scored a gig... of a different sort.. and need some input!

[powderfinger]

So in addition to being a bassist, I used to gig as a keyboard player in rock bands from time to time. I can improvise rock and country piano pretty well. However, Ive been asked to sit in with a blues band. Ive been asked before, but ended up not playing with them last time.

I have played bass in a blues band before, but never keys. I am actually quite lost as to what to play, or how to improvise. Anyone have any idea? I know this isnt a keyboard forum, but I didn't feel like registering over at TalkKeyboards today

I know the progressions and the chords... but have no idea what the hell to play!! Any clues? Ill try to ask a bass question next time. Dont stone me.

[Rumblefisher]

Originally Posted by powderfinger

Dont stone me bro!

I have nothing of value to say.

[Tupac]

Originally Posted by Rumblefisher

I have nothing of value to say.

How about, "Can we taze him instead?" *rimshot*

[powderfinger]

Hey seriously....

When I played blues bass.. I mainly played walking lines with 1 2 3 5 5 6 b7 8. However, I saw some YouTube clips where people are suggesting you improvise with a blues pentatonic scale, which is like 1 b3 5 b6 maybe??? Which the hell scale do you use? Seriously?????

[No Malarky]

I bring nothing to the table.

[powderfinger]

Originally Posted by No Malarky

I bring nothing to the table.

I could always just my keyboard on organ setting... and do like Tom Waits on Roy Orbison Black and White night. Basically, do a few crap fills, and try to look artistic and detached.

[Hutzbordello]

formulaic improv!

[Marton]

Play a bassline with your left hand ?

[MalcolmAmos]

Pinkie thumb with the left hand and a chord with the right then back to thumb on the left hand is an old rock & roll accompaniment pattern see if you can work something like that into the Blues. Google should be able to call up something.

The Blues scale that I know is 1, b3, 4, #4, 5, b7 My keyboard is dusty, can't offer much more than that.

Sounds like fun. Good luck.

[powderfinger]

Originally Posted by MalcolmAmos

Pinkie thumb with the left hand and a chord with the right then back to thumb on the left hand is an old rock & roll accompaniment pattern see if you can work something like that into the Blues. Google should be able to call up something.

The Blues scale that I know is 1, b3, 4, #4, 5, b7 My keyboard is dusty, can't offer much more than that.

Sounds like fun. Good luck.

Thanks for the keyboard advice.

About the blues scale though...

All the YouTube vidoes I found tell you to improv with the 1 b3 4 #4 5 b7 (the blues scale you just mentioned). But why? When I play blues bass I dont use that scale (I use a major scale with a b7).... isnt it going to sound weird using the blues scale if the rest of the band is playing a major scale and Im playing a blues scale? How would I know if the band is playing a blues scale or major scale?

And if the band is playing a blues scale in C (for instance), and I make a C chords (1 3 5), wouldnt it sound off key??? Or am I missing something.

[MalcolmAmos]

Originally Posted by powderfinger

Thanks for the keyboard advice.

About the blues scale though...

All the YouTube videos I found tell you to improv with the 1 b3 4 #4 5 b7 (the blues scale you just mentioned). But why? When I play blues bass I don't use that scale (I use a major scale with a b7).... isn't it going to sound weird using the blues scale if the rest of the band is playing a major scale and I'm playing a blues scale? How would I know if the band is playing a blues scale or major scale?

And if the band is playing a blues scale in C (for instance), and I make a C chords (1 3 5), wouldn't it sound off key??? Or am I missing something.

Blues does not follow the normal rules, yes most of the chord progressions used with Blues are all dominant seventh chords, i.e. G7-C7-D7. And then the minor pentatonic scale with a blue note, the # 4 or b5 whichever one you grew up with, does not really match - minor notes over major chords - but works.

As to who is playing chords and who is playing solo notes - that depends. Accompaniment chord piano will not involve you with solo notes, it's all accompaniment chord patterns with both hands. The solo stuff is left to the other instruments. Now nothing stoping you from taking a lead break and then using scale notes.

Blues is different and does not follow the normal rules other music uses.

Of course IMHO.

[Russell L]

135 is fine in blues for a bass line unless it's a real minor chord. You can add a 6, too, for that major-sounding blues. You don't have to include the b7. But, you can also use any of these: 1 b3-3 4 #4 5 6 b7 in various orders. Sometimes you may need to play a line that the guitars are playing.

Another cool keyboard blues thing is to hit short, choppy right-hand chords just on the off-beats while your left plays the bass line. That is, in between every bass note.

[powderfinger]

Originally Posted by Russell L

Another cool keyboard blues thing is to hit short, choppy right-hand chords just on the off-beats while your left plays the bass line. That is, in between every bass note.

Actually, the band I used to gig with, we did Statesboro Blues by the Allman Bros., and played it in G7. I did just that. Id play a fill with the left hand, which would then spring my right hand into action playing short choppy 7th chords. Good call. Had forgotten about that. Hey, Ive played blues before... didnt even realize it

[powderfinger]

Originally Posted by MalcolmAmos

Blues does not follow the normal rules, yes most of the chord progressions used with Blues are all dominant seventh chords, i.e. G7-C7-D7. And then the minor pentatonic scale with a blue note, the # 4 or b5 whichever one you grew up with, does not really match - minor notes over major chords - but works.

As to who is playing chords and who is playing solo notes - that depends. Accompaniment chord piano will not involve you with solo notes, it's all accompaniment chord patterns with both hands. The solo stuff is left to the other instruments. Now nothing stoping you from taking a lead break and then using scale notes.

Blues is different and does not follow the normal rules other music uses.

Of course IMHO.

So, based on your post, let me see if I am correct. Say the band is playing blues in E major. Lets say I am just playing chords (and maybe some small fills with my left hand). If the rythm guitarist (this band has a rythm and a lead player) is playing an E major chord, I too can play an E major chord (1 3 5) on the piano/keys? If he switches to A, I can also play an A on my piano?

However, if I am given the chance to do a short solo, I should impov using the blues scale (minor notes over major chords)? Say I am to do a short solo while the guitarist is playing a standard C maj chord, I can imporov with the C blues scale (with the minor notes)?

If I am understanding you guys correctly, I think Im good to go.

[MalcolmAmos]

Originally Posted by powderfinger

So, based on your post, let me see if I am correct. Say the band is playing blues in E major. Lets say I am just playing chords (and maybe some small fills with my left hand). If the rhythm guitarist (this band has a rhythm and a lead player) is playing an E major chord, I too can play an E major chord (1 3 5) on the piano/keys? If he switches to A, I can also play an A on my piano?

Basically yes. However try some accompaniment chord patterns such as the pinky thumb chord thumb I spoke of, i.e. get both hands involved. But, yes when the song is over the E chord so should you be over the E chord and when it moves to the A so should you. Google chord piano.

However, if I am given the chance to do a short solo, I should impov using the blues scale (minor notes over major chords)? Say I am to do a short solo while the guitarist is playing a standard C maj chord, I can imporov with the C blues scale (with the minor notes)?

Yes. Now instead of improvising with the C blues scale how about your solo being the tune of the song - yep - it will have one - and embellishment from the blues scale to add your touch. In improvisation let the melody be your guide is one of the good rules. Get the melody and then embellish all you want.

If I am understanding you guys correctly, I think I'm good to go.

Yes you understand what can be done. Grab a blues backing track, some fake chord sheet music or rely upon the 12 bar blues progression and have at it. The ole basic 12 bar progression is a good safe bet. http://www.abclearnguitar.com/blues.html

Good luck.