Learning to Play the Blues Introductory

Learning to Play the Blues Introductory


Who is this course for?
This course is designed for people who have an interest in and wish to play blues and blues related music.

What previous knowledge/experience are required?
No qualifications are necessary but some musical experience is required.

What is the level of the course?
Level one.

What will the course cover and what can I expect to do by the end of it?
Students will learn the basic structures of blues songs and the blues scale. Furthermore students will begin to develop the skills involved in playing in a group.

Learning outcomes :

• Awareness of the naming of chords using the Roman Numeral system
• Understanding the structure of a 8 bar blues in one key
• Consolidation of 12 bar blues
• Know the concept of chromatics
• Begin to improvise over a harmonically simple blues using the blues and/or chromatic scales
• Understand the use of a variety of dynamic levels

What teaching and learning methods will be used on the course?
Group performances, individual practice, demonstrations and listening.

How will we assess your progress on the course?
Students will be assessed continually and will be informed of their progress by the tutor.

What type of qualification will passing this course give me?
This course leads to a Working Men's College Certificate.

What extra study/practice do we expect you to do outside the class?
Students are expected to practice on a weekly basis.

What can I do after completing this course?
Students can progress to learning to Play the Blues Level 2, or other music classes such as Singing for Absolute Beginners, Music Theory, Harmonica or to tuition Individual Piano tuition.

Are there any other costs? (e.g. materials, equipment or books I need to buy before or during the course)
If you are an instrumentalist you need to bring your guitar, trumpet, saxophone etc as we do not supply these. Singers may wish to bring a bottle of water. It is a requirement of the course that you bring a notebook and pen/pencil every week.

Are there any other requirements?
You are required to attend every lesson on time.