Making the Most of Open Strings When Soloing with Andy Aledort

In Deep by Andy Aledort

OPEN WATERS

These last few columns have been dedicated to exploring soloing approaches to the Muddy Waters blues classic, “Rollin’ Stone.” The song is played in the key of E, and, true to the style of acoustic Delta blues, as well as electric Chicago blues, many licks are played within the first few frets and incorporate open strings. Ample evidence of this is heard in the acoustic playing of Robert Johnson, Big Bill Broonzy and Lightning Hopkins, as well as the electric playing of Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, Freddie King, Magic Sam and many others.