Exercises

“Moanin’.” I’d like you to be able to play it by heart.

I can. I know it looks like I can’t, because I’m scrutinising the music so heavily. But it’s because I want to play exactly what it is I’ve written out for you and not play any variations and end up confusing you. But it would be good to have something that you can play without any music, and I include in that the chord sequence as well.

When it comes to improvising, we have our two methods, first of all using the Dorian mode all the way through and secondly using the American blues scale on the A section and then on the B section – the middle eight – try playing phrases which employ the third of the current chord if you can get it out in time.

Then our minor blues sequence – have a go at using the playalong, improvising over it using the two versions of the 9th and 10th bars and see if you can hear the difference. Also, I’d like you to improvise on the ‘Trane version where in a C minor blues we have A flat 7 in the ninth bar. “Equinox.” I’d like you to be able to play the McCoy Tyner vamp with the playalong, perhaps two-fisted – two hands. I’d also like you to be able to play the tune, possibly in double octaves, using two hands. I’d then like you to be able to play the tune over the vamp, if you can.

You might find that a bit difficult, and similarly I’d like you to be able to improvise over the vamp – again, if you can. If you can’t at this stage, then don’t worry about it too much.