Blues Piano & Improvisation in the Slow Blues Style from Udemy

Take your blues piano playing to the next level with this course on blues piano and improvisation in the slow blues style. Beginning with a basic slow blues progression, it methodically builds your skills all the way to being able to freely improvise impressive blues piano. Throughout you’ll accumulate a wealth of licks, riffs and techniques that will have you creating blues sounds in a way that you’ve always wanted to.

Systematic Approach - The strength of the course comes from the systematic approach to implementing of every aspect or skill, with exercises that enable you to easily integrate your new abilities fluently into your improvisations.

Practice Pieces - It’s important to have the opportunity to put your new skills into practice. Which is why there are also specially designed blues pieces that incorporate every you’re learning as you progress, culminating in a final blues tune that shows off everything you’ve learnt in the course.

50+ Sheet Music Downloads – Everything in the course has been notated for those that can read music, with over 50 PDF downloads available.

Music Reading Ability Not Essential – You don’t need to be able to read music notation to take this course. Every scale, lick, riff, technique, exercise and practice piece is broken down and talked through during the video lessons by the instructor, for students that prefer to copy and play by ear. The tutorials include highlighted keyboard graphics, and the notation within the videos also include the note names (inside the note heads) for anyone that may find it useful.

Improvisation – Improvising is at the heart of Blues piano, which is why the course has a core focus on giving you the skills to be able to fluently improvise using a step-by-step approach.

Backing Track Downloads – So you can have even more fun whilst learning and playing the blues, the course also has backing tracks so you can play along to a blues band sound in the comfort of your own home.

Bonus eBook – Everyone learns differently, which is why as an added bonus the course includes a 60+ page eBook that you can download and print off, to further enhance the learning process.

Not For Complete Beginners - This course is not for beginners and assumes some previous knowledge on the piano, although it is still suitable for pianists that may be early on in their piano learning journey, because it starts with a gentle approach, and methodically builds to advanced levels as you move through.

What's inside

Learning objectives

How to play "slow blues" style piano
How to improvise blues piano fluently
Learn a wealth of blues licks, riffs, scales and techniques

Upon completing the course you will be also be able to play five blues piano pieces
Improve your hand and finger coordination with the vast amount of exercises
Improve your timing/ability to play with an even tempo with the use of the blues backing tracks

How to play "slow blues" style piano
How to improvise blues piano fluently
Learn a wealth of blues licks, riffs, scales and techniques
Upon completing the course you will be also be able to play five blues piano pieces
Improve your hand and finger coordination with the vast amount of exercises
Improve your timing/ability to play with an even tempo with the use of the blues backing tracks

Syllabus

Introduction

Course Navigation

Bonus eBook Download

The C Minor Blues Scale

To add some variety to the left hand, you can add some passing notes and also a turnaround using a walk-up.

To include this technique in your playing, before you hit the root of the next chord, play a note a semitone/half-step above or below to where you are going to. For instance if you are moving to an F bar, on the last beat of the previous bar you can play either an E or an F# as a transition.

Here is the left hand part with chromatic transition notes added:

To give you the ability to improvise with the minor blues scale over those chromatic transitions and the walk-up turnaround, here is an exercise that alternates between the swung and triplet eighths rhythms in the right hand.

Hopefully now you feel comfortable with the major blues scale over that jumping left hand. Now I’d like you to have a go at improvising with the major blues scale in your right hand.

Now have a go to see if you can include some of these major rocking patterns in your improvising. You could start off by alternating every bar between the classic rocking riff and the other techniques you've been learning, then once you get used to that try to break away from the pattern and be free-er with your choices. (See video for example)

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Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Systematic approach to skill implementation, with exercises, helps learners integrate new abilities fluently into improvisations, which is useful for intermediate learners

Includes backing tracks so learners can play along to a blues band sound, which is useful for personal growth and development

Course is not for complete beginners and assumes some previous knowledge on the piano, which may be a barrier for some learners

Offers over 50 sheet music downloads, which may be useful for learners who can read music

Includes a 60+ page eBook that learners can download and print off, to further enhance the learning process, which is useful for visual learners

Reviews summary

Systematic slow blues piano instruction

According to learners, this course offers a highly systematic and effective approach to learning slow blues piano and improvisation. Students praise the clear, step-by-step lessons that build skills methodically. Many found the inclusion of sheet music downloads and backing tracks particularly helpful for practice. While the course states it's not for complete beginners, reviews suggest it's well-suited for those early in their piano journey with some prior knowledge, effectively taking players from basic concepts to confident improvisation.

Good for those with some prior piano.

"As someone early in my piano journey but not a complete beginner, I found this course perfect."

"It's challenging enough to teach new things but not so hard that it's discouraging for someone with basic skills."

"Great course if you have some piano basics already. It builds well from there."

"Ideal for intermediate beginners looking to specialize in blues."

Develops improvisation skills effectively.

"This course really helped me to understand how to improvise in the slow blues style."

"I'm now much more confident in improvising after taking this course."

"The focus on improvisation is great, providing tools and techniques to get started."

"Provides a solid foundation and practical skills for improvisation."

Explanations are easy to understand.

"The instructor explains everything in a clear and easy to understand manner."

"I found the explanations very clear and concise, making it easy to follow along."

"The lessons are well-presented and the instructor is very clear in his teaching."

"Very clear and easy to follow video instructions, even for someone who cannot read music."

Sheet music and backing tracks are great.

"The sheet music downloads are incredibly helpful for practicing what you learn."

"Playing along with the backing tracks is fun and improves timing."

"Having the sheet music and backing tracks available for download makes practice much more engaging."

"The included sheet music and backing tracks are excellent resources that really support the learning process."

Builds skills step-by-step, very effective.

"The course is very systematic and builds skills in a logical way. Each lesson builds upon the previous one."

"I really appreciate the step-by-step approach. It made learning complex concepts manageable."

"Everything is introduced and built upon in a systematic way which makes it very easy to follow and learn."

"It feels like a very complete course, it really starts from the very basics and takes you all the way up to creating cool improvisations."

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 Blues Piano & Improvisation in the Slow Blues Style with these activities:

Review Basic Music Theory

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Strengthen your understanding of scales, chords, and key signatures to better grasp the concepts taught in the course.

Browse courses on Music Theory

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Review major and minor scales.
Study basic chord construction.
Practice identifying key signatures.

Study 'The Complete Idiot's Guide to Playing the Blues' by Johnny Black

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Gain a broader understanding of the blues genre and its history to enrich your piano playing.

View Alter Ego: A Novel on Amazon

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Read the book to learn about blues history and structure.
Pay attention to the cultural context of the blues.
Consider how this knowledge can inform your playing.

Read 'Blues Piano' by Mark Harrison

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Expand your knowledge of blues piano techniques and improvisation through a dedicated resource.

View Piano Styles for Beginners on Amazon

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Obtain a copy of 'Blues Piano'.
Work through the exercises and examples.
Incorporate new techniques into your playing.

Four other activities

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Practice Blues Scales in All Keys

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Improve your finger dexterity and familiarity with blues scales by practicing them in all twelve keys.

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Choose a blues scale (minor or major).
Practice the scale in each of the 12 keys.
Focus on accuracy and evenness of tempo.

Explore YouTube for Blues Piano Tutorials

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Supplement your learning with free online resources and discover different teaching styles.

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Search for 'blues piano tutorial' on YouTube.
Watch several tutorials from different instructors.
Identify new techniques or perspectives.
Incorporate what you learn into your practice routine.

Record Yourself Improvising

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Analyze your improvisations to identify areas for improvement and track your progress.

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Record yourself improvising over a slow blues backing track.
Listen back to the recording critically.
Identify areas where you can improve your playing.

Compose a Slow Blues Piece

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Apply the techniques learned in the course to create your own original slow blues composition.

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Choose a key and tempo for your piece.
Develop a chord progression and melody.
Incorporate improvisational elements.
Refine your composition through practice and revision.

Career center

Learners who complete Blues Piano & Improvisation in the Slow Blues Style will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Piano Teacher

A piano teacher can benefit from a deeper understanding of blues piano and improvisation. This course emphasizes the slow blues style, which is a foundational element in many piano curricula. By learning the licks, riffs, scales, and techniques presented in this course, a piano teacher can expand their repertoire and enhance their teaching materials. The systematic approach to learning and the inclusion of practice pieces can be readily adapted for student instruction. Furthermore, the availability of sheet music and backing tracks adds valuable resources for engaging students in the blues genre. Learning how to improvise using the method taught in this course allows the piano teacher to convey effective improvisation skills to students.

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Session Musician

The role of a session musician requires versatility and the ability to quickly adapt to different musical styles. This course, which focuses on blues piano and improvisation, can greatly benefit a session musician looking to expand their skills in this genre. It provides a wealth of licks, riffs, and techniques specific to the slow blues style, enabling the musician to confidently perform in various recording or live settings. The course's systematic approach and practice pieces allow the musician to integrate new abilities fluently into their improvisations. The inclusion of backing tracks further enhances their ability to play along with a band. This course may improve a session musician's grasp of chromatic transitions and turnarounds.

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Composer

A composer can broaden their musical language by studying blues piano and improvisation. This course offers a systematic approach to understanding and mastering the slow blues style, a vital element in American music. The course focuses on blues licks, riffs, scales, and techniques that can be incorporated into original compositions. By learning how to improvise fluently, a composer can break free from rigid structures and inject spontaneity and emotion into their music. The sheet music and backing tracks are useful resources for experimenting with different arrangements and harmonies. The modules on syncopated rhythms and chromatic transitions are relevant for the composer.

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Arranger

An arranger transforms existing musical pieces into new forms, often adapting them for different instruments or ensembles. This course, which focuses on blues piano and improvisation, may be useful for an arranger looking to create blues arrangements or incorporate blues elements into other genres. The systematic approach to learning the slow blues style, combined with the wealth of licks, riffs, and techniques, provide the arranger with a toolkit for crafting authentic blues arrangements. The availability of sheet music and backing tracks are resources for the arranger. Arrangers will want to take note of the lessons on passing notes and the walk-up turnaround.

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Accompanist

An accompanist who plays for singers or instrumentalists may find that this course on blues piano and improvisation is useful. The course provides a systematic approach to learning the slow blues style, which is an essential part of American music. The wealth of licks, riffs, and techniques taught in the course are all skills that an accompanist might wish to employ. The downloadable backing tracks are useful for this role. An accompanist who takes this course will have the opportunity to practice transitions, rhythms, and walk-up techniques.

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Music Director

A music director oversees the musical aspects of a performance or production. This course may be helpful for a music director who occasionally arranges or performs blues music. The focus on the slow blues style, improvisation, and specific techniques like licks and riffs, can provide the music director with a valuable toolkit for composing, arranging, or directing blues pieces. The availability of sheet music and backing tracks provides additional resources for rehearsals and performances. A music director can learn from the ebook included with this course.

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Music Critic

A music critic who specializes in blues or related genres will find value in this course on blues piano and improvisation. Focusing on the slow blues style, the course offers insights into the techniques that define this genre. This course guides the student through blues licks, riffs, scales, and improvisation. This knowledge allows the music critic to analyze and critique blues music with greater depth and accuracy. A music critic who understands the exercises presented in this course will be able to use appropriate terminology that may be familiar to their readership.

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Music Journalist

A music journalist who specializes in blues or related genres can benefit from a deeper understanding of blues piano and improvisation. This course, focusing on the slow blues style, provides valuable insights into the nuances and techniques that define this genre. By learning the licks, riffs, scales, and improvisation techniques, the music journalist can enhance their ability to analyze and critique blues music with greater depth and accuracy. In particular, this course teaches the music journalist about triplet rhythms and syncopation that may be useful in their writing. A music journalist who is familiar with this course is more prepared to interview blues musicians.

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Ethnomusicologist

An ethnomusicologist studies the music of different cultures. This course may be useful for an ethnomusicologist who has a particular interest in American music. The course provides a systematic approach to learning the slow blues style, which is a vital part of the American musical heritage. The ethnomusicologist may learn more about improvisation and performance by completing this course. The student will learn the wealth of blues licks, riffs, scales and techniques. The ethnomusicologist will likely be interested in the eBook that accompanies this course.

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Piano Technician

A piano technician may find value in a course that explores a specific style of piano music. Piano Technicians must be familiar with the instrument, and a strong understanding of blues piano and improvisation strengthens this understanding. This course, which focuses on the slow blues style, includes scales and techniques that a technician may hear when listening to an instrument for purposes of tuning or repair. The systematic approach to learning and the inclusion of practice pieces helps one to understand the variety of sounds a piano can make. The availability of sheet music offers a visual record of the lesson.

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Music Attorney

A music attorney who specializes in intellectual property law may find it helpful to have some familiarity with the kind of music that is created, sold, and defended in court. This course provides a systematic approach to learning blues piano and improvisation in the slow blues style. The attorney may wish to better understand the building blocks of musical creation and performance. The attorney might find it useful to practice scales and chord progressions.

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Music Librarian

A music librarian catalogs, manages, and preserves musical scores, recordings, and other materials. This course may assist a music librarian who wishes to learn more about the material in their collection. This course provides a systematic approach to learning blues piano and improvisation in the slow blues style. The librarian can improve their grasp of the musical terminology that is used for cataloging purposes. In this role, the sheet music and ebook that comes with this course may be particularly useful.

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Music Supervisor

A music supervisor selects and licenses music for film, television, and other media. This course can provide a music supervisor with a deeper understanding of blues piano, particularly the slow blues style. This course helps the music supervisor recognize quality and authenticity when sourcing blues music for projects. The emphasis on improvisation and specific techniques like licks and riffs can inform their decision-making process. The music supervisor can also refer to the ebook. This course provides a foundation for a music supervisor to excel.

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Software Engineer

A software engineer specializing in music software or audio processing may find that this course on blues piano and improvisation valuable. It provides practical insights into the nuances of blues music. This course provides a systematic approach to learning the slow blues style. This experience can inform the design and development of music-related applications. By learning the licks, riffs, scales, and improvisation techniques, the software engineer can better understand the needs of musicians and create tools that enhance their creative process. The software engineer may benefit from the inclusion of sheet music and backing tracks.

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Music Store Employee

Working in a music store often requires a broad understanding of different instruments and musical styles. This course, focusing on blues piano and improvisation, can be beneficial for a music store employee, particularly if the store sells pianos or related equipment. The systematic approach to learning the slow blues style, combined with the wealth of licks, riffs, and techniques, can help the employee better assist customers interested in blues piano. The employee may find the backing tracks helpful. A music store employee may also be interested in the major and minor scales taught in this course.

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Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Blues Piano & Improvisation in the Slow Blues Style.

Piano Styles for Beginners

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Provides a comprehensive overview of blues piano, covering various styles and techniques. It complements the course by providing a broader perspective on blues piano playing, including different blues forms and harmonic concepts. The book includes exercises and examples that can be directly applied to the slow blues style taught in the course. It useful reference for intermediate to advanced players.

Piano Styles for Beginners

Paperback

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Piano Styles for Beginners

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Alter Ego

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Offers a beginner-friendly introduction to blues music, covering its history, structure, and essential techniques. While the course focuses on piano, this book provides a broader understanding of the blues genre, which can enhance your overall musicality. It's a good resource for understanding the cultural context and stylistic nuances of the blues. This book is more valuable as additional reading to provide context.

Alter Ego: A Novel

Paperback

Blues Piano & Improvisation in the Slow Blues Style

What's inside

Learning objectives

Syllabus

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Reviews summary

Systematic slow blues piano instruction

Activities

Career center

Reading list

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