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Blues Standards for Jams

scottyg11

scottyg11

Mar 12, 2006
87
2
Seattle
#1
I am hoping to get some help here. I am going to start hitting some of the blues jams in the area and would really like to know what peoples opinion is on what tunes are standards. Or what tunes should I know going into one of these jams. I can play a 1 4 5 progression inside and out with any almost any feel and I think I know most of the variations. I guess I am more worried about tunes with a progression or signature line that I might not be aware of. What can I reasonably expect?
 
#3
I play in a blues session band. Every session seems to be different. Sure you' ll play a lot of I-IV's. But some jams are more rock-orientated (Jimi Hendrix), others have more of a country or rock and roll vibe and somestimes we end up playing cajun stuff. Also when there are horns sitting in we play something funky so the horn-guy can do his Maceo Parker-thing or we play some jazzblues so the horn guy can do some Sonny Rollins.

Here a list of things that you're likely to encounter :

Songs that go from I to V like 'Bring it on home'

Songs that have the II walking up to the V as in most jump blues tunes.

BluesWaltzes; JazzWaltzes ('All Blues' by Miles Davis, famous bassline)
and CajunWaltzes like 'Wallflower' by Bob Dylan. Listen to that one it is really confusing.

JazzBlues with I-VI-II-V turnaround

Songs by Chuck Berry (Breaks, I-V changes etc...)

Songs by John Lee Hooker (random change of chords, just watch the guitarplayer/singer)

Jimi Hendrix songs

' I gotta Woman' by Ray Charles (fast moving chords and different chords during the solo)

'Cantloupe Island' by Herbie Hancock

'Glamour Girl' , ' Stormy Monday' by T-bone Walker (I-II-III-#II-II turnaround)

'Kansas City' Starts on the five chords, really cool to nail that in a jam.

' Love her with a feeling' by Freddie King (Starts with breaks)

'Same Old Blues' by Freddie King (chords)
 
#6
heres some songs you might see at a jam.sweet home chicago {medium shuffle}crosscutsaw{rumba}Big bossman{jimmy reed feel}stormy monday{slow blues}Help me{root flat 3rd five}thrill is gone {minor blues}hope this helps good luck and have fun
 
#8
All above, but learn Stormy Monday...the progressions from that song make nice background riffs every now and then to follow vocals or horns around. Also, don't overplay the Jimmy Reed type basics...just a single note Bump Bump is all that is called for on many of those...pretty boring for a bassist, but it really nails the bass drum to the floor.
 
#10
drjojo42 said:
heres some songs you might see at a jam.sweet home chicago {medium shuffle}crosscutsaw{rumba}Big bossman{jimmy reed feel}stormy monday{slow blues}Help me{root flat 3rd five}thrill is gone {minor blues}hope this helps good luck and have fun
Click to expand...

yeah--also quick IV's, from the V as a beginning. sharp V's. books can help to pick up some different turnarounds and endings. Also know the I-IV-V progression in a lot of different keys--E, A, D, C, G, F, b flat if horns. You might also hear rock me baby, red house, mustang sally, everything written by willie dixon! Keep it simple and play with feeling.
 

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