Guitar Music

This month, I`m featuring one of the true giants of blues guitar - Lightnin Hopkins.

Lightnin` came from Texas and helped create the guitar sound of that state, laying the foundation for future Texas legends like Albert Collins and Stevie Ray and Jimmy Vaughan. As a youngster, he guided Blind Lemon Jefferson around the streets of Dallas.

Lightnin` used a pick on his thumb to play the bass string and fingers on the treble strings.

You can get a big sound out of just one guitar like this, and you don`t need a band!

Like Lightnin`, I`ve played this piece finger style. If you`re using a pick you can play the top line only where double stops are used.

Lightin` played mostly in E and A, using the bass strings to back his lead playing. He would either pick the bass in time behind his lead, or let it ring and play over the top.

I`ve featured some signature licks taken from different tunes. Lightnin`s style seems simple but is deep. You can get a lot out of each one of these licks. Play them in different positions. You`ll hear sounds that have been copied by players from Buddy Guy to Freddie King.

I hope this taster will inspire you to listen to some of the original recordings. You can`t go wrong with a Lightnin` Hopkins record, check him out and you`ll hear the real feeling of the blues in every note.

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