The Blues Guitar Of John Lee Hooker

Learn about one of the most original bluesmen of all - Biog, influences, guitars and more.

In this section we'll be looking at three main learning tools for the Hooker style - warm ups, adding more style and rhythm and chords.

Warm up with a selection of scale patterns that form the basis to many of the Hooker riffs.

At this stage we begin to look at some of the trade mark embellishments that Hooker added to his choice of riffs and runs.

Take a close look at some of the rhythm and chords that gave John Lee Hooker his unique sound and truly evoked the African origins of the blues.

In many of Hookers songs, especially the acoustic sessions, he would often build his accompaniment around the open E7 chord. Learn more about this distinctive Hooker style here.

Uses regular tuning

John Lee Hooker used a variety of Delta based open tunings and perhaps his most used was open A. In this section we'll be looking at some of the classic riffs in this tuning which gave him his unique blues flavour.

Uses open A tuning - E A E A C# E

John Lee Hooker became famous for setting up some great 'Chillen' grooves and 'Boogie' lines. These grooves went on to define the beat boom era of the early sixties. You can learn to play a few of these grooves in this section.

Uses open A tuning - E A E A C# E

This study is a great warm up to the Hooker style - think of 'Green Onions' and you get the idea. It uses a classic chord progression and is must have riff. Played on electric here but is open to both electric and acoustic.

As in all the following study tunes please download the PDF tab and follow link to the interactive Powertab file to enhance the learning experience.

This is a simple study that uses regular tuning to conjure up the Hooker sound without the need to alter tuning at this stage. So, watch the video and follow downloadable resources.
Uses regular tuning E A D G B E

This is a great tune and good exercise for fingerstyle blues technique. It uses the syncopated  thumb and finger method and serves well for learning the Hooker style as well as many of the other great blues player styles.
Uses regular tuning E A D G B E

This one of my favourite Hooker styles. The slow, creeping sound you might find on his 'Crawling King Snake' Track. A classic technique using some of the ideas you tried earlier on in section 4 of the course.
Uses regular tuning E A D G B E

This piece highlights another great Hooker style. This is based on his famous track 'Tupelo'.
Simple and authentic blues accompaniment.
Uses regular tuning E A D G B E

This is the last study tune in regular tuning and introduces the swing blues flavour that was another side to Hooker's blues technique.
Uses regular tuning E A D G B E

This is a simple introduction to a Hooker type tune using the roots sounds of open A tunings and uses a similar riff to the earlier 'London Beat' tune.
Uses open A tuning - E A E A C# E

Maninkan music from Mali in West Africa plays an important role in the sounds that we associate with the roots of the blues. It is John Lee Hooker that evokes this style most of all and my tune 'Maninka Blues' hopes to conjure up some authentic DNA of the blues.
Uses open A tuning - E A E A C# E

If you like the sound of Hooker's early boogie then this is for you. It uses the main riff of the 'Boogie Chillen' track and formed the foundation of many other great Hooker songs.
Uses open A tuning - E A E A C# E

A variation of the up beat pattern that creates even more Chillen groove!
Uses open A tuning - E A E A C# E

This is the main kind of riff the set up the backing for many Hooker tunes. Listen to 'Hobo Blues' and you'll hear what I mean. It's my favourite riff, especially when played against a heavy foot beat.
Uses open A tuning - E A E A C# E

As with all the study tunes please make full use of the downloadable resources to aid in your learning.