The blues structure
Tue, 04/03/2012 - 07:36
Hi David,
Whether it be the 8 bar blues or the 12 bar blues there's a definite structure to how the chords change. Now as a student here I am learning the songs you are putting up which follow these patterns. The question I have is to do with this. Does one's hearing these changes improve over time? Does one have to practise hearing these changes while listening to other songs? Is there some material that will help me understand this because when I jam with friends I am guilty of not being able to hear these changes?
Yes, there is certainly a pattern, and you will get better at hearing it as you continue your studies. 12 Bar Blues is standard (known structure) and 8 Bar is not (stay away from those for a while). There is a reason why I have chord changes noted for EVERY song I teach you, so you can use those as sign posts of where you're at. When listening to a study song for the first time, run your finger along the TAB as you listen a number of times, noting where the chords change. Working through the Improvising Studies will be very helpful as well... this teaches you to know where to repeat a lick or change it. This study also teaches you how to pull licks from your study songs for improvisation.