Improvising Study 5 - Turnarounds

In Improvising Study 1 you learned how to use repetition to create memorable solos and instrumentals. In Improvising Study 2 you learned the art of Focus Notes, Textures and Rhythm. In Improvising Study 3 we focused on the most important and most underused element in conveying emotion... dynamics. In Improvising Study 4 we developed your V-IV-I lick vocabulary. In this study we’ll develop your Turnaround lick vocabulary as well as learn how to utilize this area of the 12 Bar Blues to help lead into the next chorus of a solo.

This study is for all skill levels, though it is recommended that you have completed up to Bending and Tongue Blocking Studies 2. The licks you’ll study will get progressively more challenging as the numbers increase (from beginning to advanced). You’ll need A, B-flat and D Harmonicas for this study.

Videos include: Section 1 - Turnaround Introduction: Introduction; Review of V-IV-I Transitions (Improvising Study 4); Turnaround Definition; Section 2 - Approaches: Classic Turnaround; No Turnaround; Pickup to Next Chorus; Buildup to Next Chorus; Start Next Chorus Early; Section 3 - Turnaround Chord Tones: Example 1 - I-V Turnaround Chord Tones; Example 2 - I-IV-I-IV Turnaround Chord Tones; Example 3 - I-VI-II-V Turnaround Chord Tones; Section 4 - Turnaround Lick Vocabulary: Classic Turnaround Licks - Examples 1-17; Classic Turnaround Licks - Examples 18-34; Buildup Licks - Examples 1-12; Classic Slow Blues Turnaround Licks - Examples 1-17; Sections 5 & 6 - Song Analysis & Homework: Song Analysis & Homework; Closing