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Back to The Blues: Understanding and Performing an American Art Form

Learner Reviews & Feedback for The Blues: Understanding and Performing an American Art Form by University of Rochester

4.8
stars
609 ratings

About the Course

The blues is an American art form and the most important musical form in jazz. Although there are other formal paradigms of the blues, such as 8-bar or 16-bar, this course focuses on different incarnations of the 12-bar blues. There are considerable differences between Early Jazz blues, Swing blues, Bebop blues, Modal blues, and Post Bop blues. Each type has its unique harmonic syntax, melodic vocabulary and, associated with them, improvisational techniques. While other aspects of jazz performance practice have been constantly changing from one stylistic convention to another, the blues has never lost its identity and expressive power, and continues to exert a powerful influence on the harmonic and melodic syntax of jazz. This seven-week course explores important aspects of the blues, blues improvisation, basic keyboard textures, jazz harmonic and melodic syntax. Topics include: (1) Blues Progressions; (2) Blues and Other Scales; (3) Improvisational Tools, and others. This course will also cover valuable theoretical concepts enabling the student to master the art of jazz improvisation. Each topic will be introduced from a practical perspective with the clearly stated goal: to improve one’s improvisational skills. Jazz improvisation is rooted in spontaneity, creativity, self-expression and, at the same time, self-control and order. A unique pedagogical approach based on a one-to-one musical interaction conducted with different instrumentalists will help to reinforce many of the concepts introduced in this course and realize its stated objectives....

Top reviews

CC

Oct 27, 2017

Everything is clearly explained and demonstrated. It was great being able to downloads course videos and transcripts for reference.

AC

Feb 26, 2017

A very comprehensive course with clear explanation on the various type of the progressions and scales used in Jazz and Blues music.

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126 - 150 of 250 Reviews for The Blues: Understanding and Performing an American Art Form

By Carlos F

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Sep 27, 2016

EXCELLENT COURSE THE BEST BLUES COURSE. I RECOMMEND THIS COURSE FOR STUDENTS ADVANCED AND BEGINNERS.

By Junior H

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May 23, 2023

Excelente curso. Lo recomiendo, y agradezco por el trabajo hecho y por compartirlo con nosotros.

By Krisztina C

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May 29, 2020

Great, thank you! Thorough, informative, and ispirational course, it was very beneficial to me.

By MAURIZIO Z

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May 15, 2025

Il corso è ben fatto, il Prof è tranquillo e prodigo di consigli, difficile fare meglio di così

By Joe G

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Jan 6, 2021

Excellent clarity , pace, examples and structure. Darius is a superb teacher. Thank You Darius!

By Alan t

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Aug 11, 2016

Excellent class. Interesting, informative and with practical application. Highly recommended.

By Raul C

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Jul 17, 2016

Excellent course. It goes deep into the core of the blues while showing tools for improvisation

By Byrolsh

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Jul 27, 2020

Dariusz Terefenko is a great teacher! I'm very greatful for share his knowledge. Thanks you!

By minram z

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Dec 23, 2020

Amazing course! So many things to learn. Practical lessons with comprehensible music theory.

By Eddy O S H

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Jul 30, 2020

excellent course! detailed explanation in a clear and understandable language throughout.

By Alice H

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Oct 20, 2022

Wonderful course for understanding and expanding blues improvisation for all musicians!

By Johan R O

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Jan 30, 2018

The course is excellent, the contents are pertinent and well developed along the 7 weeks

By Curt M

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May 31, 2020

This course is a great way to learn, review, or rev up your improvisational techniques.

By Cesar G C

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May 26, 2021

Estupendo!! material preciso y explicado de manera fácil y sencilla.. recomendado!!

By george s

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Apr 8, 2020

excellent course!helps a lot in improvisation and makes you think more musical!

By Andrie S Y

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Apr 27, 2020

It is great class, the best class in jazz improvisation. I really learn a lot.

By Cristina M S

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Nov 28, 2016

It's a very useful course. Really worth it!!!

My congratulations to Professor.

By Alexandros R

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Jun 8, 2016

Excellent presentation of the theory and very nice examples and analysis.

By Tomas P A

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Feb 11, 2018

Excellent course!!! Great teacher. A must for blues and jazz students

By Fabian R

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Jul 28, 2016

excellent! great course for undertanding the blues and its evolution!

By Freshdi L

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Aug 18, 2020

very detailed and comprehensive, especially beneficial for pianist

By nino p

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Jun 18, 2020

very well explained, clearly illustrated with instructive examples

By YMusic S E

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Jan 25, 2023

A very exhaustive, well explained and clearly illustrated course.

By sergio v

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Oct 11, 2016

Had fun taking this class and learned some new things. thank you.