Playing the Blues

The Improv Project has taken a side step for a couple of weeks.  The students continue to incorporate dynamic elements into the daily warm-up scale which keeps one element of expressive control in their fingers.  On Friday I asked them to play the scale at volume 7 with "happy" quarter notes just to make sure they had retained some of the original lessons.  It's amazing to hear them--they know exactly how to create that effect.

The kids enjoy their march through the pages in Essential Elements so we've focused on covering ground.   It's important for me to put this in perspective:  students want to see their accomplishments in a method book.   Checking off the numbered exercises is their goal.   Introducing them to expression while they learn an instrument is my goal.  I want to keep the lessons balanced.  

Around the time we took a break from playing with sound I introduced them to 12-bar blues.  The bass player and cellist were given a simplified walking bass line.  The upper strings are playing a simplified part as well--just the root for now.  All I put on the board is the note names so they get to choose which D, G and A they play.  Having a note option teaches them more about their instruments and about music.  Yes, there really are A's all over your violin!  We also work on rhythm by having one student tap 4 quarter notes on each bar. 

After two weeks the chin fiddles are completely comfortable with their part.  And the walking bass is coming along.  They love playing this so much that we started adding dynamic expression.   I asked the students to suggest volume levels and we added some finger snaps in addition to the tapper.   A usually mild-mannered student asked to play volume 12.  So far, ten has been our loudest volume.  At the end of 12 bars he was still playing like a rock star sawing frantically on his violin.  He was having a blast!  Now that's priceless.

Near the end of our class period they almost always ask if we can play 12-bar blues.  It's a great way to play for enjoyment.  And this kind of music is definitely more fun with a group.  I think it teaches them to work together.  In future classes we'll try different rhythms, new notes and more of our expressive techniques.   The possibilities are limitless!