Exploring the Open Tunings of Robert Johnson and Other Blues Guitarists
Open tunings have opened up new sound worlds for singer-songwriters and guitarists alike. Here we explore some of the open tunings most frequently heard in the blues.
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Robert Johnson
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Book Review: A Definitive Look at the Life of Blues Legend Robert Johnson
From the September/October 2019 issue of Acoustic Guitar | BY GREG CAHILL He was cursed, but not by the devil—rather, it was his first b... Read More...
Book Review: A Definitive Look at the Life of Blues Legend Robert Johnson
From the September/October 2019 issue of Acoustic Guitar | BY GREG CAHILL He was cursed, but not by the devil—rather, it was his first b... Read More...
Throwback Thursday: Kelly Joe Phelps Plays Robert Johnson’s ‘Hellhound on My Trail’
Yesterday (May 8) was the 108th birthday of blues shaman Robert Johnson (1911–1939). To celebrate, here's a slinky, sultry, spooky version of RJ's "Hellhound on... Read More...
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Acoustic Classic: Robert Johnson’s ‘Hell Hound on My Trail’
From the December 2017 issue of Acoustic Guitar | BY ADAM PERLMUTTER
August 16, 2018 marks the 80th anniversary of Robert Johnson... Read More...
Video Lesson: Reimagining Bluesman Robert Johnson in Open-G Tuning
Take a look at some of the songs Robert Johnson played in open tunings and learn how to use his melodic and rhythmic ideas in any 12-bar blues.
Video Lesson: Learn to Play Robert Johnson-Inspired, A-Major Based Blues
By Tom Feldmann
It’s amazing that Robert Johnson is the most well-known figure in the history of the blues. He recorded only 29 songs from 1936 to 1937, but... Read More...
Legendary Bluesman Blind Willie Johnson Gets His Due on New Tribute Album
From the July 2016 issue of Acoustic Guitar | By GREG CAHILL
When NASA rocketed a gold-plated album into the cold, dark reaches of space aboard the Voyager 1 s... Read More...
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Learn to Play in Open G
A lesson on how to play fingerstyle blues in this popular open tuning, using examples from classic songs by Elizabeth Cotten, Robert Johnson, and more.
Guitar Lesson: Fingerpicking on the Blues in C Major
Here are 3 ways to play a 12-bar blues in C major on guitar, through the lens of the old blues masters, so you can incorporate more nuances into your playing.