Play Blues Piano Music
It may surprise you but, few pianists know how to successfully execute a simple blues on the piano. Given the hundreds of different chord variations in a 12-bar blues it's no wonder that many don't know which to choose so they simply avoid the whole process altogether.
Here are a few simple rules to follow when learning to play blues on the piano.
Steps
- Play a C Chord. If you cannot play one, read my article on how to play a C Chord on piano. Play for two beats.
- Play an inverted F chord. Play it for two beats.
- Repeat. Repeat the last two steps to create two bars.
- Repeat again. Repeat the last step twice. This will create four bars.
- Move up. Move up to the F. Play the F chord for a bar.
- Move down. And then repeat steps 1 - 2.
- Move up. Move up to the G. Play the G chord for 2 beats.
- Move down. Move down to the F. Play the F chord for 2 beats.
- Repeat. Move down and repeat steps 1 - 2.
- Repeat whole sequence. That is basically it!
Tips
- What's next? Well, you might want to go down to your local music store and get a book on blues riffs. There are standards riffs or rhythms that you can learn to make you playing sound a lot more bluesy.
- Play in a 3/4 style. It really brings out the actual blues.
- Remember, you still have your left hand free! Play bass notes or even riffs and little solos!
- In terms of how to comp or play chords along with other musicians here's a neat trick. Play the root and the seventh in the left hand and cover the third, fifth and any extensions that you want to in the right hand. You will find that this is very effective in any blues situation.
- Mess around with it a bit! See what happens!
Warnings
- Try not to get too bogged down on technical stuff. You will find that the blues lends itself to easy and free improvisation because of its simplicity.
Things You'll Need
- A piano/keyboard
