Blues Phrasing Exercises for Beginners

Pianist, author, and jenga block stacker Jeremy Siskind discusses how even beginners can sound like sophisticated blues players while training themselves to listen to their own improvisations.

[MarkEisenman]

This is just great. I use the same rational ... play so simply that you can REPEAT your 1st idea!.., ... such a good lesson.
Imagine playing so simply that you could teach a whole big band your blues on 1st hearing. That's how RIFFS work. That's a perfect way to learn how to evaluate one's approach.

[evasoukoreff]

Thank you Jeremy, I’m now in unit 7 Jazz Fundamentals book 1 (so far it’s going so good) and this will help me so much with starting improve in blues. 🎉

[davidwhite]

This video really helped me pull things together. In particular, your discussion of three variations and then a phrase that completes or reveals the idea.

You’re really getting into the notion of storytelling

That’s the way BB King used to talk about it: “He tells a good story.“

[BrendaBoykin-qzdj]

Thank you, Jeremy. Super helpful. I love this philosophical observation:"the Blues likes symmetry". Yeah, man. A Universe in a simple statement. Cut me deep.😎🌟🌹🔥🌹🌟😎

[silversurfer]

Excelente vídeo Jeremy, wishing you success.

[francescomanfredi]

Great lesson Jeremy! I think it’s the first time I see you playing a 3 chord blues and yes by simplifying we listen more to ourselves! By the way I am sorry that your baby left you!

[macpaul]

On the spot! I wish you were a lot older so you could teach me when I was younger ; )

[foxjohng]

Great video, Jeremy; such clear, feasible e exercises. BUT: no catch-phrase to prove we’ve listened all the way through?

[brw]

I think I need to work on simpler phrasing—more B B King, less bebop. If I use all the secondary dominants, tritone subs, etc., I can’t always jamb with others. But keeping it simple reveals that I don’t have Blues skills.

[grigoridj]

All this different phrasing is too fancy for me, I'll just keep playing C jam blues. Nice video though :)

[alzhang]

definitely not for beginners or maybe the smart ones.