Blues Notes (Crushing, Sliding, Riffs)

Blues notes are alterations of the chord that are a “carry over” from guitar players. Years ago when the blues style was first being formed, guitar players would ‘bend’ notes on the guitar. This created a very soulful technique because the pitch would move up or down a half step or more.

However, it is nearly impossible to bend notes, unless you actually manipulate the strings inside the piano! So what is the pianist to do? Blues notes to the rescue!

By creating an alteration on the 3rd and 5th chord tones, we can simulate that blues, soulful sound. Example A shows you a regular C7 chord and chord tones.

Now, if we add alterations on the 3rd and 5th chord tones, we get example B. Notice that the minor 3rd resolves to the Major 3rd and the #4 resolves to the 5th.

Using Blues Notes in your Piano playing

There are basically three ways to use these blues notes in your playing.

1. Play them as individual notes and add them to your lines (Ex. C)
2. “Crush” the blues note together with its resolution note (Ex. D)
3. “Slide” into the resolution note from the blues note (Ex. E)

Listen to Example C:

Listen to Example D:

Listen to Example E:

Willie President

Willie Myette is a Berklee-trained pianist, author of over a dozen music education books, and serial entrepreneur who has built multiple global piano education brands. A scholarship recipient to Berklee College of Music, Willie launched his first company, JazzKids®, teaching children as young as six how to improvise and create their own music. As a professional jazz musician, he has toured nationally and internationally, produced three albums with his trio Katahdin’s Edge, earned radio play on over 90 stations, received coverage in DownBeat, JazzTimes, and Jazziz, and showcased at SXSW. He is the founder and president of Jazzedge® Academy, Jazz Piano Lessons, and HomeSchool Piano—online platforms serving students worldwide, from absolute beginners to professional pianists, using his structured 6-step teaching method.

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Jazz Piano Blues Piano Jazz Improvisation