I explained the first chorus of "Blues for Joe" in a 2020 online course during the pandemic. This included a performance on the nylonstring-guitar, which was recorded using one camera. Since we treat our students at the Jazz School to three camera angles, and the explanations for the second and third parts were still missing anyway, we decided to re-record the entire piece, including the performance. Here you can see the current state of things, played on my archtop guitar (which fits Joe's style a lot better) and explained in detail. When playing, make sure your eighth notes aren't phrased too much like triplets. Above a certain tempo (which is reached here), swing eighth notes start to sound more like straight eighth notes. The only thing that helps is to listen very carefully, because swing can't be explained mathematically. That would be too rigid – and a bit fussy, too.
Level
Moderate
Lessons
6 Lessons | min
Lesson 1Introduction
Duration: min
Let me introduce you to the topics covered in the course "Blues for Joe".
Lesson 2Performance
Duration: min
In the performance video, I play all three choruses of "Blues for Joe" back-to-back.
Lesson 3Performance (close-up)
Duration: min
We're showing the performance again here. However, the camera angles and shots have been chosen so that you can always see exactly what the striking hand and the gripping hand are doing in detail.
Lesson 41st Chorus
Duration: min
In the first chorus, melodic lines built around motifs alternate with shell chords. The shell chords mark key points in the harmonic progression, such as the quick change and the turnarounds at the end this chorus.
Lesson 52nd Chorus
Duration: min
The second chorus begins with a lovely lick, derived not from Joe Pass's but from Robben Ford's melodic vocabulary. It fits perfectly into the overall flow and dramatic structure of the piece, though. What's more, this will expand your repertoire of licks: learn this "apparatus" by heart. Throughout the rest of the piece, you'll find numerous chords played on the top four strings. A veritable treasure trove of voicings without root note that you can use for more than just the blues. Be sure to add these chords to your chord chart.
Lesson 63rd Chorus
Duration: min
What would "Blues for Joe" be without a proper walking bass line combined with shell chords? The third chorus begins with just that. At the end, there's a classic blues ending, which Joe Pass was very fond of using. It's a variation on the famous "Ellington Tag".
