Lesson 29 - The BB King Blues Box - Box 3

February 28th, 2008

 

Here is the next installment in the series of lessons called the 5 essential blues boxes for guitar. This lesson covers Box 3, the B.B. King Box.  It shows you how to add some major scale soloing into the normal bluesy sounding riffs from Box 1 and Box 2.  A must-know for playing a well-rounded blues style.  Stevie used this box when soloing in songs like "Life Without You", and "Tightrope".

The extended length lesson available in the store is 38 minutes in length and includes HD and low-resolution versions of the lesson.  The topics included in the free version are:

  1. Review of the Box 3 structure
  2. Purpose and use of each note in the box

The extended length lesson goes into more detail about these topics as well:

  1. Uses of hidden and auxiliary notes to Box 3
  2. Transitioning into / out of Box 3
  3. Pickup switching technique when using Box 3
  4. Special trick: When Box 1 comes to town (how and when you can overlay Box 1 onto Box 3).

Leave a Comment

15 Comments

  1. GALANOPOULOS PANOS Says:
    September 17th, 2008 at 11:32 am

    BB KING LESSONS

    [Reply]

  2. Dani Says:
    May 13th, 2008 at 7:30 am

    Hello,

    I’m gonna try to get into a little constructive criticism here, I hope it’ll work, don’t wanna be rude or anything.

    First of all, I think you’re totally entitled to teach other ppl blues and particularly SRV’s style, I guess your playing speaks for itself. The method however prevents me from purchasing some otherwise interesting lessons.

    First, explaining boxes is ok, but highlighting “this note is for bending” is really not. Not sure what the extended lesson looks like, but wouldn’t it be better to say this is the 5th of the chord, and by bending it a whole step it gets us into major pentatonic territory ? Same goes for other notes. Imho it’s better to know why and where the notes fit from a melodic point of view.

    Also I would point out that the lessons would have immense value if they contained a 2-3 minute sample jam/solo with tabs. Not only do the notes get explained in the musical context, but you can also show us phrasing, how licks flow and come together, and i dunno…just give the ppl purchasing the lesson something to play at the end of it.

    Generally speaking, breaking down the lesson into licks (you do show a lot of them, but there’s no breakdown) with tabs would make them absolutely fantastic.

    Hope you’re ok with me speaking my mind…I’m just telling you what would make ME buy a lesson.

    Br,
    Dani.

    [Reply]

    Anthony Stauffer ( StevieSnacks Teacher ) reply on May 13th, 2008:

    Hi Dani,

    I certainly don’t mind people offering feedback like this, and yours is a textbook definition of how to do it constructively.

    I meet one or two people ever couple of months who feel as you do, but I meet hundreds more who do not. Unfortunately, a lot of people who feel as you do have traditionally talked down to people who play without knowing the theory. I find myself in the middle because I know enough theory that i could do exactly as you suggest, however, I choose not to because that’s not how I learned this style of guitar. I’ll never fault someone like you for wanting to know more, and there are certainly resources for you to do so, but I’m also interested in helping the guitar players who just want to play something that makes them feel good.

    On the subject of licks, the purpose of this series of lessons was not to teach individual licks, but to build a common language for me to reference in later lessons where I teach full solos and explain them the licks in detail, along with tabs when purchased.

    [Reply]

    Dani reply on May 13th, 2008:

    Oh, I’m glad my comment turned out right. You’re obviously way more skilled than myself and I have no doubts about your theory knowledge,that’s why I had second thoughts before posting. You’re right, too many people patronize others to no particular reason.

    When reviewing my comment and the website (I’m also subscribed to your youtube channel) I took a step back and honestly was anticipating your answer. I saw the big picture and the way you’re building the whole teaching method. I guess I was focusing too much on one bit (this lesson) when I posted and what I personally wanted to get out of it.

    I’ll get the BB lesson of course, too bad I’m not so much into SRV (i like listening to him a lot, I just don’t see myself playing that, does that make sense?…hope so). However, I am in the process of viewing all your lessons I haven’t seen yet, and I will keep following you on youtube as well. I think the lessons are very well priced and I’ll get more in the future.

    Greetings from Romania,
    Dani.

    [Reply]

    Anthony Stauffer ( StevieSnacks Teacher ) reply on May 14th, 2008:

    I know exactly what you mean about being into a certain artist but just not wanting to play like them. There’s a ton of artists that I enjoy listening too, but never really felt like picking up the guitar to learn their stuff. Stevie was the opposite, I don’t listen to his music a lot when I’m not playing guitar, because my first reaction is to want to pick up my guitar and start learning.

    [Reply]

  3. Keith Says:
    April 27th, 2008 at 7:34 am

    Man This lesson was way cool.Once again you go into territory that most instructional dvd’s dont attempt. Bravo keep it up.

    [Reply]

  4. Dave Says:
    April 14th, 2008 at 12:40 pm

    Great stuff. Thanks.

    Could you comment on how you are able to mute out string noise on those wide bends?

    [Reply]

  5. Simon Says:
    March 4th, 2008 at 4:39 pm

    Is sound and vision in the second part of lesson 29 out of sync, or is it something my end?

    Your lessons are excellent, keep it going.

    Thanks Simon

    [Reply]

    Anthony Stauffer ( StevieSnacks Teacher ) reply on March 4th, 2008:

    Hi Simon,

    Looks alright to me, are you watching it here, or on youtube?

    [Reply]

  6. mike s Says:
    March 1st, 2008 at 8:06 pm

    on the full lesson,there is a view of the bridge of your guitar,why the mixture of saddles?

    [Reply]

    Anthony Stauffer ( StevieSnacks Teacher ) reply on March 2nd, 2008:

    Half GraphTech string saddles to reduce breakage on higher strings, half standard for brighter low end.

    [Reply]

  7. mike Says:
    March 1st, 2008 at 8:06 am

    I have been playing for over 35years and was stuck in a circle. you have opened the door that has been shut for years. I really enjoy playing again thanks so much. I will be PAYING for further instruction.

    [Reply]

    Anthony Stauffer ( StevieSnacks Teacher ) reply on March 2nd, 2008:

    I love helping someone find their way off a plateau. Thanks Mike.

    [Reply]

  8. Bob W. Says:
    February 29th, 2008 at 11:40 pm

    Haven’t purchased the lesson yet, but just looking over the free one I can pretty much see this is an outstanding job. You have no idea what you’re doing for so many guitarists out there, this is really priceless stuff. Thanks.

    [Reply]

    Anthony Stauffer ( StevieSnacks Teacher ) reply on March 2nd, 2008:

    Thanks Bob.

    I do have some idea. I remember how long it took me to figure this stuff out without any help :)

    [Reply]