T-Bone Walker, Blues Guitar And The I-II-IV-V

[mc src=”http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFqK6PBq-hA&feature=results_main&playnext=1&list=PL37DEC2F0013CE888″ type=”youtube”]T-Bone Walker[/mc]I’ve been in a mood for going back and learning some blues guitar strategies, techniques and styles from the greats – was listening to this video of T-Bone Walker playing at the “Jazz at the Philharmonic” – the first song I noticed the often used example of T-Bone changing up the standard I-IV-V blues progression to a I-II-IV-V which gives it a more classy, jazzy feel – he did this on many slow blues numbers. 

You’ll also notice on his progression to the IV, he will slide up to the V and resolve down to the IV position – in this particular case it is in the key of B-flat. 

Take a listen, there’s also a great jump-blues song tagged on here as well with an amazing band (listen to the drumming on the last song how it complements T-Bone’s wonderful playing).  Oh ya, and it’s hard to keep your eyes off of him on stage, he is such a great performer.