Blind Willie McTell

Blind Willie McTell (1898-1959) is one of the most unique of the country bluesmen. He played a 12-string acoustic guitar instead of the 6-string instrument played by almost every other early blues player. McTell's songs include fingerpicked rags, slow blues, and bottleneck blues - also played on the 12-string using open tunings (D & G). McTell's playing is not easy to imitate. He seldom, if ever, played the same song the same way twice. He also varies the chords, rhythms, and tempos of his tunes without warning.

Tuning the 12-string is a chore in itself, but has a unique and beautiful sound! For a good explanation of how McTell tuned his 12-string - watch this video from the DVD The Guitar of Blind Willie McTell taught by Ernie Hawkins!

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