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.