As I continue to work on and expand the foundational aspects of my Blues playing in a pretty structured way, I find myself branching out here and there to regularly expose myself to some more challenging stuff.
The following 3 tunes, all 2 chorus pieces, are based on Corey Congilio’s teachings, which I utilise regularly to complement Justin’s lessons.
These tunes are utilising more of an arpeggio framework; one, employing a ‘chromatic’ type motif, and the other two, a ii-V-I cadence, but going from the I > IV, which is new to me.
I really dig this jazzy ii-V-I movement, but have previously only really seen, and used it, on a turnaround, or going from the IV > I generally.
To experience it in this different, secondary dominant type environment within the 12 bar progression has been a very interesting learning exercise, and a colourful new addition to my toolbox.
Some elements of these ‘etudes’ are getting towards the edge of my current abilities and comfort zones, so they are great ‘teachers’ for skill development.
I think they came out OK, mostly; although ongoing improvement is always needed. The phrasing challenges are as great, if not greater, than the notes. As usual, these are all just live recordings with no post production manipulation.
Hopefully, over time, these techniques, lines, phrasings etc will become more refined, and
progressively find their way into my improv.
This time I can “follow” you better after reading and seeing the video and I hope that I will achieve this over time and at leastI have a clue where to start … Not that I am playing this with you this year but it is bookmarked and in any case I understand what I need to practice very soon …
Sound is great too of course
Very well played. The ‘straight arpeggio’ had a real feel about it, perhaps slightly moodier and less mechanical than the rabbit hole. ‘No Wrong Notes’ is an unkind title for such a well played piece: perhaps, ‘All the right notes’. Your notes about the structure of these pieces are enlightening and your performances are really enjoyable.
Well played, Shane!
Looking up to you!
After the holidays, I’ll hope to thoroughly and very slowly dive into the blues again and - hey, one day (for me still quite far away), we’ll all be blues guys in here
Top shelf stuff as always Shane! I especially liked Need Your Love So Bad. It showcases all your skills and musical know-how at a high level and it is smo-o-o-o-o-o-th.
Man you’ve come a long way in your journey! Some good lines in there. I seem to recall Corey Congilio having really good lessons on Truefire, and he is a good YT follow as well. His shorts on YT are snippets that we can apply quickly and with great results. Personally I am kind of over blues playing, I think it is a good building block but wears thin (at least for me) after a while. Still a lot of blues concepts are good to get under your fingers to carry over into rock, country, etc. Well played sir!
For me, there’s seemingly endless variety in Blues; in terms style, technique, rhythms, sounds, etc, both in chordal and lead play.
Shuffle Blues, Jazz Blues, Slow Blues, Ragtime, Funk, Boogie, Jump, Soul, Latin, Texas, Chicago, Country, Blues Rock etc, etc.
I think I’ll be barely scratching the surface of its endless offerings in this lifetime.
Re the slapback delay; its pretty much a default setting now for me. Interesting to play around with the timing in different contexts.
Shane, great playing on all the pieces. I can admire the jazz-blues crossover even if I can’t play it. It certainly inspires me to learn a little more theory
and I hope that I will achieve this over time and at leastI have a clue where to start 
but it is bookmarked and in any case I understand what I need to practice very soon …
