Smooth bends form the basis of this signature blues phrase
In this Gibson App video, Kirk Fletcher demonstrates a timeless blues lick inspired by the legendary T-Bone Walker, a pioneer of electric blues guitar. Walker influenced icons like B.B. King, Freddie King, and Albert Collins; the lick is a must-know for any blues guitarist. Master it and channel the roots of electric blues.
Who was T-Bone Walker?
T-Bone Walker was a true pioneer of the electric guitar in blues—taking it up long before it became the norm. His groundbreaking 1942 recording “Mean Old World” is often hailed as one of the earliest examples of amplified blues guitar on record, sparking a new era of the genre and paving the way for icons like B.B. King and Chuck Berry.
Born in Linden, Texas, and raised in Dallas, Walker first honed his performance chops under the influence of players like Blind Lemon Jefferson before carving out a niche all his own. Over the course of his illustrious career, T-Bone Walker forged a groundbreaking style that married swinging jazz lines with a raw blues feeling.
In the late 1940s and 1950s, hits like “Call It Stormy Monday” showcased his signature smooth vocals and fluid, horn-like guitar phrasing, setting a lofty standard for electric blues. His showmanship—playing with his teeth and occasionally playing behind his head—cemented his status as one of blues guitar’s most electric personalities.
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