Bebop-ize Your Minor Blues Using Simple Enclosures

[00:00:00]Hi. Today, we are going to look at a step-by-step system you can follow to play never-ending flowing chromatic bebop eighth notes [music] over a minor blues. Lines that sound like this as eighths.

[00:00:20]>> [music] >> And like this as sixteenths.

[00:00:34]The minor blues is an eternally fascinating progression that is fundamental to know, featuring four core chords of the minor. One minor, four minor, flat six seven, and five seven.

[00:00:50]In the key of D minor then, D minor, >> [music] >> G minor, B flat seven, and A seven.

[00:00:59]Because the minor blues structure is so compact, it actually gives the improviser massive amounts of creative freedom. That is if you are rock solid with the basic form and know how to exploit the possibilities it affords.

[00:01:17]Step one, one note approach to target tone.

[00:01:21]>> 1 2 3 4 >> [music] >> So, we proceed the target [music] chord tone via a chromatic eighth note from above or below.

[00:01:39]Variation, exactly the same idea, but now just moving some of the notes position rhythmically brings the whole thing to life.

[00:01:49]>> 1 2 3 4 >> Step two, enclosing target chord tones via two chromatic approaches.

[00:02:06]>> 1 2 3 4 >> Perhaps a bit predictable and robotic, but this is an exercise, not a solo yet.

[00:02:25]Variation. If we now make the target chord tones eighth notes, we immediately get an never-ending eighth note line that describes the chord tones, but sounds hip as the groups of three create an interesting cross rhythm.

[00:02:40]>> 2 3 4 >> [music] >> Step three, encircle target tones on beat one of each bar chromatically via three notes.

[00:03:05]>> 1 2 3 4 >> [music] [music] [music] >> Now a more intense variation. Encircle target tones on beat one and three of each bar via three chromatic approaches, which again instantly produces constant eighth notes.

[00:03:36]>> 1 2 3 4 >> [music] >> If you're enjoying the video so far, do consider supporting the Jens Duet's channel by subscribing. Really helps me continue making this content. Step four, enclosing target chord tones via four notes.

[00:04:03]1 2 3 4 >> [music] >> Variation. Here, the first half of each bar is filled up with eighth note chord tones.

[00:04:29]1 2 3 4 >> [music] [music] [music] >> In the next section, we're going to have some fun by mixing approaches. This is fascinating as the different approaches create different rhythms.

[00:04:57]Mixing one and two note approaches. 1 2 3 4 >> [music] >> Mixing two and three note approaches. 2 3 4 >> [music] >> And mixing three and four note approaches. 1 2 3 4 >> [music] [music] >> Okay, I hope you benefited from this presentation. The play-along tracks and PDFs I included in the Art of Bebop Scales course, link in the description.

[00:06:08]>> [music] [music]