Learning Boogie Woogie Introduction:

I love playing Boogie Woogie. It’s a great solo piano style. It’s not difficult to play and it’s loved by audiences. Boogie Woogie is a wonderful way to develop the ability to play with groove and to learn the Blues in general. It is recommended that you study playing this style Step-by-Step.

To mention: this lesson is part of my online jazz piano course, “JazzSkills for Piano” (www.jazzskillsforpiano.com). If you are looking for a complete and serious course in jazz piano, this course is for you. Also, JazzSkills will help you to gain the basic skills to develop Stride Blues skills.

I am happy to answer your questions and hear your suggestions and feedback. Contact me at martan@jazzskillsforpiano.com.

Best –

Martan 🙂

Videos

Video 1: Learning a Basic Boogie Woogie Accompaniment

Video 2: Developing Soloing #1

Video 3: Developing Soloing #2

Video 4: Miscellaneous Thoughts on Boogie Woogie

Step-by-Step

Step #1: Explanation of the 12-Bar Blues.

The Basic 12-bar Blues is in three groups or sections of four-bars.

I Section: I I I I

IV Section: IV IV I I

V Section: IV V I V

Step #2: Boogie Woogie Accompaniment.

This is a basic Boogie Woogie Accompaniment. Learn this accompaniment thorougly so that you can play it freely and easily.

Step #3: Boogie Woogie Groove.

Work hard to develop a good groove playing the Boogie Woogie. Remember: a good groove pushes the beat of the metronome.

Step #4: Boogie Woogie with the Left Hand.

Now we are dropping the Right Hand and playing the BW in the Left Hand.

Step #5: Boogie Woogie Rhythmic Patterns.

A good idea before soloing . . . is to play rhythmic patterns.

Step #6: Boogie Woogie w/Mixolydian Mode.

Here we are using the Mixolydian Mode to create melodies.

Step #7: Boogie Woogie w/Mixolydian Mode with Chords.

We are playing the Mixolydian Mode with chords.

Step #8: Boogie Woogie Creating Melodies.

Here are three sample BW licks. Notice that they are all based on “pick ups” . . . which move forward to the next chord.

Step #9: Boogie Woogie Scales.

I offer two choices of scales: the Blues Scale and the Mixolydian Plus Scale (Mixolydian Mode plus a flatted 3 and 5).

Step #10: Continuous Melody Exercise.

This is a great way to learn how to solo (in all styles). Play continuously in Quarter Notes, Quarter-Note Triplets, Eighth Notes and Eighth-Note Triplets.