Joseph Alexander

How do you create your own blues guitar voice from the licks of the iconic musicians?In Josh Smith's groundbreaking book Modern Blues Guitar Phrasing you'll learn to transform the classic licks of the musical legends into your own unique, expressive soloing language. You'll move beyond mere imitation, and quickly discover how to personalize the phrases that have shaped music history.Josh Smith takes you on a journey through the styles of the ten musicians who have most profoundly impacted his playing. You'll master five classic licks that capture the essence of their style and five of Josh's modern twists that showcase his personal interpretation. This approach will help you grasp the foundational elements of each lick while learning to infuse them with your unique voice.Innovate As You Honour the GreatsJosh Smith's Modern Blues Guitar Phrasing is not just about copying famous licks, it's about understanding the concepts behind them and personalising them.You'll discover how to manipulate the dynamics, phrasing and harmonic ideas that make each lick special and gain the freedom to improvise with them to create solos that are both rooted in tradition and refreshingly original.Here's What You Get: Develop a Deep Understanding of Phrasing: Learn how to alter slides, bends, vibrato, and other techniques to add emotional depth and expression to your playing.Transform Classic Licks into Unique Solos: Understand the underlying concepts of iconic licks and apply them in your own way, creating solos that reflect your personality.Enhance Improvisational Skills: Gain the confidence to experiment with different ideas and approaches to make your improvisation more fluid and compelling.Improve Musical Expression: Use the dynamics and articulation of blues legends to tell your musical stories with greater impact.Expand Your Musical Vocabulary: Learn from the masters and incorporate their influences into your style, broadening your repertoire and creative potential.Artists Covered: Albert King B.B. King Cornell Dupree Charlie Parker Danny Gatton Jimi Hendrix Kenny Garrett Robben Ford Sam Cooke Stevie Ray Vaughan

Revolutionize Your Blues Guitar Playing with Josh Smith "Josh Smith is one of my favorite musicians on the planet. His musical depth and guitar playing transcend the boundaries of the blues genre into a genre of his own." Joe BonamassaJosh Smith has taken the world of modern blues guitar playing by storm and now it's possible to get unprecedented access to the thinking and techniques of this giant of the guitar world.Modern Blues Guitar Soloing is a deep dive into the concepts that have brought Josh recognition as one of the most innovative and respected players of today. All the Tools of the Modern Blues Guitarist, Explained and Musically Applied This book teaches you Josh's language in the more common musical situations the modern blues guitar player will encounter: The blues shuffleFunk bluesHigh-energy jump bluesBlues balladsClassic rock blues You'll learn tons of new, creative blues vocabulary over these tried and tested musical forms, but more importantly, you'll understand how to apply familiar musical concepts in brand new ways. Josh Smith Teaches Feel and phrasing - make your guitar sing with feel and dynamics to create a powerful reaction in your audienceMusical limitation - use Josh's technique of limiting yourself to make every note countStorytelling devices - transcend licks and actually tell a story with your solos.Thematic playing - call and response and creative repetition are all backed up with highly musical examplesCountry and Jazz infusion - discover how Josh draws from other musical genres and transforms these ideas into incredible modern blues guitar licksRhythmic variation - understand how to manipulate rhythm and time in your playing to greater effect, using odd note groupings and cutting against the grooveHybrid picking - learn Josh's unique take on hybrid picking to create stunning licks and runs

A Practical Guide to Applying Modal Scales & Their Chords in Contemporary Jazz Are you struggling to apply modal ideas in your jazz guitar improvisation in a way that sounds natural and expressive? Want to learn how contemporary jazz guitar masters think about and apply modal concepts while others are trapped inside scale shapes? Then get ready for an in-depth masterclass into the modes that matter with Kurt Rosenwinkel. In Modal Harmony for Modern Jazz Guitar, Kurt takes you deep inside the two most important parent scales in modern jazz harmony - the Major scale and the Melodic Minor scale - and shows you how their modes actually function in real music. The key to this exploration is understanding each mode as a sound, a chord, and a musical environment in its own right. Rather than treating modes as abstract theory or fretboard patterns, this book teaches you to experience each one as a distinct tonal universe, defined by its character notes, chord colours, and emotional gravity. Sit Down for a One-on-One with a Modern Master and Learn... How the Major and Melodic Minor scales generate 14 essential modes used throughout modern jazz How to hear and target the character notes that instantly define each modal sound How modal seventh chords expand into rich, modern voicings with 9ths, 11ths, 13ths and altered tones When to treat chords functionally and when to approach them modally as independent centres Practical applications of modal interchange, borrowing colour from parallel modes and scales What to play on modern dominant sounds including Lydian Dominant, Mixolydian b6 and Altered scales Deep minor-key harmony using Dorian, Phrygian, Aeolian, Locrian, and Melodic Minor applications How a single voicing or shape can generate entire ii-V-i systems through logical movement Techniques for reharmonising and disguising progressions without losing clarity or groove A structured approach to practicing all modes in all keys with real musical context Why This Book Is Different With Kurt's approach, you can set aside dry theory and focus on what you need to play to create the contemporary sound you've been searching for. Every concept is explored through original etudes, guidance on voicings, and practicing over jam tracks specially created by Kurt just for you. You'll be playing the sounds you desire immediately, and you'll have at your fingertips the tools you need to internalise each sound, not just understand it intellectually. You'll learn how modern jazz chords are constructed, where they come from, and how to improvise over them with confidence, colour, and intention. Instead of asking, "Which scale do I use?", you'll begin saying, "What sound do I want?" By the End of the Book, You'll Be Able To: Navigate complex chord symbols with ease Add modern harmonic colour without sounding forced or random Move fluidly between inside and outside sounds Create lines that clearly express the harmony Develop a personal, contemporary harmonic voice rooted in sound rather than theory Jam with Kurt Includes free downloadable audio featuring specially created jam tracks and performance examples, allowing you to practice each mode in a musical, immersive setting. Whether you're a serious jazz guitarist, composer, or improviser looking to deepen your harmonic language, Modal Harmony for Modern Jazz Guitar offers a clear, musical pathway into the sounds that define modern jazz.

The Complete & Authorised Guide to the Soloing Techniques of Guitar Legend Gary Moore Discover the emotional fire, melodic mastery, and unmistakable power of Gary Moore - one of the most expressive guitarists of all time. From hard-rocking shuffles to ferocious rock anthems to soul-melting blues ballads - few players have matched his intensity, conviction and virtuosity. Gary Moore's Guitar Style is the definitive, fully authorised deep-dive into the techniques, tone, phrasing, and musical language of one of the most expressive guitarists to ever take the stage. Whether you're drawn to the soaring sustain of Parisienne Walkways, the molten intensity of Corridors of Power, or the earth-shaking power of Still Got the Blues, this book shows you exactly how Gary crafted his unmistakable voice on the instrument. What's Inside: 20 Essential Gary Moore Licks: Dive straight into his vocabulary, from high-octane fusion runs to expressive blues with his unmistakable feel. Full lick breakdowns reveal not just what he played but why Master Gary's Expressive Vibrato and Bending Techniques: Spread across two chapters, learn how to control fretting hand vibrato and execute bends with perfect intonation for vocal-like expression Rock-Fusion Techniques: work through musical examples designed to refine your technique, including explosive alternate picking, three-note-per-string runs, and blistering legato phrases. Discover how Gary balanced intensity and melodic clarity in tracks like After the War, Victims of the Future and End of the World Gary's Melodic Note Choice & Harmonic Language: learn how to solo with a deep sense of melody, weaving together chord tones, extensions, and modal colours with soulful bends and a blues sensibility Practice with the "Gary Moore Progression" Master the secret chord sequence that he so often favoured and immerse yourself in a full-length solo study that beautifully brings together every technique A Masterclass in Emotion, Power, and Musical Storytelling Gary Moore wasn't just a guitarist, he was a force of nature. This book teaches you how he shaped notes like a vocalist, built tension like a classical composer, and unleashed high-octane aggression with flawless control. More than a technique book, it's an invitation to connect emotionally with your instrument the way Gary did so effortlessly. Here's What You'll Learn... How to recreate Gary's unmistakable vibrato, bends, legato, and phrasing How he blended scales, modes, and chord tones to craft unforgettable melodies His approach to speed, intensity, and dynamic control How to integrate major/minor tonal blends for dramatic effect How Gary built solos over rock, blues, and fusion progressions How to evoke Gary's emotional storytelling and stage-commanding power A true tribute to a guitar icon, this book is written by celebrated LA-based guitarist, session musician, and lifelong Moore devotee Rob Garland, with a heartfelt foreword by Gary's long-time collaborator, bass player Bob Daisley. Bonus Material - Free Audio Download This book offers an unparalleled window into the style of a player whose music continues to inspire new generations. Every example includes a matching audio track, so you can hear the nuances and perfect your technique. Whether you're a blues player looking to deepen your emotional phrasing, a rock guitarist wanting more fire and finesse, or a Gary Moore fan eager to understand his magic, this is the essential guide to one of the greatest guitarists who ever lived. Learn the techniques. Absorb the emotion. Carry the legacy forward. Buy it now

Advanced Blues Guitar Soloing Move Beyond Pentatonics to Unlock Advanced Scales, Arpeggios & Substitutions Ever wondered why your favourite blues guitar players sound harmonically rich, expressive, and endlessly fresh, while others seem stuck repeating the same pentatonic licks? Want to achieve that same fluency and expression in your own playing? The answer lies in expanding your vocabulary beyond the basics. In Advanced Blues Guitar Soloing, acclaimed guitarist and educator Shaun Baxter shows you how to transform a simple 12-bar progression into a canvas for sophisticated scales, arpeggios, substitutions, and chromatic ideas... all without sacrificing the grit and soul of the blues. If you're already confident with pentatonic-based playing and ready to explore new territory, this book gives you the tools to imply complex harmony over the familiar I-IV-V sequence, taking your blues soloing to professional levels. In the book you'll learn to: Outline chord changes with precision by targeting chord tones Use substitutions and altered dominant sounds to create rich tension and release Apply Diminished, Whole Tone and Superlocrian scale ideas to classic blues progressions Master advanced turnaround lines that connect your solos seamlessly back to the top Blend chromatic approaches, enclosures, and hybrid scales into authentic blues phrasing Develop motivic ideas, and master space and thematic balance to make your solos sound deliberate and musical Each chapter introduces a new harmonic concept, backed up with detailed 12-bar solo studies that show you how to use the concept practically, in context. With every example, you'll learn not just what to play, but how to make it sound like the blues. Take your blues playing to new heights Instead of memorising endless licks, this book teaches you how to think harmonically, phrase creatively, and add depth to your improvisation. By the end, you'll be able to: Play with greater expression and direction across the entire progression Create solos that imply richer chords than those written on the page Combine pentatonics, arpeggios, and advanced scales into a unified system Sound authentic while breaking free from predictable box patterns Includes Audio Download Every example and solo study comes with free downloadable audio, so you can hear each idea performed in context and immediately start applying it to your own playing. If you've ever felt limited by minor pentatonic ideas and want to unlock a truly advanced approach to blues soloing, Advanced Blues Guitar Soloing will open the door to a new world of expressive, harmonically rich improvisation.

Master Counterpoint on Guitar and Unlock a New World of Melodic PossibilitiesWhy do Baroque composers like Bach sound so rich and sophisticated?How did the great classical musicians create interweaving melodies that feel both structured and expressive? The answer lies in counterpoint - the art of crafting independent melodic lines that harmonise seamlessly.For centuries, counterpoint has been a core principle of composition, yet it remains largely untouched in modern guitar education. The Counterpoint Guitar Method bridges the gap, giving guitarists a clear, practical path to mastering counterpoint and voice leading techniques. Through step-by-step exercises, real-world examples, and insights drawn from figured bass, cadences, and Baroque sequences, you will develop the skills to create beautiful, harmonically rich music on your instrument.Inside, You'll Discover: - First and Second Species Counterpoint. Learn the foundational rules of counterpoint and how to create independent melodic lines that work together- Figured Bass and Harmonic Thinking. Understand the Baroque system of harmonisation and how it applies to modern music- Suspensions, Cadences, and Modulation. Add expressive tension and smooth harmonic movement to your playing.- Sequences and Patterns for Melodic Flow. Master essential Baroque sequences like the Romanesca and Prinner to expand your phrasing- Diminution and Ornamentation. Transform simple harmonic frameworks into expressive, flowing melodies- Imitation and Polyphony. Develop counter-melodies and apply techniques from Bach's inventions to guitarThis book is designed for guitarists who want to explore melody/harmony on guitar and go beyond chord shapes and scale patterns. Whether you play classical guitar, jazz, or fingerstyle, understanding counterpoint will deepen your musicianship and refine your approach to harmony and melody. By studying the techniques of Bach, Handel, and Corelli, you will develop greater control over voice leading and learn to craft expressive, independent melodic lines.This book isn't just theoretical, it's highly practical, offering exercises and real musical examples that will immediately enhance your composition, arrangement and improvisation skills.