More Progressive Blues Verses
There are two main differences between a blues based on the Twelve Bar Chord Structure and a jazz song based on the Twelve Bar Blues Structure. One is that the jazz song is likely to use other improvising notes in addition to the notes of the Blues Scale.
The other is that the jazz song may use a variation of the Twelve Bar Chord Structure with more elaborate chords. These more complex chords are sometimes called the "2-5-1 chord substitution", in which (in the key of G) the chords A – D – G – D are substituted for the usual D – C – G – D in the last four bars of the Twelve Bar Progression. Although theoretically complex, it is bendless and quite easy to play.
In this verse, Riffs 13 and 7 are joined by a simple 5i and 5e riff that fits the F chord. The last rendition of Riff 13 is altered slightly to provide a G note for the turnaround. Once you have mastered this, alter the timing, as demonstrated by the second verse example on the recording.
This sophisticated third position verse combines Riffs 9, 10, and the first half of 6, with an slightly altered version of riff 9 providing a turnaround.
This difficult swing time blues combines Riffs 11, 17, and a slight variation on 14, with a swing variation on Riff 16 to act as a turnaround. The last note of each line is only slightly, Subtly, swung.
Blues improvisors often take an existing riff, a small piece of a song melody, or an original riff, and then use it as a general theme upon which to create an entire verse, or even an entire song. For instance, many of the above verses are based on one or more of the blues riffs, and one might easily say that The Hot Cross Blues is somewhat based on the simpler Bending Blues: Take One. You may wish to create a variation of your own by substituting one note for a different one, as The Bending Blues: Take Two does by substituting the 3i bent note for the 2i bent note used in The Bending Blues: Take One. Use your imagination, and make up some blues improvisations of your own. Once you have begun playing these blues verses, you may alter or add to them in any way that you choose, thus creating your own improvisations. Exercise 97, for instance, takes The Bending Blues: Take Two, and creates a series of four improvised verses based on it. These are discussed in detail and notated in Progressive Blues Harmonica Licks Volume Two.
Progressive Blues Harmonica Licks: Volume Two, Part Seven
- For additional blues solo verses, including the four verses of Exercise 97 on the recording, see Part Seven of Progressive Blues Harmonica Licks Volume Two.
