R is for… Resonators

Resonators guitars feature metal cones under their bridges that act as mechanical ‘speakers’ producing much more volume than regular acoustic guitars.

Blues guitarists like Bukka White, Son House and Bo Carter played resonator guitars because they allowed them to perform to larger crowds and still be heard. Resonators have a distinctive tone as heard on songs like Peetie Wheatstraw’s 1932 classic Police Station Blues.

The best known resonator guitars are made by Dobro and National. They often come with a choice of rounded necks for regular playing and square necks for dedicated slide use.

R is also for… Riffs

Blues was a fertile breeding ground for killer riffs. There are thousands of great blues riffs to choose a favourite from but Muddy Waters' Mannish Boy has to be damn near the top of any blues fanatic’s list.