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December 15th, 2022

12/15/2022

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​Learning Blue Bossa in 6 Keys

Materials required:
  1. Fake book
  2. Recording from YouTube
  3. Piano 😊
Knowledge required:
  1. Strong knowledge of musical rudiments. This lesson was written for a student who has his Royal Conservatory of Music Grade 8 piano and advanced rudiments.
  2. Knowledge of at least one jazz chording system.  Rick used these chords in his left hand.
Picture
Lesson to play in 6 keys:
  1. Learn and memorize the original melody and chords in C minor as written in the fakebook. Being able to play from memory is imperative. Here are some tips to help you.
  • Note the melody is in C natural minor and that the third phrase modulates up ½ step into the major key of Db.
  • Note that the first phrase starts in the fifth note of the minor scale, jumps an octave and walks down. Then the melody jumps up a 7th and down a 2nd to complete the first phrase.
  • The second phrase starts on the last note of the previous phrase and repeats the same shape in this new starting position. This is called a diatonic transposition.
  • The third phrase starts on the last note of the previous phrase and plays down the major scale a half step above the original minor key, in this case C minor. This is called modulation.
  • The last phrase is back on the original key of C minor.
     2. The harmony: The harmony is notated using Roman numerals. This facilitates the transpositions to come. Minor chords are marked lower case and major chords in upper case.
Picture
​
    3. Play the melody in the following keys: Cm, Am, Em, Dm, and Gm. Follow the instructions in step 1 after you review the natural minor scales and the major scales ½ step above these minor scales. 
    4. Now add the chords. To transpose the chords, you must do the following steps. Write out the c natural minor scale: C D Eb F G Ab Bb C. Directly below these letters write the scale of the new key, say f minor: F G Ab Bb C Db Eb F. Be sure the letters line up. C is directly above F and so on. Then, C minor chord becomes F minor chord, F minor chord becomes Bb minor and so on. Write out the scale of Db: Db Eb F Gb Ab Bb C Db and then the scale ½ step above f minor, in this case Gb: Gb Ab Bb Cb Db Eb F Gb. The chord qualities, of course, remain the same. 
    5. What do we learn?
  • We reviewed our intervals, key signatures, relative minor, transposition.
  • We are transposing by combining ear, skill, and knowledge.
  • Most importantly, we are learning visual pathways on the keyboard of chords and melodies, which will help us to transpose and visualize our jazz “licks.”
Call me, I can help.
 
David
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    You've got to learn your instrument. Then, you practice, practice, practice. And then, when you finally get up there on the bandstand, forget all that and just wail.
    Charlie Parker

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    I'm a professional pianist and music educator in West Toronto Ontario. I'm also a devoted percussionist and drum teacher. 

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                                                ©2025 David Story
  • Homepage
  • Tips, Ideas, Stories, Free Lessons
  • Contact form, fees, calendar, policies
  • Adult Lessons
  • About Me
  • Children Lessons
  • Jazz and Blues Workshops 2024 2025
  • Philosophy
  • Testimonials
  • Student awards and compositions
  • Classical downloads
  • Classical outline for beginners
  • Jazz and Blues Downloads
  • Jazz outline for beginners
  • Children's Piano Recital
  • Video Library of Piano Techniques
  • Breakfast Piano Minute
  • Books, Apps, Websites, Music
  • Ear Training and Sight Singing Resources
  • My YouTube channel
  • Chord Voicings for Jazz Standards
  • Long and McQuade Teacher Workshop 2024