Basic Blues For Piano Exercise 16

Exercise 24 carries over the same bassline from exercise 23 and introduces two new ending phrases. The lesson contains a few measures where right hand key gracing is utilized. It also contains hops where the right hand will have to make a hop down in order to perform inverted chord combinations. 

Ending number has a chord combination that really stretches the right hand. Work must be done to overcome this challenge.

This piece is technical, challenging, and fun.

Exercise 23 involves the same 7th and 9th chord progressions as exercise 22, but it also introduces an octave up jump after playing the first series of chords (similar to a call and response technique). The exercise also retains the same bassline as exercise 18 but introduce an altered ending in measure 12.  The hardest part of this exercise is mastering the octave jumps.  Lots of practice should allow the building of this skill.

Exercise 22 involves 7th and 9th chord progressions. The exercise retains the same bassline as exercise 18. Although simple, the chord progressions take a bit of practice to master in the correct fashion. There are minor syncopation features in the 9th ,10th, and 11th measures. Take your time and enjoy.


Basic Blues for Piano
By Ron Payne
Copyright (c) 1984 by HAL LEONARD CORPORATION
International Copyright Secured   All Rights Reserved
Item# 00240075 - US$24.99 - Available for purchase from local music retailers. 
Used by Permission of Hal Leonard LLC

Exercise 21 introduces syncopation. The right hand is holding notes across measures. Although lesson isn't particularly challenging; it is extremely fun to play. 

Left Hand:
The is no change in the left hand; it plays the same bassline as in exercise 20. 

Keep playing! If you need a copy of the book, please use the information below to get yourself a copy.

Basic Blues for Piano
By Ron Payne
Copyright (c) 1984 by HAL LEONARD CORPORATION
International Copyright Secured   All Rights Reserved
Item# 00240075 - US$24.99 - Available for purchase from local music retailers. 
Used by Permission of Hal Leonard LLC

Exercise 20 is a slightly modified version of exercise 19 with the thumb and pinky spaced one octave from one another. The right hand pointing finger will get the most work in this exercise because it moves one half step up and down along the staff.

Left Hand:
The is no change in the left hand; it plays the same bassline as in exercise 18. 

Keep playing! If you need a copy of the book, please use the information below to get yourself a copy.

Basic Blues for Piano
By Ron Payne
Copyright (c) 1984 by HAL LEONARD CORPORATION
International Copyright Secured   All Rights Reserved
Item# 00240075 - US$24.99 - Available for purchase from local music retailers. 
Used by Permission of Hal Leonard LLC

Exercise 19 introduces a new fingering pattern for the right hand using fingers 2 through 5. It couples the fingers 2 and 4 and fingers 3 and 5. When I originally worked through this, I had no problem using fingers 2 and 4, however, fingers 3 and 5 were challenging. After repeating the exercise, my problems with went away.  Measure 8 is most challenging because it really works the relation between the middle finger and the pinky. 

Left Hand:
The is no change in the left hand; it plays the same bassline as in exercise 18. 

Keep playing! If you need a copy of the book, please use the information below to get yourself a copy.


Basic Blues for Piano
By Ron Payne
Copyright (c) 1984 by HAL LEONARD CORPORATION
International Copyright Secured   All Rights Reserved
Item# 00240075 - US$24.99 - Available for purchase from local music retailers. 
Used by Permission of Hal Leonard LLC

Exercise 18 is a minor variation of exercise 17. The bassline remains the same, however, exercise 18 breaks up the straight eight note triplets played using the same fingers in exercise 17 into something a bit more challenging. Exercise 18 also introduces a chromatic conclusion to the lesson in measures 11 and 12. Enjoy!



Basic Blues for Piano
By Ron Payne
Copyright (c) 1984 by HAL LEONARD CORPORATION
International Copyright Secured   All Rights Reserved
Item# 00240075 - US$24.99 - Available for purchase from local music retailers. 
Used by Permission of Hal Leonard LLC

Exercise 17 introduces a walking bass line on the left hand and broken chords on the right that traverse up and down the keyboard in octave intervals. This piece is not complex. Multiple reps should cure most of the the technical problems it introduces.


Basic Blues for Piano
By Ron Payne
Copyright (c) 1984 by HAL LEONARD CORPORATION
International Copyright Secured   All Rights Reserved
Item# 00240075 - US$24.99 - Available for purchase from local music retailers. 
Used by Permission of Hal Leonard LLC

Exercise 16 introduces a new technique called a "Running Riff." Mastering this technique will allow a student's right hand to move chromatically up and down the musical scale. It is a challenging technique to master, but fun to use in improvisation song breaks.  The left hand is playing the same bassline from exercise 15. If you need a copy of the book, please use the information below to get yourself a copy.

Basic Blues for Piano
By Ron Payne
Copyright (c) 1984 by HAL LEONARD CORPORATION
International Copyright Secured   All Rights Reserved
Item# 00240075 - US$24.99 - Available for purchase from local music retailers. 
Used by Permission of Hal Leonard LLC

Exercise 15 uses a combination of techniques from both exercises 13 and 14. Technical challenges occur between measures containing grace note chord changes such as moving from measure 4 using a G7 chord to measure 5 with a C7 chord. These challenges can only be overcome through discipline practice. Don't give up! Keep playing! If you need a copy of the book, please use the information below to get yourself a copy.


Basic Blues for Piano
By Ron Payne
Copyright (c) 1984 by HAL LEONARD CORPORATION
International Copyright Secured   All Rights Reserved
Item# 00240075 - US$24.99 - Available for purchase from local music retailers. 
Used by Permission of Hal Leonard LLC