Free Video Blues Piano Lessons – 30 Must-Have Blues Piano Licks
For those of you who have followed my Series on How to Play a Funk Groove on the Piano, I’ve got another free video series for you. This time — it’s over to the blues for 30 must-have blues piano licks.
Here’s the final demo of the series (after the break), where I run through a bunch of the licks from the series. Scroll down for links to the downloadable music (as a PDF), downloadable MP3 files of the backing tracks and links to the entire series.
The series is organized into an introduction, three sets of ten licks, then the final demo. The first ten licks are fairly easy, the second are intermediate, and the last ten are pretty challenging. Each of these links opens up a YouTube.com video in a new window.
20. March 2008 at 12:22
Hi!
Great you put the music for the lick video online, too! More to practice…
Thanks!
23. April 2008 at 18:56
Hey Jonathon,
Thanks so much for your Blues licks videos they’ve come along at just the right time for me. Your funk groove is very kool too – LH reminds me of Watermelon man, anyway thanks again
Cheers from Simon in Sydney
6. May 2008 at 20:44
I am not sure if you have talked about this before, but is this series available on DVD or CD? I was wanting to have a copy of all of your music videos. They are very encouraging and easy to understand.
Thanks,
Victoria
6. May 2008 at 22:08
I’m sorry, Victoria, but at the moment, they’re only available online. I’m just a computer programmer who likes to make videos on how to play the piano in my (limited) spare time :) — Perhaps I’ll have time to work out some physical DVDs at some point in the future.
7. May 2008 at 19:55
Thanks for the response. I can understand.
Thanks,
Victoria
11. May 2008 at 11:55
Hello Jonathon,
I just joined our High School jazz band this year on piano. Even though I’ve played piano, I’ve never really learned jazz theory. When told to solo, I was just given the notes of the Blues Scales and told to come up with rhythms; yours really help! When we warm up, we all take a solo over Bb blues, so can I ask you to either send me your C version (it looks like Finale?) and I’ll transpose or can you transpose it into Bb for me? If you would like, I can give you my email address.
Thank you!
Your jazz student,
Tyler
11. May 2008 at 13:57
Hey Tyler! Check your email, I sent you the original Finale File (C major) and a new transposed PDF in Bb…
13. May 2008 at 20:34
[...] XHTML ← Free Video Blues Piano Lessons – 30 Must-Have Blues Piano Licks [...]
6. June 2008 at 19:23
Hi there!
I’ve been trying to break into the world of jazz piano for some time now. I’m classically trained but my passion’s shifted over the last few years.
Without a doubt your tutorials are the best material i’ve come accross so far! I’ve bought a fair few books, but there’s nothing like a demonstration to motivate you, and your enthusiasm shines through! I’ve learned your funk groove, and most of the blues licks, but the difficult part for me is breaking away from my classical training and improvising. Any pointers would be most gratefully accepted!
Thanks for these videos, they’re so helpful, and it’s pretty rare to find this quality of material for free!
Andrew
10. June 2008 at 14:48
Thank you for doing these lessons. I’ve learned quite a bit. I’ve got to work on both hands more. it’s tough.
11. July 2008 at 14:06
Hi,
First let me say that I am a complet beginner at the piano and slowly learning but I like these lessons ok that said I’m starting off with lick#1.
But I am confused a bit, again I’m a piano newb..
Are these licks in C? I thought the C blues scale was
C-Eb-F-F#-G-Bb-C
I’m not every good at reading the notation but it looks like the lick is,
Eb/E-G/F-A/E-G
Am I missing something??
11. July 2008 at 15:16
Hi Grayth –
Glad to have you —
These licks are in C, and yes, the Blues Scale consists of exactly the notes you specified. However, blues isn’t a rigid art form. There’s no reason to only play the blues scale pitches. Very few accomplished blues players stick entirely to these pitches — they’re simply a good starting point and a learning step. You start there, and branch out.
I would have to look back through them, but I’d bet that very few of the licks in this series limit themselves entirely to the blues scale pitches.
Hope this answers your question -
31. July 2008 at 06:26
Dear Jonathan Wilson,
I first saw you on expertvillage.
At first i taught you were like some other musician that will teach some and keep some. However, I was wrong. You are a very different musician. You are different from the rest because you’re unselfish to share what you know. Besides this, you painstakingly record down all 31 videos and 4 backing tracks for us.And your videos are of high quality plus detailed explaination with notes ,slow,fast, and with backing tracks demonstrations.
At first i was so puzzled by blues turnaround but you have unlocked the myth of blues turnaround and even taugh me more. I like expecially the bebop licks you played.
Not only that.. After i learn and watch your 30 licks, now i can improvise myself to make more licks. A word ‘Thanks” is not enough for showing how gratefull i am.
I will like to say ‘Thank GOD for you”… and hope to learn more from you.
sincerely yours,
andy from malaysia
31. July 2008 at 07:15
Wow, Andy — Thanks for the nice words! Glad you’re getting something out of the vids — more to come!
31. July 2008 at 09:40
Thank you Jonathan Wilson.I didn’t expect to get your reply that fast. In replying me, I presume you’re a humble person and not arrogant.I hope you understand that my nice and kind words are not preplanned or trying to flatter anybody. they are from the bottom of my heart. Because I’m so touch to see somebody like you sacrificing a portion of his life to help strangers like me and everybody here.Do you know that you’re sacrificing your life for us? I said this because if for example, if you hav 4 months to live and you spend 3 months creating these learning materials for us,what left for yourself is 1 month. every minute ticking away is the same as ones life ticking away. I had an old friend. He just past away at 86. I visited him a few times in the hospital. in the hospital, he kept telling my parents that how he wish that before he die,he can get to see his son that is working overseas the last time. Few days later,a friend of his visited him and in that same day his only son and 5 daughters traveling back to meet their father. Then this sick old man told his good friend that he wanted to sleep awhile.Then he passed away while his son and daughters are 15minutes away. If he can live another 16 minutes,maybe he can see them for the very last time. But at least if you do die someday,at least in your life time you did something good. and we will all remember you.
Thanks for replying and don’t reply me anymore because i don’t want to take away your life and time. You’ve done too much for us all.
sincerely yours,
andy
17. November 2008 at 14:49
True, about the time, but time giving is time well-spent. I’m just adding my voice to those appreciating all the sharing and the work it takes. It’s giving me a lot of joy and challenge. Fun stuff! Thanks.
17. November 2008 at 14:56
Thanks for the words, Troy — glad to have you here, and glad you’re getting some benefit from the vids!
30. November 2008 at 11:35
Dear Jonathon,
You have helped me -and this is a serious understatement- a long way. It is, as andythan noted, remarkable how unselfish you are with your knowledge. You take the time to smile, lay down the licks -half speed, with metronome; full speed with backing track- provide notations, in various keys and even more… You’ve actually learned me much more about blues (and jazz) piano than my actual piano teacher.
I asure you, your effort is time well spent, for you will have helped many more than those giving voice to their gratitude.
I thank you sincerely, and hold you in great respect.
A student from Belgium,
Manuel
30. November 2008 at 12:27
Thank you Manuel! It means a lot that you’ve taken the time to comment.
Actually, I really enjoying making these videos, so it’s not as much of a selfless effort as you think — it’s fun for me :) I only wish I had more spare time to put more out. Soon, though -
17. December 2008 at 04:17
Absolutely LOVE your work. Been playing since I was 5 (I’m even older than you – have less hair and a more beat up piano – your Yamaha upright records nice and clean). I’ve learnt some nice new licks and variations. You are a very generous man and very talented.
It’s a funny thing to me – pianists and musicians (in general) tend to keep there licks to themselves – yes they share a few but as you said in one of your videos, “this is a nice one to pull out when you want to show off”. I guess for old gits like myself it was all learned off LP’s and later CD’s. It made it hard to progress – and all the licks I managed to learn were hard won!
So how great is it that you spend the time and effort to share and break it down for us – thank you…
17. December 2008 at 07:21
You know, I think there was a time, (when I was younger), when I dreamed that I would acutally make my living doing music that I was more possessive of tips and tricks of playing. But now that I’m older, and have a ‘day job’ to pay my bills, I think it lets me enjoy music much more, without any ‘competitive’ worries. A huge part of that is the collaborative part of it.
At any rate, I’m glad you’re getting some value from the vids. I quite enjoy making them, so it’s not really work. I only wish I had more time for it. We humans have decided to be busy creatures…
11. March 2009 at 16:21
hi Jonathon,
thanks so much for your videos and this site. I stumbled across you on YouTube while searching on “how to play rock organ solos…”. I am learning…thanks for teaching.
trrish
12. March 2009 at 06:27
Hey Trrish! Thanks for the comment — I’m glad you’re enjoying the videos. I also enjoyed your blog posts. I’ll bet that concert was awesome :)
Keep in touch, and keep playing!
17. March 2009 at 11:45
Hi Jonathon,
Thanks so much for the Blues licks – your videos have been really helpful!
Is it possible you could send me your original Finale file in C?
Thanks,
Karl
18. March 2009 at 06:04
[...] “30 Must-Have Blues Piano Licks” [...]
20. March 2009 at 09:13
[...] whole 30 part blues piano series is available free on his blog, along with a clip where Jonathon demonstrates the effect of putting [...]
25. May 2009 at 15:00
Hey,
Just wanted to let you know that I’ve now taken all of the licks on both the blues lessons and the funk lessons and put them in all 12 keys (it was a long month in the shed for me). I’ve been playing jazz for about a year and half now (formerly a classically trained pianist who fell in love with Oscar as we all do) and I realized that I completely missed out on the roots for all of this stuff. The funk got my left hand separation together, and the blues kept my licks fresh, and I can’t thank you enough for those lessons.
However, I’d love to see you do a couple things.
1. As a pretty huge theory buff I’m always interested in impressing the cats with some tasty modern stuff, so I’d love to see your takes on Melodic Minor applications to the blues, and a more advanced vocabulary (which I know you have, thanks to the Zoom test run.)
2. A blues bass line/left hand techniques lesson would be great. I trust you wouldn’t come up with all the left hand cheese I’ve been trying to use.
Thanks for the music,
Dave
26. May 2009 at 06:15
Hey Dave! Thanks for the words and suggestions. Minor blues — cool idea, and the first request I’ve had for such. Excellent sugg. on the left hand/bass too — I distinctly remember a particular lesson from my uncle on bass lines that completely changed the way I played at the time (some 20 years ago…). I’ll see what I can do :)
15. August 2009 at 23:11
Hi, Jonathon. I’m a teenager in south korea. I can’t type such a long writing, so don’t upset by my short writing.
I saw your lesson video, It was so great. I’m learning ’bout funk groove and blues.
By the way, I felt that I need some backing. Because I don’t have any digital piano and I don’t have any backing or else.
Could you give me your blues video’s backing in this page?
And if you don’t mind, please give me how to play funk groove’s backing in this page : http://www.groovewindow.com/2007/11/17/how-to-play-a-funk-groove-on-the-piano/
Have a nice day, jonathon.
4. October 2009 at 04:48
Jonathon
I just want to thank you for the 30 blues piano licks. I have been trying to play the blues for years and they helped me a lot. Great playing and recording.
Best,
Benjamin (France)
17. January 2010 at 01:49
thank you sooooo much …….i really love ur teaching …. i ve ben learning so much…….
god bless d internet
23. January 2010 at 22:20
Hi Jonathan,
Thanks so much! Really appreciated!
Any chance of a lesson on getting our left hand dancing too?
Also do you have the backing tracks in different keys?
Andrew (UK)
19. February 2010 at 08:36
Many thanks from South Caro! This series has greatly enhanced my ability to flow with the band… a great ‘daily vitamin’ for keyboard musicians.
7. March 2010 at 12:03
Hi! thanks a lot for the nice groovie 30 must have blues licks. keep doing your thing XD
gunnar ( Norway )
26. March 2010 at 15:35
hi jonathon!
your dad is tuning a harp in renee westlake’s office right now… i thought i’d say “hi” i graduated a year behind you… amy nelson… hope you are well! congrats on your amazing web site-i will have to check it out later! take care!
13. April 2010 at 20:18
hi jonathon!
i just learned about your site and i must say it’s really amazing and so nice of you to share without anything in return. you truly are blessed. the next thing imma do is i will check out all the links from the beginning because i really want to learn how to play blues. i am a singer but i dont wanna limit myself on singing that’s why i bought a simple keyboard so i could practice. ive been searching for instructionals online and i guess today is my lucky day! unfortunately youtube is blocked here in china (im not chinese) but ill find a way to see the links you posted. once again thank you very much and more power to you!
noodles0421
2. May 2010 at 13:30
hi, thk u so much for the licks, and your professionel website.
marc
13. May 2010 at 09:39
thanks so much for the free pdf sheet music, love your piano playing and this site,only wish there was more pdf’s
goshawk
n.ireland
22. May 2010 at 11:47
Thanks so much for the site and for your generosity. Can you tell me which licks are for turnarounds? Thanks!
Peggy
22. May 2010 at 13:07
Hey Peggy! You can probably use any of these in a turnaround position, but you’d have to modify slightly and some probably work better than others. For others reading, a “turnaround” is generally a lick you play to get from the end of one chorus into the next one. Perfect when playing with singers/instrumentalists, and they’re done singing — you drop a tasty little “turnaround” in at the end of their chorus to lead them nicely into the next chorus or verse.
Turnarounds are typically on the V chord, — so if we’re in the key of C, that means your turnarounds are going to be loosely centered around G7. There are two approaches:
1) Play any of these licks in the main key, but be sure that any natural 3rds (such as E natural when playing in the key of C) are flat. I do this in a couple of the videos when I’m on the V chord.
2) Just transpose the lick right into the key of the V — if we’re in the key of C, for a turnaround, literally play the lick in the key of G.
Hope this helps — it’s a little vague and general, I’m afraid…
27. June 2010 at 13:51
darmowe e-book…
Nice written article. Everything is clear and understandable. I will frequently looked at your blog and I hope that such articles will be here more….
21. July 2010 at 09:03
[...] Free Video Blues Piano Lessons – 30 Must-Have Blues Piano Licks … [...]
29. July 2010 at 11:44
[...] Free Video Blues Piano Lessons – 30 Must-Have Blues Piano Licks … [...]
4. August 2010 at 01:33
[...] Free Video Blues Piano Lessons – 30 Must-Have Blues Piano Licks … [...]
9. August 2010 at 22:07
[...] Free Video Blues Piano Lessons – 30 Must-Have Blues Piano Licks … [...]
9. August 2010 at 22:17
[...] Free Video Blues Piano Lessons – 30 Must-Have Blues Piano Licks … [...]
20. August 2010 at 07:20
Hi Jonathon, thanks for the great video’s! They’re very good.
I have a question. When you’re playing the blues in C it goes like: C – F – C – C
F – F – C – C
G – F – C -G
So I was wondering: can you play the blues licks in C on every chord or do you have to transpose them to F when going to the F chord and to G when going to the G chord?
20. August 2010 at 08:18
You *can* transpose them and it opens up a new set of opportunities — but you can also just play the “C” licks over the F and G chords — with one change: Anytime you see an E natural in the lick, you need to play it as an E flat. Try it and let me know how it works out!
25. August 2010 at 10:02
I tried and it seems to work out pretty well. :) Although E natural seems to sound better on G than E flat.
I don’t know how to accompany my right hand correctly with my left hand. And the blues licks are great but I’d love to be able to accompany them with my left hand.
11. September 2010 at 04:12
hi jonathon
how can i ever thank you for these great tutorials and the free sheet music in pdf.
28. September 2010 at 10:43
Hi Jonathan,
congratulation for the piano lessons, especially the blues piano licks! What would I have given for such an instruction in the early sixties when I started learning piano with boring exercises!
What about a tutorial about the left hand in blues piano??
Greetings from Cologne, Germany
30. September 2010 at 21:52
Hey Jonathon,
I must say you really do deserve the praise being shed on you. And it’s mainly not because of your talent at the piano, but rather, the patience, passion and caring you show in teaching.
When I was 14, I showed some promise on the piano and was accepted at a school of music. I received the highest grade possible on the entrance exam simply because when they asked me to play, I was competent at improvising(sort of honky-tonk/blues). What I really wanted to learn, though, was jazz. Unfortunately, my father passed away and we had to move before I could even begin. I haven’t had a chance to go back to learning the piano since.
I thoroughly enjoyed and benefited from your blues licks. I was hoping you could send me some jazz riffs/scales using your same brilliant method. I’m not that familiar with the different types of jazz, but I am more interested in the lighter, more cheerful styles that sort of go up and down scales as opposed to the darker styles that use heavy chords. I am currently living abroad and the internet here is unpredictable. Therefore, I will try to check this site, but, if you could respond via e-mail I’d greatly appreciate it. Here’s my e-mail: cameronzargar@gmail.com
4. October 2010 at 00:55
Do you have the midi files for the Blues Licks and Funk? I would like to practice them in Synthesia?
Dan
16. October 2010 at 21:34
Johnathan: You have helped me to fulfill a dream I had many years ago. I’ve had a rich life, and through it all never let my Baby Grand out of my sight. To be able to finally learn to play the blues has been one of those dreams I thought would never materialize. With your unselfish gesture, I can now enjoy something I thought I never would in this lifetime. Thanks for all your help. AC
16. October 2010 at 22:51
It’s never too late :) Glad you’re finally there! Let me know if you have any questions -
18. October 2010 at 22:01
[...] to several recent requests, I took a few minutes tonight to play through my old 30 Must-Have Blues Licks tune and capture the MIDI file for upload. I played some left hand as well, because many people [...]
7. November 2010 at 04:27
G’day Jonathon, greetings from Australia. I’m absolutely blown away both by your talent and selflessness in sharing all your knowledge like this. It’s so helpful to have the notations, backing tracks etc and you’ve been amazingly generous with your time in providing them.
I’ve been a classical player for many years and have only ever improvised for a bit of fun – thanks to your info and resources here I’m already learning so much more already, and I only stumbled upon this site tonight!
Thank you again – I’ll be coming back here many times and wish you all the best!
7. November 2010 at 10:12
@cedarjones — Thanks so much! I’m glad they’re helping. Plenty more in the works.
15. January 2011 at 16:34
Jonathon,
I am in the process of looking to buy an upright piano. I would like to have a Yahama like the one you use in the YouTube videos, and the “player attachment”. Can you give me this information. Also, do you know anything about “Rick Jones Pianos”? My intuition tells me he is “above board”.
Thank-you for any help,
J. Daniel Wisinger
23. March 2011 at 21:11
[...] my inbox today: Uwe Karcher, a German pianist and piano teacher has transcribed the final solo from 30 Must-have Blues Licks and added in his own left-hand parts. The transcription is top-notch, and the left hand parts are a [...]
26. March 2011 at 15:02
Greetings from Malta.
Just dropping a note of thanks on behalf of beginners like me. I went over the first 10 easy licks and a little more, and now I’m hearing it all in stuff on TV and in your lovely grooves, and my jamming skills just took off like a lit match to fireworks.
Your easy/intermediate/advanced approach is great and the graded lessons are actually quite addictive and very well put together.
Your Tune88 is absolutely masterful, but it’s way too stratospheric for me. To make one suggestion, perhaps you might consider providing watered down versions for lesser mortals to grapple with.
Loving it & keeping an ear out for more! Thanks again.
18. June 2011 at 06:24
I can just say many thanks to you Mr. Wilson.
I was looking for something interesting that encourage me for learning piano and I found it here.
And, well, I can learn english too.
Mr. Wilson, you are the best teacher, and you have always a very beautiful smile in your face.
Keep inspiring other people and transmitting good vibrations.
Migue from Spain.
Sorry about my english.
5. October 2011 at 20:02
Click here to learn how to master the piano in no time…
[...]Free Video Blues Piano Lessons – 30 Must-Have Blues Piano Licks | GrooveWindow[...]…
18. December 2011 at 11:18
Hi Jonathan,
you did a wonderful job with these online piano lessons!
Thank you so much,
Rainer
23. January 2012 at 21:14
I am loving your website!!! Great instructional lessons, that make seance. Thanks again.
11. March 2012 at 20:43
Online Piano…
[...]Free Video Blues Piano Lessons – 30 Must-Have Blues Piano Licks | GrooveWindow[...]…
6. April 2012 at 14:13
This is very Good
Thanks
Any more licks for Blues or Jazz ?
Thanks again