How can you keep going in a long improvisation?

In this lesson, we will understand why improvisation in blues music is so important. We will learn how to improvise confidently in longer musical phrases.

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Quiz:

Intro quiz - Recap from previous lesson

Before we start this lesson, let’s see what you can remember from this topic. Here’s a quick quiz!

Q1.If you are playing a 12 bar blues in G, what would the I, IV, and V chords be?

G, C and DC, E and GG, F and A

1/8

Q2.If we transpose the 12 bar blues structure to F, what three pitches would we play?

F Bb and CF E and DF G and A

2/8

Q3.What is a 'turn around' chord in the blues structure?

Where a band repeats the same chord over again.Where the band plays a chord in a different key.Where the last chord in the structure is chord (V) instead of chord (I).

3/8

Q4.How is a walking bass line created from chords?

A walking bass line is the notes of the chords 'broken' into an ascending and descending pattern.A walking bass line is the notes of the chords played together at the same time.A walking bass line is the notes of the chords played an octave apart.

4/8

Q5.What types of instruments were used in early blues music?

Percussion and guitar.Brass and woodwind,Concertina and vocals.

5/8

Q6.What is a blues 'head'?

The 12 bar blues arrangement.A main melody or theme that will repeat throughout a blues song.A solo improvisation.

6/8

Q7.Which pitches are heard in the G major blues scale?

G A B D E GG A B C D E F# GG Bb C Db D F G

7/8

Q8.What is improvising?

Following a score.Copying another musician.Making up the music on the spot.

8/8

This quiz includes images that don't have any alt text - please contact your teacher who should be able to help you with an audio description.

Unit quizzes are being retired in August 2023

Why we're removing unit quizzes from the website >

Quiz:

Intro quiz - Recap from previous lesson

Before we start this lesson, let’s see what you can remember from this topic. Here’s a quick quiz!

Q1.If you are playing a 12 bar blues in G, what would the I, IV, and V chords be?

G, C and DC, E and GG, F and A

1/8

Q2.If we transpose the 12 bar blues structure to F, what three pitches would we play?

F Bb and CF E and DF G and A

2/8

Q3.What is a 'turn around' chord in the blues structure?

Where a band repeats the same chord over again.Where the band plays a chord in a different key.Where the last chord in the structure is chord (V) instead of chord (I).

3/8

Q4.How is a walking bass line created from chords?

4/8

Q5.What types of instruments were used in early blues music?

Percussion and guitar.Brass and woodwind,Concertina and vocals.

5/8

Q6.What is a blues 'head'?

The 12 bar blues arrangement.A main melody or theme that will repeat throughout a blues song.A solo improvisation.

6/8

Q7.Which pitches are heard in the G major blues scale?

G A B D E GG A B C D E F# GG Bb C Db D F G

7/8

Q8.What is improvising?

Following a score.Copying another musician.Making up the music on the spot.

8/8

Video

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Worksheet

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This quiz includes images that don't have any alt text - please contact your teacher who should be able to help you with an audio description.

Unit quizzes are being retired in August 2023

Why we're removing unit quizzes from the website >

Quiz:

How can you keep going in a long improvisation?

Here is your opportunity to show everything you have learned about blues improvising and techniques to keep going for long periods of music. Make sure you read the questions carefully.

Q1.What is 'jamming' in music?

Where musicians would get together and spontaneously play music; more of a social gathering.When people would make jam in a factory.A performance in a concert hall.

1/5

Q2.In the early blues of the 1900's, musicians did not have printed scores, how did they play together?

They would only play songs they already knew.They would copy one another.They would make up tunes and lyrics on the spot.

2/5

Q3.Which of these descriptions talks about a successful improvisation?

The notes were clear, you can hear phrases in swung rhythm and there are repeated musical ideas.The notes were too long, they rhythms are slow and a lot of the pitches are the same.The notes are the same as the blues head melody.

3/5

Q4.What is this grid showing you?

Bb major scaleG pentatonic scaleG blues scale

4/5

Q5.Why does a good blues improvisation use swung rhythms?

Blues music has a swing feel, which you can hear in the drum shuffle.Blues music has changed and moved from straight to swung rhythms.Blues improvisations only include quaver notes.

5/5

This quiz includes images that don't have any alt text - please contact your teacher who should be able to help you with an audio description.

Unit quizzes are being retired in August 2023

Why we're removing unit quizzes from the website >

Quiz:

How can you keep going in a long improvisation?

Here is your opportunity to show everything you have learned about blues improvising and techniques to keep going for long periods of music. Make sure you read the questions carefully.

Q1.What is 'jamming' in music?

Where musicians would get together and spontaneously play music; more of a social gathering.When people would make jam in a factory.A performance in a concert hall.

1/5

Q2.In the early blues of the 1900's, musicians did not have printed scores, how did they play together?

They would only play songs they already knew.They would copy one another.They would make up tunes and lyrics on the spot.

2/5

Q3.Which of these descriptions talks about a successful improvisation?

3/5

Q4.What is this grid showing you?

Bb major scaleG pentatonic scaleG blues scale

4/5

Q5.Why does a good blues improvisation use swung rhythms?

Blues music has a swing feel, which you can hear in the drum shuffle.Blues music has changed and moved from straight to swung rhythms.Blues improvisations only include quaver notes.

5/5

Lesson summary: How can you keep going in a long improvisation?

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Time to move!

Did you know that exercise helps your concentration and ability to learn?

For 5 mins...

Move around:
Walk

On the spot:
Dance

The next lesson in:
Band Musicianship 2: The Blues
is:
How do blues singers communicate emotion?

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How can you keep going in a long improvisation?

Unit quizzes are being retired in August 2023

Intro quiz - Recap from previous lesson

Unit quizzes are being retired in August 2023

Intro quiz - Recap from previous lesson

Video

Worksheet

Unit quizzes are being retired in August 2023

How can you keep going in a long improvisation?

Unit quizzes are being retired in August 2023

How can you keep going in a long improvisation?

Lesson summary: How can you keep going in a long improvisation?

It looks like you have not completed one of the quizzes.

Time to move!

The next lesson in: Band Musicianship 2: The Blues is: How do blues singers communicate emotion?

Browse Oak's lessons:

The next lesson in:
Band Musicianship 2: The Blues
is:
How do blues singers communicate emotion?