midi keyboard

09 Nov Slow, Easy Blues & Improvising

Posted at 09:00h in Practice

Slow, Easy Blues & Improvising: Do your fingers seem to only have one speed—slow? Want something bluesy you can play slowly and still sound great?  Today I’ll show you how to use a blues pattern and some improvising to get that accomplished pretty quickly & easily.

34 Comments
  • Tom Funk
    Posted at 14:37h, 09 November

    I was one of your followers who requested some slow blues instruction. THANKS for coming through for us. GREAT stuff, Scott.

    • Scott Houston
      Posted at 11:15h, 10 November

      Hey–I aim to please… Ha! You’re welcome.

      Now go tell 10 of your friends what a nice guy I am and convince them to sign up for the Courses. 🙂

  • Satish Joshi
    Posted at 01:49h, 13 November

    First, thanks Tom.
    And then, of course, a big “Thanks!” to Scott.

    I can’t read music, but with these instructions, I can have some fun with the Yamaha Clavinova at home that the kids left behind! 🙂

    I just happen to visit this blog for the first time, And I am already trying to figure out how to make time and sign up!

  • Kathy Diltz
    Posted at 08:59h, 17 November

    Thank you so much. I am seriously looking good into this. Is there any other format that this can be sent in as I can not get the blues video to down load. The instructions come thru but I would like to be able to hear what is sounds like. Thank you. Kathy

    • Scott Houston
      Posted at 16:20h, 17 November

      There is nothing to download Kathy. These videos stream (from a service we use called Vimeo.com) so you should just be able to click on them in the webpage to get them to start playing. If it is not working, go to vimeo.com and see if you can play anything from there and if not, check out their support pages. This stuff runs on anything imaginable (except for some less popular tablets…) so I really think it is something glitchy on your end you’ll need to get worked through. BTW, the exact same streaming video is used in the actual online Courses so you’ll need to make sure these work for you first in case you were planning on signing up and getting rolling. Assuming you get to a place where these vids are playing as they should, you’ll be good to go.

  • Stefanie Kies
    Posted at 09:30h, 17 November

    Scott, You de-mystify and de-light all in the same short segment. Best teacher ever! Thanks!

  • Joyce C
    Posted at 13:04h, 17 November

    Thanks Scott–lots of fun! I’ve been working through you Piano in a Flash course and HIGHLY recommend it to everyone. These little videos help also–it makes piano playing so much fun–not that drudgery we suffered as kids!!

    • Scott Houston
      Posted at 16:21h, 17 November

      Thanks Joyce. Appreciate the testimonial!

      SH

  • Regina from the Bronx
    Posted at 15:11h, 17 November

    Thanks Scott!
    This is another great tip!!!! I have been saving all of your videos to a “Piano” folder on my computer so that I can always revisit the topics whenever I need them in my music. Right now, I’m working on the Theme from Star Trek. Therefore, I’m re-visiting your video on glissandos since it will greatly add to that song.
    Please keep the videos coming.
    (As always, they are very useful)

    Regina from the Bronx

    • Scott Houston
      Posted at 16:24h, 17 November

      If you’re working on Theme from Star Trek that tells me you are working on intervals and are up to the Dominant 7th interval in Course 4. Good for you! Cranking’ right along…

      We had to kind of laugh when we used that tune but do you know how hard it was to find a melody that starts with that interval? Ha!

  • Carolyn
    Posted at 18:30h, 17 November

    Scott, You’ve done it again. Simple instructions (and repeated several times) You are SO GOOD I’m gonna try it tonight ! Thanks again and keep ’em coming.

  • Robert Wilson
    Posted at 10:56h, 19 November

    Scott,Thankyou so much for this lesson. I had asked you about improvising and you came through with flying colours!!!! You are also very,very funny. You always crack me up, but you always get your lesson across in an understandable way. You are such a great teacher!! Canada loves you…

    • Scott Houston
      Posted at 17:45h, 19 November

      Well I love Canada too! ha!

      thx,
      SH

  • Michael OHalloran
    Posted at 16:18h, 19 November

    I’m having so much fun, with no previous experience you’ve got me playing tunes I love, reading and understanding the lead sheets, and having a ball with the tips that come through the newsletter. Your ears must be burning cause you name is mentioned every day in our house. Every day I can’t wait to sit at the piano, and early morning at the electric piano with ear phones.
    Thanks Scott,
    Cheers from Australia.

    • Scott Houston
      Posted at 17:47h, 19 November

      Thanks for the nice words from down under! Glad you’re having fun…

      You can be my proselytizer (if that’s a word…) in Australia for the online lessons 🙂

  • Dolores
    Posted at 12:54h, 24 November

    Oh so fantastic & funny. Anxious to try to learn this.
    I Love the Blues & Boogie Woogie’s. Just gotta learn.
    Thank you Mr Scott Houston

  • Dennis Jackson
    Posted at 14:18h, 25 November

    Hey Scott give us a little of the right hand that we can learn. Improvising has to sound good and that right hand was sounding really good.

  • George E Wells
    Posted at 12:39h, 05 December

    Great — Scott — The base blues pattern sounds a little
    like the song the “Huckle-Buck” — Remember that one??
    Or, are you too young?? (Chuckle)
    Thanks —
    Your 80 year young student.

  • Steven LaPierre
    Posted at 16:57h, 22 May

    Thank you so much for the free lesson on the blues. You are world class as a player, and as a person. I will practice that blues lesson every day. I love the blues, and want to learn more. Thanks so much – – Steve

    • Scott Houston
      Posted at 11:14h, 14 June

      Blues is fun for sure! Thanks Steven 🙂

  • Judy Thompson
    Posted at 18:36h, 25 May

    Thanks so much. I could hear you but not see you. Was I supposed to be able to see you?

    • Scott Houston
      Posted at 11:15h, 14 June

      Yes Judy – It is a video so there are visuals as well as sound…

  • Linda
    Posted at 16:05h, 28 August

    I just watched this short video. It’s great. I love the blues as well. Maybe there’s hope for me. I’ve always just chorded. But due to a brain tumor I lost my coordination. But with your help maybe I can make it work to some extent anyway. Thank you for being so caring for others and generous with your time.

    • Scott Houston
      Posted at 16:47h, 28 August

      You can do this! Thx for the kind words… Hope it helps 🙂

  • Phil Rogers
    Posted at 13:41h, 04 February

    Scott, I bought your full course and I love it!!! I must admit , I was nervous at first, but I got over that just watching the very first lesson. Man, you’re Super cool and one of my hero’s!! Thank you !!!
    Phil

    • Scott Houston
      Posted at 11:57h, 05 February

      Thanks Phil! Glad you’re digging the program -)

  • Sandra
    Posted at 14:39h, 18 April

    Love love love love it!!!!!!

  • Lois Langley
    Posted at 04:44h, 30 May

    Thank you. Seeing you play has tickled my urge to get out the keyboard I have and play around.

    • Ryan Eldridge
      Posted at 11:47h, 30 May

      Lois – that’s great to her! Should you be interested in lessons, we have plenty of great Courses available. Scott even has a free intro course available, where you can learn to play Joy To The World in just 45 minutes! You can find it here – CLICK HERE FOR FREE INTRO COURSE – simply click that link, enter your email, hit enter, and follow the instructions.

  • Philip
    Posted at 11:56h, 26 June

    This looks great. I’m definitely singing up. I really like how you teach and you have a great personality. Just curious what is the keyboard you are playing on?

  • Aida Tirado
    Posted at 12:59h, 14 August

    Thanks Scott. I been wanting to learn to play the piano for the longest. Since my strokes I have a hard time comprehending and remembering things. But I really want to learn how to play. The sound of the piano is pretty I go to church I love listening them play the piano. I have my own piano. I just want to learn how to play. I can’t afford the classes. But it would be fun to learn. Than you. Aida

  • Johnny Morgan
    Posted at 09:47h, 29 January

    /scott, this is so cool, and actually allows me to attermpt to play some type of Blues. THANK YOU
    Would love to see a little more of the slower playing, I’m Old (73) trying to learn how to play the Piano
    John Morgan