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10 Midi: Blues Tips
This is how your assignment should look (you may have some of the drums combined if you wish).
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| "Background Horns" are an added option, and not mandatory for the assignment. |
Note: in my example, you'll see the solo section has no chords. That is because I decided to have my piano instrument play the solo and therefore would not also be able to play the chords. This also creates contrast in the song.
Your Drums Should Have: bass drum, snare, high hat and ride cymbal.
How to Make A Basic Introduction: NEW!
1. Copy the last TWObars of your 12-bar blues minus the melody.
2. Put those TWO bars at the beginning of your assignment.
3. Optional: add a drum fill leading into the "head"
How to Make A Basic Ending: NEW! (FOUR BARS - NOT TWO)
1. Copy the last FOUR bars of your 12-bar blues including the melody.
2. Put those FOUR bars at the end of your assignment.
3. Change the bass line in the last two bars to only be notes G, B or D. Remember only one note at a time in the bassline!
4. Optional:
- In the melody, change the octave of the final note ("G") up or down one.
- Add a drum fill at the end
Melody Writing Tips
1. Must have a "pick-up" note or notes before the Head enters.
2. Must only use the blues scale (G, Bb, C, C#, D, F).
3. Most Head melodies use a lot of stepwise motion (not a lot of big leaps).
4. The melody should be split up into THREE four bar chunks.
5. The first two chunks should have a nearly identical melody.
6. Your final chunk should be different but complimentary to the first two chunks.
7. Look at the notes that are being played in the chords for ideas of what notes will sound "good".
An Example: If a G chord (notes G, B, D) is being played, then choosing a G or D would be great. But having a really long Bb in that bar will sound awful next to the B natural in the chord.
Suggestions on How to Make Your Solo Section Interesting:
1. Change the texture of the song (remove some instruments)
2. Change instruments for your melody.
3. Add little drum fills (often done on the snare in blues or jazz).
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