LESSONS
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Building The Minor Blues Series 1 - Lesson 1
Building the Minor Blues Series 1 kicks off with James 'explaining the form' of this classic minor blues chord progression and highlighting how minor blues is different to a traditional 12 bar blues. Recognising the chord changes is instrumental in learning how to improvise using minor blues. James explains the technique behind building the minor blues whilst the backing track is playing so you can familiarise yourself with the track as well as the chord progressions prior to playing it yourself.
Building The Minor Blues Series 1 - Lesson 2
In this lesson James explains and teaches you two minor pentatonic scales that are fundamental to being able to improvise over this minor blues backing track. James shows you how these minor pentatonic scales fit into the chord progressions you will play and where and when you should look to play them over the backing track. As well as learning where these scales fit while playing them to our brilliant minor blues backing track, in this lesson you will start to gain confidence with your minor blues improvisations. James will show you some basic minor blues improvisations in the lesson, but try and make up some of your own, too.
Building The Minor Blues Series 1 - Lesson 3
Lesson three of Building the Blues Series 1 aims to provide you with the ability to be able to 'limit' yourself. This technique of 'playing the spaces' is what the pro saxophonists do so well. James provides you with instruction to teach you certain techniques that help you 'focus in' on particular aspects of your soloing and create a much better minor blues sound and vibe. This provides you with a professional platform to work from and provides you with a greater level of ability to provide 'structure and form' to your playing. Sounding good is harder than you think, but you'll be well on the right path by the end of this lesson.
Building The Minor Blues Series 1 - Lesson 4
In this lesson James introduces the blue note and the concept of playing with intervals. This provides you with more colors to add to your artist's palette, whilst expanding the range of your playing. Being able to call on these concepts at will is a great asset to have when your sax minor blues improvising. Putting these together helps you to become a storyteller with your music and take listeners on a journey through a range of emotions.
Building The Minor Blues Series 1 - Lesson 5
In this lesson James shows you his technique of what he calls 'going vertical'. This is done by outlining the individual chord tones for each individual chord in this 12 bar minor blues. This is all about playing the right notes at the right time and in the right place. James demonstrates each chord within the 12 bar minor blues whilst the backing track is playing, which really helps you 'hone in' on this 'going vertical' approach to soloing and improvising.
Building The Minor Blues Series 1 - Lesson 6
In this final lesson James combines the various techniques that have been taught throughout this minor blues series. James again explains and talks through the improvisations whilst the backing track is playing and demonstrates how all of the techniques and ideas taught in this series seamlessly fit together. This will help you plan your own solos when improvising, and ultimately provide you with the tools to have the most amount of fun when improvising over this minor blues backing track.
Building The Minor Blues Series 1 - Example Solo
This great example solo will provide you with some inspirational ideas and starting points to help you improve your own saxophone playing. James plays through this minor blues backing track with the skill and dynamics you would expect from a seasoned pro. Use some of James's licks and phrases in your own playing and use this great solo to your own advantage. Watch James at work using all the different techniques you have learned in Building the Minor Blues Series 1, then get to work producing your own incredible sax sound.
Building The Minor Blues Series 1 - Tone and Gear
In this additional lesson James gives an in depth talk on how he achieves his great tone and overall minor blues sound. He explains his instrument set up and the advantages and disadvantages of how certain gear may affect your tone and ability to play both the minor blues and your instrument in general. He explains in depth his own personal set up and why this particularly works for him. Use this to your own advantage to see if there are ways to help you improve your own set up, while remembering that your saxophone is individual to you and that what works for James might not work for you.
Building The Minor Blues Series 1 - Backing Track Mp3
This backing track (Mp3) was recorded live in the Pro Music Tutor studio. This track was recorded in the style of B.B. King's 'The Thrill is Gone'. This backing track has been deliberately produced with a longer running time, to give you longer to be able to practice all of the concepts you have learned in Building the Minor Blues Series 1. This track is very dynamic all the way through and would sound fantastic over a stereo or PA system. So download this backing track, turn it up loud and improvise to your hearts content either alone or with your friends.
Building The Minor Blues Series 1 - Backing Track Wav
This backing track (Wav) was recorded live in the Pro Music Tutor studio. This track was recorded in the style of B.B. King's 'The Thrill is Gone'. This backing track has been deliberately produced with a longer running time, to give you longer to be able to practice all of the concepts you have learned in Building the Minor Blues Series 1. This track is very dynamic all the way through and would sound fantastic over a stereo or PA system. So download this backing track, turn it up loud and improvise to your hearts content either alone or with your friends.
