Blues
Fingering for all blues scales
Blues & Improv – is there a method for fingering the blues scale in other keys? I understand developing the shapes, but do we just find the most comfortable way of fingering? C: RH 1 2 3 4 1 3 1 2 3 4 1…
Smoothing out the rhythm in Jackson Blues
I have a seven-year-old student who is very keen to learn, and very smart. He often says “I’m really good at this song” as he starts to play from his playlist for me. His version of Jackson Blues has a terrible rhythm. He plays the…
Modifying chords for students with small hands
Today I encountered a challenge with my 6 year old trying to learn Bishop Street Blues. He can do Jackson Blues and understands the concepts and the 12 bar progression and the concept of replacing the I, IV, and V chords with other chords. BUT.…
Blues & Improv – Identifying IV chord
For the Blues & Improvisation stream, I have an adult student asking if she can locate IV chords as a whole step down from finger 5 instead of a half step up from finger 3. She feels it’s easier because she’s already needing to think…
Advanced Boogie Woogie pieces
I have several advanced students ( Level 8 and up )looking for showy boogie woogie pieces. Can anyone suggest titles, composers and sources? Well, if you want really challenging, try Bumble Boogie by Jack Fina! There is an old publishing company called Leeds. You can…
When to Introduce the Blues and Improv Stream
I posted regarding this stream before, but didn’t get much response. When are teachers introducing the blues program in general? Level 3, 4, or 5? I have been really uncertain about this program and haven’t done very much with it with my students. On the…
Unfolding Blues and Improv
I have successfully unfolded the Blues and improv program up until project 13. (blues scale) The same issue has cropped up in 2 different lessons so I am doubting my presentation of the project. My students are having trouble keeping the LH following the 12…
Need Help Teaching Blues & Improvisation
I’m feeling I’m at a bit of a loss with my first students to whom I’ve been teaching this program. I’m really hoping some people out there may have some advice. With my most advanced student (private lesson), we’d gotten through completing the Blues Scale…
Blues Riffs
The blues riff of Light Blue that was taught in one of the recent Playground newsletters was FANTASTIC! I’m sorry I can’t find it again and I forget who taught it, but thanks! I’ve been playing it for my students and they love it. Where…
Blues and Improv Program
The B&I training materials describe many of the projects, or groups of projects, as being able to be taught concurrently with earlier projects. It’s also mentioned that many or most of these should be done in different keys but not necessarily all keys. All of…