the 12-bar blues

STANDARD 12-BAR BLUES EXERCISE
  • PDF with written exercise to learn how to build a walking bass line. 3-7 chords and how to build stride style.​
12-bar_blues_exercise_with_bass.pdf
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12-bar_blues.pdf
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<-----   DOWNLOAD
Simple 12-bar Blues structure.
MM = 80
4-rounds.  Use all 4 rounds for improvisation or play melody on first round, improvise on rounds 2 and 3, play melody again on round 4.

the 12-bar blues applied

BUILDING A TUNE IN 12-BAR BLUES STRUCTURE
  • PERFECT FIT (Blues in C) by Gabriel Ruiz-Bernal.
    • ​This tune fits exactly the standard 12-bar blues and the chords learned on the above exercise.
  • BLUE MONK (Blues in C) by Thelonius Monk.
    • ​This tune has a slight variation on the chord progression but still follows the 12-bar general structure.
Download the scores here:
perfect_fit_-blues_in_c-.pdf
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blue_monk_-blues_in_c-.pdf
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THE 12-BAR BLUES
​WITH A MORE INTERESTING CHORD PROGRESSION -1-

  • DEPARTURE FROM LOGIC (Blues in C) by Gabriel Ruiz-Bernal
    • This tune features more interesting turn-arounds than the standard chord progression.
departure_from_logic_with_chords_v3.pdf
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CHORD PROGRESSION ii7 - v7 - i

​DOWNLOAD THIS EXERCISE HERE:
exercise_on_ii7_-_v7_-_i.pdf
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DIMINISHED CHORDS

​DOWNLOAD THIS EXERCISE HERE:
diminished_chords.pdf
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AUTUMN LEAVES
(stride style and walking bass)

Download the lead-sheet (chart) here:
autumn_leaves_chart_in_pdf__printable_.pdf
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1-​Autumn Leaves bass, drums and piano
2-​Autumn Leaves bass and drums only
​Exercise created by Gabriel Ruiz-Bernal to learn:
  1. WALKING BASS for the left hand
  2. STRIDE STYLE for the left hand​​
(Requires strong reading skills)
autumn_leaves_-first_section-study.pdf
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autumn_leaves_2nd_section_-study.pdf
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This exercise below is targeting chord outlining improvisation.
autumn_leaves_chord_outlining_exercise.pdf
File Size: 52 kb
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autumn_leaves_linking_chord_changes_outlining_exercise.pdf
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HEART AND SOUL
(CHORUS ONLY) practicing VI-ii-V7-I

HEART AND SOUL (Hoagy Carmichael)
  • PDF with written exercise. Updated 10/25/2017
  • ​​Coming soon: expansion of the written exercise:
    • ​LH 3-7 chords and RH melody + improv
  • AUDIO of the play back of the exercise
  • Bass line and piano LH + RH exercise. Pianist plays the piano part while hearing the bass line play along.
  • Recordings on the right side show both versions: 
    • One audio recording plays all the parts of the exercise
    • The second audio recording plays only the bass line and student plays the piano part
heart_and_soul._study.pdf
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heart_and_soul._bass_line.pdf
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SATIN DOLL (creating stride style)

SATIN DOLL (Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn)
​Exercise created by Gabriel Ruiz-Bernal
  • PDF with written exercise. Updated 10/25/2017
  • ​Coming soon: expansion of the written exercise:
    • ​LH 3-7 chords and RH melody + improv
  • AUDIO of the play back of the exercise
  • Coming soon: accompaniment track with bass line
satin_doll_study.pdf
File Size: 95 kb
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BLUES IN GRB
​(TRANSCRIPTION OF AN IMPROVISATION)

BLUES IN GRB (Gabriel Ruiz-Bernal)
  • PDF with written exercise. Updated 10/25/2017
  • AUDIO of the play back with rhythm section and using the written improvisations from the score.
blues_in_grb.pdf
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AS TIME GOES BY (Stride Style)

AS TIME GOES BY by Herman Hupfeld
  • ​Chart with chord progression
  • Backing tracks with recording of bass, drums and piano
  • Backing tracks with recording of bass and drums
DOWNLOAD
       ----- >
as_time_goes_by.pdf
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SOMEONE TO WATCH OVER ME (OPEN CHORDS)

SOMEONE TO WATCH OVER ME by George Gershwin.  Exercise by Gabriel Ruiz-Bernal
  • Learning how to set a tune to chords from the start.  Close voicing versus open voicing​
Download the chart here (PDF)
someone_to_watch_over_me_-grb_study-1-.pdf
File Size: 62 kb
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GEORGIA (study in harmonization)

GEORGIA by Hoagy Charmichael.  Exercise arranged by Gabriel Ruiz-Bernal
To the right is the ​basic chart (chorus only)
Below is the harmonization of the chorus
and structural analysis of the chord progression (ii - V7 - I)
TO THE RIGHT ARE LINKS TO DOWNLOAD THE STUDY SHEETS:  --->
  • GEORGIA: Lead sheet
  • GEORGIA: Harmonization by G. Ruiz-Bernal
  • GEORGIA: Analysis of chord progression ii7 - V7 - I
georgia_lead-sheet.png
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georgia_chorus.jpg
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georgia_chorus_marked_ii_-_v_-_i_website.pdf
File Size: 359 kb
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tunes that are good resources for teaching

REAL BOOK. VOLUME -1-
Songs that are well known, useful for teaching, and chord changes are not too difficult.
SONGS IN C.  (or A minor)
A fine romance. 3
Alice in wonderland. 12
All of me. 16
Bewitched. 43
Black Orpheus. 49
Don't get around much anymore. 126
Easy to love. 130
Green dolphin street. 179
I could write a book. 209
Night and day. 320
Satin doll. 367
Take the “A” Train. 421

SONGS IN G
Autumn leaves (e minor). 36
How high the moon. 202
I’ll Remember April. 218
Just friends. 249
My favorite things (e minor). 306 (3/4) (E minor)

SONGS IN F (or D minor)
Autumn in NY. 33
Beautiful love. 39 (D minor)
Blue on Green. 53
The days of wine and roses. 105
Desafinado. 112
Have You Met Miss Jones. 186
Here's that rainy day. 191
How Insensitive (D minor) -Bossa-
I love you. 215
Inchworm. 224
Waltz for Debby. 450 (3/4)
SONG IN OTHER KEYS
Falling in love with Love. 148
The girl from Ipanema. 171
God Bless the Child. 173
In a Mellow tone. 222
Isn’t it Romantic. 238
It Don’t Mean a Thing. 241
Misty. 296
My Foolish Heart. 307
My Funny Valentine. 308
My Romance. 311
There Will Never Be Another You. 426
They Can’t Take That Away From Me. 427
Tune-Up. 437 (attention, it has wrong notes)
When I Fall in Love. 461
You Don’t Know What Love Is. 476

SONGS IN 3/4 TIME
Someday My Prince Will Come. 388
My favorite things. 306 (E minor)
Waltz for Debby. 450

BOSSANOVA
Blue Bossa. 51
The girl from Ipanema. 171
How Insensitive (D minor) -Bossa-. 203
The Shadow of your Smile. 331
Night and Day
St. Thomas (C)

BLUES
Blue Monk. 54 (Bb)
​MORE DIFFICULT SONGS
All the Things You Are. 18
Angel Eyes. 24
As Time Goes By. 31
Blue Bossa. 51
Bluesette. 56
Body and Soul. 59
Four. 161
In a Sentimental Mood. 223
Lady Bird. 256
Minority. 295
Peri’s Scope. 347
‘Round Midnight. 364
Take Five. 420
Well You Needn’t. 454

SONGS NOT IN THE REAL BOOK VOL-1 BUT I WOULD LIKE TO FIND
Watermelon Man