How to play Blues piano
The 12 Bar Blues!
12 Bar Blues!
Besides learning the blues scale, this is the pattern that you will need to learn initially when you start learning Blues Piano. Once you are comfortable with the 12-Bars, you may want to try out some chord substitutions, just to make it a bit more exciting and to prevent it from sounding monotonous.
Characteristics
Here are some of the skills that you will need, if you want to know how to play blues Piano. You will need to incorporate them in your playing to make it sound bluesy!
Blues Scale – You need to learn this scale! You may find it a bit awkward initially after having played the major / minor scales.
12-bar form – You need to play chords in a specific order for 12 bars.
Shuffle Rhythm – Play chords in a delayed manner.
Grace Notes – Use extra notes besides your main melody notes.
Major / Minor chords – Use Major and Minor chords.
Recommended Books
Blues Piano: Hal Leonard Keyboard Style Series (Keyboard Instruction) (Paperback) by Mark Harrison
Improvising Blues Piano (Paperback): by Tim Richards (Composer)
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