Albert Collins: The Iceman of the Blues
If you are a fan of blues guitar, you have probably heard of Albert Collins, the legendary Texas bluesman who was known as “The Master of the Telecaster” and “The Iceman”. He had a unique and distinctive style that influenced many other guitarists, such as Stevie Ray Vaughan and Robert Cray. In this blog post, we will explore some of the aspects of his playing that made him stand out from the crowd.
One of the most noticeable features of Albert Collins’ sound was his choice of guitar and tuning. He played a Fender Telecaster, which is a guitar that is usually associated with country music, not blues. Telecasters have a bright, twangy tone that can cut through any mix. Collins used this to his advantage, creating a biting and powerful sound that earned him the nickname “Iceman”.
But he didn’t stop there. He also tuned his guitar in a very unusual way. He used an open F minor tuning, which means that he tuned his strings to F-C-F-Ab-C-F, from low to high. This tuning is essentially an open D minor tuning raised by three semitones. It is also called a cross-note tuning, because it allows you to easily switch from minor to major chords by using one finger.
This tuning gave Collins several benefits. First, it allowed him to play chords and melodies with minimal finger movement, which suited his staccato and percussive style. Second, it enabled him to use his capo at different positions to change the key of his songs without changing the chord shapes. He often used a high capo (around 5th to 9th fret) to create a higher-pitched sound that added more tension and excitement to his playing. Third, it made his guitar sound different from other blues players, giving him a unique edge.
Another aspect of Albert Collins’ playing that made him remarkable was his use of vibrato and string bending. He played without a pick, using only his thumb and first finger. He had a very strong grip on the strings, which allowed him to bend them with great force and accuracy. He also had a very expressive vibrato, which he used to add emotion and intensity to his notes.
He often combined these techniques to create stunning effects. For example, he would bend a note up to a certain pitch, then apply vibrato to it while holding the bend. This created a shimmering and sizzling sound that was very characteristic of his style. He would also use double-stops (playing two notes at once) and slides to create more variety and interest in his solos.
Albert Collins was not only a great guitarist, but also a great singer and songwriter. He had a raspy and soulful voice that matched his guitar playing perfectly. He wrote songs that were catchy, humorous, and sometimes autobiographical. Some of his most famous songs include “Frosty”, “Ice Pickin’”, “I Ain’t Drunk”, and “If Trouble Was Money”.
He was also a charismatic performer who loved to interact with his audience. He would often walk off the stage and into the crowd while playing his guitar, using a special 100-foot-long amp cable. He would even leave the venue sometimes to order a pizza or buy some ice cream, without missing a beat.
Albert Collins was one of the most original and influential blues guitarists of all time. He left behind a legacy of music that still inspires and entertains people today. He was admired and respected by his peers and fans alike. He was truly the Iceman of the blues.
How well do you know Albert Collins, the Master of the Telecaster?
Albert Collins was an American electric blues guitarist and singer with a distinctive guitar style. He was noted for his powerful playing and his use of altered tunings and a capo. He influenced many musicians, such as Jimi Hendrix and Stevie Ray Vaughan. Take this quiz to test your knowledge of his life and music.
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