Improvising Know-How: The Blues
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12:09 Intro to the Blues
Tom welcomes you and introduces a basic left hand pattern and lays out the structure of the 12 Bar and 8 Bar blues forms. Tom also emphasizes the importance of hearing the transitions between the chords.
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7:12 The Blues Scale
Tom now reviews the left hand comping pattern, and introduces two blues scales and the "in-between notes" that help provide an authentic vocabulary when improvising in the blues. Tom then explains how it's important to "hear" and conceptualize the vocal quality of the blues scales, as well as the importance of listening to the masters.
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12:23 Blues Expressions
Tom recaps the right hand scales and note choices, and now introduces blues expressions, those subtle shapes and note choices that help flavor the sound. An additional exercise is also suggested to inject a bit of Count Basie feel into the mix.
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10:01 2 Note Left Hand Voicings
Tom examines five simple 2 note left hand voicings that can be used to accompany melodies in the right hand, and as part of building larger chords with both hands. Real-world playing applications are explored as well as simple theory.
Product Overview
In these simplified video tutorials, piano master Tom Regis lays out the basics of the blues structure, simple left hand comping, and scales and blues expressions for the right hand so you can start playing authentic Blues right away!
In these videos Tom breaks down the Blues scale, reveals the "in-between" notes, discusses note choices, and reveals how to create chord shapes and the "must know" left hand voicings and more.
See the individual tutorial descriptions below for more info. If you're ready to get the Blues, hang with Tom Regis and watch "Improvising Know-How: The Blues" today!
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Reviews
Submitted 3 months ago
Solid tuition
Another guitarist here who likes to play a bit of piano. More now, thanks to Tom. I like these lessons just as a musical journey, as they are easy enough to transpose across instruments. Got me playing more piano, as well as brushing up on guitar, two birds with one stone! Tom is an excellent presenter and a fabulous piano player, with a gift for explanation. This is solid tuition.
I am a: Hobbyist, Musician, Logic Pro
Ease of Use Quality of Videos Value of Training Access to Videos
Submitted 1 year ago
It's the Blues!
I'm a guitar player who enjoys piano. I can play the basic chord shapes. As a big fan of the blues, this is an excellent introduction to the blues piano! As piano is a second instrument for me, I use "Video Surgeon" to slow it down and create loops. I highly recommend "Improvising Know-How: The Blues!"
Ease of Use Quality of Videos Value of Training Access to Videos
Submitted 2 years ago
Excellent ... but ...
I wish HomeSpun lessons had a VIRTUAL PIANO and notes, like some of the other lessons I see on youtube. I would give it a 5 + if they did.
I am a: Student, Musician
Ease of Use Quality of Videos Value of Training Access to Videos
Submitted 4 years ago
Perfectly suited to my situation.
There were many great ideas presented, but the suggested exercises were extremely helpful. I also learned a lot watching Tom play in than effortless style. The camera position was great.
I am a: Hobbyist, Musician, Reason
Ease of Use Quality of Videos Value of Training Access to Videos
Submitted 4 years ago
BEYOUND FANTASTIC The Blues WITH
JUST WHAT I NEEDED
I am a: Hobbyist, Musician, Ableton Live, Cakewalk Sonar, Reason
Ease of Use Quality of Videos Value of Training Access to Videos
Submitted 4 years ago
Improvising Know-How: The Blues
I found this video to be informative and appropriate for my skill level.
Ease of Use Quality of Videos Value of Training Access to Videos
Submitted 4 years ago
A great starting point
I'm not a piano player- at all, but I've always wanted to know some of the basic left hand patterns for basic blues. I was able to pick up the rudiments pretty quickly with this video - quicker than any of the books or other videos I've attempted to wade through. This gets right down to the real nitty gritty yall.
I am a: Hobbyist, Musician
Ease of Use Quality of Videos Value of Training Access to Videos
Submitted 4 years ago
breaking it down nicely
Makes it easy to understand, I look forward to learning more
I am a: Beginner, Student
Ease of Use Quality of Videos Value of Training Access to Videos
Submitted 4 years ago
Please, sir, could I have some more?
I've been playing the piano and taking lessons (mostly jazz standards and some blues) for many years but I still got excited by, dare I say, the relatively simple playing in the video (e.g. it's not particularly fast, complex, or involving huge stride jumps). It just sounds so beautiful. I'll never be a pro as my hands aren't the most nimble but it was inspiring to see something that appears to be within reach, especially since the playing was very clearly explained and broken down into manageable pieces. I think Tom Regis has done a great job and I wish there were more of his videos available on Groove3. Highly recommended.
I am a: Hobbyist
Ease of Use Quality of Videos Value of Training Access to Videos
Submitted 4 years ago
IMPROVISING KNOW HOW: THE BLUES
THIS IS A WONDERFUL EXAMPLE OF EXPLAINING WHAT I THOUGHT I KNEW.
I am a: Semi-Pro, Musician, Sound Designer
Ease of Use Quality of Videos Value of Training Access to Videos
Reviews
Submitted 3 months ago
Solid tuition
Another guitarist here who likes to play a bit of piano. More now, thanks to Tom. I like these lessons just as a musical journey, as they are easy enough to transpose across instruments. Got me playing more piano, as well as brushing up on guitar, two birds with one stone! Tom is an excellent presenter and a fabulous piano player, with a gift for explanation. This is solid tuition.
I am a: Hobbyist, Musician, Logic Pro
Submitted 1 year ago
It's the Blues!
I'm a guitar player who enjoys piano. I can play the basic chord shapes. As a big fan of the blues, this is an excellent introduction to the blues piano! As piano is a second instrument for me, I use "Video Surgeon" to slow it down and create loops. I highly recommend "Improvising Know-How: The Blues!"
Submitted 2 years ago
Excellent ... but ...
I wish HomeSpun lessons had a VIRTUAL PIANO and notes, like some of the other lessons I see on youtube. I would give it a 5 + if they did.
I am a: Student, Musician
Submitted 4 years ago
Perfectly suited to my situation.
There were many great ideas presented, but the suggested exercises were extremely helpful. I also learned a lot watching Tom play in than effortless style. The camera position was great.
I am a: Hobbyist, Musician, Reason
Submitted 4 years ago
BEYOUND FANTASTIC The Blues WITH
JUST WHAT I NEEDED
I am a: Hobbyist, Musician, Ableton Live, Cakewalk Sonar, Reason
Submitted 4 years ago
Improvising Know-How: The Blues
I found this video to be informative and appropriate for my skill level.
Submitted 4 years ago
A great starting point
I'm not a piano player- at all, but I've always wanted to know some of the basic left hand patterns for basic blues. I was able to pick up the rudiments pretty quickly with this video - quicker than any of the books or other videos I've attempted to wade through. This gets right down to the real nitty gritty yall.
I am a: Hobbyist, Musician
Submitted 4 years ago
breaking it down nicely
Makes it easy to understand, I look forward to learning more
I am a: Beginner, Student
Submitted 4 years ago
Please, sir, could I have some more?
I've been playing the piano and taking lessons (mostly jazz standards and some blues) for many years but I still got excited by, dare I say, the relatively simple playing in the video (e.g. it's not particularly fast, complex, or involving huge stride jumps). It just sounds so beautiful. I'll never be a pro as my hands aren't the most nimble but it was inspiring to see something that appears to be within reach, especially since the playing was very clearly explained and broken down into manageable pieces. I think Tom Regis has done a great job and I wish there were more of his videos available on Groove3. Highly recommended.
I am a: Hobbyist
Submitted 4 years ago
IMPROVISING KNOW HOW: THE BLUES
THIS IS A WONDERFUL EXAMPLE OF EXPLAINING WHAT I THOUGHT I KNEW.
I am a: Semi-Pro, Musician, Sound Designer
1. When did you start dabbling in music? I sat on my mom's lap when I was three while she played Chopin's Fantasie Impromptu, Beethoven's Sonata Pathetique, and Flight of the Bumble Bee. I started classical piano training at age 6, about the same time I was hearing the music of the Beatles on the Ed Sullivan show. Drum lessons came at age 8.
2. What training have you had? New England Conservatory of Music, Boston, Massachusetts, Bachelor of Music, with distinction award, Classical Piano with Nevarte Adrian, Madame Chaloff, Thomas Stumpf, Deborah Moriarity, Leonard Shure, and Yoriko Takahashi. Jazz Piano with Ran Blake, Charlie Banacos, and Jaki Byard. Schoenberg Theory of (diatonic) Harmony with Joe Manieri.
3. When did you get into recording? First recording was with a sound on sound 2 track reel to reel probably when I was 12 or so. Then later on to a 4 track Tascam cassette machine, an 8 track Fostex reel to reel, then 24 track 2 inch tape recording at Elias associates in NY, to 32 track Digital Mitsubishi (tape) in Los Angeles, and of course, on to the world of computers from Atari to Mac to PC back to Mac, and oh, wishing I owned a 16 track 2 inch!
4. People you have worked with/for? Michael Brecker, Will Lee, Phoebe Snow, Jeff Miranov, Sid McGinnis, Patti Austin, Tone Loc, Rafi, Rita Marley, Johnny Clegg and Savuka, Gilberto Gil, Celia Cruz, Eddie Gomez, Marcus Miller, Marianne Faithful, Ofra Haza, Ron Carter . . .
5. Why are you so good at training people? My outstanding personality! Studying both jazz and classical music has given me a broad understanding of the fundamentals of music. I try to convey these fundamentals as clearly as possible, and also to remember that music is primarily about inspiration - you get the technical understanding so that part becomes transparent, and the rest can flow.
Products by Tom
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tutorial videoImprovising Know-How: Modes
In these simplified video tutorials, piano master Tom Regis explores different Modes as one of the keys to unlocking the art of improvisation, and includes a bit of approachable theory that can be immediately put into practice!
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tutorial videoImprovising Know-How: The Blues
In these simplified video tutorials, piano master Tom Regis lays out the basics of the blues structure, simple left hand comping, and scales and blues expressions for the right hand so you can start playing authentic Blues right away!
-
tutorial videoNavigating Chord Progressions
Theory pro Tom Regis reveals some of the most common but most important chord progressions and how to train your ear to instantly recognize them, so you can better understand their structure and apply them to your own compositions!
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tutorial videoPractical Music Theory Know-How
In this in-depth video series, theory wiz Tom Regis explains the essential components of harmony, and emphasizes the simplicity of a music system based on a seven note scale, all while providing inspirational musical examples and ideas!
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