The Blues Guitar Show – Details, episodes & analysis

Podcast details

Technical and general information from the podcast's RSS feed.

The Blues Guitar Show

Ben Martin

Music

Frequency: 1 episode/9d. Total Eps: 266

Welcome to The Blues Guitar Show! Your free audio guitar teacher, focusing on all things blues guitar, records, rocking music theory and gear.

Covering all the genres in the Blues world from Delta to Rockabilly.

Each Monday I release an episode packed with information, exercises, songs, licks and interviews with some of the best players around to give you Passion, Practice and Perseverance for your guitar playing journey!

I'm a born and raised blues guitarist, studio musician and teacher on a mission to help you master the music you love.

Through this chart-topping podcast and interviews with some of the worlds best, our mission is to help dazed and confused blues pickers like you grasp the skills you need to go from ‘campfire’ to on fire.

Instagram @bluesguitarshowpodcast
Website: www.thebluesguitarshow.com

Read moreCollapse

Site

RSS

Recent rankings

Latest chart positions across Apple Podcasts and Spotify rankings.

Apple Podcasts

No recent rankings available

Spotify

No recent rankings available

Shared links between episodes and podcasts

Links found in episode descriptions and other podcasts that share them.

See all

https://www.buzzsprout.com/950998/subscribe
402 shares
https://www.buzzsprout.com/950998/support
270 shares

https://www.buymeacoffee.com/bluesguitarshow
88 shares
https://thebluesguitarshow.com/product/the-triad-method/
37 shares
https://www.udemy.com/share/1086SM/
22 shares

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Lennon
3 shares
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blues
3 shares

RSS feed quality and score

Technical evaluation of the podcast's RSS feed quality and structure.

See all

RSS feed quality

To improve

Score global : 43%

Publication history

Monthly episode publishing history over the past years.

Year

Latest published episodes

Recent episodes with titles, durations, and descriptions.

See all

Episode #249 How British Blues Changed The World

Monday, January 5, 2026 • Duration 22:08

Explore the electrifying story of British Blues, from post-war record collectors in the 1940s to the British Blues Explosion of the 1960s. Discover how American legends like Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, and Chuck Berry inspired young British musicians, including The Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton, John Mayall, and The Yardbirds, who amplified, reimagined, and exported the blues back to the world. Dive into the guitars, live performances, cultural contrasts, and lasting legacy that transformed blues into rock music.

Support the show

To become a MEMBER and get access to over 2 Years of guitar lessons for just $5/Month head to https://www.buzzsprout.com/950998/subscribe

Read moreCollapse

Episode #248 10 Tips For Acoustic Blues

Monday, December 1, 2025 • Duration 27:32

In this episode I give you my top 10 tips for playing acoustic blues.

1. Learn the 12-Bar Blues Form Inside Out

The 12-bar blues is the foundation. Practice it in different keys (E, A, G) until you can play it without thinking. This will make learning songs and improvising far easier.

2. Master Shuffle and Swing Rhythms

Blues rhythm isn’t straight—it's felt.
Work on:

Shuffle feel (“da-DA, da-DA”)
Light swing
These grooves make even simple chords sound authentic.

3. Use Alternating Bass Patterns

A thumbed bass line (with your picking hand thumb) adds depth:

Thumb alternates between root and fifth
Fingers play melody on top
This classic delta & country blues technique makes solo performances sound full.

4. Start Using the Minor Pentatonic Scale Early

It’s the essential blues scale.
Begin in A minor pentatonic and E minor pentatonic—both fit comfortably on acoustic and match common blues keys.

5. Add Blue Notes

Incorporate:

♭3
♭5
♭7
These give blues its voice. Practice sliding into them for expression.

6. Work on String Bends & Vibrato

Bending on acoustic is harder than on electric, but doing it well makes your playing expressive. Start with:

Quarter-step bends (very bluesy!)
Slow, controlled vibrato
Simple half-step bends on the B and G strings

7. Learn a Few Turnarounds

Turnarounds signal the end of the 12-bar form and make your playing sound “finished.”
Classic turnarounds in E and A are essential vocabulary for blues players.

8. Use Hammer-Ons & Pull-Offs for Acoustic “Snap”

Blues on acoustic thrives on percussive articulation.
Practice short licks that combine:

Open strings
Quick hammer-ons
Snappy pull-offs
They create that raw delta feel.

9. Study “Call and Response”

Think like a singer:

Play a short melodic “call”
Answer with a rhythmic or melodic “response”
This makes improvisation sound intentional instead of random.

10. Listen and Imitate Blues Legends

Absorb phrasing, tone, and feel from players such as:

Robert Johnson
Mississippi John Hurt
Big Bill Broonzy
Lightnin’ Hopkins
Eric Clapton (unplugged style)

Learning even a few of their licks will deepen your style dramatically.

Become a plus member now: https://www.buzzsprout.com/950998/subscribe

Support the show

To become a MEMBER and get access to over 2 Years of guitar lessons for just $5/Month head to https://www.buzzsprout.com/950998/subscribe

Read moreCollapse

Episode #239 Minor Triads For Blues Solos

Monday, July 28, 2025 • Duration 10:58

In this episode I talk you through three great triad shapes for playing blues solos in the key of G

Support the show

To become a MEMBER and get access to over 2 Years of guitar lessons for just $5/Month head to https://www.buzzsprout.com/950998/subscribe

Read moreCollapse

Episode #154 Kaspar Berry Rapkin Interview

Saturday, December 23, 2023 • Duration 01:03:16

In this episode I'm talking with a fantastic up and coming blues player Kaspar berry Rapkin. Fresh off of his Blues Chart number 1 with K.K Hammond and in the midst of writing some new material we catch up with Kaspar on a chilly Wednesday evening in November.

A band-leader, side man, recording artist & all round musician we get into everything from what its like being an artist in 2023 to some awesome demos of Kaspars guitar collection.

We had a great chat and cheers to Kaspar for coming on.

Check out his stuff here: www.kbrblues.com

And the HSB video here https://youtu.be/23mM98sxzog?feature=shared

Become a Blues Guitar Show Member: https://www.buzzsprout.com/950998/subscribe

Shoot me a question to cover in the upcoming episodes by emailing ben@thebluesguitarshow.com

Follow me on instagram @bluesguitarshowpodcast

Become a plus member now: https://www.buzzsprout.com/950998/subscribe

Support the show

To become a MEMBER and get access to over 2 Years of guitar lessons for just $5/Month head to https://www.buzzsprout.com/950998/subscribe

Read moreCollapse

Episode #153 You Need to Learn this Beatles Song

Monday, December 18, 2023 • Duration 18:30

In this episode we're looking over the Beatles song Get Back.

This song has a great feel to it and some really fun major pentatonic country style licks.

Get Back" is a song recorded by the British rock band the Beatles and Billy Preston, and written by Paul McCartney though credited to the Lennon–McCartney partnership. It was originally released as a single on 11 April 1969 and credited to "The Beatles with Billy Preston".The song is one of the few examples of John Lennon featuring prominently as lead guitarist. The album version of this song contains a different mix that features a studio chat between Paul McCartney and John Lennon at the beginning which lasts for 20 seconds before the song begins, also omitting the coda featured in the single version, and with a final dialog taken from the Beatles' rooftop concert. This version became the closing track of Let It Be (1970), which was released just after the group split up. The single version was later issued on the compilation albums 1967–1970, 20 Greatest Hits, Past Masters, and . If you find this stuff useful leave me a review on Spotify or Apple PodcastsBecome a Blues Guitar Show Member: https://www.buzzsprout.com/950998/subscribeShoot me a question to cover in the upcoming episodes by emailing ben@thebluesguitarshow.comFollow me on instagram @bluesguitarshowpodcast

Episode #152 Smokestack Lightning - Howlin' Wolf Lesson

Monday, December 11, 2023 • Duration 19:28

In this episode we're looking at the blues classic Smokestack Lightning!

This is a great example of a 'one riff song' its totally hypnotic to play and has a great feel and groove to it.

At Chess' studio in Chicago in January 1956, Howlin' Wolf recorded "Smokestack Lightning".The song takes the form of "a propulsive, one-chord vamp, nominally in E major but with the flatted blue notes that make it sound like E minor", and lyrically it is "a pastiche of ancient blues lines and train references, timeless and evocative".Longtime Wolf guitarist Hubert Sumlin is credited with the distinctive guitar line.Howlin' Wolf sang and played harmonica, backed by pianist Hosea Lee Kennard, guitarists Willie Johnsonand Hubert Sumlin, bassist Willie Dixon, and drummer Earl Phillips.

If you find this stuff useful leave me a review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts

Become a Blues Guitar Show Member: https://www.buzzsprout.com/950998/subscribe

Shoot me a question to cover in the upcoming episodes by emailing ben@thebluesguitarshow.com

Follow me on instagram @bluesguitarshowpodcast

Support the show

To become a MEMBER and get access to over 2 Years of guitar lessons for just $5/Month head to https://www.buzzsprout.com/950998/subscribe

Read moreCollapse

Episode #151 B.B King Rock Me Baby Lesson

Monday, December 4, 2023 • Duration 17:58

In this episode we are back with the king of the blues! This is a classic blues 12 bar with some awesome licks and riffs.

We cover the main riff, some of the theory behind whats going on in the guitar as well as the whole first section of the solo lick-by-lick.

"Rock Me Baby" is a blues standard that has become one of the most recorded blues songs of all time.[2] It originated as "Rockin' and Rollin'", a 1951 song by Lil' Son Jackson,[1] itself inspired by earlier blues. Renditions by Muddy Waters and B.B. King made the song well-known. When B.B. King's recording of "Rock Me Baby" was released in 1964, it became his first single to reach the Top 40 in Billboard magazine's Hot 100 chart.

If you find this stuff useful leave me a review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts

Become a Blues Guitar Show Member: https://www.buzzsprout.com/950998/subscribe

Shoot me a question to cover in the upcoming episodes by emailing ben@thebluesguitarshow.com

Follow me on instagram @bluesguitarshowpodcast

Support the show

To become a MEMBER and get access to over 2 Years of guitar lessons for just $5/Month head to https://www.buzzsprout.com/950998/subscribe

Episode #150 Muddy Waters - Mannish Boy Lesson

Monday, November 27, 2023 • Duration 14:14

Episode 150! In this episode I'm taking you through this blues classic! Mannish Boy by Muddy Waters. This is one of my absolute favourite 'zone out' songs and we go through the main riff and lead parts to this awesome live version of the 1955 standard.

Mannish Boy" (or "Manish Boy" as it was first labeled) is a blues standard written by Muddy Waters, Mel London, and Bo Diddley (with Waters and Diddley being credited under their birth names). First recorded in 1955 by Waters, it serves as an "answer song" to Bo Diddley's "I'm a Man", which was in turn inspired by Waters' and Willie Dixon's "Hoochie Coochie Man. Mannish Boy" features a repeating stop-time figure on one chord throughout the song.

Grab your guitar and join me in learning the whole of this fantastic Beatles tune. An absolute classic riff and really fun solo to play. This is one I always reccomend my students to learn.

Support the show

Episode #149 Beatles - Day Tripper Lesson

Monday, November 20, 2023 • Duration 20:16

Grab your guitar and join me in learning the whole of this fantastic Beatles tune. An absolute classic riff and really fun solo to play. This is one I always reccomend my students to learn.

Day Tripper" is a song by the English rock band the Beatles that was released as a double A-side single with "We Can Work It Out" in December 1965. The song was written primarily by John Lennon with some contributions from Paul McCartney and was credited to the Lennon–McCartney partnership. Both songs were recorded during the sessions for the band's Rubber Soul album. The single topped charts in Britain, Ireland, the Netherlands and Norway. In the United States, "Day Tripper" peaked at number five on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and "We Can Work It Out" held the top position.

"Day Tripper" is a rock song based around an electric guitar riff and drawing on the influence of American soul music. The Beatles included it in their concert set-list until their retirement from live performances in late August 1966.

Episode #148 Honky Tonk Woman - Rolling Stones Lesson

Monday, November 13, 2023 • Duration 13:44

Grab your guitar and join me in learning this awesome Rolling Stones Riff. This for me , is one of Keith's best and as the band have released a new album this year, let's revisit one of the classics.

"Honky Tonk Women" is a song by the English rock band the Rolling Stones. It was released as a non-album single on 4 July 1969 in the United Kingdom, and a week later in the United States (although a country version called "Country Honk" was later included on the album Let It Bleed). It topped the charts in both nations.[3] The song was on Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time list, and was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.

If you find this stuff useful leave me a review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts

Become a Blues Guitar Show Member: https://www.buzzsprout.com/950998/subscribe

Shoot me a question to cover in the upcoming episodes by emailing ben@thebluesguitarshow.com

Follow me on instagram @bluesguitarshowpodcast

Support the show

To become a MEMBER and get access to over 2 Years of guitar lessons for just $5/Month head to https://www.buzzsprout.com/950998/subscribe

Read moreCollapse

The Blues Guitar Show – Details, episodes & analysis

Podcast details

Recent rankings

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Shared links between episodes and podcasts

RSS feed quality and score

Publication history

Latest published episodes

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

The Blues Guitar Show – Details, episodes & analysis

Podcast details

Recent rankings

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Shared links between episodes and podcasts

Buzzsprout2

Other30

Wikipedia68

RSS feed quality and score

Publication history

Latest published episodes

Similar podcasts and content

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

Buzzsprout2

Other30

Wikipedia68