Kenny Wayne Shepherd's 5 rules for playing the blues

The modern master shares his secrets

Joe Bosso, Wed 13 Jan 2010, 5:04 pm UTC

Modern blues star and Fender Stratocaster-player Kenny Wayne Shepherd reported to MusicRadar that he's just started recording his new album in Saulsalito, California, with Jerry Harrison co-producing along with Shepherd.

Kenny Wayne Shepherd at The Wilshire Ebell Theater, 2009. Image: © Katy Winn/Corbis

He'll need to work fast, however, as he takes off in March to be a part of the Experience Hendrix Tour, where he'll share the stage with other guitar greats such as Joe Satriani, Eric Johnson, Brad Whitford, Ernie Isley and Vernon Reid, among others.

During a session break, Shepherd was happy to share with MusicRadar his 5 rules for playing the blues. "They're not iron-clad," Shepherd says, "but I do believe if you heed some of these tips, you'll find your playing improves. And more importantly, your overall love of music will expand."

1. Listen to your heart

"This might sound kind of trite and obvious, but it's the honest to God's truth. To play the blues with feeling, you've got to tap into your soul and ask yourself, 'What do I really want say? What message do I have to convey here?'

"It's like having a heart-to-heart conversation with someone: If you don't mean every word you say, you're not going to be genuine or convincing.

"The blues is the same thing; it's like having a dialogue but instead of words you're using notes. Make every note count for something. Face it: If you're just playing licks and scales you've copied off records or whatever, no matter how good you are, you're going to sound mechanical."

2. Do your homework

"If you have a favorite player, whether it's Stevie Ray or Clapton, that's great. But don't just stop there - go back and seek out the people who paved the road before them. Chances are, you're going to have your mind blown and your musical vocabulary is going to expand dramatically.

"When I started out, I was very fortunate in not limiting myself. I studied Muddy Waters, Robert Johnson, Blind Lemon Jefferson, Leadbelly. Then, of course, I got into Hendrix - you gotta listen to Hendrix. And all the British Invasion players, people like Beck and Clapton - very important players in my development. Stevie Ray, obviously…All of the people who came before me, I made sure to study them.

"That's the great thing about the blues: one generation influences the next. Discover Buddy Guy, but then go back and find out who influenced him."

MusicRadar