Saxophone beginners Messing about with the blues scale

[Jay]

I spent all of the last two days practising the horrible runs in the Cossack Wedding Dance that we are playing at band. Horrible because they are fast and full of accidentals, as well as being in Eb. I got so I could play them, I was so pleased with myself. Band last night - he doubled the tempo - absolutely no chance, possibly ever, I don't think my fingers actually move that fast 😱

So, rather fed up I've spent so much precious practice time on something that didn't really get me anywhere

I don't now have much to show for my next lesson (Mon). I was set the D blues scale (concert C?) to do some work on, which I have to say I'm enjoying.

Now I want to learn a couple of blues heads and then try inventing some very short solos. But despite everything I read saying 'loads of songs are based on the 12 bar blues progression' most of the ones I'm looking at aren't! Any ideas for songs with basic blues progression for now? Maybe quite famous stuff cos I don't know a lot of the jazz repertoire yet (I'm ok transposing if I know what key it's in and have a lead sheet.....)

 

[SaxDon]

I can recommend getting Aebersold's Volume 2 - Nothin' But Blues for super stuff on blues progressions, heads, scales etc. Volume 42 - Blues in all Keys in good as well. I know lots of people think the blues can be overused but I love it!!

 

[SaxDon]

in fact with these two volumes you'll be playing the blues so much you'll have the blues from playing the blues............ I'm here all week, tickets can be found at the bar 🙂

 

[BigMartin]

For some reason this popped into my head

 

[SaxDon]

Remember being made to sing this in a school assembly back in the mid 90s. I can still feel the embarrassment.... I need to call my psychiatrist right now

 

[Colin the Bear]

Off the top of my head

Livery stable blues
Night train
Farewell blues
Stormy Monday
In the mood?

Blues of the month

Bert Weedons Guitar boogie

Stick 12 bar backing track and the concert key into youtube and there's loads of tracks. There's a rather good "African" one that's fun to play.

The thing with blues is you don't need a lead sheet, just wing it.

 

[Jay]

Off the top of my head

Livery stable blues
Night train
Farewell blues
Stormy Monday
In the mood?

Blues of the month

Bert Weedons Guitar boogie

Stick 12 bar backing track and the concert key into youtube and there's loads of tracks. There's a rather good "African" one that's fun to play.

The thing with blues is you don't need a lead sheet, just wing it.

Thank you, this is exactly what I needed. Will go youtube hunting too 🙂

I understand that most of you can 'just wing it' with the blues, but this is my very first attempt at such and I need the security of a 'tune' to begin with at least

 

[aldevis]

Bags groove (concert F)
Now's the time (F)
Tenor madness (Bb)

for self harm, "Billie's Bounce" (F)

If you are really lazy, "C jam blues" (in C, of course)

 

[aldevis]

And Blue Monk, of course

 

[Jay]

Thank you 🙂

I really like Blue Monk. And Tenor Madness. And Now's the Time.......

 

[jimmylh]

Chitlins Con Carne

 

[Jay]

Chitlins Con Carne

Didn't know this by name, but another great tune, thank you 🙂 and played by Stanley Turrentine, as an added bonus 😎

 

[jimmylh]

Didn't know this by name, but another great tune, thank you 🙂 and played by Stanley Turrentine, as an added bonus 😎

One of the members here has a really nice version on his sound cloud.

https://soundcloud.com/king-casey/04-chitlins-con-carne

 

[trimmy]

And Blue Monk, of course

First proper tune i got under my fingers 🙂

 

[MandyH]

I spent all of the last two days practising the horrible runs in the Cossack Wedding Dance that we are playing at band. Horrible because they are fast and full of accidentals, as well as being in Eb. I got so I could play them, I was so pleased with myself. Band last night - he doubled the tempo - absolutely no chance, possibly ever, I don't think my fingers actually move that fast 😱

So, rather fed up I've spent so much precious practice time on something that didn't really get me anywhere

I don't now have much to show for my next lesson (Mon). I was set the D blues scale (concert C?) to do some work on, which I have to say I'm enjoying.

Now I want to learn a couple of blues heads and then try inventing some very short solos. But despite everything I read saying 'loads of songs are based on the 12 bar blues progression' most of the ones I'm looking at aren't! Any ideas for songs with basic blues progression for now? Maybe quite famous stuff cos I don't know a lot of the jazz repertoire yet (I'm ok transposing if I know what key it's in and have a lead sheet.....)

I can't help on the blues bit.....but keep practicing the band piece. Once your fingers truly have it sussed at a slower speed (and do it on their own, without you needing to read the music), use a metronome to up the speed gradually. And you'll be cracking it in band in no time.

Just because you didn't get it first time, doesn't mean you will never get it.
Focussed practice!

 

[Chris]

@Jay check out this thread CafeBlues

Chris..

 

[Jay]

@Jay check out this thread CafeBlues

Chris..

I keep listening to all these improvs but my issue is getting started...........at least I can noodle a bit at home now, if no-one's listening, maybe I'll get there one day.

 

[BigMartin]

I keep listening to all these improvs but my issue is getting started...........at least I can noodle a bit at home now,

Then you have got started. It takes time

maybe I'll get there one day.

I don't think you ever get "there". There is no there. You just get better.

 

[jbtsax]

It helps if you are a "baby boomer" who grew up in the '50's and '60's to know how much the blues form and harmony was used in early "Rock and Roll".

 

[aldevis]

It helps if you are a "baby boomer" who grew up in the '50's and '60's to know how much the blues form and harmony was used in early "Rock and Roll".

Ladies of any age are always younger than that.