Blues Improvisation
Cole Burger · 2022
After introductory remarks with rationales, objectives, and materials, this section systematically teaches students blues improvisation. Paradigmatic listening examples, written instruction, and musical examples appear throughout. The instruction begins with the blues scale. The section connects to the previous one on non-blues improvisation through the focus on varying moods and motivic clarity. After the blues scale is blues harmony. The second edition includes an introductory drone harmonization before moving to tritone dyads and rootless 3-note chords. Walking blues bass lines develop the ability to improvise in the left hand. Students then combine two of these three parts – melody, harmony, and bass line – over a common blues progression.