Play This, Not That, On The Blues | You'll Hear It

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There's a lot of questions surrounding the blues... Adam Maness and Peter Martin are here to set the record straight on what to play, and what not to play for the blues.
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[@robcostigan8757]

Pete plays something super hip and he's like "don't play that". And I'm here thinking, no problem, I could never play that.

[@Velykadivchyna]

😂😂😂

[@lucaslieberman7625]

😂😂😂

[@barbertongold]

Hahahaha same

[@CedricChalmers]

😂

[@jeyfey23]

Saaaaaame😆😆😅

[@PolatPINAR]

I play "Not That" a lot :(

[@willzang3000]

thats what my lecturers tell me

[@UkuleleAversion]

Ah yes, my favourite 32 bar AABA American Songbook standard.

[@АнтонЗахаров-э6д]

We all do 😢

[@holobolo1661]

so to sum up the video, "don't play blues, play jazz, for no particular reason at all"

[@stevie2673]

"Be yourself, and let the blues take care of itself." what a great quote

[@jacobseymour7221]

Great episode! I love the Oscar Peterson advice. As piano players we don't have a lot of heroes when it comes to rock blues. I learned to do two good "dos": listen to blues guitar players for the language, like jazz pianists listen to sax and trumpet players for the language. And master the major pentatonic for blues. You'll hear these guitarists totally shred the maj. pent. with added flat thirds and sevenths. You guys rock!

[@stocksam]

Gene Harris (The Three Sounds) is the blues piano master, great touch, great time management. Also great: Ramsey Lewis (sixties, early seventies) best "double stuff", Ray Bryant, Bobby Timmons, Lennie Tristanos "Requiem" is killer, Joe Zawinul on Cannonballs "Babe" - legendary solo, Joe Sample (Crusaders), some Richard Tee (Stuff), Monty Alexander (Montreux), Milt Jackson, Les McCann (sixites), Jimmy Smith, Jimmy McGriff ("The Blues Train to Georgia"), John Lewis, Red Garland, some Cedar Walton, Hampton Hawes, Kenny Barron, Thommy Flanagan, George Duke . "New Day" on youtube live by Kevin Hays is good. Guys who emended the Blues very sophisticated are Dan Wall, Paul Bley, Bob Degen, Jan Hammer (with Jeremy Steig). Jarrett is so so on his late blues encores, but very good in the seventies, early eighties when he combines blues with gospel-like style. Of course Herbie and Oscar are great. On the saxophone Stanley Turrentine is a very good bluesman. On the trumpet Clark Terry. I'm sure I forgot many.. For specific song recommendations, just write, I'm glad to give some tips.

[@jeanlandim]

Some Jarrett gospel stuff name?

[@stocksam]

@@jeanlandim In many solo concerts, there are blues-gospel-like passages. Not so much in the Koeln or Sunbear Concerts but in Lausanne/Bremen and in may bootlegs on youtube, for example here kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y3yzc5ijrMejjac form 50:40 to 53:30. Great feel, subtle dynamics, recording qualitiy also good. Or here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fV63oXdjfLKVrqc from 51:51 to 59min very pumpy groove, much more power than his late concerts. The pick-up-part 58.17 is excellent and pure blues.

[@alexandredoyen8227]

At 10:25 they said I love number 5 at the same time. Music creates connections...you guys are amazing! Jazz is the ultimate truly American cultural legacy not derived from consumerism.

[@wisegamer706]

This is the realest shit I ever heard

[@adamstein7302]

if you do a stride one i’ll cry tears of joy

[@mushroommonster4295]

I also would certainly shed a few tears

[@nomanatcore]

When you're plyaing the MINOR blues scale, stay on the one blues scale.. but when you're playing with MAJOR blues, definitely change with each chord.

[@bigbrownsound]

I understand on a certain level what you guys are sharing in all of your videos focused on linear solo ideas utilizing different scales. It's all great and your explanations make sense to me. Now I'm wondering about fingering basics when going 'uphill' or 'downhill' while combining scale motion with chord tones or broken chords while going up or down a few octaves. Is there something basic help me break out of what ever kind of hard-wired fingering approach I'm stuck on? More cross-overs and cross-unders is my first thought, but...clearly I don't even know enough to ask an educated question. maybe if I just slow the video down when overhead shots come around? (having said that....some of Peter's overhead shots in his 2-minute lessons are so well-lit , combined with his smooth technique ...even that can be a little difficult to see) Anyway....thanks for all you do!

[@Gk2003m]

‘You’re not Christian McBride, you don’t have a handle on this yet”… so don’t try to play like him? Try to play like Oscar Peterson and Charlie Parker instead?? LOL

[@cjgreen4331]

these guys spit straight facts the entire time, but I disagree about the stank face. It is a necessity.

[@holobolo1661]

lol its so funny seeing jazz musicians on youtube, because jazz musicians have such inflated egos already, so youtuber jazz musicians are just a self parody

[@jomajor8485]

One thing that is really implied here is that different genres have identifiable riffs and licks. The extension to that is that, if a player wants to change the feel of a blues, or hint at a different style, reaching out to the riffs of that feel are the way to make that happen. I am at the stage where I'm wanting to take the music to a different genre, and am trying to work out how to really lead a section, in the moment, to a new style. Watching this was really useful for me.

[@joepalooka2145]

You talked about Louis Armstrong, Charlie Parker, Oscar Peterson, and Keith Jarrett------ but if you really want to hear how to play the blues on a keyboard we must also add ----- Jimmy Smith! Jimmy Smith!

[@larryscroggins7290]

Thanks, fellas ... very instructive ... in terms of repetition of motifs, I recommend Wynton Marsalis’ blues tutorial ... he talks about the blues 12 bar form as statement, response, and resolution ... that has also helped me a lot to try and tell a story and avoid wandering, disconnected lines ... thanks again ... L

[@Alic4444]

I watched that, listening to Wynton explain things like he's teaching a grandkid about the blues is great for players of all different levels of experience. Great recommendation.

13:30, dang I've never seen someone emulate my blues so well 😭

[@artonion420]

Hell I wish that was me!

[@myuzu_]

This is what you get when your band teacher flexes modal theory in order to tell you that a single pentatonic scale works for every chord change, and then absolutely nothing else.

[@jacobseymour7221]

What's up with the pint of whiskey behind Peter? LOL

[@Alic4444]

ahahaha

[@PieInTheSky9]

That's apple juice

[@rayitojazz]

No mention of Wynton Kelly? It would be great

[@weedanwine]

Yes for no fake blues stankface and no fake blues accents!!!! that's the one that really annoys me, you didn't grow up in missippi, sing in your own voice!

[@AngelWest58]

before i even watch this - here's a (very) simple but huge tip.... after playing blues for nearly 50 years... when improvising : on the I chord (so, 1st 4 bars) play/resolve licks w Major 3rds (so E naturals in the key of C)... ;... on the IV chord (or 5 & 6 bars) play ZERO/ nope/ nada E naturals but instead -plenty of minor 3rds(so, Eb /E Flats.).. on bars 7-8 return to going hard on the E naturals .... 🎹

[@ltrizzle12]

Hhahaha “the block chord blues” 🤘

[@---wd3hp]

😂There's nothing sloppy about the blues....... There's nothing slopp- ay about the blues...... There's nothing sloppy about the blues.... There's nothing sloppy about the blues.... 😢 😊

[@---wd3hp]

Jeff Goldblum lol. The ultimate example of do this, dont do that. I can't think of one celebrity, whose comedian/ acting chops translate to anything but pedestrian AT BEST comparable music gravitas. Fred Armesten- you ain't headlining with your hubris and totally mundane wedding band musicianship. Sandler; Conan; Jeff Daniels; Kevin Bacon; Jeff Scarborough; John Tesh; Jeff Bridges;Bill Burr; Johnny Depp,et al. All with vanity based farays. In a field where they would, otherwise, be hard pressed to pass a garage band audition, unless they bought all the instruments.

[@Marvelous.Leonardo]

U guys are annoying me

[@alanhowell3646]

Agree

[@mrcocaio]

Step one in playing the blues: don't let anyone tell you what to do or what not to do.

[@danieltoscano8524]

Real as fuck. This comment makes me respect you even though I don’t know you

[@pianofortissima4410]

this is so funny! As a classical trained pianist, I don't even understand what you're talking about :D :D :D

[@Sledgehammers_Nail]

..." I'll sound just like Oscar Peterson." That would be awesome. Personally I'm more worried about sounding like my guitar teacher (if I had one) so that's why I don't have one lol

[@gcpezzi]

Gene Harris was always my "go to "bluesiest jazz pianist.

[@JukeboxOddities]

At the maybeck!!!

[@---wd3hp]

I'M A BELIEVER-And get off BEFORE The Last Train To Clarkeville.

[@josefinigo7100]

Pair of bullsh's!!!

[@LA610]

are you making fun of my playing (cheezy lines) lol...sometimes listening to you guys is like listening to French. I get maybe a word or two once in a while...

[@UkuleleAversion]

7:36-7:37 Funny you mentioned Herbie after Oscar since Herbie credited Oscar Peterson as a formative influence on his improvising

[@tomusic8887]

What about otis spann? He is my favorite blues piano player...❤❤❤

[@gijazz1757]

The rythm thing is soooooo important...could you a video on how to practice rythm. Would be much appreciated. Keep th good things coming guis

[@mitchelledels9762]

Play Peter Martin Elements of jazz you won't go wrong

[@birdlives829]

Damn the "don't play this" at 13:00 sounds sadly familiar... Got to shed some blues

[@nylophone5730]

This is getting deep. Being true to the form of the blues by being yourself and not trying to sound like an old blues player. This is some yoda level shit. "There is no try, only do"

[@Sam-hh3ry]

I still come back to this video sometimes just because it's hilarious

[@abhinavkhokhar362]

THAT COORDINATED " I LOVE NUMBER 5" @10:22 WOOOOOOO

[@WhistlebirdInfinity]

Y'all are so dorky. You crack me up. Thank you

[@LoveandHavoc]

Amazing! I love these. I started out as a bassist but in the last year, especially since quarantine began in March I've switched 95% of my practice time and interest to piano. I've always loved it but for some reason it never occurred to me to play earlier. I've been wanting to work on my blues playing but it's hard because piano blues I find is either blues rock type repetitive stuff or really insane jazz blues. So finding what exactly I should be doing to make my playing as authentic as possible has been a bit of a journey, but I cant thank you guys enough for these podcasts!

[@martinlehfeldt6916]

Peter can kill it on the blues. Love it.

[@darine.3145]

Great stuff. I play saxophone and this all applies. Thanks.

[@Lihuezapallo]

8:16 "dont always do that!!".... i cant do that

[@porkchop9978]

Pete manages to work leige in this episode twice. Go him.

[@Kobayashhi]

Go full Ray Charles. Works 100%.

[@darienmoncree3980]

Every time I hear the intro song I gotta stop the video and go listen to it

[@CaptnRich737]

Really great video. Hope to see more like this!

[@quentinmorales]

This intro's lick..

[@donnacarlton8011]

You blessed guys are so freaking funny! Thanks for the vid!

[@lucaslieberman7625]

your videos always show me how much more there is that i can learn. I can’t believe they’re free!! Thank you

[@lucaslieberman7625]

and you guys are hilarious

[@spindriftdrinker]

To be sure, it's not the Monkees doing Monkees blues riffs. They didn't play their own instruments.(🙂. Maybe you could blame the "Wrecking Crew" or other LA studio players.

[@honeybadgersocialclub7055]

Start w/ Nat Cole and then Oscar.

[@UkuleleAversion]

This video summarised, "Context is king"

[@weedanwine]

for real

[@connorkonen5770]

0:09 Don’t mind me, just transcribing 😊

[@Alic4444]

:P I loved that line too.

[@robertpowell9618]

Disagree with Adam...if it is what you want to say, then you should play, whether it is corner or cliché. I think it is important to be yourself. You shouldn't have to have a Masters Degree in Music to play around with the scales. I think you should not limit the Blues but expand on it. Coltrane did stuff with the blues like playing the minor pent. a fifth higher than the tonal center. Barry Harris tried to expand on it. Have you heard of Holdsworth? I want to learn from the likes of Philip Sayce, Jimmy Herring, and others. I may want to sound just like them here and there but I still want to be myself

[@TodaysEdition]

“Me no likey” haha 😂

[@rustOfunk]

I notice that the vast majority of your examples are 16th and 32nd notes. For teaching, I believe it would easier to hear and more relatable if you’d use 1/8th notes. I enjoy your videos otherwise.

[@shephronqpan]

I 💕 you guys 😊 What a treat! There's a difference between a piece of music and...the process the music is being created and... could be observed by other musicians. Open Studio rules.🍒😘

[@BethanyLowe8773]

Useful central idea, but 6:32 definitely in the category 'purports to be trying to help, but actually just showing off'. How about giving stuff that learners can assimilate like the other guy? You come over as just shitting on anything that blues beginners are likely to be able to do.

[@Gnurklesquimp2]

3:29 Immediately the 1st example here proves a major takeaway: You can take basically any concept you like and make it work in it's own ways... if you've got the insights needed to arrive somewhere cool with it. Furthermore, try messing around with new blues scales on every chord and see if you find things you like, can always apply it in moderation if you're trying to nail a sound with little twists in there to make it interesting.

[@derycktaylor3677]

Excellent guidance. Thanks

[@carnivaltym]

So much good advice. Re blues guitar double & triple stops with hammer ons - the two great masters were Hendrix & SRV - there's a real wealth still to be mined by keyboard players there imho. There are a couple of Steve Vai tracks which take thier ideas further too....

[@JoshPCohen]

"Play the blues like Oscar Peterson." No problem. I'll get on that one tomorrow. Or the day after that. Hahaha! 😆

[@robertpierre-louis4578]

Who's playing the drums in your background jazz spot, he's awesome! If I want to listen to the entire music and more of this jazz style, where can I go?

[@rik-keymusic160]

“Oeh feeling bluesy… oeeh feeling bad about my bank account…” 😂😂😂 11:20

[@ianwynne764]

This great. Yes, The Monkeys were a fake band. However, they did use some good song writers. Before he became famous, Neil Diamond wrote "Last Train to Clarksville" for them. Keep up the wonderful work.

[@mitchelledels9762]

B B king of the BLUES

[@puke1505]

Awesome video! Harsh reality check but that's good, right? Btw what's the theme tune at the beginning and end? Omg, I need that badboy in my life...

[@thenighttimecook8377]

What about Jimmy Smith? Love this channel (and the JB in the background). Thank you guys!

[@MomLAU]

You guys did a fantastic job playing here!

[@lucaslieberman7625]

Peter Martin, do you know David Morgan? I think you guys went to school together…

[@thomascordery7951]

Great advice, Adam and Peter, about being yourself rather than some fake notion of what an old blues player ought to be. My blues piano challenge is that it's technically sloppy, though I hope rhythmically in the pocket or at least avoiding the RAC. Hey, I'm just a bass player starting to pick up keys, figuring out which buttons are which while trying not to make a bass face. ;-) Cheers!

[@TELLISFLY]

😂😂😂Peter with the Bugs Bunny: “My momma done told me….”😂😂😂

[@JohnnyJazzFreak]

You guys are great. But re: the blues you didn't touch on timing. tiiming. timing. That is length of phrase, where it falls on the beat, and how it can turn the time around in your head. In your head. In your head! In your he-ad!

[@jaktron]

all good advice- I also try to incorporate blues vocab from actual "blues" musicians - BB King, Albert Collins, Buddy Guy, even SRV and Hendrix-list goes on......

[@NagoyaHouseHead]

I was surprised when you suggested to play one pentatonic scale through all 3 dominant chords of the blues. In my view you have to play major penta on the I, then minor penta on the IV, then the minor penta of the V ( or something else ). Am I wrong ?

[@andrewcampbell2903]

Must admit I haven't checked out all of your blues sessions . However , I wondered if this could be the subject for a future video . That is , to look at the ways to take a blues away from the repetitious harmonic cycle perhaps by incorporating segments of ballad type harmonies . This approach when done well seems to get the blues out of the straitjacket and frees it up to be soulful but a bit more stimulating .

[@stefanodata9760]

Dont' know if I have improved my blues but now I want a Jim Beam Sour

[@jazzrengue]

Where are you guys getting your piano & rhodes sounds from? Is it straight from the keyboards you’re using here? Or vst?

[@turnerjazz7872]

Every time they try to play something "bad" they reinforce something I learned from one of my teachers a long time ago. You can play almost anything if prove you're legit first.

[@time0503]

"I can't play these triplets and look at my hands, I think they're ashamed of me . . ." best quote ever.

[@joe-nautilus-nauticus]

Lol. " if you don't like the blues I'm not really even interested in what you have to say!" That's gold. Love it mon.

[@gangway30music64]

Faith comes by hearing. Great video guys!

[@victorpetermusic]

I would love a video on how to use the 3-6-2-5-1 (both minor and major version) in tasty ways!

[@DonyaLane]

@2:30 Pete - "Oscar Peterson... that's a great 'blue print' for what to start with." I see what you did there.

[@JayAttys]

I think Ray Charles is rarely mentioned. Check out the album he did with Milt Jackson

[@geejayg]

Gents, that was insightful, honest and plain 'ol good fun. Now that's what I call good time blues.

[@Ontherightpath_2024]

Is the sound coming from the keyboards or are they using a vst? anyone know from what?

[@kundinga]

ok this is real hahaha

[@jonathandorozowsky4005]

I'm down with OPP. I'm naughty by nature.

[@tetraqartet6798]

And yet...do not insist to much on the bleu notes , ... unless you really blew notes!

[@robertosicam6240]

I dig that bottle of Jim Bean in the back as your playing the Blues

[@mdleavitt]

Damn - I do all of these.... I will repent and listen to more Oscar.

[@craigkeller]

The Jim Beam bottle hasn’t been touched. Shame!

[@beautifulmusic4life]

Thanks for the advice and concrete examples. I've been guilty of playing some of that NOT THAT. I'll work more on PLAY THIS.

[@rillloudmother]

2:21 op! 21:01 my name is not bernie sanders, but i approve this message.

[@sdannye]

You guys are just so great! Truly 🙏🏼⭐️

[@ntwarimodeste982]

its hard to get peter martin how can we combine blues and bebop