Bb Jazz Blues? ...

halouishalouis
edited March 2014 in Root
working my way through this lesson. got the full rhythm, the triad rhythm and the basic triad arpeggio parts down relatively well. (will work on the lead part soon.)

my question is on the full chord parts. I don't have much formal theory training, but have played these chords before. However I've never really understood why the Bb7 is played as Bb13 then Bb7 then Bb6. I hear the differences and they all sound great, but what makes the Bb13 the choice over the 1st couple bars. then the Bb6 over the middle change? Is it just taste?

hope this doesn't sound like a dumb question.

Comments

  • CJGCJG
    Hi, glad to hear that you picked up this lesson as its one of my all time faves. I'm not so hot on theory myself but do believe that the chord substitutions are a matter of taste. I seam to recall Jim explaining that in the lesson as well (but I could be mistaken in that regard). Anyway, would love to hear how you progress as you go along on this one. I spent a lot of time on those triads (and still go back to hitting them as part of my daily warm up.) I think you learn a lot about rhythm as well as learning where/how to play changes with this exercise alone. During the next phase it's actually kind of cool (IMO) to just get comfy playing some B flat blues from the blues scale over the progression and THEN learning the solo with the changes. All depends on how much time you have tho and the way you personally learn best. Hitting all if the changes is quite a challenge, but very doable if you go for it in small bite sized chunks!

    Hope this helps and happy playing!
  • cwilliamscwilliams
    I would classify it as changes in chord quality.

    Your playing a Bb7. In order to add a little variety you can add color tones. The 1,3,5, and 7th degree of the chords are the essential tones, but you are free to add extra tones (like the 13th). At its core you are still playing just a Bb7 chord and I would mentally classify it as such while playing.

    It is a matter of taste and a good tactic to spice things up. Its common to add the 9th and 13th.

    I tend to not consider this a chord substitution, but a quality change.

  • halouishalouis
    OK. this makes sense. very helpful. I will look at the "book" thread and pick up a couple good ones. can't go wrong.

    I'll let you know how I progress.

    thanks!!!!
  • halouishalouis
    I was re-listening to the rhythm part lesson and yes I heard Jim's explanation of the chord variations. nice!

    loving this lesson.
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