Boogie Woogie Left Hand Patterns

Introduction

We're going to start by looking at the left hand patterns, the boogie element of the boogie and the woogie.

Basic Left Hand Pattern

The first very basic left hand pattern is as follows:

• Notes: C, E, G, A, B flat
• Back down: A, G, E, C

Fingering

• Little finger on C
• Third finger on E
• Second finger on D
• Thumb on A

Use your thumb as the pivot note to reach over with your left hand:

• Second finger on B flat
• Back down:
  • Thumb on A
  • Second finger on G
  • Third finger on E
  • Little finger on C

Scale Numbers

Let's look at it in numbers relative to the scale:

• 1, 3, 5, 6, 7 (minor 7), 6, 5, 3, 1

Once you've learned that in C, learn it in F:

• 1, 3, 5, 6, 7, 6, 5, 3, 1

And again in G.

Practicing the Pattern

Get this pattern drilled into your left hand at tempo, at speed. It will sound like this:

• F, C, F back to C.

This is almost a walking bass line. Well, it certainly is a walking bass line, but it's the first step you need to get into your fingers.

Doubling It Up

Once you've got those notes, we need to double it up.

Octave Playing

If you're not used to playing octaves, it may hurt at first. You'll need to gain some strength in your little fingers and thumb:

• Pattern: C, E, G, A, B flat, A, G, E, C

Practice in Octaves

Once you've got it in C, do it in F back to C.

Basic Boogie Pattern

This is the basic boogie pattern, and you can obviously take that as slow as you like. Here's the whole 12 bar sequence at a slower tempo:

1. C
2. F
3. C
4. A bar of G
5. F
6. Back to C

Swinging the Notes

It's important to swing these notes. Hear it in your head simply as:

• 1 and 2 and 3.

This is not straight timing; that would sound robotic. You've got to feel it.

Adding Chords

Once you've got the left hand, you need to add some nice simple chords to start with. Take the C. We like sevenths:

• C7
• B flat

Chord Example

Put it together and you get this (speed it up as you become more comfortable).

Learning Technique

A great exercise to learn is to focus only on the right hand:

• Get the left hand into autopilot mode.
• Get your phone and follow Tom Seales on Instagram while drilling that left hand.

Classic Boogie Woogie Line

This is a very classic boogie woogie line, similar to something bluesy.

Pattern Overview

Here's what to do:

• Little finger on C, thumb on G.
• Move your thumb to A and back to G.

Sequence

Play this pattern twice, then:

• Move to F, same thing back to C.

Adding B Flats

Now, let's add a B flat:

• Little finger on C, thumb on G, and to A and B flat to F with E flat back to C.

Pivot Action

Instead of playing C and G simultaneously, use the pivot action:

• Loop this continuously, this is the motor that keeps the boogie woogie engine running.

Final Left Hand Pattern

There's one more left hand pattern, a classic boogie left hand. This one is more complicated, so take it slow.

Notes Breakdown

Stick in C:

• Little finger on C
• Thumb octave on C
• Third finger on E
• Second finger on F
• Move up to F sharp, then use your thumb on G down the octave.

Summary of Pattern

• C, C, E, F sharp, G down the octave.

Practice in F

Follow the same pattern in F and G, back to C.

Take this one slow.

Conclusion

Once you have these patterns down, we'll look at some right hand patterns and how to put them together!