Jimi Hendrix--Why And How You Should Include His Material In Your Set Lists

By Mark Grove

I had a lot of emails saying I should have another article on playing Hendrix material. So I decided to have at it again and come up with another way to play Hendrix material.



Think about it, what if you could play his material your way not just copying note for note. Stevie Ray Vaughn didn't want to have his tracks in his band's set list. But got over it eventually and began to include obscure material of Jimi's.


Didn't I say not to play his popular material before? SRV is a great example.

Then I read an article in the June 2006 issue of Guitar World's(Bass Guitar Mag). Tommy Shannon the guitarist who played with Stevie, said that Stevie was worried about what blues lovers would say about him playing Jimi Hendrix material.

Stevie eventually just said screw it basically and played JH material. He took his own abilities as a great axeman and played his songs the SRV way.

You can play Hendrix material like a bastard!

One thing that is more important than anything else when playing JH material, is not to play the same phrasing,texture and riffs as Hendrix did.You can play the same notes,but chording,licks, and riffs should be mixed up and done your way. Refer to my last article titled,

"Jimi Hendrix" How To Play His Material Your Way"

SRV and Tommy learned a Hendrix version of "Let The Good Times Roll" from Electric Ladyland".

Tommy also covers the Hendrix tune "Say What" not by changing up the chords and notes, but by adding rhythm textures and adding chords.

This shows you how to use innovative chording patterns done your way.


Peace and Success To All Players.

Mark G