Blues

[indespair]

How do people actually learn to play the blues? Do they just learn the primary form and keep on improving on that by themselves? Or, do they simply learn lots of blues songs and licks and incorporate that into their own playing? To me, the best way seems to do lots of both. Opinions?

Also, is it possible to find blues sheet music anywhere?

[oxy60]

The best way is to hang out at Blues jams. There are some basics you might need to know, like the difference between major and minor, and the 12 bar form with the chord sequence. There may also be some instrument specific things as well.

These days there is a fusion between the blues and other forms that pops up now and then.

Don't get ahead of yourself. Get one thing down at a time.

What will be your instrument?

[1piano4joe]

I do both. I like "Jazz, Rags and Blues" by Martha Mier. Christopher Norton has some nice pieces. There is the joy book, "The Joy of Boogie and Blues" which is very good too. David Bennet Cohen has a book "Learn to Play Blues Piano".

I also have used books and dvd's that teach you to play blues. Have you tried these? Also, there are online blues piano lessons at playpianotoday. "Intro to Blues Keyboard" by Vinnie Martucci is another of many books available. Hope that helps, Joe.

[oxy60]

Playing the blues in solo piano pieces or playing in a band? For piano there is a big difference.

A theory question to consider in the blues would be how to resolve a minor tune 1 5 4. We could play it like Chopin with major 5 and 4 then to a minor 1. I prefer minor all the way but the band must agree.

[indespair]

What will be your instrument?

Piano, of course.

Playing the blues in solo piano pieces or playing in a band?

First choice is solo piano. I would also like to jam when I have the solo piano blues under control.

I do both. I like "Jazz, Rags and Blues" by Martha Mier. Christopher Norton has some nice pieces. There is the joy book, "The Joy of Boogie and Blues" which is very good too. David Bennet Cohen has a book "Learn to Play Blues Piano".

I also have used books and dvd's that teach you to play blues. Have you tried these? Also, there are online blues piano lessons at playpianotoday. "Intro to Blues Keyboard" by Vinnie Martucci is another of many books available. Hope that helps, Joe.

 

Books like these are hard to come by where I live. I listened to Pete Johnson, Otis Sapann, Memphis Slim, and other blues musicians but I can't always figure out what they are playing and I haven't found a source of blues/boogie sheet music(something similar to IMSLP, but for the blues) on the web yet(any links would be helpful, by the way). I know there are some instrument specific tricks, techniques and material, so listening to guitarists like Robert Johnson, Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker or harmonica players like Sonny Boy, etc. (although is lots of fun) doesn't help a lot on the piano- to be honest, right now I sound more like a blues guitarist on the piano than a pianist.

[oxy60]

Since I only work with bands I will step back from the discussion and wish you a lot of luck. I have only heard solo piano playing the blues, most recently in the lounge at Atlanta airport. He was incredible. He gave just enough of each of the elements, rhythm, harmony and melody. It was a minimalist approach which I like.