Lightnin' Hopkins' Twelve-Bar Blues Licks | Reverb Learn to Play

Jeff Massey is back to teach us how to play some Lightnin' Hopkins twelve-bar blues. The Texan bluesman's techniques work beautifully on both acoustic and electric guitars due to the use of single-note lines. So pick up any guitar you have handy, and follow along with Jeff.
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[@freddymclain4955]

Lightnin' seldom, if ever, confined a twelve-bar blues to twelve bars. Usually, they counted out to, say 17 bars, or some other strange thing. You never knew when he'd go to the four-chord. You sat there on the edge of your chair waiting for it. It always came around, sooner or later.+ To me, that's what made Lightnin' such a dynamic player. I know this about him because i once played bass with him in a downtown Houston club. I made no money, but it didn't matter.

[@Eralen00]

nobody does it like him. something deep and mysterious behind that voice of his and the way he played

[@Colinshreds69]

@@Eralen00 bc he felt what he was saying and playing. No big orchestra blues

[@blakebarrilleaux8073]

Dude, you made gold.

[@charlesmohelsky4823]

That’s absolutely right! There’s a story about Billy Gibbons and lLightning playing together. Lightning doesn’t change for the typical turnaround. Billy says”you missed the change”. Lightning says “Lightning change when Lightning wants to change”. Evidently Billy agreed and they went on to change when lightning felt like it. That is a boss move for sure.

[@danielstoddart]

Lightnin' is absolutely one of my fave guitar players. It took me a long time to figure out what he was doing because I was only listening to his records. I'm still not sure what he was doing! For a while I thought he was playing an electric because of his style. When I found out he was playing a Gibson acoustic with a pickup attached, I was blown away. I'm still fascinated by the unschooled and wild nature of his playing. I'd give just about anything to be able to play with the feeling he gets, especially on records like "Mojo Hand" or the Herald Sessions recordings.

[@kevdean9967]

Lightning never played consistent 12 bar blues as he was so famously quoted "Lightnin change when Lightnin want to change"

[@cuauhtemocmorisco3493]

Yeah😂

[@waylonjr]

I heard Steve Earle tell that story....

[@stephenbouchelle7706]

That’s kind of why I play alone, uh, but not quite so well.

[@porterhall27]

Hooker was the same..listen to some of his stuff with a backing band in the 60s..they have no idea what he is doing!

[@bencade6848]

inertia27 yeah, just goes to show how amazing of a harmonica player Alan Wilson was on the Hooker n Heat record, because he always manages to keep up with John. If I remember rightly, John remarks something about how Wilson must’ve really studied him.

[@poodie2814]

Good to see lightnin hopkins getting some love.

[@bill1388]

Greatest ever

[@12babyapes59]

He is never on a greatest guitarist list , always the same players

[@paulkersey1007]

I wished this man was my guitar teacher. He got it right on the head. Also if Lightnin was sitting down with him, here's be so proud that his legacy lives on through such a great guitar player

[@johnhmaloney]

Great lesson. Lightnin' Hopkins is one of my favorite blues players.

[@juana1483]

Thumb for "Low string duties," now you are true soulful blues guitarist. Excellent!

[@jojomama4787]

Yeah,L.Hopkins was one of the greats,loved his music,still do!Thanks!!!

[@Goatchild90]

The day I learn to play like this I'm gonna give up women and play blues for the rest of my life

[@gustavoramos3572]

You say that now, but women are the reason we play the blues

[@andrewbeattieRAB]

@@gustavoramos3572 AMENONAT

[@youssef7253]

The blues is about women

[@joeywilliams9700]

But, you cannot get the blues without a woman around to give you the blues. You can lose everything you have, and still be happy with your woman there to cushion the blow. And you can have everything in the world and if you lose your true woman you won’t have nobody to truly share it with. And then you’re singing the blues, playa. Take it from an old pro. My true love got leukemia at the age of 25 and died 2 years later. That was 1995-1997 and I been singin the blues all these last goin on 24 years now. There would be no blues without the lost love that makes you feel like a ghost yourself. Now, I’ll just be down here stretched out asleep behind the bottles on the bottom shelf. 😂😂😂

[@nelsonhibbert5267]

You guys don't know shit about the blues. Only one man that you can learn it all from: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mHLYlZltabd2e9U

[@sanjayr328]

Thank you , great job bringing forgotten heroes and their techniques to life

[@kevinmalone8903]

My favorite lesson guy @ Reverb

[@johnkonefall5722]

Thank you for the lesson Jeff Massey great guitarist for the Steepwater band

[@geo4983]

What a beautiful guitar

[@shotty2164]

Lightening Hopkins is the only player I want to sound like. He inspired so many greats as well.

[@hangzhoujack]

I love it! Lightin Hopkins was a huge influence on my playing. I love how you break it down and get to the essence of his essential licks and sounds.

[@benjaminachenbach8426]

Great lesson. Opened up alot of lightnins playing for me

[@dandelcastillo8176]

Nice to see someone using the Fender Ron Emory guitar. Wonder if he even knows who Ron Emory is or would even appreciate his playing, if not he should. One of the best Punk guitarists.

[@Tanglangfa]

This totally nailed his style. Thanks!

[@batman48195]

Great lesson. Loved it!

[@mathuwhycough6591]

Lightenin’ rules!!

[@kentbeery8653]

great lesson

[@bargeyl]

Thank you. Exactly what I was looking for.

[@pottingshedgene]

What a superb lesson. Beautifully explained. ThanK you.

[@john-michaelself9429]

Great lesson on how to play in Lightnin's lick! Now, as you know, it isn't really difficult to replicate the sound, but hell, I don't think anyone can ever replicate Lightnin's feel or attitude. The man was somethin' else, let me tell ya! I love his parts on the Brownie McGhee/Sonny Terry/Big Joe Williams Folk Festival recordings.

[@alexandreanonimous7056]

Brilliant 👏 lick... the key of E allows us to use our fingers more openly I think like on drop D... Using just hands on strings we definitely get a great acoustic sound instead of a pick which is faster to get a grip on electric guitar

[@woodyalien8617]

THXS great-teaching, you help me to get the blue note, just the good balance between words & licks!

[@garrettbaker2320]

Great lesson and awesome recording of that fine instrument.

[@chadwickpainter8212]

Amazing job. Thank you for this vid.

[@premierfuncasino]

Great display without showing off..well done. 👍

[@rdmkeytohwy]

Very good lesson, inspiring and not impossible to do with a little practice. Love acoustic blues and love Lightnin' Hopkins. Thanks for this and would love to see more....maybe Son House, Robert Johnson, Charley Patton, Skip James to name a few. Love that Fender parlor guitar.....not sure i have seen one like that before.

[@DaSoul95]

Boromir playing some killer blues

[@krisscanlon4051]

Another video keep em coming Jeff

[@bordebomb6631]

Truly excellent video man...cheers

[@aldito7586]

NICE Jeff !!!

[@williamkoppos7039]

Cool love that Lightnin'. Thank You.

[@michaeldinunzio3002]

Great demo!

[@fretlessuncle]

Great stuff!

[@diannedavis5443]

Wow. That Fender sounds goooooooood.

[@wjb8855]

Very well done.. I've been playing for 40+ and always interested in other players styles and interpretations. One of the best explained and presented post's. Keep going, I will be following & recommending for sure. Thank you. Lt William B... U.S.Army ret.

[@hozayatlarge]

awesome lesson, thank you

[@sergekorkine]

Great lesson, thnx.

[@zapapelttari8226]

Thank you.

[@LuisEB100]

Great lesson, learned a lot in a few seconds. Greetings from a Colombian bluesman.

[@drutgat2]

Love this. Thank you so much for the lesson. How about a similar analysis of Freddie King's licks? And perhaps just a little more explanation of the fingering of the licks. Thanks.

[@hart709]

awesome bro - thanks

[@buzzlightyear1191]

Cool stuff just what i been looking for so thanks

[@billyosdynamitemusic4982]

This is why we love him teaching at our shop!

[@lawrenceklein4918]

Mr. Steepwater Blues! Very nice!

[@GregoLT]

Great!

[@jean-marcmorin1549]

100% Perfect!!!!!!

[@Bjornlundstrom]

Good stuff

[@nickjimenez6138]

Love lightening love the lesson.

[@arunbalagopalan8610]

Really tasty stuff. Also reminds me of some of Clapton's acoustic like Drifting Blues.

[@etiennevanonselen7949]

One of my favourites...It a sin to be rich...would appreciate it if you'd cover that song...Peace and Love

[@bittty420]

Nice tutorial Dude 😎

[@user-hw8ti1sp9q]

thanks

[@etiennevanonselen7949]

Respect

[@musicinflames]

Another great lesson. Thanks Reverb!

[@dieterhorvat5176]

Damn what a great vid. Ligntnin' personified

[@andrewbeattieRAB]

EXCELLENT VIDEO Lightnin Hopkins is the only style I actually play which is weird considering I am a Country fan. His style is a full blown addiction. It’s just you and a guitar. No backing tracks. Yep, change cords when you damn well please. 🎸

[@mark130471]

Wow, thank you very much. Thank just opened a door for me :-)

[@michaellaverty1844]

Good lesson. When asked just what is the Blues Lightin replied, seems to me it’s a mixture of the greens and yellows.

[@skatetodeath666]

My goodness your middle finger has a mind of its own. Thanks for the lesson ;)

[@jojomama4787]

NOT a j160 but a j50,basically a j45 but with a blonde(natural) top...great info,thanks!

[@cyclesgoff9768]

OMG 😱 A Fender acoustic that I actually looks good, who knew.

[@NickleJ]

Yeah, we all know Lightnin had a Gibson, but lets not forget he started on a handful of Harmony guitars, and continued using them here-and-there, especially the H-165.

[@David32Finkbeiner]

Litterally was just listening to him in the car on my way home

[@Prince.Hamlet]

Thanks for the tips!! i love how you say the letter of the string instead of the number. great job :)

[@rickharmon3513]

thanks for that. used to be hard to find anyone doing lighting. how bout some skip james please.

[@nicolen.9642]

I love Lightnin' Hopkins... I'm a (late) beginner and I try to grasp this unique style (as that of Robert Johnson Delta blues). But I'm stuck in the 12 bar blues basics... the blues scale has helped a little but I appreciate your video. Thanks!

[@andersingram]

Super tasty ... :) Do one on T. Bone Walker pleese :)

[@b.j.thomas8606]

Tab? This is amazing...If I could make those sounds I would jam forever and ne happy!

[@AfrosAllAround]

B.J. Thomas not a direct tab but if you look up 52weeksofblues.com there is the tab for bring me my shotgun. You can use this as a rough guide.

[@lamper2]

can you analyze "EVALENA" by Tampa Red?

[@jonahj567]

Great stuff. Does anyone know if these licks are in major or minor pentatonic?

[@jonbeck2391]

Finally simple blues. Thanks

[@TenThumbsProductions]

Damn, I got that same parlor guitar, first time I’ve seen it in a tutorial that isn’t mine! 😂

[@slinhans]

what is that model? Super nice!

[@garrettbaker2320]

I just bought one of the $219 Fender Parlor guitars. I love it! But the one shown here is awesome! None on ebay....dang.

[@ficheye00]

I'd really love some information about what the forefinger is doing. I am always thinking the the forefinger and middle finger are involved in picking out the melody, but I see that you are just using the forefinger. This would be a good topic to cover since a lot of us spend considerable time thinking about what to do with the right hand while going through the changes with our left. It causes 'hiccups' during the transition from one chord to the other.

[@chaunceyhulbert7264]

I wasnt taught classical fingerpicking technique so I dont strictly adhere to the whole thumb on the E and A string and the pointer middle ring and pinky for the D G and e strings so I basically cheat my way by just using my thumb and forefinger. But thats just me.

[@winstonchurchill624]

Dennis Hastings Most of the old blues players just used their thumb and first finger, I’m not entirely sure what you’re confused about so I hope that helps.

[@gutoman1]

jeff, a pefect lesson, any change of getting tabs? just beginner acoustic blues player, love lightning, it is very fast, please help

[@reddmann2216]

Personally I would have kept stock high back VW and installed 6 point harness to keep you in place,less work and weight, safer end result and lighter, but my bug is a toy and not meant for comfort over long periods...I have a 59

[@johnrobie9694]

Almost of all these were copped by Clapton (who uses them both acoustic and electric); which I copped without knowing they were actually from Lightnin' Hopkins.

[@holgergallion6209]

¿how is every string tuned ? please detail tellme because only i touched guitar for 10 minutes in my whole life up to know and it seems to be basic in order to start work one friend she told me that if i don't know how to 'play' guitar in order to accompany the gathering i could use just the outer e-strings and altogerher it was a nice slam jam but now(2020 vs 2004) i want more and tuning strings seems to be the first step my brother ( some guys from romania talked the guitar out of me, able and willing to play,) so once e guitar is within under grip how to tune it like lightning would ?

[@Harry-zc8rg]

Love these, but T-Bone Walker please? The Originator to use Little Richard's term. Without T-Bone and Charlie Christian the electric guitar would not be instrument it is today, or should I say it was yesterday

[@keyworldlock]

กีตาร์สวย

[@ShineDawg]

2:56

[@sellmeyoursoul6601]

man acoustic fenders get a bad rep but this one sounds great

[@boringbadger]

I am new player guitar,what the best guitar tuning to play blues?

[@PookieQDB]

fighters 606 you can play the blues in any tuning, really, it’s just a feeling. But standard is fine, and open D and open G are popular depending on what artists you wanna play in the style of.

[@TheErikjsm]

Standard if youre not playing any slide like elmore james for example, some players like srv and hendrix used to tune down their guitar sometimes but id say dont bother standard works just fine

[@jojomama4787]

Glad to hear you're into the blues,just the standard tuning is what you want and when you get a few YEARS under your belt the different tunings will come natural...good luck to you,your on a wonderful trip!

[@finnylettuce8566]

JoJo Mama you don’t need years under your belt to get into open styles

[@jojomama4787]

@@finnylettuce8566 no you certainly don't but I believe by putting time into normal tuning,other tunings will be easier to deal with but on the other hand I've seen brand new players start with a E or G tuning so they can bar all the strings with one finger and get complete chords,guess it depends

[@Blackflame_Monk]

What guitar is that?

[@Sldumas1983]

Lightning is also the Elder Cousin to Albert The iceman Collins

[@gfunkehauser502]

anyone know the model of that guitar?

[@billnelson9413]

Gabriel Farao Fender Ron Emory

[@cromagnon2620]

FYI Hopkins like being 1 tone higher

[@brandonrose582]

“Used a J-160” proceeds to show footage of Lightnin’ using his iconic J-50 with the dearmond sound-hole pickup.... I am sure he did use a J-160 at some point for recording or something, but that was not his most “iconic” guitar.

[@brandonrose582]

Great lesson though!!! 👍

[@billyosdynamitemusic4982]

Nice job Jeff Massey!

[@drewskidmore9392]

Came to the comments section to see who else noticed.

[@jojomama4787]

Yep,you're absolutely correct,never seen him with a j160,he always had that J50... Thanks for noticing!

[@juanangelo7732]

Tabs

[@davisworth5114]

Lightnin never played a J-160 and he wouldn't put a p/up in it because it because a J-160 has a p/up. mostly played a j-45 or J-50 Gibson.

[@lizziewicked]

Would have been much improved just by adding tab

[@alialdoukhi2014]

damn this guy is handsome, cant focus on the lesson lmao

[@shelbylawson5130]

Y do u seem like u gotta go so fast to learn people especially when it's called SLOW blues..i would not recommend this to anyone trying to learn from u