bishop street blues

I taught a student yesterday who had trouble understanding half-steps (introduced in order to learn Bishop Street Blues). She successfully learned the chords just by learning their geography, but I’d like to return to the concept from another angle. Any suggestions? You know how the…

• Last updated 6 years ago
• bishop street blues, foundation 1, half steps, Laurie Richards, teaching half steps

I’m trying to figure out the I, IV, V chords in Bishop Street Blues. I know how to play it, but what are these chords? What makes it a I, IV, and V? Are the inverted/suspended/diminished chords? I wouldn’t explain it to my students at…

• Last updated 6 years ago
• Bishop, Bishop chords, Bishop St Blues, bishop street blues, fingering, identifying Bishop St chords, Laurie Richards

A student asked me if it is okay for her to pull her hand back a bit when switching between chords. She’s learning Alma Mater Blues. Is this a technique no-no, or is it okay? This is on CAGE chords and also on the shift…

• Last updated 7 years ago
• Alma Mater Blues, bishop street blues, blues, blues chords, CAGE chords, F2, Foundation 2, moving hand out on keys

Has anyone got some tips for students whose fingers are so thick that they get stuck between the black notes, e.g. the IV chord of Bishop Street Blues? It is not an uncommon issue, and as you said, the reality of the situation is that…

• Last updated 4 years ago
• big fingers, Bishop St., bishop street blues, chords, finger adaptations, fingering, large fingers, large hands, thick fingers, wide fingers

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.…

• Last updated 7 years ago
• bishop street blues, blues, chord shapes, chords, fingering, FL1, foundation 1, Robin Keehn, small hands

I have a couple of five year old students (they’ll be 6 in a few months) who are having difficulties grasping the concept of half-steps & whole steps, therefore Bishop Street Blues is not progressing much either. We have worked on these things in lessons for…

• Last updated 10 years ago
• bishop street blues, Laurie Richards, level 1, teaching half and whole steps

I have always played the I chord of Bishop Street Blues with my third finger in the middle rather than finger two, and a lot of my students find that easier too. Is there any reason why they shouldn’t? I recommend staying with using the…

• Last updated 10 years ago
• bishop street blues, fingering, Neil Moore