Grab your violin, viola, or cello and play along with this free Blues Fiddle Guided Practice Session, recorded during a live Zoom class. Pause and replay the video at your own pace.
Table of Contents
For more Blues resources, check out my Blues Improvisation Series (Videos, Mp3s, Worksheets)
The Chords are based on the 12-bar blues, reminiscent of Red House by Jimi Hendrix
| | B7 | | E7 | | B7 | | B7 |
| | E7 | | E7 | | B7 | | B7 |
| | F#7 | | E7 | |B7 E7 | | B7 F#7 |
What's covered:
- Play Blues Licks on Fiddle After Me (00:00-3:00) I play short phrases and leave room for your response.Phrases are chosen to fit harmonically into the spaces even when the chords in 12 bar blues progression change.My rhythmic and harmonic strategies include:
- A mix of simple/clear and laid back/loose melodic rhythms
- A mix of swung and double-time rhythms
- Minor blues scale, major blues scale, bebop scales, voice-led chord tones, and chromatic approach-based lines
- Mark the Form of the Progression (3:37-13:00)
- Play roots and fifths
- Use a familiar guitar-based blues riff on fiddle
- Play a blues bass line
- Outline 3rds and 7ths over the chords
- Play the arpeggios to the blues progression>
- Voice-lead the arpeggios
- Play Clear Phrases (13:00 onwards) Instead of focusing on Blues inflections, focus on playing clear phrases and rhythms. If you focus on clear melodic rhythms and phrases, you can add inflections and subtle nuances of feel later.
To learn more about playing the blues...
Check out my Blues Improvisation Multimedia Series
- Five sequential video lessons
- mp3 backing tracks
- accompanying worksheet
or become a more creative, versatile player all-around...
Continue with Creative Strings Academy
- Courses in improvisation, harmony, and rhythm
- Guided practice to build confidence and versatility
- Learn at your own pace
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