Unfolding Blues and Improv
Found in: Blues
Emma M., Australia
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 bar blues order while the RH is playing the blues scale.
These students know the 12 bar blues order inside out because up to this point they have played so much of it, however, when we add in the blues scale in the RH, the 12 bar blues order seems to get lost.
I have tried getting them to only play a few notes of the scale with the same riff and going slowly etc but the LH is still getting lost.
Cindy B., Illinois
It may only be a case of not allowing enough time playing with hands separate before putting them together. An intermediary step you could try before doing a full blown left hand bass part would be to adopt the ACC 1 skill of just playing the bass single note on the 1st beat of every 4 counts, and being able to keep the left hand in one position.
Laurie Richards, Nebraska
For me, it has helped to really take time on processing the projects where they first play the blues scale with quarter notes through 12BB order (so hands are always playing together). I have the 12BB chart out and always point to where they are currently playing in the 12BB, so they can follow along. Sometimes I will count “1, 2, 3, 4” aloud while they do this if it doesn’t throw them off – so they remember, and perhaps get a stronger feel for, the four counts in each chord.
Then do the same thing as they process humpty rhythm, then again with triplets, etc.
Ray N., New Zealand
One thing that I have found with students, as they apply the blues scale notes, is the importance of small doses and using single shapes with the RH notes. I always break down the blues scale pattern into shapes and have found that the best way for a student to get the scale into their hands is to use a few notes (one shape pattern) over and over again.
I usually have them play this pattern or riff along with the LH chord pattern, say Jackson blues, and go through the 12 bar pattern using the same RH blues scale riff. As they build their confidence, I have them add another shape from the same blues scale and use that with the pattern until they have it in their hands. Again, small doses here is the key.