Learning the blues

[jbrinsley]

Hi all

I wonder if anyone could offer me some help on learning a technique that is completely alien to me, but seems key throughout the blues.

I am learning Swanee River, Hugh Laurie's version [https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=x-qv87vXQzo] but am having trouble playing the regular, bass 'walking' beat in the left hand underneath the melody in the right. This problem is not confined to just this tune, of course: any tune like this, I seem unable to play the two different beats together, the left just ends up playing to the beat of the right.

I'm sorry if this has been dealt with elsewhere (if it has, or if this technique has a particular name that I can read up on, please do direct me), but if anyone has any strategies for mastering this ability, I'd be very grateful.

Many thanks

JB

[hfmadopter]

It doesn't matter if they call it blues or something else, what it boils down to is one rhythm or note count, if you will, against another which causes a sync issue. The only cure I know to this is to slow way way down and get everything in step at a very slow speed ( i can still see my teachers pencil markes showing how the notes drop on some pieces that sync oddly and that was some 30 years ago now ). You absolutely have to make  sure that you get it in step correctly before you start speeding up because it will be difficult to relearn over and over again if you don't. To me there is no simple fix or trick. Of course I'm telling you this and I don't play blues, but rhythm issues are rhythm issues in my book. The good news is it's usually a repetative pattern, so when you get one measure down you can apply that to the rest.

 It will come together, put some time in on slow practice.

[augustpasimio]

Hi, JB,
I learned (I'm still learning) from Beginning Blues Keyboard by Tricia Woods.  It teaches 12-bar blues, shuffles, boogie.  There is also an Intermediate and Mastering books.
August

[dcstudio]

walking a bass with the left hand is really tough to do in the beginning.  Really tough.  Set a metronome to click on the second and fourth beats of the measure and keep at it till you get it.  listen to blues bass players and become familiar with the patterns they use.   it is very alien to the classically trained.   It is only a matter of getting used to it though.  Concentrate on creating a swing feel first and correctness of notes second.  Your left hand will improve once you aren't devoting so much brainpower to creating that rhythm. 

best of luck and post a vid of your progress!

[noroimusha]

When it comes right down to it, it's learning how to syncopate between two notes. I first encountered this in a piece that seems so elementary right now, but the same idea kept repeating in other songs, including jazz and blues pieces. A week earlier I was doing a mordent in between two quick notes and had a problem with it until I realized it's the same thing. Practice playing two notes in one hand and another note in between the two notes in the other, and you'll get the basic idea of syncopation. Then try taking it further and syncopating on every second space and so on. Eventually you'll get the hang of it.

Hope this helps, good luck.

[gsmile]

This will help you out: 12 Bar Blues Cheatsheet

As a classically trained pianist, I found it really difficult to play jazz at all-- the swing and the mood is completely different.

However, I just found that playing with other people and listening to how other people swing their beats helps a ton.

Improvising was hardest for me. But I can swing as well as anyone else these days... I always try to make sure that my students get a bit of jazz in their curriculum too.

Good luck!

[oxy60]

Very good advice. As a pianist you will need to make choices about what to include in your piano version. As instruments are added in a band version it certainly adds richness. However, you shouldn't try to play everything in your piano version. It would only cloud the rendition.

[agajewski]

For lots of great videos on Blues piano, check out Bill Hilton's channel:

eature=watch

He has a really good lesson on hand independence:

But my advice to very first: Slow down, way way way way down. You are not in a hurry, your brain will not learn to handle two different finger movements at the same time in a few seconds Start slow, build up once your braincells allow you to.

Have fun!

[pianoplunker]

Hi all

I wonder if anyone could offer me some help on learning a technique that is completely alien to me, but seems key throughout the blues.

I am learning Swanee River, Hugh Laurie's version [https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=x-qv87vXQzo] but am having trouble playing the regular, bass 'walking' beat in the left hand underneath the melody in the right. This problem is not confined to just this tune, of course: any tune like this, I seem unable to play the two different beats together, the left just ends up playing to the beat of the right.

I'm sorry if this has been dealt with elsewhere (if it has, or if this technique has a particular name that I can read up on, please do direct me), but if anyone has any strategies for mastering this ability, I'd be very grateful.

Many thanks

JB

Ok, strategy.
1. Left hand : Play Eb G Bb C -repeat 
2. Right hand: play any single or combination of black keys in unison with left hand while doing step 1
3. When comfortable with a grooving riff modulate (See step 4)
4. Left hand: Play Ab C Eb F -repeat
5. When comfortable go back to step 1

Just a strategic start - it is not Swanee River but once you learn the blues scales and patterns, should be a lot easier to understand

[jbrinsley]

Thanks to everyone for your advice and suggestions -- its really reassuring to hear that this is a difficult skill that most people struggle with -- gives me hope!

I've been following what you guys say: slowing it way way down and can see I am beginning to get it, slowly. It is bizarre and frustrating when your brain knows how to do it, but your hands seem to have a mind of their own!

One of you said 'have fun' at the end of your post, which I think is the bit I'm struggling with: it really is no fun at all playing a so slowly that you can't even hear the tune, and playing it over and over again for hours.

I wanted to ask whether this is something that you have to learn slowly in this way for every tune, or whether once you get it, its a skill that you can apply to any 12bar blues tune? To break up the monotony of swanee river, I worked out the different parts for the introduction to What'd I Say (Ray Charles), but again, same problem: putting the hands together is impossible. Will there come a time where I have developed this ability such that I can play any bass pattern in the left, and any melody in the right, without having to build it up bit by bit?

Thanks again for all your help.

JB

[agajewski]

One day you will bang away amazing improvisations while watching morning news on tv and eating breakfast at the same time. It's up to you how much you practice.

It took you some time to learn to walk, now you do it without even thinking.

[dcstudio]

One day you will bang away amazing improvisations while watching morning news on tv and eating breakfast at the same time. It's up to you how much you practice.

It took you some time to learn to walk, now you do it without even thinking.

lol...  yes, it's so easy I can even argue with my daughter AND my husband whilst I improvise.  Actually, sometimes that helps...

[pianoplunker]

Thanks to everyone for your advice and suggestions -- its really reassuring to hear that this is a difficult skill that most people struggle with -- gives me hope!

I've been following what you guys say: slowing it way way down and can see I am beginning to get it, slowly. It is bizarre and frustrating when your brain knows how to do it, but your hands seem to have a mind of their own!

One of you said 'have fun' at the end of your post, which I think is the bit I'm struggling with: it really is no fun at all playing a so slowly that you can't even hear the tune, and playing it over and over again for hours.

I wanted to ask whether this is something that you have to learn slowly in this way for every tune, or whether once you get it, its a skill that you can apply to any 12bar blues tune? To break up the monotony of swanee river, I worked out the different parts for the introduction to What'd I Say (Ray Charles), but again, same problem: putting the hands together is impossible. Will there come a time where I have developed this ability such that I can play any bass pattern in the left, and any melody in the right, without having to build it up bit by bit?

Thanks again for all your help.

JB

Dont feel bad. Ray Charles is one of the best Blues pianists ever and that particular riff from "What I'd say" is tricky at first. Yes, youll have to practice slowly, hands seperate, metronome.  Good news, YES you'll be able to apply all you learn to other Blues songs. It will be worth your effort if you like that kind of music. 

[oxy60]

Dont feel bad. Ray Charles is one of the best Blues pianists ever and that particular riff from "What I'd say" is tricky at first. Yes, youll have to practice slowly, hands seperate, metronome.  Good news, YES you'll be able to apply all you learn to other Blues songs. It will be worth your effort if you like that kind of music. 

Great to have someone mention a word that is seldom used on this board, metronome. We don't call it a "groove" for nothing. Unless you plan to always play by yourself, you must be able to get in the groove and line up the beats. No rushing, no dragging, you must be exactly on all the time.