Having Fun with 12 Bar Blues - Music Theory

[@MusicMattersGB]

Learn Music Online - Check out our courses here! www.mmcourses.co.uk/courses

[@pjny123]

Absolutely stellar presentation! So glad I discovered you Gareth - you are truly a teacher's teacher. Am loving your Theory 1-8 course; it could not be more helpful, and I look forward to diving into your many other courses after that. You are making life richer for so many of us. Thank you!!

[@MusicMattersGB]

That’s really kind of you. Makes it all worthwhile.

[@johnflavin1602]

Agreed, Gareth has a real knack of explaining complex things in a simple way. His courses are great too.

[@MusicMattersGB]

Thanks for your support. Much appreciated.

[@johnweru]

Thanks for this. I studied Music Theory in primary school and understood the basics but had little practise. You explain it in ways that rekindle my love for music. Thanks.

[@MusicMattersGB]

That’s kind of you. See www.mmcourses.co.uk for much more.

[@davidroberts3086]

Simple and effective presentation as always. Right up my street. Nice to break away from the routine lessons I’m doing and jam. Like the suggestion of more pop video’s and songwriting from another eager viewer

[@MusicMattersGB]

Thank you. Suggestion noted. Much more at www.mmcourses.co.uk

[@edwinmenda]

Thank you Gareth. This 12 Bar Blues theory is simple and good fun too. Thank you.

[@MusicMattersGB]

That’s great. Much more at www.mmcourses.co.uk including details of our 25 online courses and of our Maestros programme.

[@vallyrossi3347]

I have set myself a challenge to watch all your videos all the way till the end, and usually it‘s a pretty simple task (because to me you are the greatest of all music teachers) , but this one was tough…I made it through though!

[@MusicMattersGB]

You’re very kind and well done for conquering this one! Much more at www.mmcourses.co.uk including details of our online courses and of our exciting Maestros programme. If you value this channel and would like to help us continue to share and develop the content please consider supporting us as a level 1 Maestro by clicking here kzbin.info/door/8yI8P7Zi3yYTsypera-IQgjoin Alternatively you can express your support for the channel by clicking on the Super Thanks button beneath any of our videos. Thank you.

[@ljdobles8104]

Great video. Hopefully you can do another one on the blues with more advanced tips.

[@MusicMattersGB]

Good idea.

[@TheLaunchPadQLD]

Thank you Gareth! This video is great.

[@MusicMattersGB]

Glad it’s helpful

[@StreetArtistsOfTheWorld]

Really enjoyed this lesson! Going to do a search for blues on your channel (feel free to recommend any particular video!) and looking forward to more blues lessons in future!😘

[@MusicMattersGB]

We haven’t yet got many blues videos but there are some lead sheet videos

[@beardedbrooks6580]

Teaching this to my son right now. So helpful and he was engaged

[@MusicMattersGB]

Glad it’s helpful. Much more at www.mmcourses.co.uk

[@rachell783]

Perfect timing! Thanks!!

[@MusicMattersGB]

Thank you. Much more at www.mmcourses.co.uk

[@pathaks1]

Class in understanding composition thru swing❤

[@MusicMattersGB]

😀

[@danharrow7458]

Thanks for all your videos Gareth. I know you mostly teach within the classical genre, however as others have suggested there are plenty who would benefit from your style of teaching in maybe Jazz and more in depth Blues. I understand this is a big ask since these styles alone are huge. I play jazz and blues keyboard and guitar but feel feel your teaching method and communication skills are excellent and would be very welcome in these genres.

[@MusicMattersGB]

Great suggestion. We will see what can be done in future.

[@goutammitra4468]

Sir nice your teaching is very helpful. Thanks.

[@MusicMattersGB]

A pleasure. Much more at www.mmcourses.co.uk including details of our online courses and of our exciting Maestros programme.

[@kathleencook3060]

Thank you. That was fun. Can't wait to get going.

[@MusicMattersGB]

Enjoy!

[@michaeltaylor7407]

Thanks Gareth. I loved this video!!

[@MusicMattersGB]

A pleasure. Much more at www.mmcourses.co.uk including details of our 25 online courses and of our Maestros programme.

[@joenewbie4793]

thanks mate, I play the piano and this is a really fun video.

[@MusicMattersGB]

Glad you’re enjoying it. Much more at www.mmcourses.co.uk

[@meimeidelcastillo8819]

THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! 🙏🏻

[@MusicMattersGB]

A pleasure. Much more at www.mmcourses.co.uk including details of our online courses and of our exciting Maestros programme. If you value this channel and would like to help us continue to share and develop the content please consider supporting us as a level 1 Maestro by clicking here kzbin.info/door/8yI8P7Zi3yYTsypera-IQgjoin Alternatively you can express your support for the channel by clicking on the Super Thanks button beneath any of our videos. Thank you.

[@orangecrushbb]

Why do we play sixth? 6:05

[@MusicMattersGB]

The 6th is a passing note between the G and the Bb.

[@oneeyemonster3262]

you have to think like a guitar player...even most guitar player havnt master master the DOMINANT Pentatonic.. becuase the fingering are sort of wicked ..but once you get it under your fingers..you can use it like a skeleton/stencil to modulate. Use the so call dominant ish mode within the so call exotic scales. I chose to play the so call blues variation 3 ( 3 each passing notes) Notice...the b2...Maj3........maj7..option or passing notes it's optional becuase I might play it or not...depending on the phrasing ans if Im ascending or descending. And it also depend how my hand is position on the fretboard. I can BEND , slide. hammer on or pull off the notes. 1...x...2...x...3.............5............b7...x.....R You can also play it like this 1............b3..3...4.......5............b7...X.....R It's a given...the tritone is optional..between the 4th and 5th so the 5 X 6..the b6 is the option note..if you play MAJOR penta 1......x...2.....x...3............5...x...6...........R eventaully all 7 notes are passing or option notes...however..I'll harmonize accordingly..or stress the Maj3 more or Hammer from the b3 into the 3..or bend the b3 into a Maj3 It's already...a giving I'll play tri tone...as option But I did all this stuff from the moment I pick up a guitar...without any lessons or music theory...simply beucase it was EASY to FINGER as a child. I'll simply...play the A5 ( power chord).....shuffle my pinky to play the 6th and b7 sometimes I'll miss...but it sound cool..play the passing note...between 5 X 6. I simply hammer the b3 into the maj3..or blend b3 into Maj3 and pull off... but once I to the octive,,I'll pull off the b9 into the octive..to the maj6 back to octive....then Hammer the 9th and b10..and pull of to the ocative... I simply Had to move UP a string to play the 4 chord. Then move down a string to play the 5th...or move up 2 frets from the 4th The guitar is tune to perfect 4th or INVERTED 5th A7....D7...E7 It'll sound...country Blues boogie..woogie,.. But my had would make me practice the MAJOR scale and the chords and arpeggios in it ..so my classical or folk finger picking :-( lmao but I dont have hard time playing....dorian b2 or Dorian b2, #4....AND Lyd b2, b7 it's basically the FULL dim H/W..but you can make dominant chord from it. from the lydian DOMINANT b2....( but i can also play the b3.) I can simply use this as a skeleton...to play over anytime of chords. I can also do this,.....R......3...5...b7....b9 ( 3, 5, b7. b9 = full diminished) I can play FULL dim from the ROOT...AND ....from any of the 3, 5, b7, b9 When I play Blues....Im thinking more of TONE CENTER and PHRASING Each chord is it's own TONE CENTER.. I dont really think too much when I improvise...Im using my EARS.. plus im familar with the Backing chords and rhythm I actaully play the 1, 4, 5....using ALL maj7 chord it has a softer sound...I color/choose the modes/NOTES I play accordingly. They can also be INVERTED min chords...it just depends how I play it. These are modes I use to modulated over dominant chords... It dosnt have to sound bluesy ( that's just style) mix mix #2 mix #4 mix #2, #4 Mix b2 Mix b6 Mix b2, b6 mix b2, #4 loc b4 aeo b4 phry b4 dor b4 ion #6 lyd #6 Lyd #5, #6 lyd #2, #6 Lyd #2, #4, #6

[@MusicMattersGB]

😀

[@richardfordham931]

I've only recently discovered your videos but I appreciate them immensely. I do have to say though that I have to point a couple of things out. Nothing you said is incorrect. However in reference to the sample blues progression, there will usually be a return to the V chord in the last bar, so as to complete the phrase and resolve it into the beginning of the next cycle. Another thing too, is the bass part that you showed. In an actual blues situation, one wouldn't bother writing out the notes. A blues bass player will know the different ways to approach building the bass line and should be able to simply jump in feet first. The only time you would write specific notation would be for concerted figures that the band is playing all together, or for bass lines that might be atypical in some way. However, if said bass line is repetitive, you would not write out all the repetitions. One should write it once and then use bar repeat signs or the word simile to indicate this. Otherwise writing the chords above the places they fall is enough. Sorry if this seems nitpicky, but I spent 25 years as a free lance bass player in North America, so I'm just sharing experience. One more side note: You sometimes do videos about specific chords. Maybe one on the Dominant 7 #9 chord would be in order. I've noticed that many classically trained types have a hard time with this one. Be well sir.

[@MusicMattersGB]

All useful reflections. Obviously I’ve written out a bass simply to give people an idea of how to get going if they’re not sure and of course there are many variations on this well trodden musical path plus options on how to move forwards. The 9th chord issue is certainly one we could include more content on. Enjoy your playing!

[@TinyMaths]

Love the way you were clearly enjoying that second version; was half expecting you to break out singing " I woke up this mornin'....."

[@MusicMattersGB]

It’s all good fun! Much more at www.mmcourses.co.uk

[@richardpalmer1967]

Excellent video as always Gareth, I’m enjoying it very much but not quite sure what fingering to use. Is there a quick of telling me please?

[@MusicMattersGB]

Thanks. In the first example you could finger the bass line 53212 then back the same way.

[@seaofchamomile]

Amazing video, Gareth! Thank you so much, this really helped me with an upcoming test. :)

[@MusicMattersGB]

A pleasure. Much more at www.mmcourses.co.uk including details of our online courses and of our exciting Maestros programme. If you value this channel and would like to help us continue to share and develop the content please consider supporting us as a level 1 Maestro by clicking here kzbin.info/door/8yI8P7Zi3yYTsypera-IQgjoin

[@carlstenger5893]

Thinking back to my childhood and the quality televison programs (with their quality music that bombarded the airwaves --- and our ears) of the 1960's, I do believe that the Batman series (that ran two nights a week) used this I7 I7 I7 I7 IV7 IV7 I7 I7 V7 IV7 I7 I7 pattern. I don't have the sheet music in front of me, but if memory serves me correctly, that was the approximate pattern that the theme music for that program used. [I could be wrong...it would not be the first, or second, or even 203rd time that has happened]

[@MusicMattersGB]

Yes. Happy memories of Batman!

[@SILENTSHADOW_75]

This is awesome...thank u for sharing

[@MusicMattersGB]

A pleasure. Much more at www.mmcourses.co.uk

[@hoWa3920]

GREAT JOB!!!!!!!!!

[@MusicMattersGB]

A pleasure. Much more at www.mmcourses.co.uk including details of our 25 online courses and of our exciting Maestros programme.

[@aswathymohan5423]

Great one. Thank you 💝💝

[@MusicMattersGB]

A pleasure. Much more at www.mmcourses.co.uk including details of our online courses and of our exciting Maestros programme.

[@ElmaTVSouthAfrica]

Thanks!

[@MusicMattersGB]

Thanks for your support

[@daveqr]

Pride And Joy by Stevie Ray Vaughan is a sophisticated example of the 12 bar blues

[@MusicMattersGB]

Sure

[@Alwpiano]

I understand about using chords 1, 4 and 5. I forget how long to stay in each Chord before changing to another.

[@MusicMattersGB]

It’s really about how melody notes fit the chords and about harmonic rhythm.

[@Alwpiano]

@@MusicMattersGB instead of playing 1 1 1 1 , 4 4 1 1 , 5 4 1 1 , I could play another combination of ones and fives and just end on the home key of one to make it all sound natural?

[@MusicMattersGB]

You can play whatever sounds good.

[@APlus-qx7no]

@@Alwpiano Another common progression is I IV I I, IV IV I I, V V I I.

[@MusicMattersGB]

Indeed

[@payambehtash7124]

It'd be great if you could make a video about different progressions over the same melody for us to see how chords could change the taste of a note

[@MusicMattersGB]

If you have a look around our channel you’ll find plenty of videos on different harmonic progressions.

[@payambehtash7124]

@@MusicMattersGB you're right. thanks

[@MusicMattersGB]

A pleasure. Enjoy!

[@quercastillo5387]

how does the 12 bar blues's scale work??

[@MusicMattersGB]

The 12 bar blues refers to a series of chords rather than to a scale. There are quite a variety of blues scales.

[@shashwatvaibhav4596]

Why do some blues progressions have V7 as the 12th bar instead of regular I7 as the last 2 bars ?

[@MusicMattersGB]

There are certainly variations on the basic plan.

[@francobonanni218]

Gareth you are wearing a beautiful shirt is it available on line..tell me how to acquire it. Thank you.

[@MusicMattersGB]

We don’t currently have them available but hope to soon.

[@cemsakarya5460]

Brilliant

[@MusicMattersGB]

A pleasure. Much more at www.mmcourses.co.uk including details of our online courses and of our exciting Maestros programme. If you value this channel and would like to help us continue to share and develop the content please consider supporting us as a level 1 Maestro by clicking here kzbin.info/door/8yI8P7Zi3yYTsypera-IQgjoin Alternatively you can express your support for the channel by clicking on the Super Thanks button beneath any of our videos. Thank you.

[@niltoncosta6222]

Show congratuletions

[@MusicMattersGB]

Thank you. Much more at www.mmcourses.co.uk

[@micadefries2606]

So I use the I the IV and the V chord of a scale don't I?

[@MusicMattersGB]

Yes.

[@micadefries2606]

@@MusicMattersGB non the less I am confused. There are major and minor blues scales. So this would be in the key of a C major blues scale wouldn't it? So would I want to write it lets say in G minor blues I would use Gm7 ? So flatten the b. You are an outrageously good teacher so maybe you could elaborate more on this?

[@MusicMattersGB]

Yes, this is the scheme for major keys. Minor keys can be presented in various ways but a good idea for a future video. Much more at www.mmcourses.co.uk including details of our online courses and of our exciting Maestros programme.

[@sandragayle7866]

You never mention the harp you seem to think of all the other instruments but it is my instrument that the piano was born from the harp.

[@MusicMattersGB]

The harp is a wonderful instrument.

[@TheIamtheoneandonly1]

This is great! As an interesting aside, will there be an upcoming feature on Boogie-Woogie? No seriously, just asking.

[@MusicMattersGB]

Could do. Good suggestion. Much more at www.mmcourses.co.uk including details of our 25 online courses and of our Maestros programme. That’s

[@DeadTalkLive]

Good video ♥♥! As a fellow KZbinr, I am on the lookout for new ideas! Great Job!

[@MusicMattersGB]

😀

[@roymichaeldeanable]

Really interesting...Thank you....

[@MusicMattersGB]

A pleasure. Much more at www.mmcourses.co.uk

[@roymichaeldeanable]

@@MusicMattersGB still watching some of the others....my school wasn't kitchen sink...more dirty bath water....x

[@MusicMattersGB]

😀

[@srijansrivastava3507]

Thanks a lot Sir :)

[@MusicMattersGB]

That’s most kind. Much more at www.mmcourses.co.uk including details of our 25 online courses and of our exciting Maestros programme.

[@erlethepearl]

Except your 12th bar is the V chord (G7) for a "turn around."

[@MusicMattersGB]

😀

[@远古传说]

Great!!!

[@MusicMattersGB]

That’s a pleasure. Much more at www.mmcourses.co.uk

[@brunochxca321]

Beautiful! Thank you

[@MusicMattersGB]

Thanks. Much more at www.mmcourses.co.uk including details of our 25 online courses and of our Maestros programme. All the best. Gareth and Alex.

[@johngirolamo8221]

Why wasn’t the F sharp used in the G7 chord?

[@MusicMattersGB]

Because it’s in the key of C

[@johngirolamo8221]

Silly me! Thank you very much!

[@MusicMattersGB]

Nothing silly at all. It will clarify the matter for others.