Bluesy Groove in C, 105 BPM by Eric van der Westen & Janneke van Heeswijk

Jurgen Bettonviel
28 september 2023

New Live Jam Track: Bluesy Groove in C

Immerse yourself in the dynamic collaboration of Eric van der Westen rich bass guitar tunes and Janneke van Heeswijk skillful drum patterns. This newly released live jam track beautifully juxtaposes the depth of blues with the finesse of jazz, drawing its foundation from the iconic 2-5-1 chord progression. 


Guidelines for an Inspiring Improvisation

  1. Master the 2-5-1: Deepen your understanding of this quintessential jazz progression. Embark on improvisations that seamlessly navigate these chords, spotlighting their interplay.
  2. Reinvent the Pentatonic: Although blues frequently employs the pentatonic scale, merging the major and minor versions in C major can bring a fresh twist to your performance.
  3. Flavors of Blue Notes: Enhance your solos with the sporadic inclusion of blue notes, introducing a touch of bluesy allure, especially in a jazz-driven piece.
  4. Expand and Arpeggiate: Engage more deeply with each chord's arpeggio and consider chord extensions to enrich your improvisation.
  5. Rhythmic Adventures: Experiment with the unique rhythmic spirits of blues and jazz. Challenge yourself with syncopated patterns and varied rhythms to capture that jazz essence.
  6. Convey Emotion: Harness techniques like bends, slides, and vibrato to infuse the deep emotional character of blues into a jazz narrative.
  7. Phrasing as a Narrative: Shape your solos thoughtfully, guiding the listener through a compelling musical journey from inception to conclusion.
  8. Learn from the Greats: Dive into the works of iconic jazz and blues musicians. Their craft can provide novel improvisation techniques and insights.
  9. Preserve the Groove: Ground your improvisations in the track's core rhythm, ensuring a cohesive blend with the foundational groove.
  10. Smooth Transitions: As you transition between chords, employ graceful voice leading for melodically coherent shifts.

Join Our Musical Dialogue

We invite you to share your reflections and interpretations of this live jam track on our Youtube Channel. Drop your thoughts in the comments section below the video. If you're inspired by this track, we'd love to see your own compositions or improvisations on platforms like YouTube. Let's collectively appreciate the intricate dance of blues and jazz.

Dive into this rhythmic journey and let the beats resonate!