The blues form can range from simple to complex. No matter how man chords are crammed in the 12 measure pattern, you really only need 3 different chords to express the blues. That is what we will start with.
Let's begin with learning the three chords. Find the chords for your instrument group. Memorize them on your instrument, all over your instrument. Pay attention to the Roman numbers under each chord, this will be important latter. I have written the chords vertically. Play them from the bottom note up like an arpeggio. Use the full range of your instrument.
Group A: Flute, Trombone, Tuba, Piano, Guitar, Bass
Group B: Clarinet, Tenor Sax, Trumpet
Group C: Alto and Bari Sax
Group A Group B Group C
Ab Db Eb Bb Eb F F Bb C
F Bb C G C D D G A
D G A E A B B E F#
Bb Eb F C F G G C D
I IV V I IV V I IV V
Now what? Well, you now have them memorized right?
Lets start improvising. Below are play along tracks for each of the chords. These were made on iRealb on my ipad. This app is amazing and cheap. You really have no idea what you young whippersnappers have available to you now.
Vamp on the I Chord
Vamp on the IV Chord
Vamp on the V Chord
Pick one note from the chord. Use only that one note. That leaves one thing to improvise with, rhythm. Make up interesting improvisations using your one note and different rhythms. Remember to use a swing feel on the eight notes. Memorize how that note feels against the background track.
Now do that for each note, for all three chords. After this you should have the notes in all three chords memorized with no problems.
Now use all the notes in each chord when you improvise. Remember, keep it simple. Don't hold notes out for a long duration. Make your ideas have a beginning, middle, and end.
Let's begin with learning the three chords. Find the chords for your instrument group. Memorize them on your instrument, all over your instrument. Pay attention to the Roman numbers under each chord, this will be important latter. I have written the chords vertically. Play them from the bottom note up like an arpeggio. Use the full range of your instrument.
Group A: Flute, Trombone, Tuba, Piano, Guitar, Bass
Group B: Clarinet, Tenor Sax, Trumpet
Group C: Alto and Bari Sax
Group A Group B Group C
Ab Db Eb Bb Eb F F Bb C
F Bb C G C D D G A
D G A E A B B E F#
Bb Eb F C F G G C D
I IV V I IV V I IV V
Now what? Well, you now have them memorized right?
Lets start improvising. Below are play along tracks for each of the chords. These were made on iRealb on my ipad. This app is amazing and cheap. You really have no idea what you young whippersnappers have available to you now.
Vamp on the I Chord
Vamp on the IV Chord
Vamp on the V Chord
Pick one note from the chord. Use only that one note. That leaves one thing to improvise with, rhythm. Make up interesting improvisations using your one note and different rhythms. Remember to use a swing feel on the eight notes. Memorize how that note feels against the background track.
Now do that for each note, for all three chords. After this you should have the notes in all three chords memorized with no problems.
Now use all the notes in each chord when you improvise. Remember, keep it simple. Don't hold notes out for a long duration. Make your ideas have a beginning, middle, and end.