playin' the blues

[Pete B]

Hi folks

I'm dissatisfied with my playing of the blues. I just can't seem to get inside of them, can't seem to generate any good ideas when I solo, can't seem to do any original sounding lines. It's getting to be like a monkey on my back.Any suggestions as to how I might work to improve my playing?

I play the bass, by the way.

Thanks
Pete

[JSngry]

What kind of blues? "Jazz" blues or "blues" blues?

[Pete B]

"Jazz blues".

[JSngry]

Well, all I can tell you is what's worked for me, and that's not thinking aout "making the changes" as much as getting a good feel to the placement of my notes, and not running eighth notes or anything. Just playing some blues. The changes inevitably grow moe involved as your feel comes together and you start hearing more notes per phrase. Can't keep it simple ALL the time, and you gotta put them SOMEWHERE, so the changes grow to accomodate that. Lester. Bird, Fathead, role models all in this regard. And everybody from New Orleans, old or otherwise. Except Harry Connick, Jr. OR Sr.

And oh yeah - DEEP doses of Muddy Walter, Little Waters, Sonny Boy Reed, and Jimmy Williamson. THAT'S the feel to build on, even for a jazz player. That stuff SWINGS, Jack! But I'm in Texas - we play this stuff without even thinking about it anymore, it's our culture. But that's the main thing I'd suggest - don't try and play changes. Because you NOT playing changes. You're playing blues!

--- jokes aside, this is serious advice :cool:

[J Larsen]

I've heard of Little Walter and Muddy Waters - Little Waters and Muddy Walter are new ones to me...

AHH, I get it - you were JOKING :D

[JSngry]

What - ME have fun and be serious at the same time? You GOT to be kidding! :rolleyes:

[Pete B]

Okay, that's a start. I'll give it a try.

Thanks Jim

Oh, and btw, "Meat House" is a burner - nice job!

[Odium]

Originally posted by Pete B
Hi folks

I'm dissatisfied with my playing of the blues. I just can't seem to get inside of them, can't seem to generate any good ideas when I solo, can't seem to do any original sounding lines. It's getting to be like a monkey on my back.Any suggestions as to how I might work to improve my playing?

I play the bass, by the way.

Thanks
Pete

original and blues are two words that does not go well together. Get Scott Hendersons video called melodic frasings or similar, it can give you some nice ideas of how to approach your problem.

[Harold_Z]

Excellent advice from JS a few posts back. The only thing I would add to it is learn the heads to some blues tunes. I mean the vocal head- the melody with all it's melismatic turns, not a bop head but an out and out blues head as sung - even though your looking to play jazz. After you've got it - use it for a point of departure. As an example - Billy Butler based the opening part of his solo on HONKY TONK on Jimmy Reed's YOU DON'T HAVE TO GO.

Playing good blues is by osmosis more than learning licks.

[David]

I agree with the previous posts that a large part of the blues is rhythmic rather than strictly melodic. What really helped for me was to 'feel' the entire 12-bar (or 24 in 3/4 time) chorus. By being able to 'feel' that structure, you will be able to rely less on the changes and more on fitting lines into the blues structure. The very number of blues changes variations (bags' groove, straight no chaser, blues for alice, to give a few examples) should provide the hint that the changes are almost secondary to the structure and the 'feel.'

And like what was previously mentioned, it is always good to listen to the masters not simply to transcribe their licks note for note, but to try to absorb their feel. To me, Oscar Peterson was the master of the blues feel. Oscar added a blues feeling to virtually EVERYTHING he played. I love listening to Oscar play the blues, and have learned much simply by listening to him. Ray Bryant and Phineas Newborn place a close second. Check out these guys and listen to their 'feel.' I know it may not seem to make any sense, but I truly believe that simply close and lots of listening to the blues masters will work wonders in your own playing.

[champjams]

Playing the blues is a requirement for being a Jazz musician. While learning how to "feel" the blues is important, I would not diminish the need for being able to play the changes. The fourth, eighth, and twelth bars are very important; especially in relation to the II V.

You should definitely check out Sonny Stitt's record with Oscar Peterson, "Only The Blues." Also, anything with Bobby Timmons, Hampton Hawes, Barry Harris, etc. And since you're a bass player - I would strongly suggest checking out Sam Jones. His record with Sonny Stitt and Barry Harris, "Blues For Duke" is amazing.

[Pete B]

You're right on about Sam Jones - I love his feel on blues things (everything else too, for that matter). His playing on Unit 7 on that live Wes Montgomery album is really tasty.

Thanks for the suggestions, you've given me much food for thought.

Pete

[Dave Kaczorowski]

Originally posted by Pete B
I'm dissatisfied with my playing of the blues. I just can't seem to get inside of them, can't seem to generate any good ideas when I solo, can't seem to do any original sounding lines. It's getting to be like a monkey on my back.Any suggestions as to how I might work to improve my playing?

Pete,

Have you transcribed any blues solos? That's the best way to get inside of anything. It doesn't have to be bass solos either, transcribe horn solos-- Miles for example.

[bluesman]

I'm dissatisfied with my playing of the blues. I just can't seem to get inside of them, can't seem to generate any good ideas when I solo, can't seem to do any original sounding lines. It's getting to be like a monkey on my back.Any suggestions as to how I might work to improve my playing?


Another bass player !
I play in a jazz and blues band but my son plays bass in the blues band and I do vocals and harp.
I agree with all thats been said but I wonder if your trying to hard
and thinking about being origonal rather than trying to express how you feel. The blues is about feelings and expressing them, not neccessarily about doing it in a clever way, that can come after.
I saw Charlie Haden play a blues ( check out his playing on James Cotton album - Deep in the blues ) he did not have to play clever but he sure played it with feeling.

Anyway just a thought and hope it helps.