John Wheatcroft's Improvising Blues Guitar: A Review and Analysis
Improvising Blues Guitar John Wheatcroft PDF Download
If you are a blues guitar enthusiast who wants to learn how to improvise like a pro, you may have heard of a book called Improvising Blues Guitar by John Wheatcroft. This book is one of the most comprehensive and practical guides on blues guitar improvisation ever written. It covers everything from theory to technique, from rhythm to melody, from licks to solos. It also comes with audio and video files that demonstrate and illustrate the concepts and examples in the book.
improvising blues guitar john wheatcroft pdf download
But what if you don't have access to a physical copy of the book? What if you want to download it in PDF format so you can read it on your computer or mobile device? Is it possible? Is it legal? Is it worth it? In this article, we will answer these questions and more. We will tell you what improvising blues guitar is, who John Wheatcroft is, why you should read his book, how to download it in PDF format, how to use it effectively, and some FAQs related to the topic. Let's get started!
What is improvising blues guitar?
Improvising blues guitar is the art and skill of creating spontaneous and expressive musical phrases and solos over blues chord progressions and songs. It is one of the most essential and enjoyable aspects of playing blues guitar, as it allows you to express your personality, emotions and creativity through your instrument.
Improvising blues guitar has a long and rich history, dating back to the origins of the blues genre in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Blues guitarists such as Robert Johnson, T-Bone Walker, B.B. King, Muddy Waters, Albert King, Freddie King, Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughan, and many others have influenced and inspired generations of guitar players with their unique and innovative improvisational styles.
Improvising blues guitar also has some distinctive characteristics that set it apart from other forms of guitar improvisation. Some of these are:
The use of the blues scale, a six-note scale that consists of the root, minor third, fourth, flat fifth, fifth and minor seventh degrees of the major scale.
The use of the dominant seventh chord, a four-note chord that consists of the root, major third, perfect fifth and minor seventh degrees of the major scale.
The use of the 12-bar blues form, a common chord progression that consists of three four-bar phrases that follow a I-IV-V pattern.
The use of bends, slides, vibrato, hammer-ons, pull-offs and other expressive techniques that add emotion and nuance to the notes.
The use of call-and-response, repetition, variation and contrast as compositional devices that create structure and coherence to the phrases and solos.
Who is John Wheatcroft?
John Wheatcroft is a renowned blues guitarist, educator and author. He is the head of guitar at the London College of Music and has taught thousands of students from all over the world. He is also a prolific performer and recording artist who has worked with many famous musicians such as Billy Cobham, Robben Ford, Scott Henderson, Carl Verheyen, Frank Gambale, Guthrie Govan, John Jorgenson and Tommy Emmanuel.
John Wheatcroft has a distinctive and versatile style as a blues guitarist. He can play in various subgenres of blues such as delta blues, Chicago blues, Texas blues, British blues and jazz blues. He can also incorporate elements from other musical styles such as rock, funk, soul, country and fusion. He is known for his flawless technique, melodic sensibility, rhythmic diversity and harmonic sophistication.
John Wheatcroft is also a respected author who has written several books on guitar playing and improvisation. His most famous book is Improvising Blues Guitar, which was published in 2009 by Schott Music. This book is widely regarded as one of the best books on blues guitar improvisation ever written. It has received rave reviews from critics and readers alike and has sold thousands of copies worldwide.
Why should you read Improvising Blues Guitar by John Wheatcroft?
If you are serious about improving your blues guitar improvisation skills, you should definitely read Improvising Blues Guitar by John Wheatcroft. This book is not just another collection of licks and patterns that you can memorize and regurgitate. It is a comprehensive and practical guide that will teach you how to improvise with confidence, creativity and musicality.
Here are some of the reasons why you should read this book:
The structure and layout of the book
The book is divided into three main parts: Part One: The Basics; Part Two: The Styles; Part Three: The Players. Each part contains several chapters that cover different aspects of blues guitar improvisation.
The book is designed to be easy to follow and understand. Each chapter begins with an introduction that explains the objectives and contents of the chapter. Then it presents the main concepts and examples in a clear and concise manner. The examples are written in standard notation and tablature and are accompanied by audio files that you can listen to online or download for free. The examples are also annotated with helpful tips and comments that explain how to play them correctly and effectively.
At the end of each chapter there are exercises that test your knowledge and understanding of the material covered in the chapter. The exercises are also written in standard notation and tablature and are accompanied by audio files that you can play along with. The exercises are designed to reinforce what you have learned in the chapter and to challenge you to apply it to your own playing.
The topics and techniques covered in the book
The book covers a wide range of topics and techniques that are essential for blues guitar improvisation. Some of these are:
The blues scale and its variations, such as the major blues scale, the minor pentatonic scale and the mixolydian mode.
The dominant seventh chord and its extensions, such as the ninth, eleventh and thirteenth chords.
The 12-bar blues form and its variations, such as the quick change, the slow change and the minor blues.
The rhythm and groove of blues guitar, such as the shuffle, the swing and the straight feel.
The licks and phrases of blues guitar, such as the turnarounds, the double stops and the slides.
The solos and improvisations of blues guitar, such as the call-and-response, the motifs and the dynamics.
The book also covers different styles and subgenres of blues guitar, such as:
The delta blues, which originated in the Mississippi Delta region and is characterized by acoustic guitar playing, bottleneck slides and expressive vocals.
The Chicago blues, which developed in Chicago in the 1940s and 1950s and is characterized by electric guitar playing, amplified harmonica and urban themes.
The Texas blues, which emerged in Texas in the 1950s and 1960s and is characterized by fast tempos, aggressive bends and virtuosic solos.
The British blues, which flourished in Britain in the 1960s and 1970s and is characterized by rock influences, heavy distortion and psychedelic effects.
The jazz blues, which blends blues with jazz elements, such as complex chords, chromaticism and modal improvisation.
The book also analyzes and emulates the playing styles of some of the most influential and legendary blues guitarists of all time, such as:
Robert Johnson, who is widely considered as the father of delta blues and one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century.
B.B. King, who is known as the king of blues and one of the most influential electric guitarists of all time.
Eric Clapton, who is regarded as one of the greatest guitarists of all time and one of the pioneers of British blues rock.
Jimi Hendrix, who is widely recognized as one of the most innovative and influential guitarists in history and one of the icons of psychedelic rock.
Stevie Ray Vaughan, who is considered as one of the greatest blues guitarists of all time and one of the revivalists of Texas blues in the 1980s.
How to download Improvising Blues Guitar by John Wheatcroft in PDF format?
If you are interested in reading Improvising Blues Guitar by John Wheatcroft but you don't have access to a physical copy of the book, you may be wondering if you can download it in PDF format. The answer is yes, but there are some things you need to consider before doing so.
The benefits of downloading the book in PDF format
Downloading Improvising Blues Guitar by John Wheatcroft in PDF format has some benefits that may appeal to you. Some of these are:
You can save money by not buying a physical copy of the book.
You can save space by not storing a physical copy of the book.
You can access the book anytime and anywhere on your computer or mobile device.
You can zoom in and out on the pages to adjust the size and readability of the text and images.
You can search for keywords and phrases within the book using your PDF reader's search function.
The drawbacks of downloading the book in PDF format
However, downloading Improvising Blues Guitar by John Wheatcroft in PDF format also has some drawbacks that you need to be aware of. Some of these are:
Not understanding or following the instructions or explanations in the book. This may happen if you are not familiar with some of the terms, symbols or concepts used in the book. To avoid this, try to look up any words or phrases that you don't know or understand. Refer to the glossary, the index or the online resources provided in the book. Ask for help from a friend, a teacher or an online forum if you are still confused.
Not playing or practicing the examples or exercises in the book. This may happen if you are lazy, bored or intimidated by the examples or exercises in the book. To avoid this, try to play or practice every example or exercise that you encounter in the book. Don't skip or ignore any of them. Don't be afraid to make mistakes or sound bad. Learn from your errors and improve your skills.
Not applying or transferring what you learn in the book to your own playing. This may happen if you are too focused on memorizing or copying the examples or exercises in the book. To avoid this, try to apply or transfer what you learn in the book to your own playing. Don't just play what is written in the book. Experiment with different variations, combinations and adaptations of what you learn. Create your own licks, phrases and solos based on what you learn.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Improvising Blues Guitar by John Wheatcroft is a great book for anyone who wants to learn how to improvise blues guitar like a pro. It is a comprehensive and practical guide that covers everything from theory to technique, from rhythm to melody, from licks to solos. It also comes with audio and video files that demonstrate and illustrate the concepts and examples in the book.
However, reading this book is not enough to make you a better blues guitarist. You also need to download it in PDF format legally and ethically, use it effectively and regularly, and avoid some common mistakes and challenges when using it. If you do these things, you will surely improve your blues guitar improvisation skills and enjoy playing blues guitar more than ever.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions and answers related to Improvising Blues Guitar by John Wheatcroft:
Q: How long does it take to read and finish this book?A: It depends on your reading speed, your level of interest and your level of skill. However, this book is not meant to be read and finished in one sitting or in a short period of time. It is meant to be studied and practiced over a long period of time. You can read and finish one part, one chapter or one section at a time, depending on your preference and availability.
Q: How much does this book cost?A: The price of this book may vary depending on where you buy it from and what format you choose. However, as of June 2023, the average price of this book is around $30 for a physical copy and around $20 for a digital copy.
Q: Where can I buy this book?A: You can buy this book from various online and offline retailers that sell books on guitar playing and improvisation. Some of these are Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Guitar Center, Schott Music and John Wheatcroft's website.
Q: Is this book suitable for beginners?A: This book is suitable for anyone who has a basic knowledge and understanding of guitar playing and music theory. However, it is not suitable for absolute beginners who have no experience or background in guitar playing or music theory. If you are an absolute beginner, you may want to start with a simpler and more basic book on blues guitar before moving on to this one.
Q: Is this book available in other languages?A: As of June 2023, this book is only available in English. However, there may be plans to translate it into other languages in the future.
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