Play the Blues Like...: Charley Patton

Not enough can be said about the influence of Charley Patton, a musician who is widely considered the father of the Delta blues. Patton played many styles, from deep blues to hillbilly songs to 19th-century ballads and other forms of country dance music. He achieved a bold sound by tuning his guitar up a step and a half, which gave his slide playing a bright and articulate panache. In this lesson, you’ll look at how he played in open G, up a minor third (F Bb F Bb D F).