Homework for Module 25
A. Memorize the 12-bar form
In C, play roots only:
C C C C | F F C C | G F C G
without looking at notes.
Then transpose to F:
F F F F | B♭ B♭ F F | C B♭ F C
B. Block-chord blues
Play the 12 bars using:
C7, F7, G7
One chord per bar.
Count aloud.
C. Shuffle LH
Practice:
C-G / C-A
F-C / F-D
G-D / G-E.
Make it mechanically stable before RH improvisation.
D. Blue-third drill
Over:
C7: E♭→E
F7: A♭→A
G7: B♭→B
Practice each until the sound becomes natural.
E. Blues scale
C blues:
C E♭ F G♭ G B♭
Improvise for one chorus.
Rule:
never play more than four consecutive notes without a rest.
F. Major/minor mixture
Alternate phrases using:
C major pentatonic:
C D E G A
and C minor pentatonic:
C E♭ F G B♭
Then deliberately mix E♭→E.
G. Chord-aware targets
During the 12 bars:
on F7, deliberately land on A.
on G7, land on B.
on return to C7, land on E or C.
Make the form audible through your melody.
H. Call and response
Bars 1–2:
statement.
Bars 3–4:
variation/answer.
Bars 5–6:
new statement.
Bars 9–10:
strongest response.
Leave real silence between phrases.
I. Turnaround
Practice bars 11–12 three ways:
- C7 | G7
- C7 A7 | Dm7 G7
- C7 A7 | Dm7 D♭7
Then return to C7.
J. Complete blues performance
Play at least three choruses:
Chorus 1
simple, sparse.
Chorus 2
major/minor blues mixture and chord targeting.
Chorus 3
more active, then deliberate ending.
Record it in one take.