Fender Play Live: Stevie Ray Vaughan Playlist

Fender Play Live is a weekly studio show that dives deep into the Fender's legendary gear and the iconic music that was made by it over the years.

In this edition of the program, the focus is on Stevie Ray Vaughan, the legendary Strat-slinger who revolutionized what is known as Texas blues.

Fender Play instructor Pete Griffin is joined by guest (and noted SRV enthusiast) Dinesh Lekhraj, who has regularly contributed to Fender Play, as well. The guys dive into Vaughan's show-stealing style,influences, gear and classic tracks, like "Cold Shot" and "Crossfire."

Don't worry if you missed the show. You can watch it on Fender’s YouTube, Facebook and Twitter channels, in addition to the video embedded below.

To accompany Fender Play Live, we've compiled a special Stevie Ray Vaughan curriculum for every level of player to follow through Fender Play. Check out the lesson lists below, and if you're not a Fender Play subscriber yet, start your free trial here.

Stevie Ray Vaughan Crash Course: Level 1

Course: Alternate Tunings

Stevie Ray Vaughan was no stranger to using alternate tunings, which can add to your musical vocabulary. Eb was a favorite tuning for SRV, as it offered more give to the strings and made it possible to execute big bends with his notoriously thick strings.

Learn how to tune down a half step in this video.

Exercise: "Bluesy" Double Stop Bends

A double stop lick refers to the practice of playing two notes at the same time, a technique Vaughan used often. By bending these simultaneous notes, Vaughan's bluesy leads sounded fatter and contributed to his signature sound.

Practice your double stop bends in this lesson.

Exercise: Strum Eighth-Note Triplets With a Percussive Strum

Eighth-note triplets are the basis for what is known as the blues shuffle. You can hear them in many of Vaughan's compositions, like "Pride and Joy." To hear it in your head, count 1 2 3, 2 2 3, 3 2 3, 4 2 3 as you strum.

Try strumming eighth note triplets in this lesson.

Exercise: Power Chords to a Rhythm

Playing in time is important, and a good way to work on doing so is by playing power chords in rhythm.

IN this lesson, you'll use the power chords D5, A5 and E5 to create a rhythm all your own.

Course: Blues Styling (Third Shuffle)

Now, take your shuffle to the next level by learning a few shufffle rhythms using just one chord in this lesson.

Stevie Ray Vaughan Crash Course: Level 2

Course: ABCs and the Em Pentatonic

Moving up a level, this course will walk you through one of the most useful scales for rock, blues and country guitar - the E minor pentatonic scale. By practicing that, you'll find yourself getting more comfortable with your fingerboard to unleash killer blues riffs.

Course: Lead Guitar in Em

To further hone your lead guitar chops, you'll need to know about hammer-ons, pull-offs and trills. By incorporating them into your solo stylings, you'll be able to add more SRV flash your your repertoire.

Learn how to incorporate a percussive strum into your style with this lesson.

Course: ABCs and the Am Pentatonic

You should also be familiar with the A minor pentatonic scale when it comes to the blues. It will help create melodies, riffs and solos, as well as strengthen your fret hand. See the Am pemtatonic scale here.

Course: 12-Bar Blues

Another foundation of the blues is the standard 12-bar blues chord progesssion. And with that as a base, you can create space to add in colorful solos.

Try your hand at soloing over a 12-bar blues riff in this lesson.

Stevie Ray Vaughan Crash Course: Level 3

Riff: "Crossfire"

Appearing on SRV's 1989 album, In Step, "Crossfire" delivered a hard rocking riff laid over a funky rhythm that ignited dancefloors around the world. It was also a big reason why the record earned a Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Blues Album that year.

Learn how to play the riff to "Crossfire" here.

Riff: "Cold Shot"

“Cold Shot” is a great example of Stevie Ray’s signature sound, which blended Jimi Hendrix-influenced riffing with blistering lead work. The track came off Vaughan's 1984 release, Couldn't Stand the Weather, with the band Double Trouble.

Learn how to play the riff to "Cold Shot" here.

Full Song: "Crossfire"

With the riff to "Crossfire" under your belt, now put it all together by playing the full song.

Learn how to play "Crossfire" here.

Full Song: "Cold Shot"

Don't forget techniques like alternate strumming, double stops and the eighth-note strum when playing "Cold Shot" in its entirety.

Learn how to play "Cold Shot" here.

Full Song: "Mary Had a Little Lamb"

Finally, SRV takes Buddy Guy’s version of “Mary Had a Little Lamb” and ups the ante, bringing chugging hard rock rhythm firepower to this blues standard.

Learn how to play "Mary Had a Little Lamb" here.

For more Fender Play Live, go to Fender’s YouTube, Facebook and Twitter channels. And if you're not a member of Fender Play yet, click here for a free trial.