THE CROSSROADS The Art of Slurring

In this month’s Crossroads, John Wheatcroft shows how adding slurs can help you achieve the expressive articulation of players ranging from blues icon Stevie Ray Vaughan, to jazz genius George Benson.

- John Wheatcroft

ABILITY RATING

Info

ABILITY RATING

Key C Minor

Tempo 110bpm

CD TRACKS 14-19

Moderate/Advanced

Will improve your…

Use of hammer-ons and pull-offs

Idiomatic vocabulary

Speed, dynamics and articulation

Stevie Ray Vaughan personified the energetic, raw, and electrified modern Texas sound. He succeeded in conveying a modern blues message to the masses and almost single-handedly invigorated the entire blues genre in the process. Along with his rhythm section, Double Trouble, he went on to produce a string of successful albums, toured the world and back, and picked up more awards than you could shake a stick at.

While Stevie’s authentic blues roots formed the central core of his playing style, there were frequent moments where he touched upon his jazzier influences. Brushed octaves like Wes, fluent and extended connected blues lines like Kenny Burrell, extended and altered chords that wouldn’t sound out of place coming from Joe Pass. It’s all in there. Stevie’s playing at times perfectly illustrates the design and intent of this series, to explore the points when blues and jazz collide at the Crossroads.