Customer Reviews

Vol. 57, Minor Blues IN All Keys For All Instruments (Book & CD Set)

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As both a musician and a teacher, I've found myself going through two stages in life - - one getting annoyed with students who've spent a little too much time in those Aebersold play-a-longs and another, annoyed with musicians who *need* to get their hands on some of them and learn some Jazz essentials.

From a gigging perspective, beyond mastering the II V I progression there are three major Jazz forms that are essential to know before you hit the bandstand... major blues, minor blues and rhythm changes - - If you don't know how to play them by now, this book is an excellent starting point.

One of the great things about the minor blues is that there are so many ways of altering them and stretching them out... you can use substitute chords, passing chords, experiment with interesting colors and voicings... and eventually apply what you know to other tunes in minor keys. Fans of hard bop BETTER have them down solid... They also provide a great opportunity to practise your half diminished scales too... so if you need some schooling on the minor blues, this is definitely a nice place to start !

This minor blues book CD set was so impressive that I rushed off and bought the major blues set as well.

Why? Because the book is beautifully laid out with just the right amount of information to get you going, and to support you in the right keys while you play. There is a lovely balance between text and space, so that the pages are easy to read. You have scales and a suggested tune that you can use as a starting point for your own improvisation.

The CD is really beautifully done as well, and makes you sound as if you are playing like an angel, when perhaps you aren't. Sometimes backing CDs can sound like someone with a beer can at his elbow banging on old synthesiser with a wooden spoon. This one is nothing like that, it is very elegant and slick string bass, drums and piano trio, who can be added or removed using the balance control on your stereo system.

I challenge anyone not to sound good, or to play better after owning this and using it over a few months.


Good luck!