Steve James

The late, great Steve James was a noted roots musician and raconteur. He is the author of several well-regarded books on blues guitar.

Blues, Play Like Your Favorite Guitarists

Play Like Mississippi John Hurt: Steve James, Happy Traum, and John Sebastian Show You How

Although John Hurt’s style and repertoire are often imitated, his guitar sound is hard to duplicate. In this lesson, Steve James teaches you how to play like Mississippi John Hurt.

June 5, 2023
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History and Remembrances, Scenes

Mississippi John Hurt’s Influence on the 1960s Folk Scene and Beyond

In the folk music boom in New York in the 1960s, the music of guitarist Mississippi John Hurt was a huge influence on players like Happy Traum, John Sebastian, and others.

November 9, 2022
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Alternate Tunings, Blues

blues tunings acoustic guitar how to alternate blues tunings

Which Alternate Tunings are Most Commonly Used in Blues?

The two principal open tunings used in blues guitar playing have old, vernacular American names: Vastopol and Spanish.

September 22, 2022

Guides and How To, Vintage and Collectible Guitars

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Gearing Up: A Guide to Old-School Blues Guitars and Their Modern Counterparts

The sound of blues players on a budget remains an aesthetic legacy to the present day.

January 18, 2022

Blues

Roots & Blues Fingerstyle Guitar Explorations for Patreon

Roots and Blues Fingerstyle Guitar Explorations | Acoustic Guitar Champions

A comprehensive guitar method, songbook, and narrative anthology by Steve James, available to champions of this site or to purchase at store.AcousticGuitar.com.