Muziekpublique

Courses overview

Blues guitar

Marc Lelangue

MABO - Lycée Maria-Boodschap - Rue de la Braie 22, 1000 Bruxelles

The instrument

The blues guitar is a key instrument in traditional North American music, renowned for its expressive techniques such as finger-picking, slide, and various open tunings. Blues songs highlight melody, lyrics, chords, and rhythmic accompaniment, often inspired by original versions and their evolution over time.

Playing blues on the guitar involves a deep immersion into the roots of this music genre, where each note tells a story. Blues guitarists develop a sensitivity for improvisation and personalization of songs, making each performance unique.

Whether played with a pick, a slide, or using finger-picking techniques, the blues guitar offers a rich palette of captivating sounds, making each performance a journey into the soul of the blues.

The course

All aspects of the genre and songs are covered: melody, lyrics, chords, rhythmic accompaniment, and improvisation, with a focus on original versions and the evolution of certain songs over the years. We play with both picks and fingers (finger-picking), use slides, and explore various open tunings. The repertoire is diverse and tailored to the level and expectations of the students, aiming to develop their musical autonomy.

The repertoire is diverse and tailored to the level and expectations of the students, aiming to develop their musical autonomy.

Although Marc Lelangue is primarily a singer and guitarist, the course is open to other (reasonably portable) instruments as well: vocals, mandolin, violin, harmonica, accordion… as long as there is a genuine interest in the blues.

Music theory is not required, but having a basic command of your instrument—or being able to play a few basic chords smoothly—will definitely be an advantage.

Marc Lelangue

Marc Lelangue was born in Kortrijk and became fascinated by the blues at a young age. Inspired by artists like Big Bill Broonzy, he started singing on the streets before performing on stage. He met Luther Tucker and participated in various festivals.

In 1984, he played at the Rythm’n Jazz Festival in Ostend and opened for Johnny Copeland at the Ancienne Belgique in 1987. In 1990, he formed a band with Patrick Deltenre, Michel Hatzigeorgiou, and Thierry Gutmann, and accompanied Zora Young on a tour in France. In 1992, they recorded the album “Blues You Could Use.”

Marc performs in Belgium and abroad, either solo or with his blues band. After a trip to New Orleans, he founded The Heavy Muffulettas, a group dedicated to Rythm ‘n Blues. With this group, he also pays tribute to Ray Charles. His French songs appear on the album “Glandeur Nature.”

In 2006, he returned to acoustic blues with “Second Hand Roots.” His 2016 album “Lost In The Blues” received praise in Europe. He has also programmed festivals and taught blues. Marc Lelangue continues to share his passion for the blues worldwide.