How to get a Blues Sound

First consider your attack. Attack is the way you hit the strings and can make a massive difference to your overall sound. Give the note a 'bluesy bite' by really digging into the string with your pick, think Stevie Ray Vaughn. Make sure you know what you are doing rhythmically as well. Use 1/8th note swing timing to keep things sounds authentic.

Use the same approach when playing rhythm guitar too. 1/8th note swing, plenty of attack and a tiny amount of pitch bend applied to the chords. It really does go a long way to getting the right sound.

Keep your amp setting pretty neutral, go for a clean sound and try to get the smallest amount of gain on the signal. You are trying to get the amp to break-up. This is when an amp sounds clean but distorts slightly when you hit it hard. Fender makes the new DX series of amps that offer a killer blues tone for not too much money. They are perfect for this style.

Also see our article; “How do you practice Blues”

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