Piano Adventures 3B: 12 Bar Blues

 This post includes lesson plans for "12 Bar Blues" in Piano Adventures 3B.

Choose a 12 Bar Blues Activity to complete below or listen to supplementary blues pieces and choose one you are interested in learning to play.

Theory

12 Bar Blues Chord Pattern In C Major:

12 Bar Blues Chord Pattern In C Major:

C C C C

F F C C

G F C C

Improvisation

Activity 1: 12 Bar Blues Pattern Video & Improv

Watch the first 2 minutes of the video and create your own improv using the 12 Bar Blues Pattern. Pause the video and take time to try it on the keys before moving on to each new idea he presents.
Pianote 12 Bar Blues Piano Tutorial

 

Activity 2: 12 Bar Blues Pattern Composing

Using the 12 Bar Blues Color in My Piano Printable create your own jazz blues music by playing melodies using the notes from the blues scale and adding a Left Hand pattern of your choice.

For more fun try this 12 Bar Blues Summertime Blues Duet Improv with your teacher or another student. Can you spot which measure doesn't follow the 12-bar blues pattern?

Activity 3: 12 Bar Blues Left Hand Variation Samples

Watch each sample blues video and then try to imitate the left hand patterns they use.

Supplementary Music

Funkasaurus by Eric Baumgartner - Jazz Piano Basics also on Kindle

 Cotton Mills Blues (2nd Half of Blues Medley) - Piano Pronto Movement 3

In the Mood by Joe Garland Piano (Band)-Faber 3A/3B Studio Collection

Don't Wanna Leave You Blues- Martha Mier Jazz Rags and Blues 1

Got Those Boogie Blues by Dennis Alexander -  Magic of Music Bk 1

7th Street Blues Martha Mier- Jazz Rags and Blues Bk 1

Alley Blues by Gillian Erskine and Paul Myatt - Discovering Piano Bumper p 46 12 Bar

Rhythm Brothers by Gillian Erskine and Paul Myatt - Discovering Piano Bumper p 74 12 Bar

Secret Agent Hideout by Paul Myatt - Discovering Piano Bumper p 79 12 Bar 

Jam Session- by Gillian Erskine and Paul Myatt - Discovering Piano Bumper  p 139 12 Bar

Related Posts:

Teaching Jazz Piano Basics

Jazz Rags and Blues Festival Listening

Free Piano Lesson Book Plans

Piano Accompaniment Left Hand Patterns

42 Liebestraum and 6/4 Time Signature

45 Barrelhouse Blues and Swing Rhythm

46 The Piano Playin' Chocolate Eater's Blues

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