The Blues Guitar Show
Welcome to The Blues Guitar Show! Your free audio guitar teacher, focusing on all things blues guitar, records, rocking music theory and gear.Covering all the genres in the Blues world from Delta to Rockabilly.Each Monday I release an episode packed with information, exercises, songs, licks and interviews with some of the best players around to give you Passion, Practice and Perseverance for your guitar playing journey! I'm a born and raised blues guitarist, studio musician and teacher on a mission to help you master the music you love.Through this chart-topping podcast and interviews with some of the w...
Episode #247 Lessons From The Slide Master - Johan Borgh
Today I'm catching up with one of the best modern slide guitarists - Johan Borgh from Sweden. In this episode we talk about Johan playing with Gary Clark Jr, his tips for learning slide, his gear and his awesome new record - Island Blues.
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Episode #246 Life and Legacy R.L Burnside
Dive deep into the raw, hypnotic world of R. L. Burnside, the legendary North Mississippi hill country bluesman. From his early life on Mississippi farms to decades of regional performances, groundbreaking 1990s recordings with Fat Possum Records, collaborations with the Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, and his experimental Come On In album, we explore his guitar style, gear, live performances, and enduring influence on modern blues, rock, and electronic music.
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Episode #245 Life and Legacy: The Muddy Waters Story
In this extended deep-dive, we explore the life, music, and legacy of Muddy Waters—the man who electrified the Delta blues and laid the foundation for rock ’n’ roll. From his early days on Stovall Plantation to his rise in Chicago with Chess Records, we trace his journey through iconic recordings like ‘Hoochie Coochie Man’ and ‘Mannish Boy,’ his groundbreaking performance at the 1960 Newport Jazz Festival, and the transatlantic collaborations of The London Muddy Waters Sessions.
We’ll break down Muddy’s guitar style, gear, and slide techniques, hear stories of his legendary band...
Episode #244 Why Do We All Use Standard Tuning?!
Why is the guitar tuned in such a strange way and what can we learn from it?
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Episode #243 Is This Hack the Answer to Instantly Better Solos?
In today's episode we're back talking about chord tones! I talk you through some great shaoes and approaches for adding these to your blues licks to create instantly better sounding solos.
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Episode #242 Why You Should Study Bo Diddly
One of the most underrated guitarists of the 50s/60s. Bo Diddly gave us so much more than an iconic beat - in this episode I talk you through his classic song Roadrunner and talk about why hes awesome.
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Episode #241 Finding a Guitar Tone - Common Mistakes
We're all chasing that illusive tone! In this episode I talk you through my process of creating a solid guitar tone that I can use for playing shows. We also talk through common mistakes and what not to do!
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Episode #240 Are Traditional Amps DEAD!?
In this episode we explore Digital amp modellers vs traditional amps. This is going to be a contentious one - are you team tube amp or team software
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Episode #239 Minor Triads For Blues Solos
In this episode I talk you through three great triad shapes for playing blues solos in the key of G
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Episode #238 Open G Slide Playing
In this episode I give you some useful tips for playing slide in Open G and talk you through a couple of classic Muddy Waters riffs.
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Episode #237 Oasis VS Ozzy The Battle For Britain
In this episode I'm talking about the Oasis reunion vs the Ozzy Farewell show from last weekend. I'll be reacting to some clips and talking about testing gear in Denmark St.
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Episode #236 Chuck Berry - Maybellene Simplified
In this episode we're doing some Chuck Berry appreciation and learning a simplified version of the classic Maybellene.
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Episode #235 Sound Test - Does Your PLECTRUM Make a Difference?
In this episode I am demoing 4 different picks to see if the size, shaoe and material actually affect the sound.
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Episode #234 How Songs Are Built & Modes
Today we are discussing the theory behind how songs are built and what role the modes have to play in that and I even demo a little Grateful Dead for ya.
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Episode #233 Tips For Going To A Blues Jam
In this episode I'm giving you my top 5 tips for going to a blues jam session, we cover what to learn ahead of time, what to do when you get there and why jam sessions are a great practice tool.
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Episode #232 How Well Do You Know Your Fretboard?!
In this episode I talk you through my approaches to learning the fretboard and the 3 levels of fretboard knowledge.
How well do you know your guitar neck?
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Lesson #112 Moving Basslines and Syncopation for Acoustic Blues
This week we are again looking at small ways to improve our acoustic blues fingerpicking. This time I take you through a little ragtime blues exercise to get that thumb grooving and you're melody notes ringing out.
If you're looking to play solo acoustic blues, this is the place to start!
Find the TAB here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1_WwAzYBpLKQBRAz942uqQb4u-C3PcvYz?usp=drive_link
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Episode #231 Single Coil VS Humbucker
In this episode I'm doing a side-by-side shootout of a single coil pickup vs a humbucker. We get into how they differ, why they sound different and which one is best for you.
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Episode #230 Is Blues the Oldest Music in the World?!
Is the minor pentatonic scale over 3 thousand years old..... Probably not but today we are discussing the one scale to rule them all. We get into why the minor pentatonic scale is so heavily used for blues, where it comes from and what you should take from that.
Should be a fun one!
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Episode #229 The Great Slide Comparison of 2025
In this episode I'm lining up my slide collection (or some of it) and giving you a straight side-by-side tone comparison.
I talk about different slide materials, makes and sizes, featuring handmade slides like the Diamond Bottle Neck hand-blown glass slide and the Delta Lizard - Delta Howler slide as well as Dunlop slides and the Magslide.
Let me know which one you like best ben@thebluesguitarshow.com
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Episode #228 Why You Should Be Listening to Hubert Sumlin!
In this episode I along with cameos from Keith Richards and Stevie Ray himself are taking a deep dive into Hubert Sumlin, his playing, guitars of choice and influence over the blues and rock world.
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Episode #227 Why You're Not Getting Better at Guitar
In this episode we talk about the 'how' and 'what' of guitar practice. I lay out how to approach your practicing and what you need to be working on to improve.
If you're feeling stuck with your playing at all, this ones for you!
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Episode #226 Is TONE really all in the Fingers?
In this episode of The Blues Guitar Show Podcast, we dive deep into the world of guitar tone. Is tone really in the fingers, or does your gear play a bigger role? We break down the essential elements—amps, pedals, pickups, and playing techniques—to help you dial in the perfect blues sound. From the warm breakup of Fender Tweed amps to the legendary sustain of a Tube Screamer, we explore how to shape your tone and find your unique voice on the guitar. Whether you're chasing the raw sound of Li...
Episode #225 Using CAGED for Blues
In this episode I'm talking you through how to effectively used CAGED to play more interesting 12 bar blues.
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Episode #224 Fundamental Music Theory for Blues Players
In this episode we talk through a no nonsense approach to music theory and the need-to-know info for playing effective blues guitar.
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Episode #223 The Music Industry is Broken! (Rant)
In this episode we're taking a bit of a break from things to discuss the modern music industry and why its so messed up. I give a few insider details as to how it all works and why it doesn't.
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Episode #222 What's The Deal With Lightnin' Hopkins?
In this episode of The Blues Guitar Show, we dive deep into the life, legacy, and unmistakable style of Lightnin’ Hopkins—one of the most influential blues guitarists of all time. From his early days in rural Texas, learning from legends like Blind Lemon Jefferson, to his rise as a prolific recording artist with over 800 songs, Hopkins shaped the sound of Texas blues like no one else.
We break down his unique guitar style, his loose, improvisational approach to rhythm, and his signature boogie bass lines t...
Episode #221 Strat VS Tele (Sound Test)
Can you heqr the difference between a strat and a tele? Are you sure?
In this episode we do a direct tone test between my stratocaster and my telecaster to compare and contrast the different tones.
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Episode #220 Reverend Peyton's Big Damn Band
In this episode I sit down with Reverend Peyton of the Big Damn Band. These guys are one of my all time favourite live bands. We catch up with Rev on tour in the U.S and just after releasing their new record 'Honeysuckle'
Episode #219 Learning songs FAST (and how to remember them)
Something I have to do a lot in my work is learning long set lists very quickly - sometimes in just days to have them performance ready. Today I'm sharing my method for how to learn songs quickly and effectively.
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Episode #218 The GENUIS of Hill Country Blues
In this episode I'm talking to you about RHYTHM. Hill Country Blues playing is one of the most rhythmical of all the blues styles. Pioneers like R.L Burnside, Junior Kimborough and others developed this incredible picking hand technique you have to learn.
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Episode #217 Which Guitar Shape Is Right For You?
In this episode we are virtual guitar shopping ans talking about which guitar shape is the right one for you.
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Lesson #97 Led Zeppelin Heartbreaker Riff
In this episode we are talking through that classic Zep riff Heartbreaker! It's a great blues scale based riff you can start grooving on straight away.
Head to the drive folder to download this weeks TABS;
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1_WwAzYBpLKQBRAz942uqQb4u-C3PcvYz?usp=drive_link
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Episode #216 Vintage VS6 Guitar Review
In this episode I'm reviewing the Vintage VS6 (SG style) guitar.
The Vintage VS6 ReIssued Series is a solid body, double cutaway guitar that can turn its hand to anything. Be it rock solid rhythm chords providing the engine room for your sound, drop tunings soaked in fuzz, or soaring lead guitar solos which steal the spotlight, the VS6 will astound you with its versatility and vivid array of diverse tones.
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Episode #215 Smokestack Lightnin' - Songs Simplified
In this episode I'm doing another 'songs simplified' this time on the classic 1 chord vamp song - Smokestack Lightnin'.
This is a blues jam staple and a campfire classic so well worth digging your teeth into.
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Lesson #96 B.B King Style Focus
In this lesson we take a deep dive into Three O Clock Blues and look at the licks and scales BB is using.
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Episode #214 The Freddie King Trick
In this episode we're looking into Freddie Kings playing, how he strucrtures his solos, the techniques he uses and how you can use them in your playing.
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Episode #213 Pedals Pedals Pedals
In this episode I take you through my 5 essential pedals. These are the ones I use all the time and how I set them up.
1. Compressor Pedal
Episode #212 Carl Bradychok - Talkin' Rockabilly
In this episode I sit down with rockabilly's newest wizard - Carl Bradychok
Carl Bradychok is a guitar player and a singer born in Detroit, Michigan in Mars of 1991.
He recorded his first CD at only 13 years old. This guitar master paid tribute to Rockabilly big names like Carl Perkins, Eddie Cochran, Elvis Presley, Johnny Burnett. He also had the privilege of working with Jack Scott and Don Rader.
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Episode #211 Songs SIMPLIFIED - The Weight - The Band
In this episode we are doing the first song 'simplified' where we take a song and learn the core elements that would get you by at a jam session or gig.
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