Soloing Secrets - Albert King

Hey everyone! Here's the next episode of Soloing Secrets with Albert King. I've had a number of requests to feature the legendary Albert King, along with showcasing more blues and blues-rock music and this lesson hits all of that material (and more) - so let's dive in!
The music and examples in this lesson were pulled from three classic Albert King albums - including his legendary Born Under A Bad Sign, along with the albums Lovejoy and I Wanna Get Funky. The material covered here includes Albert's expressive bending/vibrato technique (including his signature index finger bending moves), the legendary "Albert King Box" pentatonic fingering, not to mention licks and sections from solos from classic Albert King songs, such as Born Under A Bad Sign, Crosscut Saw, For The Love Of A Woman, Playing On Me, and much more!
Needless to say, if you're an Albert King fan, a blues or blues-rock player, a player searching for more insight into expressive bending string bending and melodic blues-based phrasing - this lesson is totally for you! Give this episode a view, leave some comments/feedback, and please subscribe to Late Night Lessons - THANK YOU!
Become a Patreon supporter of Late Night Lessons for only $5 (or more) each month and gain access to PDF notation/tab files of these lessons. Thank you!
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[@LateNightLessons]

Hey gang! Just a heads up, but I literally posted this video from a Denny's today, as the power has been out here since 4pm yesterday. I guess you can call me crazy or dedicated, but...I DID IT! I made this episode just before the power went out yesterday, and since that time I've been trying to find a place to upload it - Denny's won! Anyway, enjoy and I'll be back once the power comes back on! \m/ ROCK ON \m/

[@halbertking2683]

Robert Nighthawk , Eli's Place 1964 you tube video .

[@jeffbaker8074]

Hope you got a grand slam while you were there!

[@joemama32100]

Wow, now that's dedication.

[@BillCollinsGuitar]

Now that's dedication. Rock on!

[@EnterTamed]

Andy Aledort said Buddy Guy told him that; Albert King got his unique microtonal style listening to "Diddley Bow" Players👈

[@buddylobos5277]

Albert was somebody you didn't want to have problems with backstage before the show. The promoters wife got bumped and spilled her large hot coffee right on his chest. Really thought he was going to explode. He looked at us and said, "oh, that's alright Honey. I'm Ok." Then he went out and started and the front of the stage were 5-6 large Black women yelling, "Play the Thrill is Gone" . They kept yelling until several songs later he stopped & explained that was his cousin BB King and he's Albert King. He sighed big and played "The Thrill is Gone" . Could it have been worse? I don't know. But man he played hard and was very happy at the end. Took his cash and left. Great lesson Dave. You would have loved him. He was happy & tough at the same time. A true legend and showman. So glad for that nite. My friends wife, 50 years later, still apologizes for the hot coffee. (That was at the Cabooze in Minneapolis by the U of M. Still runnin')

[@jimfolkers8463]

Perfect timing, I've been learning blues licks and have been listening to Albert King. The SRV and Albert King in session performance is amazing. Thanks for the lesson!

[@atticusfinch4687]

Dave as always is The Man! Thanks for all the great work!

[@berniesmith8089]

Thanks, Dave. I've been waiting for this one!

[@elizabethanderson2968]

One of the 3 Kings ... this channel churns out pure quality and essential musicology learning! x

[@PistolsPlayground]

Index finger bends are something I copped from Albert. You can use them to great effect, and they're not really expected by most listeners. Especially when you adapt them to to playing genres outside the blues.

[@robertoortiz3501]

Dave is always melting faces, so many knowledge... Thanks for the lesson, man... Born under a bad sign is one of my favorites blues albums! Next, do a Buddy Guy lesson if you can... Wink wink... Lol 😁

[@jerrywilson4371]

I think Albert (as well as being left handed) strung his guitar upside down. Added to his unique phrasing. He's bending by pulling when most of us push and vice versa. Thank God for Albert King. The world is better for him having been here

[@davidpaul6656]

I believe your comment could apply to Eric Gales as well. Talk about strange phrasing.

[@billvillamusic3625]

@@davidpaul6656Gales is a beast!

[@slimturnpike]

Plus he played in open tunings only most often open Em.

[@davidsummerville351]

You really dialed into a great tone for this episode.

[@coonpoon1]

Great lesson Dave! such an important musician, clapton, vaughn, bonamassa, and so, so many more. What I found interesting was the tuning. Have to try that. Thanks

[@arthur9924]

Albert was a real genius and his sweet but biting tone is pure joy to my ears. I love your lessons and playing, thanks man!

[@aminahmed2220]

Absolutely fantastic have a wonderful day also happy first week of summer ❤❤❤❤❤❤😊😊😊😊😊😊

[@voronOsphere]

Beautiful & Intense Blues Flavor!!! Albert King! Thanks, David!

[@ateliergallez7594]

great lesson !!! very helpfull! thank you very much !

[@mikeandrulonis6553]

What a great lesson. I'm impressed at the mileage you got out of that Albert King box. Inspiring!

[@billyknowdownside5026]

Your Engagement is off the charts! Wow thanks for fighting the good fight for us. You know you just wanted some Denny's Gran Slam. Cheers you are killin it

[@BungleJoogie68]

I always played it in C# standard on my SG to kinda get the low end but also have it for Sabbath. I couldn't justify having an SG in C# for one band

[@PedroSilvaMusic]

Those riffs are great. Fantastic lesson 🤟🤠🤟

[@greg77hot]

Thanks DAVE !!! We love all the kings...but Albert is just soooo cool

[@vdverteder0]

My fav Blues Player, thanks for the lesson!❤

[@b.rodclark334]

Stax era (1966-74) is THE best time of Mr. King's career. From his live albums (Live Wire: Blues Power and the posthumous Wednesday/Thursday Night In San Francisco), as well as most studio recordings, I've always listened to how he tuned his open strings while he played.

[@jamescampbell2829]

Excellent lesson

[@keithcourneyea1609]

Sweet. I have a guitar in d standard. Gonna be practicing this tomorrow

[@voronOsphere]

11:43 Albert King Box explained

[@grantburns7299]

It would be awesome if u could do a lesson on Bernie Marsden or Micky Moody. The guitarists of early whitesnake.

[@coalfacechris1336]

Thanks for busting the proverbial to get this one done, Dave. Be safe.

[@DanaDeerwester]

Just getting a V Gibson. Thanks David!👏👏💯💯💙💜🤍❤

[@myyootube2]

I had a VHS live A.K. tape from the 80's and in the coda they talked about figuring out his tuning. The had a camera on his hand for everything he played and by analyzing each frame to it's sound they indeed came up with this tuning. HOWEVER... They said that they could only assume the lowest tone string was a C because... he never played it once in the entire show! Perhaps low C is a proven fact, but I posit that there is another possibility that would make sense (that low C could be a bit wonky on a Flying V). Alternatively, one could easily tune the 5th AND 6th strings to unison F's. Gives you a solid, can't miss tonic on the bottom. I've done open G tuning in this manner and I like the way it works.

[@davidpaul6656]

Albert was a huge influence on SRV

[@bryanmoraski7005]

Thanks Dave. Love it !

[@DanaDeerwester]

Thanks David 👏👏💯💯💜🤍💙❤

[@hod8931]

thanks played his stuff since 72

[@derekclacton]

Someone cut the cable with a crosscut saw, David? 🤔

[@gergemall]

Thank you Dave ❤

[@G_4213]

Your like the cool big brother I never had!

[@tombombadill22]

Amazing

[@logeyewill]

Thanks tor the first class lesson. Thanks 4 sharing.. know any one in Lake Zurich....copper kitchen.

[@PieIX]

Good day (night). Great lesson.! Subscribed. Question: How essential is the down tune.? I do know the change in sound adds a certain over all mood. Is it also a matter of string tension i.e. makes the bending easier? Of course it does help a vocalist out if needed. I guess the question is: Do you feel that the down tune is essential for the learning of Albert King's licks? Stupid question I guess 'cause the obvious answer would be "no" but overall do you recommend tuning down for this ?

[@Marcnshae2011]

Great video! Big Al is a legend!! Are those half step index finger bends in his box or whole steps?

[@stratman9449]

cheers Dave...nice one...i like it....also 1st riff very much like one of ZZtops rythm part and a "Eric" solo on top of it....yep...good stuff....thx Eric copied Albert nearly one to one there....and i think Erics best era was his mid to late 60s gibson time....once "cream" split it was game over for me....

[@damonstewart70]

Albert King...STRENGTH GIANT!!! The father of steve ray Vaughan. Please do RONNIE EARL

[@jonwanrocks]

yes sir

[@AnnemarieStanton]

Albert had to tune the guitar in a specific way with specific tensions because he played the guitar and actually stringed upside down...nor like hendrix who strung up normal with an upside guitar ...albert played with the high e at the top etc !

[@bluevd12]

great sound on yur amp what are yu runnin thru?

[@simonvanderheijden432]

Some cheap Behringer solid state amp.. Didn't see that one coming.. 😂

[@dwaynebuckner6987]

Too Cool!!..how can a 60 year old beginner like myself who likes many different blues tones sounds ect..play similar tones sound just using my inspired by Gibson Es 355 and my Fender frontman 20…any guidance would be appreciated…

[@simonvanderheijden432]

Practise, most of the sound is in your hands. To my knowledge Dave is using, what most people (including myself) would consider, a "crappy" amp but he sounds amazing. Of course gear matters to some extend but Billy Gibbons (just an example) would sound a hundered times better on an Epiphone with a Boss Katana than I would playing Pearly Gates thru a vintage Marshall. A LOT of it is in your touch and feel. And dailing in your amps tone? There are no real rules, just keep twistin' those knobs "till you hear what you wanna hear. Happy hunting! (and practise your @ss off!!!!!)

[@dwaynebuckner6987]

Thank you for your reply. I really appreciate that you have given me some great advice. I have thought about giving up learning to play guitar..but I’m gonna continue to make music and let my hands and soul play the strings. Have a good evening

[@beaverproject]

💥

[@Alwizcaliteach]

You hid the best part i.e., the C# note.

[@brooklynsoundgarage]

If he’s tuned down to C he’s tuned down 2 whole steps

[@LateNightLessons]

Right, but only the low E and A were down that far. The top four strings are tuned down a whole step, so it's a very odd tuning. The elusive "F6 Tuning" that he used.

[@brooklynsoundgarage]

@@LateNightLessons oh yeah! I kept forgetting you were mostly chording on the top 4 strings, not referencing the 2 bass strings for root notes. I gotta try that tuning!

[@PieIX]

@@LateNightLessons But just to clarify.... in your lesson you simply tuned all 6 strings down a whole step right?

[@jsamc8420]

WHY ?? tune down ?

[@larrythomas7512]

It's very hard,almost impossible to teach...BLUES power can't be taught...Only EXPERIENCED... 2bad😢

[@LateNightLessons]

Sorry, but I completely disagree. Blues is music, and music is art, and art can be taught and learned by anyone. It's music, not a magic trick. Period.

[@larrythomas7512]

@@LateNightLessons you are a great guitarist and teacher... empty is empty and Full is FULL... Some artifacts can't be duplicated...S.R.V. saids I be trying™ Feelings aren't Black or White...Get your WINGS, Brewski! 🗣️

[@larrythomas7512]

😢 you could be lost trying to sound like AK....it sounds like E.C....BLUES IS a long way from HOME...OH WELLY...

[@simonvanderheijden432]

Try and sound like yourself, much easier..