The Blues: Understanding and Performing an American Art Form from Coursera

The blues is an American art form and the most important musical form in jazz. Although there are other formal paradigms of the blues, such as 8-bar or 16-bar, this course focuses on different incarnations of the 12-bar blues. There are considerable differences between Early Jazz blues, Swing blues, Bebop blues, Modal blues, and Post Bop blues. Each type has its unique harmonic syntax, melodic vocabulary and, associated with them, improvisational techniques. While other aspects of jazz performance practice have been constantly changing from one stylistic convention to another, the blues has never lost its identity and expressive power, and continues to exert a powerful influence on the harmonic and melodic syntax of jazz.

This seven-week course explores important aspects of the blues, blues improvisation, basic keyboard textures, jazz harmonic and melodic syntax. Topics include: (1) Blues Progressions; (2) Blues and Other Scales; (3) Improvisational Tools, and others. This course will also cover valuable theoretical concepts enabling the student to master the art of jazz improvisation. Each topic will be introduced from a practical perspective with the clearly stated goal: to improve one’s improvisational skills. Jazz improvisation is rooted in spontaneity, creativity, self-expression and, at the same time, self-control and order. A unique pedagogical approach based on a one-to-one musical interaction conducted with different instrumentalists will help to reinforce many of the concepts introduced in this course and realize its stated objectives.

What's inside

Syllabus

Blues Progressions – Theory and Practice

Lesson 1 focuses on foundational aspects of the blues, examining its history, innovation, and evolving harmonic structure. At the end of this lecture, students should have a firm understanding of the harmonic structure of the basic, generic, and minor blues forms, as well as a familiarity with the A A’ B phrase-structure of the blues.

Blues Scales

Lesson 2 dives into what makes the blues tick, beginning with an examination of the blues scale and the basics of jazz rhythms and blues riffs. Students will then explore call and response techniques and application of the blues scale in improvisation through demonstration with a live musician.

Keyboard Realization

Lesson 3 introduces the concept of guide tones and its association with invertible counterpoint. Four-part and five-part chords are discussed in detail by exploring their construction and function, as well as techniques to facilitate good voice-leading between chords using chordal inversions.

“Bird” Blues and Other Blues Progressions

In lesson 4 students analyze harmonic progressions from 3 jazz standards: “Now’s The Time,” “Billie’s Bounce,” and “Blues For Alice.” Practice techniques are discussed, including ear-training strategies, rhythmic displacement, and voice-leading exercises.

Improvisational Tools

Lesson 5 introduces 3 more jazz standards for analysis: “Mr. PC,” “Mr. Day,” and “Isotope.” Tritone substitutions are examined, and pentatonic scale as tools in improvisation are introduced through exploration of their construction, typical voicings, and voice-leading principles.

Improvising the Blues – Part 1

Lesson 6 centers around the demonstration of improvisational techniques discussed thus far, including motivic development, guide-tone lines, and chordal arpeggiation. Observation of live Eastman musicians, as well as play-along tracks provided by the rhythm section, allow the student to imitate, assimilate, and apply the techniques discussed in the course.

Improvising the Blues – Part 2

Lesson 7 explores modal categories and scalar patterns in improvisation, in addition to continued discussion on pentatonics. As in the previous lesson, live musicians demonstrate key concepts and principles presented in the lecture, with additional play-along tracks provided for the student to explore concepts on their own.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Covers the role of the blues in modern jazz

Includes guest musicians and play-along tracks for practical application

Offers a unique pedagogical approach to reinforce key concepts

In-depth exploration of advanced techniques like pentatonic scales and modal categories

Requires experience with jazz fundamentals and improvisation

May not be suitable for complete beginners in jazz

Reviews summary

Blues: american art form

Learners say this course excels at teaching students the history, theory, and practice of the blues. The course is well-organized and easy to follow, even for beginners. The instructor, Dariusz Terefenko, is knowledgeable and passionate about the subject matter. Jazz is mentioned frequently in the reviews, with many students reporting that they learned about the relationship between blues and jazz. Overall, this course is highly recommended for anyone interested in learning more about the blues.

Course focuses on jazz and blues.

"It turned out to be a lot less blues and a LOT more jazz with the likes of John Coltrane, Miles David, Joe Henderson, etc!"

"This course teaches very practical step-by-step strategies on how to improvise a solo within a jazz piece."

"A very well thought-out course that's clearly presented and provides tons of practical information."

Easy to follow, well-structured course.

"The course is well outlined, so it gradually gives you the fuller information and demonstrates for you what was earlier taught through a jam."

"This course discusses several important aspects of Jazz and Blues music. And the course is well outlined, so it gradually gives you the fuller information and demonstrates for you what was earlier taught through a jam."

"Take this course instead, you will be rewarded with valuable knowledge, super well organized, and you will become a better musician."

Instructor is knowledgeable and passionate about blues.

"Mr. Terefenko exhibited passion for his subject, which is always motivating for a student."

"The teacher is a treasure. He is clearly in love with the subject and teaching."

"I am very grateful to the university of Rochester and Professor Terefenko for having organised this course."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in The Blues: Understanding and Performing an American Art Form with these activities:

Warm up with basic scales

Show steps

Refine your muscle memory to prepare for playing more complex forms of the Blues.

Show steps

Play a C scale in all 12 keys
Play a G scale in all 12 keys
Play a D scale in all 12 keys
Play a minor pentatonic scale in all 12 keys
Play a major pentatonic scale in all 12 keys

Show all one activities

Career center

Learners who complete The Blues: Understanding and Performing an American Art Form will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Professional Jazz Musician

Professional Jazz Musicians perform jazz music in a variety of settings, including clubs, concert halls, and festivals. They may also teach jazz music or compose jazz compositions. This course may be useful to Professional Jazz Musicians because it provides a deep understanding of the blues, one of the most important genres in jazz music. The course also covers music theory and harmony, which are essential for understanding and performing jazz music.

See salaries and explore the career path for Professional Jazz Musician

Musician

Musicians perform music on a variety of instruments, including strings, woodwinds, brass, and percussion. They may play in orchestras, bands, or as soloists. This course may be useful to Musicians because it provides a deep understanding of the blues, one of the most important genres in American music. The course also covers music theory and harmony, which are essential for understanding and performing music from a variety of genres.

See salaries and explore the career path for Musician

Musician Entrepreneur

Musician Entrepreneurs start and run their own music businesses. They may be involved in a variety of activities, such as managing musicians, booking gigs, or promoting music events. This course may be useful to Musician Entrepreneurs because it provides a deep understanding of the blues, one of the most important genres in American music. The course also covers music theory and harmony, which are essential for understanding and performing music from a variety of genres.

See salaries and explore the career path for Musician Entrepreneur

College Professor

College Professors teach courses in a variety of academic disciplines, including music. They may also conduct research and publish their findings in scholarly journals. This course may be useful to College Professors because it provides a deep understanding of the blues, one of the most important genres in American music. The course also covers music theory and harmony, which are essential for teaching music at the college level.

See salaries and explore the career path for College Professor

Composer

Composers create original music for a variety of purposes, including film, television, theater, and concert halls. They may also write songs for singers or bands. This course may be useful to Composers because it provides a strong foundation in music theory and harmony, as well as the principles of composition. The course also covers improvisation techniques, which can be valuable for Composers who want to learn how to create new and innovative music.

See salaries and explore the career path for Composer

Sound Engineer

Sound Engineers design, install, and maintain audio systems for a variety of applications, including live sound, recording studios, and broadcast. They may also work with musicians and producers to create and mix music. This course may be useful to Sound Engineers because it provides a strong foundation in music theory and harmony, as well as the principles of sound recording and mixing. The course also covers improvisation techniques, which can be valuable for Sound Engineers who want to learn how to create unique and innovative sounds.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sound Engineer

Music Director

Music Directors lead and conduct orchestras, choirs, and other musical ensembles. They are responsible for interpreting musical scores and leading musicians in performances. This course may be useful to Music Directors because it provides a deep understanding of the blues, one of the most important genres in American music. The course also covers music theory and harmony, which are essential for understanding and conducting musical ensembles.

See salaries and explore the career path for Music Director

Music Therapist

Music Therapists use music to help people improve their physical, emotional, and cognitive health. They may work with people of all ages, from infants to the elderly. This course may be useful to Music Therapists because it provides a strong foundation in the theory and practice of the blues, which has been shown to have therapeutic benefits. The course also covers improvisation techniques, which can be valuable for Music Therapists who want to learn how to use music to help people express themselves.

See salaries and explore the career path for Music Therapist

Music Teacher

Music Teachers instruct students in the fundamentals of music, including theory, history, and performance. They may also teach specific instruments or genres of music. This course may be useful to Music Teachers because it provides a comprehensive overview of the blues, one of the most important genres in American music. The course also covers improvisation techniques, which can be valuable for students who want to learn how to play jazz or other improvised music styles.

See salaries and explore the career path for Music Teacher

Non-Profit Arts Administrator

Non-Profit Arts Administrators manage and operate non-profit arts organizations, such as theaters, museums, and music venues. They may be responsible for fundraising, marketing, and programming. This course may be useful to Non-Profit Arts Administrators because it provides a deep understanding of the blues, one of the most important genres in American music. The course also covers music theory and harmony, which are essential for understanding and appreciating music from a variety of genres.

See salaries and explore the career path for Non-Profit Arts Administrator

Music Journalist

Music Journalists write articles, reviews, and features about music for newspapers, magazines, and websites. They may also interview musicians and attend concerts and festivals. This course may be useful to Music Journalists because it provides a deep understanding of the blues, one of the most important genres in American music. The course also covers music theory and harmony, which are essential for understanding and analyzing music.

See salaries and explore the career path for Music Journalist

Music Critic

Music Critics write reviews and articles about music for newspapers, magazines, and websites. They may also interview musicians and attend concerts and festivals. This course may be useful to Music Critics because it provides a deep understanding of the blues, one of the most important genres in American music. The course also covers music theory and harmony, which are essential for understanding and analyzing music.

See salaries and explore the career path for Music Critic

Music Arranger

Music Arrangers take musical compositions and create arrangements that can be performed by different ensembles. They must have a strong understanding of music theory and harmony, as well as the different instruments in an ensemble. This course may be useful to Music Arrangers because it provides a deep dive into the harmonic structure of the blues, as well as techniques for improvising over blues progressions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Music Arranger

Music Librarian

Music Librarians are responsible for managing and organizing music collections in libraries. They may also assist patrons with research and reference questions. This course may be useful to Music Librarians because it provides a strong foundation in the history and theory of the blues, which is an important genre in many types of music. The course also covers music theory and harmony, which are essential for understanding and organizing music collections.

See salaries and explore the career path for Music Librarian

Music Producer

Music Producers oversee the recording, mixing, and mastering of music. They work with musicians, singers, and engineers to create a polished and professional-sounding product. This course may be useful to Music Producers because it provides a strong foundation in the theory and practice of the blues, which is an essential genre in many types of music.

See salaries and explore the career path for Music Producer