As learning guitar continues I seek to improve my use of techniques like bending, hammer-on / pull-offs, vibrato and slides. To help with that, and as an enjoyable aside, I have been looking at Blues improvisation. Mainly this has been via the Kirklees Guitar School lessons, coupled with some from Justin Sandercoe & Guitar Pro.

I’ve also dusted off a tutorial book by John Wheatcroft that has sat unused on my bookshelf for far too long.

My primary aim is to learn and then deploy these techniques in support of more original songwriting.

Last weekend I attended a Blues Improvisation Introduction Workshop at Kirklees Guitar School led by KGS owner James Kuhnel. This was a thoroughly enjoyable activity in itself, the journey remains as important as the destination.

As well as the techniques this also covered minor & major pentatonic scales, dominant chords and the use of licks as a framework for improvisation.

I really enjoyed jamming with my fellow students and look forward to practicing with these new tools and gradually employing them in original songs.

I’m excitedly anticipating my next KGS Summer Experience Day which includes a Songwriting workshop led by my regular tutor Andrew Beal. I’ve already benefited from Andrew’s suggestions with regard to both cover songs and my original creations. Also Blues improvisation revisited and group playing, that’s going to be a good one.

Jam in A minor