5 Classic T-Bone Walker Licks 'Mean Old World' (with free tablature)

5 of my favourite T-Bone phrases from his incredible intro guitar solo from 'Mean Old World' off his 1959 album T-Bone Blues.
Along with the link to the tab I will also include a link to the original recording at the end of this description.
In my opinion there is so much to be gained by going back and studying the styles of pioneering players like T-Bone Walker. While there are many incredible modern players with amazing chops and creativity, I feel like many of the qualities that make T-Bone great have been kind of ignored by lots of guitarists.
Firstly consider his rich and varied rhythmic language...his command of rhythm and his ability to play around with the beat is just so damn inspiring. To have any hope of playing these phrases with any conviction you need to have a solid understanding of where the beat is at all times (ideally you should be tapping your foot only on the beat as you try to play the lick along with the recording).
On the recording he is using a fairly clean tone but his playing is full of accents and dynamics with a pick attack that ranges everywhere from delicate to aggressive.
Also take note when listening to his accents that they don't just happen on the beat (very common for many players) but in all the areas in-between the beat too. This ability to take a jab at notes in different parts of the beat brings a vitality and hipness to his phrases.
Guys like T-Bone didn't practise endlessly running up and down scales they practised by just playing music and playing musically to serve the song. When reading the tablature you will notice that many of the licks feature sixteenth note rhythms....T-Bone doesn't always play those with a strict straight feel as he often swings them instead. Again you will need to listen closely to the master to pick up on these beautiful subtleties.
Lick 1 - bars 4-7 of the first chorus
Lick 2 bars 7-8 second chorus
Lick 3 - bars 10-12 second chorus
Lick 4 bars 1-3 third chorus
Lick 5 bars 5-7 fourth and final chorus
drive.google.c...
• Mean Old World
If interested in Skype lessons (particularly for blues guitar styles) please message my Facebook. $60 AUD for an hour - if you are in Europe or the US your currency is much stronger than the Australian dollar.
/ bliblibluesg. .

[@vividmushroom]

sensational. Thanks now I have some funky blues to practice tmr!

[@mattmikkelsen]

Thanks for the comment, much appreciated!

[@Escrublet]

Great video. Spot on, just what i was looking for.

[@user-qo6wk9uh2v]

Do you have tab for the first few licks / intro of Mean world t bone walker ?

[@mattmikkelsen]

Thanks for the question. I don't, but when I get a chance I might work them out and put something up.

[@ibrasoetandyo728]

Hey man can you do rory gallagher next?

[@mattmikkelsen]

Hey Farrel, I sure can!