Learn How to Improvise:

Blues Soloing: From Concrete to Creative: Part 4

In this series, Columbus Jazz Orchestra saxophonist Pete Mills introduces a fun and accessible way to learn to solo over the 12-bar blues. The simple “riff” pattern demonstrated in the video and outlined in the attached .pdf is very effective in teaching easy solo vocabulary that also effectively outlines the common chord progression of the 12-bar blues.

In Part 4 of this series, Pete demonstrates how to use the metronome to develop your skills at different tempos over the course of a practice session.

Steps:

1.) Set the metronome on beats “2 and 4” at 60bpm and play 5 choruses of blues using the “3-1-5-flat 7” riff melody.

2.) Then, bump the metronome up 3 clicks and play five more choruses of blues.

3.) Continue to increase your metronome over the course of a 30-60 minute practice session.

Tips:

• The #1 priority when practicing this exercise is maintaining the blues form. As a result, don’t worry about playing the “hippest” or most creative ideas at first.

Want to send this video to your students? Use this link: https://youtu.be/9GPSFM0uXAM