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The Blues: Understanding and Performing an American Art Form

Master the blues, from theory to performance. Learn scales, progressions & improvisation techniques.

Master the blues, from theory to performance. Learn scales, progressions & improvisation techniques.

Dive into the rich world of blues music with this comprehensive course. Explore the blues as a fundamental American art form and its crucial role in jazz. From basic 12-bar blues to advanced jazz variations, you'll learn the harmonic structures, melodic vocabularies, and improvisational techniques that define different blues styles. Taught by expert Dariusz Terefenko, this course covers blues progressions, scales, keyboard textures, and jazz syntax. Through practical exercises and demonstrations with live musicians, you'll develop your improvisation skills and gain a deep understanding of blues theory and performance. Ideal for musicians and music enthusiasts alike, this course offers a unique blend of historical context, music theory, and hands-on practice to help you master the art of playing and understanding the blues.

4.8

(596 ratings)

34,183 already enrolled

Instructors:

English

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The Blues: Understanding and Performing an American Art Form

This course includes

11 Hours

Of Self-paced video lessons

Beginner Level

Completion Certificate

awarded on course completion

2,435

What you'll learn

  • Understand the historical development and significance of the blues in American music

  • Master various blues progressions, including basic, generic, and minor blues forms

  • Learn and apply blues scales and jazz rhythms in improvisation

  • Develop keyboard skills for blues performance, including chord voicings and comping techniques

  • Analyze and perform different jazz blues standards and progressions

  • Explore advanced improvisational tools such as guide tones, pentatonic scales, and modal categories

Skills you'll gain

Blues music
Jazz improvisation
Music theory
Blues scales
Chord progressions
Keyboard techniques
Blues history

This course includes:

452 Minutes PreRecorded video

7 assignments

Access on Mobile, Tablet, Desktop

FullTime access

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There are 7 modules in this course

This comprehensive course delves into the blues as a fundamental American art form and its crucial role in jazz. Over seven modules, students explore various aspects of blues music, from its historical context to advanced performance techniques. The course covers blues progressions, scales, keyboard realization, and improvisational tools. Students learn to analyze and perform different blues styles, including Early Jazz, Swing, Bebop, Modal, and Post Bop blues. The curriculum emphasizes practical skills, with demonstrations by live musicians and play-along tracks for hands-on practice. Topics include harmonic structures, melodic vocabularies, jazz syntax, and improvisation techniques. By the end of the course, students will have a solid understanding of blues theory and performance, enabling them to appreciate and play this influential musical form.

Blues Progressions – Theory and Practice

Module 1 · 1 Hours to complete

Blues Scales

Module 2 · 1 Hours to complete

Keyboard Realization

Module 3 · 1 Hours to complete

Bird Blues and Other Blues Progressions

Module 4 · 1 Hours to complete

Improvisational Tools

Module 5 · 1 Hours to complete

Improvising the Blues – Part 1

Module 6 · 1 Hours to complete

Improvising the Blues – Part 2

Module 7 · 1 Hours to complete

Fee Structure

Payment options

Financial Aid

Instructor

Dariusz Terefenko
Dariusz Terefenko

4.9 rating

107 Reviews

34,163 Students

1 Course

Bridging Jazz and Music Theory at Eastman

Dariusz Terefenko is an accomplished educator at the Eastman School of Music, where he began his journey as a master’s student in jazz piano. After earning his M.M. in jazz piano performance in 1998, he pursued and completed a Ph.D. in music theory in 2004, focusing his dissertation on “Keith Jarrett’s Transformation of Standard Tunes.” In addition to his role in the Jazz and Contemporary Media Department, Terefenko serves as an Affiliate Professor of Music Theory. His research interests explore the interplay between classical and jazz improvisation. Recently, he released a solo album titled Evidence, showcasing his unique interpretations of classic jazz standards, jazz instrumentals, and original compositions.

The Blues: Understanding and Performing an American Art Form

This course includes

11 Hours

Of Self-paced video lessons

Beginner Level

Completion Certificate

awarded on course completion

2,435

Testimonials

Testimonials and success stories are a testament to the quality of this program and its impact on your career and learning journey. Be the first to help others make an informed decision by sharing your review of the course.

4.8 course rating

596 ratings

Frequently asked questions

Below are some of the most commonly asked questions about this course. We aim to provide clear and concise answers to help you better understand the course content, structure, and any other relevant information. If you have any additional questions or if your question is not listed here, please don't hesitate to reach out to our support team for further assistance.