8 Sets of Jazz Blues Changes

Randy Johnston takes you through 8 sets of jazz blues changes in the key of B-flat, from a basic jazz blues to richer bebop variations. One set at a time, he clearly demonstrates the changes and voicings, plays a chorus of chords at a medium tempo, solos over the changes, and then comps a few choruses so you can practice soloing yourself.

What's covered

• A basic jazz blues with the ii-V into the IV chord, the diminished 7th in bar six, and the V-of-ii move
• Bebop-era variations with extra diminished chords, in the style of Charlie Parker, Barney Kessel, and Oscar Peterson
• A "Bird blues" set built on descending ii-Vs, like Parker's "Blues for Alice"
• Turnbacks and back cycles — dominant 7ths walking down in half steps
• Chord-quality substitutions: when B-flat can be a 6, 7, 13, or major 7
• Soloing touches along the way, including voice leading and tetrachords

The changes and voicings for each set are written out, including block chord diagrams, and you're welcome to steal any licks from Randy's solos. Most of his solos are eighth-note lines at medium tempo with a very good view of the fingerboard and finger placement — easy to transcribe or simply mine for ideas. A great foundation class for beginners getting into jazz blues. Running time: 1 hour. 6 pages of PDF material included.