Mastering Blues Music on Guitar: Clapton, King, and Howlin’ Wolf

Hey blues enthusiasts! If you’ve been captivated by the raw emotion and soulful depth of blues music on guitar, you’re in good company. Today, we’re diving into the techniques that defined blues legends like Eric Clapton, B.B. King, and Howlin’ Wolf. Each of these guitarists shaped the blues in unique ways, leaving behind a legacy of unforgettable tones, phrasing, and style.

Let’s explore the core techniques that made these guitarists unforgettable—and learn how you can bring a bit of their magic to your own playing!

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1. Vibrato – B.B. King’s Signature “Singing” Style

Story: B.B. King, the “King of the Blues,” didn’t just play guitar—he made it sing. Known for his unique vibrato, B.B.’s style brought a vocal-like expressiveness to each note. His technique was developed over years of dedicated practice and inspired by his early influences, including blues pioneer T-Bone Walker. B.B. would often talk about how he wanted his guitar, Lucille, to “cry” or “talk” back to him. This gave his music a deeply emotional quality that connected with listeners on a soulful level.

One of B.B.’s most famous solos, “The Thrill Is Gone,” showcases his vibrato beautifully. His vibrato is achieved by pushing the string back and forth with a controlled, circular motion rather than the typical up-and-down bend. This style gives his notes a slow, wide wobble that has a vocal-like quality—one that no one could quite replicate.

Technique Tip: To replicate B.B. King’s vibrato:

• Use your index or middle finger to press down on a note.
• Apply gentle circular movements with your wrist, not just your finger.
• Start slow and focus on making each note “sing” by controlling the speed and depth of the vibrato.

The trick here is subtlety. You don’t need to go fast or wide—just steady and soulful.

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2. String Bending – Eric Clapton’s Emotional Control

Story: Eric Clapton, known as “Slowhand,” brought a rock edge to blues music on guitar. He was captivated by blues greats like Muddy Waters and B.B. King, and by the time he started playing with John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers, Clapton had developed a style all his own. His solo on “Have You Heard” is a masterclass in bending, demonstrating how to use bends to create a sense of tension and release.

In “Layla” and “Tears in Heaven,” Clapton uses string bending not just to hit the right notes but to convey deep emotion. His bends are usually slow and controlled, creating a yearning quality. He would bend a single note up a full step and then “hold” it there, letting the note hang in the air just long enough to make listeners feel the emotion before resolving it.

Technique Tip: To bend like Clapton:

• Use your ring finger to bend the string, and support it with your middle and index fingers for more control.
• Bend the string up or down to reach a specific note, and listen carefully as you reach it—don’t just bend at random.
• Experiment with holding the bend at its peak for a moment, then release it slowly to maximize tension and release.

Clapton’s approach to bending adds tension and storytelling to a solo. If you can master controlled bends, you’ll unlock one of the most expressive techniques in blues guitar.

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3. Open Tunings and Slide Guitar – Howlin’ Wolf’s Raw Power

Story: Howlin’ Wolf, born Chester Burnett, brought a raw, gritty edge to blues music on guitar that would influence countless guitarists. Known for his deep, growling voice, Wolf’s guitar style was equally intense. He often used open tunings and slide guitar to create a powerful, haunting sound. Songs like “Smokestack Lightning” and “Spoonful” became blues standards thanks to his unique tone and approach.

Wolf’s guitarist, Hubert Sumlin, was a master of the slide, adding depth and tension to Wolf’s dark themes. The slide allowed him to mimic the eerie, wailing sound that matched Howlin’ Wolf’s deep vocals perfectly. Wolf and Sumlin’s use of slide guitar and open tunings would go on to inspire rock legends like Keith Richards and Jimi Hendrix.

Technique Tip: To get started with Howlin’ Wolf’s style:

• Tune your guitar to open G (D-G-D-G-B-D) or open E (E-B-E-G#-B-E) for that big, resonant sound.
• Use a slide (metal or glass) on your ring or pinky finger and start by sliding up to a note rather than pressing down.
• Lightly touch the strings with the slide to prevent any fret noise, and let the notes sustain for a haunting effect.

When using a slide, take your time to slide in and out of notes slowly. Open tunings and slide guitar allow for more resonance and help mimic the haunting, soulful quality that Howlin’ Wolf and Hubert Sumlin perfected.

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4. Call and Response – The Soul of Blues Solos

Story: Call and response is one of the oldest techniques in blues and was essential to players like B.B. King and Howlin’ Wolf. In blues music on guitar, call and response is like having a conversation with the listener. The guitarist “calls” with a lick, and the voice or another instrument “responds,” creating a back-and-forth exchange.

B.B. King would often play a phrase on Lucille, then pause, allowing the vocals to respond to the guitar line. In “Sweet Little Angel,” this technique can be heard in action as King’s guitar seems to answer each vocal line, giving the song a feeling of dialogue and connection. Clapton also uses this technique in “Crossroads,” playing a riff or lick that echoes the vocals.

Technique Tip: To incorporate call and response:

• Start by playing a simple lick on the guitar, and then play a “response” by changing the pitch or phrasing.
• Try using different rhythmic variations in the response to make it sound like a real conversation.
• Listen to blues tracks and pay attention to the vocal lines, mimicking them with your guitar to understand the “give and take” feel.

Call and response adds depth to your solos and connects the guitar and vocals in a way that makes blues music feel personal and authentic.

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5. Using Space and Silence – Less Is More

Story: One of the defining traits of blues legends like Clapton and B.B. King was their use of space. Instead of filling every second with notes, they would leave gaps, letting each note resonate with the listener. In blues music, sometimes what isn’t played is just as powerful as what is.

In “The Thrill is Gone,” B.B. King masterfully uses silence to let each note hit hard. Eric Clapton also practiced restraint, especially in his more emotional solos, where he let the gaps between notes create a tension that added to the solo’s impact.

Technique Tip: To make the most of space and silence:

• Focus on phrasing—play a short phrase, then pause and let it linger.
• Resist the urge to fill every gap. Let some silence exist between phrases to create a feeling of “breathing.”
• Practice improvising over a backing track, limiting yourself to just a few notes, and focus on spacing them out for effect.

Using silence is a skill that takes practice but makes each note feel intentional and powerful.

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6. Double-Stops and Chordal Licks

Story: Double-stops, or playing two notes together, are a go-to technique for blues guitarists like Clapton and Howlin’ Wolf. Clapton, in particular, would use double-stops in songs like “Crossroads” to create a thicker sound and add punch to his solos. These are often played on the 2nd and 3rd strings, allowing the guitarist to harmonize two notes and create a sound that feels fuller and richer.

Howlin’ Wolf’s guitarist, Hubert Sumlin, also used double-stops to add rhythmic intensity to the band’s sound, complementing Wolf’s powerful voice with gritty, rhythmic licks that kept the music driving forward.

Technique Tip: To get started with double-stops:

• Try playing two notes from a minor pentatonic scale at the same time, focusing on the 2nd and 3rd strings.
• Experiment with sliding into double-stops for a bluesy effect.
• Add vibrato to the double-stop for added tension, as Clapton often did, to give the sound a bit of grit.

Double-stops are a great way to make your solos sound fuller and more dynamic without overcomplicating your playing.

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Wrapping It Up: Bringing These Blues Techniques into Your Playing

Mastering blues music on guitar isn’t just about learning scales—it’s about capturing the feeling, the soul, and the storytelling that legends like B.B. King, Eric Clapton, and Howlin’ Wolf brought to every note. By practicing these techniques—vibrato, bending, slide guitar, call and response, using silence, and double-stops—you’re not just adding to your skills, you’re connecting with the heart of blues music.

So grab your guitar, give these techniques a try, and remember to put your own story into every note. And if you’re looking to connect with other blues enthusiasts, swap techniques, and jam, come join us in the Guitar Freaks Hangout on Discord! We’re a community of guitarists here to support each other on our journey through the blues. 🎸