The Blues

This lecture delves into the origins and significance of the blues in jazz, tracing its roots back to the treatment of slaves in the US. The instructor explains the evolution of the blues genre, focusing on the development of the 12-bar blues structure and the incorporation of dominant chords. The lecture also covers different variations of the blues, such as New Orleans blues and St. Louis blues, and explores how bebop introduced harmonic complexity and chord substitutions to the genre. Students are guided through practical exercises on playing the blues scale, arpeggios, and pivot chords, emphasizing the importance of internalizing musical phrases for improvisation. The session concludes with a discussion on adapting solos and developing a personalized musical language through transcription and practice.