Apart from using the movable scale forms, many Blues licks make use of the extended open position Blues scale in the key of E (shown in the following diagram), and the use of open strings as harmony notes against moving lines on other strings .
The following solo uses lots of open strings and harmony notes. It is based on ideas from the playing of Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker and Lightnin’ Hopkins. It sounds best when played with the fingers of the right hand instead of a pick. In this style, the right thumb usually plays notes on the lower three strings while the fingers play the higher three strings. Blues Fingerpicking is dealt with later in the book.
A full length version of this track featuring the voice of Howlin’ Wolf can be found on the author’s album Bluestime, which is available on the Bent Notes label: