3 Levels of Playing a Blues

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00:00 Intro
03:01 Level 1
07:35 Level 2
12:04 Level 3
21:02 Outro and final thoughts
Check out some more videos:
• Improvisation Lessons
• Saxophone Lessons
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[@DavePollack]

Get the PDF worksheet for this lesson! ►www.davepollack.com/3levelsblues

[@c.l.4895]

Seriously though, the restricted practice of doing something *musical* with only chord tones is harder than it sounds. It is great how many resources like this are available now. I had an Abersold book with a bootleg cassette tape… and it shows! 😮

[@DavePollack]

Hey I had the same thing! I wish I had stuff like this when I was first diving into improvisation.

[@neilripsch6624]

This takes a great deal of effort to put these videos together and I absolutely appreciate your work. It helps me immensely!

[@DavePollack]

Thank you so much for the kind words - I'm so glad it's helping you!

[@jazzvent]

Terrific lesson ! Glad I found your videos. As a retired teacher, I can say that your skill as a teacher is outstanding ! Looking forward to watching and learning from many more of your videos !

[@DavePollack]

Wow - thank you so much for those very kind words!! 🙏

[@balotim8088]

Great great helpfull Video! Thanks a lot Dave!

[@DavePollack]

You're very welcome!

[@bastienbuathier-muller2569]

As always, such a pleasure to see an another video of you Dave! You really brought some information here!!! Thank you so much and congrats for your work!

[@DavePollack]

You're very welcome! Thanks so much for the kind words - glad you like it!

[@brigitte546]

Thank you, this is so helpful! So easy to follow and clear to understand. Will work on it. ❣️

[@DavePollack]

You're welcome!!

[@robstevens9590]

Thanks Dave. Another helpful video.

[@DavePollack]

You're welcome Rob!

[@LuanneFose]

Wonderfully explained, Dave! I wish everyone in the community college jazz band I play in would watch this one! They are so stymied by improvisation and you break it down so well. Thank you!

[@DavePollack]

Thanks so much! Definitely share this video with them!

[@keithridenhour7033]

Nice job Dave. you are so clear. you are helping many sax player s

[@DavePollack]

Thanks so much Keith! That's my goal - reach and help as many people as I can.

[@markflopresti]

Thanks Professor Dave!

[@DavePollack]

You’re very welcome!

[@michaelvilleneuve1470]

Thanks, it helped me understand some concepts and better visualize the path from beginner to advanced 🙏

[@DavePollack]

So glad to hear that!

[@jamiemcgoldrick3350]

Many thanks. This is a great video and a really helpful learning tool

[@DavePollack]

Glad to hear that!

[@pikkyardians]

Thanks dave!

[@DavePollack]

You're welcome! 🙏

[@peterankin985]

Thank you so much dave this is ideal a real boon for slow learners like me thanks a million for your time...pete...spain

[@DavePollack]

You're very welcome Pete! There will definitely be more to come.

[@lounote1]

Great stuff. Almost like an analysis of an Omnibook solo. It sounds hip and the breakdown demystifies it. I also like how thorough these lessons are. Thanks

[@DavePollack]

You're so welcome!

[@rfahy991]

Your comment about jazz happening between measures is perfect. I’m looking to practice those types of connections. Do you have a syllabus of phrases I can purchase?

[@DavePollack]

My free masterclass (linked in the description) is perfect for that!

[@ricardoparedes3656]

I like that you used the jazz blues. My lazy jazzz needs to practice those changes instead of just outlining a basic blues lol

[@DavePollack]

😂 there you go! Then it's time for a Bird Blues!

[@calkig]

I would absolutely subscribe to an online course that deep dived into jazz blues (and harmonic variations, styles, and strategies). Currently I find myself at a loss for good vocabulary concepts on a 12 bar blues when things start going into the up tempo realm. The mostly blues scale based motivic stuff I am used to hearing in my head and playing over medium tempo sounds super out place when the time starts to speed up.

[@DavePollack]

Have you gotten my emails about Simple Steps to Improvisation Success? That is exactly what you’re looking for!

[@_alexcr]

great video

[@DavePollack]

Thanks!

[@str8shooter-talk116]

Wish I would’ve had all this when I first started playing. I probably would’ve ditched legit playing a lot sooner…fast forward 30 years and I’m just now learning how to! Would love some private instruction!

[@DavePollack]

I wish I had stuff like this too - that's why I'm making it!

[@ryanhajji]

This is super bussin ! Thanks man I just started playing the sax about 2 months ago and I am about level 1/early 2. Do you have any tips for me when practicing as I'd like to become as good as I can. Thanks once again for this amazing quality production video!

[@DavePollack]

Thanks so much! Well, just take your time with things and go step by step. Try to not to practice a million things at once - focus on 1-3 things per practice sessions and go DEEP with them. I have a ton of resources here on KZbin (check out the playlists in the description) so definitely poke around there to find some topics that interest you.

[@kricheaux]

I enjoy all of your videos and teaching aids immensely. Thank you! I did not see the playlist you referred to in the description below the video, so I would like that if possible. Also, how many hours a day do you suggest I need to practice to even approach being a good jazz improviser? I know that's a difficult question, but I'd like to know what you might suggest.

[@DavePollack]

The 2 playlists are under "Check out some more videos" (below the timestamps) down in the description. As far as how much to practice, that's REALLY tough for me to say without knowing how old you are, how much time you actually have, how much you've already played, etc. But I would say that 1 hour a day can go a LONG way if you really only focus on 1-3 main topics and dive deep with them. Don't try to do too much in a practice session!

[@waynepharo]

Great video Dave !! I am still confused when you start improvising using the same chord tones but changing the rhythum , are you still playing 8 bars? It sound like you are playing more than 8 bars???

[@DavePollack]

Thanks Wayne! I'm playing over the entire 12-bar blues, not 8 measures. When I did the solo using chord tones, I did 2 choruses, so 24 total measures.

[@homeandfamilyservices2650]

Good thanks but (Level1) you didnt mention anything about the backing track. Am I being dumb. Perhaps you could do something on choosing backing tracks. I play tenor so I presume the backing track I need would not be in the same key as the one you used etc. Cheers

[@DavePollack]

It’s a concert Bb blues, so search for a concert Bb blues track on youtube, irealpro, etc

[@homeandfamilyservices2650]

Thanks. I realise its a Bb instrument but I would have gone OK G chord transposed for the tenor gives me A. So I would have looked for an A backing track. I am self learning and find thus difficult( altho, it probably isnt...) M

[@kwootamuckbear9294]

Whatabout those Phillies ⚾️☮️🎵🎶🎷

[@DavePollack]

Best record in baseball baby!!!

[@c.l.4895]

Nice intro video. Would have been more helpful 35 years ago though, just saying 😂

[@DavePollack]

😂😂 sorry about that!