Susan Tedeschi (born 1970) is one of the most respected and powerful figures in contemporary blues-rock, celebrated equally for her extraordinary soulful voice and her visceral, blues-drenched guitar playing. Emerging in the late 1990s, Tedeschi built a career on a foundation of gospel, Delta blues, R&B, and electric rock, often drawing comparison to legendary singers like Bonnie Raitt and Janis Joplin. Her commitment to traditional blues structures, combined with a raw, electric intensity, defines her as a true torchbearer for American roots music. Since 2010, she has co-led the Grammy-winning Tedeschi Trucks Band with her husband, slide guitar maestro Derek Trucks, a collaboration that has further cemented her status as a global powerhouse.
🎸 The Tedeschi Technique: Tasteful Fire and Feel
Tedeschi’s guitar playing is distinguished not by flashy speed, but by her impeccable taste, authentic tone, and deep reliance on “feel.” Her style is fundamentally rooted in the Chicago and Texas electric blues traditions, favoring the sounds of Freddie King, Buddy Guy, and B.B. King.
Tonal Purity and Classic Gear: She primarily plays a Fender Telecaster or Fender Stratocaster, plugged into vintage-style tube amplifiers (like a Fender Super Reverb or Deluxe Reverb). This setup yields a clean, punchy, and articulate tone that allows her bends and vibrato to cut through the mix without excessive distortion. She often uses an overdrive pedal sparingly for grit, prioritizing dynamics over sustained saturation.
Vibrato and Bending: Her solos are instantly recognizable for their wide, powerful bends and her controlled, singing vibrato. These techniques are the bedrock of her blues phrasing, giving her lead lines a vocal quality that mirrors the power and grit of her own singing. She often lets notes hang and decay, maximizing the emotional impact of each phrase rather than filling space with runs.
Rhythm Guitar Excellence: Before and during her solos, Tedeschi is an outstanding rhythm player, excelling at choppy, blues-based chord riffing and complex shuffles. This strong rhythmic foundation is key to her command of the blues form and is essential to the Tedeschi Trucks Band’s dense, driving groove.
🎶 Three Essential Songs and How to Approach Playing Them
Three tracks offer excellent insight into the dual mastery of Susan Tedeschi’s vocal and guitar performance:
“It Hurt So Bad” (1998)
This early, defining hit from her solo career showcases her raw, powerhouse vocals alongside her signature electric blues guitar work. To approach the guitar part, focus on playing the solos and fills entirely within the minor pentatonic and blues scales, aiming for a clear, bell-like tone with plenty of sustain. The key technique here is the wide, expressive vibrato on the final bends of phrases, channeling the emotion of her vocal performance directly through the guitar.
“Tired of My Tears” (2002)
A great example of her command of the slow blues form, this track demonstrates her patience and ability to milk maximum emotion from minimal notes. The playing approach requires deep focus on timing and space; the rests between phrases are as important as the notes themselves. Guitarists should practice executing slow, controlled bends that slide into pitch, mimicking the mournful cry of the vocal line. This song is a masterclass in blues restraint and feeling.
“Midnight in Harlem” (with Tedeschi Trucks Band) (2010)
While Derek Trucks handles the slide guitar, Tedeschi’s performance on this track shows her excellence as a rhythm guitarist and secondary soloist. The guitar approach involves laying down sophisticated, jazzy blues chord voicings (often 7ths and 9ths) played with a gentle, finger-picked or lightly strummed touch. Her occasional lead fills are concise and highly melodic, demonstrating her harmonic awareness and ability to serve the song’s grand, atmospheric structure.
🎉 Conclusion Wrap-up: Susan Tedeschi’s Legacy
Susan Tedeschi stands as a giant in modern blues-rock, not only as a vocalist with unmatched soulful authority but also as a guitarist who embodies the true spirit of the electric blues. Her playing style, characterized by its clean tone, powerful vibrato, and commitment to emotional phrasing, proves that taste and feel outweigh technical acrobatics. Whether leading her own band or complementing the virtuosity of Derek Trucks, Tedeschi is a compelling and authentic voice who ensures the fire of the classic blues tradition continues to burn brightly for a new generation.
Cover Photo Credit “Susan Tedeschi – Shepherds Bush Empire, London – 20110629_IMG_9687” by Sally Payne is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
