Rhythm Section 101:

Jazz Piano 101

Accompanying Your Group on the Blues

Once you can effectively play basic chord voicings on the piano, you can combine this skill with our “How to Build a Bass Line” series of lessons to play both chords and bass notes when accompanying an ensemble of any configuration.

In this video, Danny Bauer demonstrates how to play the 12-bar blues with syncopated “3rds and 7ths” in the right hand along with two types of bass lines in the left hand - Roots and 1-2-3-5 patterns. More information about how to build a bass line can be found at the following links:

• How to Build a Bass Line

  • Part 1: Roots

  • Part 2: Roots and Fifths

  • Part 3: Leading Tones

  • Part 4: 1-2-3-5 Progressions

Tips:

• Be sure to maintain consistent tempo when playing through the exercises, focusing on the coordination between the left and right hands.

• Practice singing a melody or giving instructions while playing this progression, so that you can develop the ability to provide instruction to your students while playing. This is a useful technique - you won’t need to play a prerecorded blues track once you master this skill!

• Remember, this is a practical skill designed to assist you in accompanying any type of group. It is perfectly acceptable to play only roots in the left hand as your primary approach. Don’t be discouraged by the more complicated bass line methods, simply continue to practice and accompany your students and the skill will develop over time!

Want to send this video to your students? Use this link: https://youtu.be/2RoxMip-HW0