Do you want to learn one of the most popular slide guitar songs of all time? If you said yes, then you definitely have to learn Statesboro Blues by the Allman Brothers Band. Originally written by Willie McTell in 1928 and was remade by the Allman Brothers Band on their excellent live album “Live at the Fillmore East.”
Anyone that wants to learn to play slide guitar, MUST learn this song. The slide guitar licks are just tasty, lyrical, and the epitome of electric slide guitar.
I’m going to show you the first 2 licks of the song contained in the intro. This could be one of the most recognizable slide guitar intros in history. So break out those coricidin bottles.
The first 2 slide licks use major and minor notes all located around the 8th and 10th fret. There are a couple of notes around the 17th and 14th fret which are the 5th and major 3rd intervals in the key of D. The phrasing and articulation are just top notch.
Check it out.
So go and check out Statesboro Blues and absorb some of the best slide guitar licks ever created. If you would like to learn more about open e tuning slide guitar, I”ve developed 6 DVDs on how to play this kind of slide guitar style. Check them out here.
What is your favorite Duane Allman Solo?
I would say the solo after the bass solo in Mountain Jam from Eat A Peach…showcases all of Duane’s gifts on standard tuned slide and straight playing…very spiritual, high guitar playing…
I’d say the best Duane Allman solo in Open E has to be the resonator licks he lays down on Cowboy’s “Please Be with Me” off the Anthology album. This is some of his best melodic improvisation, that and the lead on “Blue Sky” off Eat a Peach.