Using the Blues scale
Learn the blues scale and use it to improvise over a 12-bar blues in F, the sound behind so much pop, jazz and rock.
What's in the course
29 lessons (1h 50m) · 1 free
01. Make You Feel My Love, Adele (Performance)
1:26
02. The Long and Winding Road, The Beatles (Performance)
Free lesson1:43
03. Read All About It, Part III, Emeli Sande (Performance)
1:58
04. ICAUFO, Joe Bennett (Performance)
1:23
05. Umbra Bella, Simon Troup (Performance)
1:07
06. Fab Stomp, Deirdre Cartwright (Performance)
1:15
Lesson transcript
Improvising Over the Blues
So now we figured out the form for the blues, the 12 bars, using the three chords:
- F
- B flat
- C
Starting to Improvise
How are we going to start improvising over this? A great way to begin is by using the blues scale.
The Blues Scale
The blues scale works perfectly when played over the blues, and it goes like this:
- F
- A flat
- B flat
- B natural
- C
- E flat
- F
You may recognize the sound of that scale, as so much pop music, jazz, rock, and other great sounds are based within this scale.
Key Considerations for Improvisation
When improvising, it's important not to just go up and down the scale, as that sounds more like a scale exercise. Instead, focus on the following:
- Play the scale in interesting ways.
- Use the blues scale over the blues form.
Creating Interesting Sounds
What I'm doing now is using the blues scale, but playing it in more interesting ways. I'm also thinking rhythmically and considering how to make things sound engaging.
Emotional Connection
Imagine yourself singing when you're doing this. The blues comes from vocal traditions of singing. When you're playing, you want to feel it inside with every ounce of your being.
The Essence of Improvising
Improvising is about showing yourself to the world. The way we can achieve this is by developing theory, like the blues, and then using it in practical ways.
29 lessons
1h 50m of structured video lessons
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