Celebrate Jimi Hendrix’s Birthday on November 27

Jimi Hendrix

Few guitarists changed the world the way Jimi Hendrix did.
Born November 27, 1942, Hendrix blended blues, rock, funk, psychedelia, and pure emotion into a revolutionary guitar style that still inspires players today.

His expressive bends, explosive legato, soulful double-stops, and fearless improvisation made him one of the defining voices in modern music — and one of the most studied guitarists of all time.

To celebrate Hendrix’s birthday, we’ve prepared a free interactive guitar exercise inspired by his iconic sound.

A Hendrix-Inspired Lick: Descending Double-Stop Legato

Today’s lesson features:
Lick #39: Descending Double-Stop Legato
from 100 Essential Blues Licks for Guitar
by Jaan Varts

This lick captures some of Hendrix’s most recognisable vocabulary:

  • Smooth descending legato lines

  • Double-stops with bluesy tension

  • Expressive pull-offs

  • A loose, soulful feel perfect for blues/rock contexts

The lick is beginner-friendly enough to learn quickly, but rich enough for intermediate and advanced players to explore tone, phrasing, and articulation.

Play, Practice & Explore

With MatchMySound’s real-time feedback, you can:

  • Slow the lick down

  • Watch accuracy on bends, legato, and timing

  • Build consistency at any tempo

If you enjoyed this, check out our Blues collection, where we go deeper into the techniques that made Hendrix and other blues legends timeless.

GO to the collection