Practicing Jazz Groove (Slow C Blues with Oscar & Count Basie)

So here’s another clip from the greats. It’s a great feeling slow blues. A slow blues, which is a great style to be a part of.

First, I can feel my body relaxing when I listen to this. Two, everything is so tasty. Three, less can be more.

Check out Slow Blues in C as played by Oscar Peterson and Count Basie

How to practice along to the Slow Blues by Oscar & Count

You can do what you want but here’s some suggestions, much like Practicing Jazz/Swing Groove (C Jam Blues).

1. Practice the chord changes to C Blues – and play along with the tune.
   • If you’re still learning the chord forms (see below), play the chord on the 1 of each measure.
   • If you’re comfortable with the chordsThe try playing the chords with your left hand.
2. Try to play along with the melodies and solos
3. Play your solos for the entire song
4. Play countermelodies that fit harmonically and melodically
5. Mix it up, chorus by chorus. So comp for a chorus, follow along for a chorus, play a solo (single line, double line, chords) for chorus, etc.

Focus on comping quarter notes while muting the strings. Focus on your right hand groove – even if you know the chords. This is a great way to warm up and just focus on groove and your right-hand (strumming/picking hand)

Chord Progression to C Jazz Blues

Here’s the to main chords they play. Upper-case means major, lower-case means minor:

| C | F | C | C |
| F | F | C | a |
| d | G | C a | d G |

or ( the difference is in the last 4 bars)

| C | F | C | C |
| F | F | C | a |
| d | G | C F,f | C G |

Chord Chart for C Jazz Blues

C Jazz Blues Guitar Chord Forms

I’ve been comping along to the song for a months now and I really enjoy it and find it really helps me with my understanding of groove.  So, I recommend anyone who’s interested do the same!

Turnarounds

I’m still working on this section … thanks for understanding!

Check out the turnarounds that are used for the last 2 bars.  Besides the normal I-V and I-vi-ii-V, there’s also I-iv-I-V.  In other words, they go to the fourth (F minor chord).  

This sounds good and mixes up the blues, too.  Also, check out the elegant counterpoints that going on between Count Basie and Oscar Peterson.  It’s amazing how few notes Oscar Peterson is playing.  Count Basie plays like this a lot but I haven’t heard Oscar do it that often.  I think playing guitar in a similar fashion with good tone would sound awesome.  Particularly if you could incorporate some of the counter melodies, etc.

Practice Makes Progress!

• 22+ Lessons in Jazz Guitar (Groove, Fundamentals, Soloing, Songs)
• Practicing Jazz/Swing Groove (C Jam Blues)
• Learning to Groove with the New Birth Brass Band!
• Improve Solos – Right Hand Groove (Jazz Guitar version)
• Make your Own Backing Track (5 Minute Practice Ideas)
• Jazz Guitar Ideas – How to Improve Time (and Groove) for Jazz Guitar – Count Out Loud!