How Jimi Hendrix Learned to Play Guitar

Earliest Music, First Guitars, Seattle Bands, Army Days, NYC...

Several months ago the Line 6 company commissioned me to write a three-part series on how Jimi Hendrix learned to play the guitar. As I wrote in my intro to the series, which is posted on their excellent Model Citizens blog, Jimi Hendrix never took formal lessons, learned to read music, or cracked open an instruction book. Yet in the course of four years beginning in September 1966, he established himself as rock’s most iconic guitarist. What accounted for this phenomenal flowering of talent? Of course, only Jimi himself could have provided the full answer to this question, since much of the essence of creativity comes from within. But through the recollections of those who knew him best, we can uncover the origins of his interest in the instrument and the steps that led to his becoming a transformational musician.

Using information told to me by his father, James “Al” Hendrix, as we co-wrote My Son Jimi, as well as the recollections of Jimi’s childhood friends, schoolmates, and younger brother Leon, here’s the first installment:

How Jimi Learned to Play Guitar, Part 1: Earliest Music, First Guitars

The next part delves into Jimi’s teenage bands, the local players he admired and learned from, his impoverished living conditions, his first electric guitar, and how he immersed himself in blues records:

How Jimi Learned to Play Guitar, Part 2: Seattle Bands, Betty Jean, and the Blues

The final installment covers Jimi’s short stint in the U.S. Army, during which he began playing with bassist Billy Cox, as well as his living hand-to-mouth in Nashville and New York City. By 1966, Jimi had become so dedicated to his instrument that he often fell asleep with his guitar across his chest and even wore it as he cooked himself meals. Chas Chandler echoed the recollections of Jimi’s dad, brother, Billy Cox, and Michael Bloomfield when he observed, “Jimi had a guitar on all the time, all the time. He was the best guitarist in the world because he wanted to be the best, and he was prepared to work at it.” Here’s the link to the final installment:

How Jimi Learned to Play Guitar, Part 3: Becoming "The Most Compulsive Guitarist Ever”

Thanks to Barry Cleveland and the other fine folks at Line 6 for being a pleasure to work with!

For more Jimi:

When Jimi Hendrix Upstaged Eric Clapton

The Jimi Hendrix Experience's First Performances

Noel Redding on Jimi Hendrix's "Red House"

ⓒ Jas Obrecht 2022. All rights reserved.