Active Melody

Learn to play blues guitar.

  • Log In
  • Weekly Lessons
  • Take The Tour
  • Forum
  • Hear From Our Members
  • Membership Sign Up

Robert Cray Blues Guitar Solo Lesson – LEG028

Description

When I first heard Robert Cray I remember having a hard time processing what he does because it’s really unlike anyone else’s approach to playing blues guitar. To my ear, he’s a perfect mix of old school Chicago blues mixed with James Brown funk, with some country twang thrown in for good measure. He’s one of those artists that grows on you over time and the more you listen, the more you discover just how deep his stuff goes (actually I’ve noticed that the best artists / songs are usually the ones that you don’t fall in love with immediately). So to me Robert Cray just HAD to be included in this blues guitar artist series I’ve got going on. This lesson is intended for intermediate to advanced guitar players, although there are some parts that a beginner will be able to pick up and learn. As with all of the lessons, I’m not showing you how to play any particular part of a song, instead I’m writing my own jam tracks and playing some of the things I’ve learned from each artist. There were way too many Robert Cray licks to choose from so I just pulled out some of my favorites (and the ones I knew I could do without screwing up)

Robert Cray Style Guitar Lesson

Only available to premium members.
Register for premium access

Only available to premium members.
Register for premium access

Only available to premium members.
Register for premium access

Only available to premium members.
Register for premium access
Curious about the benefits of
Premium Membership?
Try it for FREE!
arrow_downYou need to be logged in as a premium member to access the tab, MP3 jam tracks, and other assets. Learn More

Add to "My Favorites"

You need to login or register to bookmark/favorite this content.

Comments

  1. Germissile says

    March 11, 2010 at 10:09 am

    Love the lesson, love Bob Cray. Recently pulled Strong Persuader out and listened to it so I was really pleased to see this lesson…
    Great work!

    Log in to Reply
  2. Tiewie says

    March 11, 2010 at 10:09 am

    Great lesson..I love roberst Style..
    How is the set-up off his gear, what kind off amplifier, effects etc..

    Thanks a lot.

    Tiewie..

    Log in to Reply
  3. Brian says

    March 11, 2010 at 10:09 am

    @Tiewie - I answered this recently in the forum, you can view it by clicking here.

    Log in to Reply
  4. robbd7 says

    March 11, 2010 at 10:09 am

    Love this video as well, haven’t had a chance to tell you but thanks for the BB King follow up.  Any chance of a vibrato technique lesson?  You mention how important it is, and I have a basic vibrato going, but it’s always nice to see another technique.  Anyway, great site, its very helpful.

    Log in to Reply
  5. Conrad says

    March 11, 2010 at 10:09 am

    Great video, Robert’s my favourite guitarist. He’s got a real unique way of playing and you nailed it.

    Log in to Reply
  6. andertoad says

    March 11, 2010 at 10:09 am

    Curious to know how to play the rhythm section for the Robert Cray jam track.  It sounds very cool.

    Log in to Reply
  7. dgons says

    March 11, 2010 at 10:09 am

    I am from India and love Robert Cray, your video and specially the assets really go a long way for me here. Amazing stuff Brain ! keep it coming.
    cheers
    Dean

    Log in to Reply
  8. nanonan says

    March 11, 2010 at 10:09 am

    thankyou love the sound what key is this in? cheers, nanonan

    Log in to Reply
  9. Hoopero says

    March 11, 2010 at 10:09 am

    Great lesson Brian. How about some Buddy Guy or Gary Moore?

    Log in to Reply
  10. pjpr says

    March 11, 2010 at 10:09 am

    A must see and try at home video lesson !
    I like G kind of funky leads

    Thnx

    Log in to Reply
  11. abdef11 says

    March 11, 2010 at 10:09 am

    Brian,

    Wow. I have been playing for years and just could not get the Cray’s timing. Great lesson.  I am playing on a Washburn J-7 Jazz/Rockabilly guitar. Sounds great!!

    Each of these lessons help me to enjoy my music even more. Keep it up and thanks.

    Log in to Reply
  12. Tom Martin says

    March 11, 2010 at 10:09 am

    Love these Lessons, Brian does us all a great service providing them, Thank you Sir… Any possibilities of a Gary Moore lesson. I just learned of his sudden death in Spain in Feb. What a tragity I loved his tone and feel. Thanks again Brian for the Great help you provide… I’ve been playing for 40 years and stayed away from lead cause I JUST DIDN’T GET IT. Lately I’ve bought another Strat and doing pretty good now especially after finding all these great tools here.

    Old and in the Way (but still young at heart)

    Log in to Reply
  13. mandingo says

    March 11, 2010 at 10:09 am

    I like Robert Cray’s blues solo lesson. Very nice

    Log in to Reply
  14. john123 says

    March 11, 2010 at 10:09 am

    hey brian just got done with the rhythm and blues lesson key of E .now iam going to the robert cray style next. I just watched the video looks cool cant wait for tomorrow to get   started on it   keep up the great work we need more people in the world like you :  keep on playing john123 later

    Log in to Reply
  15. b2g says

    March 11, 2010 at 10:09 am

    Brian, what is the progression this is used over??

    Log in to Reply
  16. rmincin says

    March 11, 2010 at 10:09 am

    What type of effects (pedals) and amps do you use for your sounds. You always have a very tasteful sounds. Thanks in advance. After finishing the EC advance I’m going to try all 3 of the premium lesson. Great job.

    Log in to Reply
  17. rmincin says

    March 11, 2010 at 10:09 am

    Sorry you already answered…

    Log in to Reply
  18. gorkhe says

    March 11, 2010 at 10:09 am

    Hello Brian, I signed up last week & to say I have learnt a lot would be an understatement. Your lessons are extremely helpful. Also, I will be purchasing the premium lessons very soon. Just curious about the rhythm section of the Robert Cray piece as it sounds really groovy.Is it possible for you to shed some light on the rhythm section please???
    Many Thanks

    Log in to Reply
  19. bilbo12 says

    March 11, 2010 at 10:09 am

    it’s a great lesson Brian. I love it.

    Log in to Reply
  20. William B says

    September 12, 2016 at 11:01 am

    Chord voicing for rhythm?

    Log in to Reply
  21. Don D. says

    April 28, 2018 at 7:21 pm

    Nice lesson, Brian! It’s true what you said about him growing on a person.

    Log in to Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Don’t have an ActiveMelody account? Sign Up.

Links

  • Blog
  • Resources
  • About
  • Contact
  • FAQ
  • Refunds & Cancellations
  • Sitemap

Recent Lessons

Part 2 (of 2) How one note can help build an entire solo. Guitar Lesson – EP610

Country Blues by yourself! (seeing the chord shapes makes this easier) – Guitar Lesson – EP609

Is ONE position of the Minor Pentatonic scale enough? Use notes sparingly – Guitar Lesson – EP608

Contact

For all support questions email: support@activemelody.com
For all other inquires email: brian@activemelody.com
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

© 2025 · Active Melody. All Rights Reserved. | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use

Free Weekly Guitar Lessons

Enter your email address below to have the weekly guitar lesson delivered to your email address. I take privacy very seriously and will not share your email address.

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Active MelodyLogo Header Menu
  • Weekly Lessons
  • Take The Tour
  • Forum
  • Hear From Our Members
  • Membership Sign Up
  • Log In

Insert/edit link

Enter the destination URL

Or link to existing content

    No search term specified. Showing recent items. Search or use up and down arrow keys to select an item.