Blue's song list help

[lopxtc]

Hey all ...

Well Ive decided that as much as I like to listen to metal and punk, I have more fun playing blues music. So Im trying to get started on building my blues chops and library of songs so that if I find people to play with I can have some songs known even if just for a sit in jam session ...

What I wanted to find out, and my searching wasnt turning up the results I was looking for ...

If you could pick 5-10 songs that are common on a blues set list, what would they be? I want to start with these are hopefully be able to show my stuff to people that would be interested in playing with me.

Aaron

[Stumbo]

I suggest that you spend some time upfront learning blues structure because a lot of blues jams are called out by the chord progression with the turn around (even if there's a song name along with it). If you know the basic progressions/turn arounds, you can play a whole bunch of songs.

Here's one book for starters: 101 Blues Turn Arounds http://www.amazon.com/Razor-Sharp-Bl.../dp/B000PHU7J2
Another: http://www.amazon.com/Blues-Turnarou.../dp/0634026224 If you Google "blues turnarounds or blues turn arounds", there's a whole bunch of stuff available.

What's also helpful is to check out blues rhythm guitar books/cds. Here's one: http://www.amazon.com/BLUES-RHYTHM-G.../dp/187569059X There's also a bunch lessons/videos on the internet available as well.

Also check out: 100 greatest blues songs
http://www.nutsie.com/digitaldreamdo...0Songs/2095397

[lopxtc]

Well at the moment I feel pretty comfortable walking into a standard 12 bar progression jam, or a good slow shuffle though the I-IV-V and being able to hold my part even if just doing roots and fifths etc ...

However in my area to many jam sessions are really hey lets play this tune ... Im just wondering what a good 5-10 song base would be so that I could stay there an play the song correctly.

I know thats probably asking the impossible, but I figured that some of the blues guys here have probably been around enough to say "Hey these songs are damn near always requested or played when we play".

Aaron

[locolobo85]

You will run into some odd ball stuff with the blues players.

You've got the 12 bar progressions. Add to that a handful of various turnarounds.
Listen/learn some 16 bar progressions and a handful of turnarounds.
Then you may want to mess with some odd ball stuff.

Check out some Delbert McClinton. IMO, his band uses a good variety.

Learn some odd ball standards like......
Smoke Stack Lightening
Spoonful
Good Morning Little School Girl

To get a feel for a longer progression, I'd recommend learning Stormy Monday.

That should keep you busy.

IMO, blues is like playing bluegrass, oldtime, zydico, or any other specific "form" of music. It's not overly difficult from a technical standpoint and the majority of the music can be boiled down to some pretty basic concepts that show up over and over again. The main thing is to listen, play and learn. Immerse yourself in it for a while. When you wake up in the morning hearing blues tunes in your head, you're there and you're ready.

[Stumbo]

Originally Posted by lopxtc

However in my area too many jam sessions are really hey lets play this tune ...

If you go to the local jams, how about writing down the songs they play? Then you'll know what they know.

The following link plays blues songs from the top 100 list. I'm sure you'll be able to pick out the one's you've heard before: http://www.nutsie.com/digitaldreamdo...0Songs/2095397

[Stumbo]

Blues set list

[standupright]

born in chicago
long distance telephone call
stormy monday
early in the morning
hootchie coothcie man
mojo workin
crossroads
further on up the road
killing floor
sweet home chicago

[lopxtc]

Originally Posted by Stumbo

If you go to the local jams, how about writing down the songs they play? Then you'll know what they know.

LOL ... damn you know I use to think I was a smart person till that bit of advise, for some reason that idea never crossed my mind.

Aaron

[dlb1001]

You can add "Sweet Home Chicago" and "Hideaway" to the list. Also, when you watch other bands at the clubs, pay attention when the leader calls out the breaks. For instance, "Hideaway" on the record has several different sections but at the jam, the leader could play in a different order, add or drop sections, etc....it just depends who's running the jam.

[jezzamac]

What about "The Thrill Is Gone" - BB King?

[standupright]

messin with the kid
key to the highway
sweet little angel

[daffy]

Speaking of books, my two favorites are:

Blues Bass Method - Ed Friedland. Really great book and he includes transcriptions for a lot of the blues standards.

Jump and Blues Bass - Keith Rosier. Probably my fave book as it's quite advanced.

And for DVDs, Tommy Shannon's "Double Trouble Bass"

For a beginner blues bass player, I would start with Ed's, then go to Keith's. This would give you an awesome grasp of blues technique and concepts that you can use on any blues that's called, as well as knowing a bunch of standards.

Then all you have to do is lose some family, an eye or ear, your job, hit the streets for a while, and then play for 30 years, so that you can feel the blues down deep in your soul.

[Stumbo]

How about getting a one of those mini-recorders and recording the jams?

[manicbassman]

Originally Posted by locolobo85

To get a feel for a longer progression, I'd recommend learning Stormy Monday.

ha ha... which version...

there's the Allman Brothers version, (tab for this is in Bass Tab White Pages)

Bobby Bland's version (proper walking blues)

the Eric Clapton version (very schmaltzy) (the tab in Ed Friedland's Blues Bass book is very close to this one)

the Albert King version (completely different feel altogether, done as a shuffle and very easy to learn if you can get hold of it)

I'd suggest learning the Bobby Bland version and the Albert King one... but most people will be expecting the Eric Clapton version...

[Mark Wilson]

There are three common blues songs that are called on most gigs i've played.

Key of F
Key of Bb
Key of Eb