How to improvise on a 12 bar blues for alto sax
How to improvise on a 12 bar blues for alto sax, 3 simple ideas that sound great
The 12 bar blues is one of the most important chord progressions in all of music. You hear it in blues, jazz, rock and roll, country and even pop.
In this lesson I show you a very simple and musical way to start improvising over a blues.
We look at three powerful ideas that work incredibly well.
First we explore how to use the blues scale in a musical way.
Then I show you a generic blues melody that you can learn and easily transpose into other keys.
Finally we look at using chord tones so that you can follow the harmony and create stronger solos.
These ideas are simple, practical and extremely effective. When you start combining them you will find that your improvisation becomes much more confident and musical.
The lesson also includes several free downloads and a backing track so you can practise everything properly.
Free Downloads
12 bar blues worksheet for sax
12 bar blues backing track in concert F for sax
Generic blues melody sheet for alto sax
Blues in D chord tone exercise for alto sax
Special thanks to SessionBand for the fantastic backing tracks used in this video.