Blues You Can Use: Complete Guide to Learning Blues Guitar

I said this book was for relatively new beginners. By that I mean that you need a bit of basic knowledge about chords and you also need to be reasonably familiar with reading and using guitar tablature and to be able to associate that with fretboard positions at the top of the neck (up to the 5th fret at first, and then the 7th. By the time you reach that stage you will be proficient enough to move on down towards the 10th and 12th frets).

Although based upon electric guitar playing - the CD uses such a guitar - the book can be used very successfully with the sound qualities of an acoustic, though probably less well so with a nylon-strung guitar. However, it wouldn't be impossible if you accepted that you wouldn't get that 'low down and dirty' sound that seems to typify many of the blues types and examples.

And what's the flaw that I mentioned in my review heading?

A previous reviewer commented that the one thing the CD lacks are a few examples of pure backing tracks to help you practice and jam. I totally agree. That is a really bad oversight and would have made the whole enterprise as near perfect for a beginner as it would be possible to get.

I'm still awarding the book 5 stars because of its quality and content ..... but that one oversight is such a shame. However, there are solutions in the form of 'jamming' CD's that can be bought in guitar shops, or simple software that can be found which allow you to program your own chord rhythms and sequences. Some of that software is even free (like the simplistic but interesting 'Chordplay') or at least, not very expensive. The only one that Amazon seem to stock is Jammer Pro 5 which is pretty expensive --- but look in 'remainder' stocks for earlier versions or do your own searches.

One last tip, When you are reasonably proficient, it does become possible to backtrack to earlier tracks on the CD and play 'against' the given solo. This isn't easy, but it's worth trying ..... but don't try it too soon or you'll end up feeling schizophrenic!


Route Map from the Crossroads   January 27, 2005
Blue6string (Salisbury, UK)
33 out of 34 found this review helpful

To paraphrase the well-known varnish advert: "It does exactly what it says in the title". I have been playing/trying to learn(!) for about 4 years now, have had some lessons, bought a shed load of different tutor books, CDs etc, and watched different players. All have contributed to my progress to some extent or another, but none so much as "Blues You Can Use". This book has singularly progressed both my understanding and my ability, in easy steps that are also fun. It is really well constructed, with some theory at the beginning of each stage, followed with a piece to learn which puts the theory into practice, with an accompanying CD so you can hear what it should sound like!. And each stage builds on the last, progressing through licks, phrases, chord shapes and scales. Most importantly it links these concepts together so that it all ultimately makes sense, at whatever level you want to understand it.
As other reviewers have already said, if you are an absolute beginner you might struggle without some assistance, but if you have been learning for a while, and perhaps reached the legendary "crossroads", then this could be your route map to greater understanding (and playing pleasure) of the fantastic musical genre that is the Blues.


Brilliant as long you know a few chords   January 26, 2006
9 out of 9 found this review helpful

This really is a brilliant book; together with the cd, work through the lessons and I am surprised how quickly I'm "getting it into my fingers"! Over the years of struggling on my own with more books I care to list, I am really getting somewhere.

If you have a guitar, a bit of knowledge, you can't go wrong with this book.


TOP NOTCH!!   December 16, 2005
Mr. A. O. Carlin (England)
8 out of 8 found this review helpful

I am an intermediate guitarist but a beginner blues guitarist and I found this book to be a fantastic help. The way it is laid out is very simple but also challenging. I would reccommend this book to everyone!!


It's not rocket science!   November 30, 2005
Soapy Tyler (Various)
7 out of 7 found this review helpful

I disagree with some of what the others have written in that I WOULD RECOMENED THIS BOOK TO BEGINERS!! You only have to learn 3 chords to play the blues and you might as well learn them from this book as any other. I have returned to guitar playing after about 7 years and by the 4th lesson I have already learned more than I (thought) I knew before. Its not as if this book has any new insight into blues guitar playing or even that the techniques are revolutionary in some way. It’s just that the theory is taken in small easily understood stages which are backed up by great sounding examples which make you want to progress to the next lesson. It’s not rocket science but this is the only book I have found so far which does this so well. If you’re a beginner you have a choice; buy a book which teaches you to play “twinkle twinkle little star” or buy a book which teaches you something you can use!