Q: Blues by the Bar vs. Blues You Can Use

[edcag]

Blues by the Bar vs. Blues You Can Use

Anyone with experience with both have a preference and why?
Anyone know both and want to suggest something else?

If more info about my abilities is critical to answer, please let me know.

Much appreciated.
- ed

 

[supersoldier71]

Yeah. I got more out of Blues you can use...both have a lot of overlap. Both cover more basic stuff like the # of strings and tuning. Take a look at Blues Rock Guitar. Logical and well laid out.

 

[edcag]

supersoldier -

Thanks for your response.
Are you referring to the MI book (Blues/Rock Soloing for Guitar) or the Aledort book or something else?

Thanks!

 

[Seraphine]

This is Progressive Rock and a recent tune from Panic Room ( UK Progressive Rock band )... Since I first got the album I can hear, particularly in this tune, a very quality use of Blues inclusion and influence.. both vocals at times and gtr.

This thread reminds me of some of my feelings about this tune... Talk about "useful" presence of "some" Blues....

 

[stevieg08]

hi ed

Yea i think info about your abilities would help. Comparing the two, I would say blues you can use is better. more info on theory, has full solos. Blues by the bar is more like giving you licks, telling you what type of licks work on what type of chords/turnarounds.

Blues you can use is more like a focus on say pattern/box 4, then moving on to the rest of the "boxes" one at a time. Starts off with minor pentatonics, then incorporates major pentatonics. I can't remember if arpeggios was briefly touched on in this. But I'm pretty sure blues by the bar didn't talk about much arpeggios.

So i guess its down to licks vs method.

My personal preference would be transcribing or getting some licks down for players you like if you want the former. For blues methods, I think "Blues guitar unleashed" by griff hamlin is really great. It is very similar to blues you can use. Maybe slightly less info(arpeggios not included in this) but I feel that it gets you hitting the ground running really quickly. Plus, I think the solos on blues guitar unleashed are more interesting than blues you can use. But thats just my personal opinion. Thats why i feel it gets you to hit the ground running faster.

Don't make the mistake of buying too many books. Like me!

 

[boo radley]

I have 'Blues You Can Use', and 'More Blues...'. I think they're solid instructional material, depending on your level.

'Blues...' is probably early intermediate (late beginner?) through intermediate level. Each lesson is a nice-sized chunk: for example a new scale pattern, some new chords, then a song that draws on the examples, where a simple solo is played over the chord changes.

I think the book/cd is under $20 on Amazon, so if you think it's appropriate to your level, I doubt you'll be disappointed.

 

[Swain]

Both seem pretty solid. As well, I would recommend learning all the tunes on this:

http://www.amazon.com/Guitar-Signat...9TPC/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1328076921&sr=8-2

After you've worked through the entire DVD, you'll have basically a Set List worth of tunes you could play. And this would help you tremendously with Vocabulary and Syntax. Not just Licks, but how they fit within actual Tunes.

Anyway, hope this helps.

 

[rjsc5]

Not to steal this thread but.....I am enjoying "Improvising Blues Guitar (An introduction to blues guitar styles, techniques and improvisation)." With CD, by John Wheatcroft. Seems to me to be a fairly interesting take on what separates the numerous styles of the blues that has progressed from the last 100 or so years. I have not seen a book quite like this.

 

[jsepguitar]

I'm not familiar with "Blues by the Bar", so I can't do a comparison, but I have used "Blues You Can Use" and it really helped me a lot. And the author has a forum where you can ask questions about the book.

http://www.bluesyoucanuse.com/forum.html

 

[supersoldier71]

supersoldier -

Thanks for your response.
Are you referring to the MI book (Blues/Rock Soloing for Guitar) or the Aledort book or something else?

Thanks!

Yeah, that's the one. It also has some stuff that you probably don't need, but it's got a lot of highly useable licks borrowed from a lot of different players like the "Three Kings" BB, Albert and Freddie, Buddy Guy and others.

 

[edcag]

Thanks everybody - I really appreciate all the suggestions and input.
I already have too many books ;-) but I'll let you know which one I pick.
I must say, I have recently heard very good things abt the MI book supersoldier recommended. I actually prefer video (youtube) learning, but I like the idea of a course. I think I might start w/ BYCU and move on to the MI book someday.

Any other input is welcome.
Thanks again!