BY ADAM LEVY. Now, here’s a great acoustic guitar and also one of the best guitars for people with small hands, or beginners who are having trouble adjusting to a standard acoustic guitar and are looking for an alternative shape to try out. Fender CD-60 is very comfortable on the fingers. EARN YOUR PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATE IN BLUES GUITAR. If you’re after an all-rounder jumbo guitar, we’d recommend the Epiphone AJ-220S as a great place to start. Big Bill Broonzy’s “Hey, Hey Baby” is a great example of a driving bass rhythm. form.onSuccess(function(values, followUpUrl){ You’ll also want to use an acoustic guitar with light gauge and action set for normal playability. If you’re in the market for something a bit different then you can’t go wrong here! Table of Contents/Jump To: Top 12 | Accessories | FAQs | Demos. The genre is deeply tied to the instrument, and nearly every guitarist worth their salt has at least fantasized about jamming out à la B.B. These strings are great for clipping with a plectrum held loosely between thumb and finger, and don't vibrate a lot … with the skills to exceed the demands of the music industry. This is all down to your personal preference. If we’ve missed anything feel free to leave a comment below, and we’ll get your question added to the list. The Taylor 214ce DLX is one of very few versatile acoustic guitars … Martin 000-15M – Natural. Kevin Owens February 23, 2020. Compare prices from our 2 favourite online stores, and grab yourself a good deal on strings, cleaning products, acoustic guitar stands and much more. The first strains of what we would identify as blues were identified around the turn of the century, around the same time recording technology was developed. Other features of the GN93-NAT NEX include a rosewood bridge, bound fretboard and lined sides, gold hardware and black button tuners for a truly unique finish to a fairly priced mid-range acoustic. The first guitar in our list is the Epiphone 220S in a brilliant Vintage Sunburst finish. Well, you’ve seen the guitars, but you’re going to need the accessories too. Use small string bends around a quarter step, especially on the b3 scale tones, for a more acoustic blues sound. Specifically, the PM-2 Standard Parlor in a natural finish. This is also our overall winner, and a beautiful guitar for any blues player to add to their collection. This music tutorial is outlined as follows: fretboard diagrams, Blues … In the 12-week course, you’ll do a deep dive into these concepts, including the origins and characteristics of blues, and the important works by blues artists throughout the decades. It offers a great opportunity to develop the alternating-bass technique. The musical elements of blues are distinctly African in origin—the pentatonic scales, polyrhythms, use of microtones and pitch bends, and call-and-response phrase structure all originate from the African continent. Pros: Dreadnought shape and dazzling build quality / Beautiful acoustic tone. Berklee Online is a University Professional and Continuing Education Association (UPCEA) award-winner fourteen years in a row (2005-2019). Priced around 399, this guitar is the ideal piece of kit for travellers and players who are looking for a durable acoustic guitar that will maintain shape, tone and feel for years to come. form.getFormElem().hide(); Phosphor-bronze strings provide an ideal tone for slide guitar on acoustics and especially on resonator guitars such as Nationals. Other features include a rosewood bridge, dreadnought shape and a great price tag, making this acoustic guitar our best pick of the ideal acoustic guitar for blues on a budget. The shape is very similar to the thickness of a 12-string acoustic. If you’re looking to learn acoustic blues guitar, then perhaps you’ve been inspired by contemporary blues artists such as Gary Clark Jr., Taj Mahal, Keb’ Mo’, or Bonnie Raitt. It is … Pros: Surprisingly loud sound and great sustain from a fully acoustic, low-end guitar / (add as bullet points) The thick neck and slim body profile will force guitarists into fantastic practicing habits / Great overall price. Mastering the blues scale will give you the tools you need to improvise over a range of chord progressions, from a classic 12-bar blues to a driving rock and roll song. Cons: C-shape profile is limiting in fret reach / Fans of modern acoustic may find the dreadnought body and steel-first design a bit out of touch. The tuning was called “Spanish” by blues musicians in the South because of its association with the song “Spanish Fandango.” Three strings need to be adjusted with decreased tension to go to open G “Spanish” tuning from standard tuning: These chord forms are commonly used in open G tuning. It’s fun, easy and sounds great. Fans of blues looking out for the classic Robert Johnson style blues guitar will not want to miss this one. This style is the parlour guitar, a small-body, thin neck retro classic. Guitar Noise presents the first in a new series of songs written specifically for guitar studies. Based on body size, shape, fret width and string material, we would suggest you go for the Martin LX1 Little Martin (particularly if you’re a beginner looking to build up your finger picking chops and calluses). Obviously we need a Gibson Les Paul in here... Eric Clapton, … These are especially advantageous for acoustic blues. The Takamine GN93 is a unique acoustic guitar, with NEX body shape that has a significantly smaller top of the body, with a larger curve and extended bottom half of the guitar. The first blues players of the early 1900's used steel string acoustic guitars to play the blues, so you can say the blues is rooted in the acoustic guitar. The TW40 SDD is a Dreadnought guitar with a sloped shoulder and solid mahogany build. Even established blues singers find this dreadful. //Add an onSuccess handler Liked this post? Other features include a 70’s style Fender Headstock and a spruce top. From its beginnings, fingerstyle acoustic blues guitar has been anchored by a driving bass, provided by the thumb of the picking hand. Played by boogie-woogie piano players and later appropriated by Robert Johnson, the shuffle pattern is in its most basic form a … If you play mainly rhythm blues guitar, get a set of medium strings. King or Buddy Guy. Whether you play acoustic or electric, with a pick or fingerstyle, this lick pulls on the basics that you must have down to be a good guitar player. You will soon receive the Take Note digest, a monthly roundup of the most exciting musical techniques, trends, and tips from Berklee Online. If you’ve found what you consider to be the best acoustic strings for blues guitar, but need a cheap acoustic to put them on, then dreadnought body, mahogany neck and rosewood fretboard will support and carry those vintage steel blues tones. Lesson: Playing the Blues Scale on Guitar. Note – At the time of writing, all guitars mentioned are priced under 1000. Playing blues means playing the I, IV, and V chords during the whole song while following the beat. MktoForms2.loadForm("//app-abk.marketo.com", "497-GEH-430", 3049); MktoForms2.whenReady(function (form){ The Taylor Dreadnought 110e is the only electro-acoustic guitar we’ve added to this list, and for good reason. With an acoustic range used by thousands of notable artists (including Mr. Steve Vai himself), Ibanez have made our list of the best acoustic guitars for blues music with a mid-range model that is more than fairly priced. The Yamaha CG192 is a brilliant starter if you are looking for a new nylon string guitar. Explore This Diagonal Fingering for E Pentatonic MinorIt’s useful to arrange pentatonic scales diagonally on the fretboard so that as the notes ascend in pitch, you are moving up the neck and as the notes descend in pitch, you are then moving down the neck towards the open strings. Martin is an exceptional mix of vintage and modern tones. Not only does this guitar looks the part, but the authentic blue shape, build and tone really carry the guitar forward and cement it as a viable alternative to actually purchasing a vintage acoustic parlor guitar to play blues with. The basic necessity, irrespective of what kind of music you’re playing, is that the music shouldn’t sound like noise. With features including a mahogany body, a solid spruce top and distressed styling for a weathered aesthetic, the Ibanez AVN6 offers players of all ages and styles a fresh take on the classic blues guitar. Check it out at the link below. This would include … Blue grass players go for a medium gauge guitar string, which goes from 0.054 inch to 0.013 inch. A brilliant all-round blues guitar, the Parlor shape allows for ease of reach, is a great practice guitar for standard and small-handed players alike, an ideal acoustic for beginner guitarists learning blues music, and even a great guitar for learning how to use a slide, this acoustic really does cover every concern of the avid blues guitarist. Next up in the list (and still lurking in the low-end range of massively underpriced guitars) is the Fender F-1000 Dreadnought in a natural finish. The nylon strings don’t have enough punch for blues music. This guitar is great mid-way size, and perfect for practicing on the move too. To play slide guitar and not hit the string you’re going to want to raise the action. When it comes to the best blues … If sitting round the campfire is your thing the be sure to take your slide and harmonica with you, as the classic Martin build supports all styles of playing and the mahogany body perfectly resonates the iconic Martin guitar sound, with a surprising amount of sustain and volume for a standard acoustic. It’s been covered by countless artists like Peter, Paul & Mary and the Grateful Dead. Pros: Quality Construction / Crisp Tone & Suited for Blues, Cons: Neck may be a little thick for beginners. Let’s take a look…. You are hopefully comfortable with basic chords. With a pure, solid mahogany build and a classic dreadnought shape, the TW from the Sundance series is a warm and classically resonant acoustic guitar that breaks into the high-end with a price tag not be argued about. There are three basic approaches to blues rhythm guitar: shuffle patterns, single-note motifs and comping (straight-up chordal accompaniment). Blues music is one of THE most popular genres to learn on guitar. A testament to the endurance of this song, check out the White Stripes (more electrified) version, from nearly 50 years after the original. Top – Solid Sitka … Online. Be a part of the largest online music school. Even for artists who fall into the rock category (Elvis, Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, Eric Clapton and Cream, White Stripes, Black Keys), their style is still heavily influenced by the great acoustic blues guitarists of the past century. Blues was conceived in the cotton fields, from field hollers and work songs that expressed the hardships of an oppressed and exploited African American underclass. The typical, thick Epiphone neck will also aid in honing any chord or speed issues, forcing guitarists to adhere to strict form with the neck radius. This year has been spent touring in support of 2018’s Purple House, an album that sees Robben play infectious blues-rock such as the sour strut of Somebody’s Fool, but also take some chances and roll the dice with acoustic-led compositions such as Break in the Chain and the experimental balladry of Empty … Berklee is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education "NECHE" (formerly NEASC). Using an object to glide up and down a string, as opposed to fretting, allows for phrasing and nuance like that of a singer. In the past, the best blues guitar was simply the one that the musician could get his fingers on. Through Berklee Online’s award-winning online courses, }); Thank you! Whilst this is an easy assumption to go ahead with, it couldn’t be further from the truth. certificates, bachelor’s, and master’s degree programs, students receive expert music instruction and emerge Now, this is an acoustic that is perfect for any blues guitarist, and we’ve also labelled it as our top pick in this list. The guitar comes under amazing acoustic guitars for blues under 1000, and is definitely under-priced considering build quality, tone, and classic acoustic dreadnought shape. Another acoustic guitar for blues that is under 200 (but shouldn’t be), the F-1000 is a tribute to the acoustic Fender guitars of the 70’s, with modern additions for added durability and tone sustenance. This kind of puts your guitar out of action for other forms of playing, so generally most dedicated blues players will have a guitar they used just for playing slide. This will have sufficient string tension for playing. The final guitar in the list is the D12X1AE 12-string electro acoustic guitar from Martin. Set all dials to 5 except for reverb and vibrato if there is any. If you’ve got questions about blues acoustic guitars, we’ve got the answers. Truth is, you can play blues on almost any guitar. Try them out! On acoustic, it sounds more bluesy to use and play off open strings. Why’s that? Dale Miller discusses the darker side of playing blues using a thumping bass in this excerpt from Solo Fingerstyle Basics. Now that we’ve done a very brief overview of the history of acoustic blues guitar, let’s dive into these four tips to improve your playing: From its beginnings, fingerstyle acoustic blues guitar has been anchored by a driving bass, provided by the thumb of the picking hand. This makes performing leads, pull-offs and other little finger tricks much cleaner and with less effort, an important aspect of playing the blues genre. And, in terms of …, Your email address will not be published. Conclusion – The best blues acoustic guitar is… The best blues acoustic guitar is the Gretsch G9200. One of the best things about the blues is you can learn just a couple of small things and then jump in to playing and expressing yourself. Subscribe to Acoustic Guitar on . Many guitarists associate Ibanez as a guitar brand that solely exists to cater to shredders, rock guitarists and players that just want to play fast. Eastwood Airline Bighorn. Cons: Neck may be slightly too thick for beginners or players who struggle to stretch / Upper frets are difficult to reach because of body shape. Check out open positions at Berklee Let’s look at some devices that will help you improve your acoustic blues guitar soloing: Quarter-Step Bend LicksBeing that acoustic guitars typically have heavier string gauges and tension than electrics, it’s more difficult to push the string up into a half-step or whole-step bend. The first is the shuffle pattern. The following is excerpted from the Berklee Online course Acoustic Blues Guitar. It’s sturdy, holds a great tone, and gets the job done across all genres.