Blind Lemon Jefferson Guitar Lesson

Lesson Overview / Objectives

-Learn some important biographical and musical information concerning Blind Lemon Jefferson, T-Bone Walker, Jimmie Rodgers, and the emergence of country music.

-Learn how to play Hawkeye's renditions of the classic songs "Matchbox Blues" and "T for Texas."

Blind Lemon Jefferson (1893-1929 Exact date of birth is unknown.)

A. Biography and Stylistic Overview

Blind Lemon Jefferson emerged as the first real country blues superstar of the 1920's. He is regarded as the "Father of the Texas Blues." His distinct guitar and vocal style was not immediately influential on his peers. However, he had a profound influence on later blues, jazz, and rock musicians ranging all the way from T-Bone Walker to Nick Cave and Kurt Cobain. His music has been imitated and recorded by countless musicians, most notably B.B. King, Bob Dylan, and The Grateful Dead. Jefferson's popularity is attributed to his prolific recording career (mainly with Paramount) along with countless local and national performances.

Blind Lemon Jefferson's guitar and singing style were quite radical for the time period. His extended vocal range blended with a guitar accompaniment style that was wholly original. He punctuated complex lyrical stanzas with ground breaking guitar solos played in a variety of keys and tunings. Jefferson frequently played fluid single-note lines with his thumb. In between vocal phrases, Jefferson often dropped the usual alternating bass accompaniment pattern in order to play lead guitar fills. This was revolutionary at the time.

In addition, the structure employed in his songs varies greatly. This distinct feature of his music contrasts sharply with most early 20th century blues performances. Some songs feature guitar parts and vocal melodies that are quite similar. Other songs are through-composed, meaning that there are no repeating sections. Fast, rhythmic dance songs also fill his repertoire.

B. Interesting Facts

During one of his many trips to perform in Dallas, Jefferson met musician Huddie Ledbetter also known as Leadbelly. The two became friends and began performing together. Later, in 1917, Jefferson crossed paths with Aaron Thibeaux Walker or T-Bone Walker. Jefferson taught Walker how to play guitar in exchange for help around town.

C. Essential Listening

1. Recordings as Deacon L. J. Bates

"I Want to be like Jesus in My Heart"
"All I Want is that Pure Religion"
"See That My Grave Is Kept Clean"
"He Arose from the Dead"
"Where Shall I Be"

2. Country Blues Recordings as Blind Lemon Jefferson

"Booster Blues"
"Dry Southern Blues"
"Got the Blues"
"Long Lonesome Blues"
"Matchbox Blues"
"Black Snake Moan"
Mosquito Blues"
"One Dime Blues"
"Tin Cup Blues"
"Hangman's Blues"
"'Lectric Chair Blues"
"Black Horse Blues"

Matchbox Blues

In this lesson, Hawkeye teaches his rendition of the Blind Lemon classic "Matchbox Blues." You can check out the original recording of the song here. Carl Perkin's also recorded a famous electric version of the song. Check out the recording here.

Song Demonstration

At 03:48, Hawkeye provides a demonstration of "Matchbox Blues." Listen to this performance several times. As you listen, pay close attention to the following features:

1. The song consists of the basic 12 bar blues format.

2. Hawkeye accompanies the vocal line with an alternating bass line and the "boom chick" rhythm. This accompaniment is a staple of country music and country/blues music.

3.He uses "open" chord voicings for the I and IV chords in the key of E major (E and A). However, an A7 voicing can be used in place of an A major triad. A B7 voicing is then used for the V chord.

Elements of the Performance

A. Guitar Fill 1

To perform this fill, slide into an E chord played in fourth position. This chord shape is based on the visual shape of the "open" D major chord. When this shape is moved up two frets, an E major chord is formed. Be careful not to play the open fourth string in conjunction with the E chord though! This note is not part of the chord. This fill is played in bars three and four. The rhythm is played in steady eighth notes. Notice how Hawkeye plucks the low bass string with the thumb along with each strum of the chord.

B. Guitar Fill 2

Over the tonic chord in bars 7-8, a cliché lick from the E major pentatonic scale is played. This lick is played in a continuous eighth note triplet rhythm.

Turnaround

Begin with a "D shaped" E chord at the 4th and 5th frets. Slide this chord down chromatically as you would with the classic turnaround. Play each chord for two eighth notes each. End with the dominant chord, B7, to create a strong resolution back to the top of the form.

C. Song Ending

The ending features a melodic motif on the second string. An E chord is followed by an E6 and an E7 chord. A catchy melodic line played on the B string occurs within these chord voicings. Often referred to as the "good evening friends" ending, this ending is a staple of rock, blues, country, and swing tunes.

Aaron Thibeaux Walker aka "T-Bone" Walker (May 28, 1910 — March 16, 1975)

T-Bone Walker was arguably the most influential early electric blues player. His electric guitar solos were some of the first heard on blues recordings. He combined single note ideas inspired by his mentor Blind Lemon Jefferson with the sonic possibilities and idiomatic techniques of the electric guitar.

B. Essential Listening

1. Recorded As Oak Cliff T-Bone

"Wichita Falls Blues"
"Trinity River Blues"

2. Recorded As T-Bone Walker

"Don't Throw Your Love on Me So Strong"
"I Got a Break Baby"
"Mean Old World"
"Call It Stormy Monday (But Tuesday Is Just as Bad)" "T-Bone Shuffle"
"Let Your Hair Down, Baby, Let's Have a Natural Ball"
"Don't Leave Me Baby"
"She Is Going to Ruin Me"
"Hey Baby"
"Cold, Cold Feeling"

Jimmie Rodgers and The Emergence of Country Music

During the first few decades of the 20th century, a cross pollination occurred between blues music and country music. Blues music influenced and helped spawn country music. At the same time, country music had an influence on blues music. Consequently, the origins of these two styles are tightly nit. Both styles feature many of the same guitar accompaniment and vocal styles as well as similar harmonic and melodic devices. This becomes evident when comparing and contrasting a blues musician such as Blind Lemon Jefferson with an early country musician such as Jimmie Rodgers.

A. Jimmie Rodgers - Essential Listening

"Blue Yodel No. 1"
"Honeycomb"
"Hobo's Meditation"
"Waiting for a Train"
"Daddy and Home"
"Chicago Bound"
"Gambling Bar Room Blues"
"Kisses Sweeter Than Wine"
"Pistol Packing Papa"

C. "Blue Yodel No. 1" aka "T for Texas"

At 04:53 in Scene 2, Hawkeye plays through two choruses of the 12 bar blues form to demonstrate the similarities between early country and blues music. During the first chorus, he performs "Matchbox Blues" in the style of Blind Lemon Jefferson. The second time around, he plays in the style of Jimmie Rodgers while singing "T for Texas."

Pay careful attention to what is played in place of the turnaround at the end of the second chorus. Instead of adding a turnaround to the end of the form, Jimmie Rodgers would most often hang onto the tonic chord in bars 11 and 12 of the form. Then, he would yodel through the next chorus. Also, notice how there are not any lead fills in the Jimmie Rodgers style. However, the strumming rhythm of the I chord is altered in bar 4 to create a nice transition into the IV chord. Otherwise, the accompaniment is extremely simple and straight forward.

Member Comments about this Lesson

Discussions with our instructors are just one of the many benefits of becoming a member of JamPlay.