If you’re looking to play blues guitar like a master, then you will have to start learning the incredible blues guitar licks of Johnny Winter. This blues guitarist is not as well known as SRV, or Eric Clapton, but he is just as good. Let me tell you this guy smokes! In this blues guitar lesson, I’m going to show you how to play in the style of Johnny Winter.
So how do you learn to play guitar like Johnny Winter?
Well, first you will need to learn the minor pentatonic scale. This is the scale he uses the most, along with the blues scale, and the major pentatonic scale.
You will then need to develop some speed. Johnny Winter played some very fast, very precise blues licks. He used fingerpicks as well, but you don’t have to use them to imitate him. His style is very similar to SRV, and requires a lot of chops to execute his amazing blues guitar licks. His finger vibrato is also amazing!
On the album 3rd Degree, the title track gives you some killer licks to learn. Also check out “See See Baby”, a shuffle that would make Freddie King proud. If you haven’t heard this album or song, then you are truly missing out on some of the best blues guitar you have ever heard. It really is that good.
Johnny makes excellent use of the minor pentatonic scale in many of his solos. Many of his licks are fiery, bluesy, and outright dirty! This is the blues at it’s finest.
Here’s a common phrase used during that solo in “3rd Degree”.
This style of blues guitar is really exciting, and will launch your blues guitar playing to a new level. I have put together a complete course that will help you to play this style of blues guitar. Check them out here.
Johnny Winter is among the best blues guitarist of all time.
The 3rd Degree album is a must have for all blues fans and a must learn for all blues guitar students.
Can we have more of him, John?
Johnny Winter is probably my favorite blues guitarist. Hes up there in my mind with Billy Gibbons, Duane Allman, Clapton, Thorogood and a couple of not as well known telecaster gods Danny Gatton and Roy Buchanan….to list a few…
Johnny Winter is a master at slide, he usually plays in open e or a. he mostly plays a Gibson Firebird, also uses a Erlewine Lazer Headless Guitar. He also has the perfect voice to fit his smoky texas blues-rock style.
For people that dont listen to him or want to, i think i have every one of his cds, some good ones to start with: Captured Live! and Progressive Blues Experiments to start.
He is an albino. he is 62 years old but looks much older due to his disease. He is now blind and cant walk. he also cant sing the same style he used to. Its pretty sad. He can still play very good, but nowhere near his heyday. Go out and buy a few albums
Thanks for the comments. Yes, Johnny Winter is one of the greats. I think he has some of the best blues guitar licks out there.
I saw Johnny Winter at Smithe’s Old Bar in Atlanta this past October.
I was three feet away from him.
When they put the guitar in his hands there was no age, no disease, no blindness.
Just sheer talent – and it is still coming through loud and clear.
He was awesome.
I had never heard of him before today when I received John’s email about him and then I followed the link to view some of his stuff on You tube. I gotta say I am really impressed by him and will probably have to get some of his albums now. Is this guy related to Edgar Winter?
Hey I even know his brother EDGER WINTERS. You see I grew up in the Early 60’s
My second home was San Francisco. Winterland and the Filmore, So yes I grew up around alot of San Francisco’s Groups Besides Mr. Bill Graham made alot of know
Groups from the West Coast. So let’s really talk sometime alot
See Ya
Paul Muratore
Check out his Second Winter album. It is my favorite of his.
We can also thank Johnny for bring back Muddy Waters. Johnny produced Muddy’s comeback albums that revitalized Muddy’s career in the years before his death.
Johnny winter was the first concert I ever went to – at the Spectrum in Philadelphia in 1972. Nice to see he’s getting recognition from you since you don’t hear so much about him anymore
I’ve been a fan of Johnny Winter since his first recording of “Johnny B Good” and have followed his career since. His version of BB King’s “Rock me Baby” is one of my all time favorite songs. His acoustic stuff is pretty awesome as well such as “Dallas”. In the 70’s he won a grammy for producing and played on Muddy Waters comeback album “Hard Again” which is in my top 10 greatest Blues albums lever list. I’ve seen him a couple of times in last 2 years and he is phenominal. Check him out on Eric Claptons, Chicago Crossroads DVD. You can tell that Derek Trucks is awestruck watching Johnny play “Highway 61 Revisited” on the DVD.
That’s for the comments. Good to see everybody’s a big fan. That Rock Me Baby is really rocking!
yep, love Johnny Winter–big fan of the Sinners andSaints album, and love his track with Mike Bloomfield on the Live at the Fillmore East album. One of my all time favourite blues rock players though is Rory Gallagher. Check him out, too. He is criminally overlooked.
Johnny is the man,
i have:
Texas tornado
hey where is your brother?
Im a bluesman
the return of johnny guitar
I love is music.
great slide player too, dont forget his voice eather. what can i say, just listen to his music!
to really appreciate his playing, check out “it’s my own fault” from Johnny Winter and…just killer! Also, I really like divin duck and his best is prolly Rock me baby from still alive and well 73…if you can nail those chops, then you are one fine guitarist–so fast and so precise–no wasted notes–none…too bad about his health…for all you SRV fans, I’m sorry but this guy is better, faster and much more knowledgeable…I read once that he has listened to every blues record made–I’m not at all surprised!
I have about 32 Johnny Winter albums. They are all good. For first time buyers I would recommend these bluesy albums:
Progressive Blues Experiment
Johnny Winter
Second Winter Legacy Edition (includes a second disk of a live concert)
White, Hot, and Blue (combined with Nothing But the Blues–both great)
Third Degree
Winter of ’88
Live in NYC ’97
For Rock Captured Live and Still Alive and Well are excellent.
They are all good, but beware there is a lot of repackagings of stuff prior to 1969 that is so so. Go to johnnywinter.net and look at the discography. Those are all good albums.
I would love to see some of Johnny’s slide work on a DVD. Maybe some Mojo Boogie or Black Cat Bone or Mean Town Blues?
Nobody, not,nobody, embodies the essence of blues/rock like Johnny Winter.My life was changed when I heard “Still Alive and Well”, and “John Dawson Winter III”.That was 1977.Vinyl.My new bride and I saw him at Alex Cooley’s Electric/Agora Ballroom on Peahtree Street,Atlanta, GA. Across the street from the Fox Theatre.1978.His guitar has a life unlike any others.His worst is better than most’s best.
I know exactly where that’s at. I live not too far from there. I’m sure that was an amazing show! Thanks for the comment. :)
I was introduced to johnny Winter by agroup of Blues and rock fanatics who lived across the street from me in NY and the album there were no cds then was the progressive blues experiment which was like Johnny winter’s debut album. I Like his slide better than anyone I do love Duane but Johnny is on fire for example Highway 61,Meantown Blues and his Johnny Winter and LIVE was a staple in everybodies collection…..Also his slide on Medicine Man on the cd Let me in is also great ……..Alligator records has one I enjoy called Gun Sliinger and the cut Iodine in my coffee is just sends shivers down my spine as well as the MUDDY WATERS cd Hard Again which Mr. Winter’s handy work is heard all the way through. I have seen him about 6 times he always played the Schaeffer music festival ……..and John you yourself are a monster guitarist…..thanks for your website it’s a killler
ya’ll arre so right on. Man, johnny cooks. I’d haave to say my fave is johnny’s rollin’ and tumblin’. Try and stay cought up to his playing. He also played on Muddy’s album called the Johnny winteer sessions and it is very bluesy. Just can’t tire of the man. I appreciate your site. Finally, some decent blues! Also Breakin’ it up and Breakin’;it down with jw mw and james cotton is excellkent. Listen to Dealin’ with the devil. Party on!
i love johnny winter his second winter album is the one i like