The Essential Albert King: A Step-By-Step Breakdown of the Styles and Techniques of a Blues and Soul Legend (Paperback)

The Essential Albert King is a Signature Licks electric guitar instruction book dedicated to the influential blues and soul guitarist Albert King. Designed for intermediate electric guitar players, it provides a structured, step-by-step breakdown of his signature riffs, solos, bends, vibrato, and phrasing concepts drawn from twelve classic songs.

Written in standard notation and guitar tablature, this study-focused songbook helps players understand how King constructed his unmistakable tone and expressive lead style. Each song is supported by online audio demonstrations accessed with the unique code inside the book. The PLAYBACK+ audio player allows you to slow tracks without changing pitch, set loop points, adjust keys, and pan left or right for focused practice.

Rather than presenting simple chord charts, this collection offers in-depth analysis of complete riffs and solo passages in musical context. Guitarists strengthen bending accuracy, vibrato control, phrasing confidence, and overall blues articulation while studying authentic transcriptions. It works equally well for independent learners, private instruction, and players preparing material for rehearsal or performance.

The combination of detailed notation and performance-ready audio makes this a practical learning tool for serious blues guitarists seeking to internalize the techniques that shaped modern electric blues. It also serves as a valuable stylistic reference for expanding improvisational vocabulary and refining expressive control.

Full Song List
Angel of Mercy * Answer to the Laundromat Blues * Blues Power * Born Under a Bad Sign * Crosscut Saw * Don't Throw Your Love on Me So Strong * The Hunter * I Wanna Get Funky * I'll Play the Blues for You * Laundromat Blues * Oh Pretty Woman * Personal Manager