What Are Blues Phrases?

[Steph Dawe]

What's meant by the term blues phrases?

Does that mean the head of a blues song? Or a phrase that's built on a blues scale?

I'm supposed to be looking for a couple for a class I have, but I'm not sure where to look (apart from the Charlie Parker Omnibook; it was suggested we borrow/buy that, but it's not in the library and there aren't any in stock at the music shop).

[Chunk-O-Funk]

Originally Posted by Steph Dawe

What's meant by the term blues phrases?

Or a phrase that's built on a blues scale?

Yeah that.


Which class are you taking?

Blues is used a lot in Jazz, so I think what they want you to do is pick out the blues lines (phrases) in either the melody (head) or solo.


I've always liked listening to Oscar Peterson for Jazz\Blues. He is a great pianist and his blues lines stick right out at you if you use your ears. I'm not sure if he has many books or if they are available, but I have never looked.


Hope that helps.