For better or worse, Stevie Ray Vaughan is a dominating figure in the blues world. So much so that anyone who picks up a Stratocaster and plays notes from the pentatonic scale is automatically labeled an SRV clone. Anthony Stauffer, who runs StevieSnacks, which is a site that teaches how to play in the style of SRV, knows this all to well. In a recent post titled Blues is More Than SRV, he talks about why you shouldn’t be deterred in playing SRV-style music, if that’s what moves you:
If you want to play like SRV, then by all means, tackle that pursuit with everything you’ve got. Ignore the critics and get all that your heart can hold or your fingers can bear. As you learn to play the music you love, you’ll be more happy than anyone who criticizes, but don’t expect them to realize that. Do it because you love it, not because you want to please anybody.
I couldn’t agree more. There are people who seem to thrive in putting other people down. Don’t let them stop you from doing something you love.
I should note that if you do want to play in the style of SRV, Stauffer’s lessons are the best I’ve seen in explaining how to play in that style. He’s not only an excellent guitarist, but an excellent teacher.
i saw srv play twice and the first time i was speechless after the concert. i had never seen anyone play that well. it was a smaller convention center in edmonton, alberta so he was on the floor with the rest of us. we got a real first hand look. man i would like to see that again.he had awesome licks no question but i think the thing that impressed me most was his timing and sense of rhythm. of course his band was awesome too.
I figure the pentatonic scale was good enough for Jimi Hendrix, and it’s good enough for me too.