Ian's Guitar Tuition

Robert Johnson was an American blues musician. His guitar playing on his landmark 1936 and 1937 recordings have influenced later generations of musicians. Although his recording career spanned only seven months, he is recognized as a master of the blues, particularly the Delta blues style, and as one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame describes him as perhaps “the first ever rock star”

Very little was known of his life outside of the small musical circuit in the Mississippi Delta where he spent most of his time. Much of his story has been reconstructed by researchers. Johnson’s poorly documented life and death have given rise to legends. The one most often associated with him is that he sold his soul to the devil at a local crossroads in return for musical success. Another legend has it that his girlfriend poisoned him to death.

If you want to work on your funk playing then check out “If You Have to Ask” by the Red Hot Chilli Peppers. Use your left hand to mute any strings with X’s on (lift your fingers off the fretboard slightly when all of the strings need to be muted). Alternate the strumming, and set the pickup selector to the bridge for some attack to get that percussive funk tone.

I have wanted to learn this solo for years. The solo predominantly uses A minor pentatonic scale with a few added notes.

Suck my Kiss - Red Hot Chilli Peppers

The trick with this song is to recognise that the first part is using the Am pentatonic scale (with two added notes). This makes it so much easier to get the right fingers and remember the pattern.