Blues You Can Use

The difference between the standard Jazz repertoire and the inclusion of songs from Broadway musicals and Hollywood films is the blues.

The Musicals/Film repertoire is mostly devoid of songs using the blues form (only one comes to mind of the top of my head -Summertime and even that isn’t the stand 12 bar form) whereas the Jazz repertoire is completely swamped with blues.

The blues is an absolutely critical component of the jazz genre. You can’t call yourself a jazz player without having become a master of the blues along the way.

Not only are we talking about the standard 12 bar blues form consisting of the I-!V and V chords but also about the huge number of variations that the blues has been subjected to in the Jazz idiom.

Here are some of those common variations:

  • The form is stretched out to create a 16 or 24 bar blues form
  • The tune is a Blues but has a with a bridge or intro
  • The time signature is in Triple meter (3/4, 6/8)
  • Blues in a Minor Key
  • The use of ii-V-I progressions within the songs
  • Non standard, alternate changes like those from Blues for Alice (sometimes referred to as “Bird’s Blues”)
  • There is a Non Blues head structure  but the solo section is the blues
  • There are plenty of non-blues 12 bar forms (Blue In Green)

I’ve compiled a rather extensive list of jazz blues compositions that have been recorded but in no way is it comprehensive since there are literally thousands upon thousands of blues songs on recordings.

Click here to visit the Big List of Jazz Blues Tunes

While there are many, many, many blues songs to choose from I picked 25 “Blues You Can Use” songs that exemplify the standard blues form and some of the variations that you’ll find in common use in the jazz idiom.

So here’s the acid test-

Of the 25 common jazz blues tunes I’ve listed, how many of them do you…

  • know the Key?
  • can SING the head from memory?
  • can PLAY the head on your instrument(s)?
  • know/play the changes?

If the answer is anything less than 25 then you have your assignment!

Get to work and step yourself in the blues!

Here are the 25 songs for testing your jazz blues knowledge.

They are listed in alphabetical order by song title

They indicate the composer, key, notes

You’ll also find a link to where you can find them in the Real Book software and plugins.
These will not only give you the lead sheet but the recordings as well.

SONG ARTIST KEY, NOTES WHERE
All Blues Davis, Miles G, 6/8 Volume 1
Au Privave Parker, Charlie F Volume 1 Charlie Parker
Bag’s Groove Jackson, Milt F Volume 2
Bessie’s Blues Coltrane, John Eb Volume 1
Billie’s Bounce Parker, Charlie F Volume 2
Blue Monk Monk, Thelonious Bb Volume 1
Blue Seven Rollins, Sonny Bb Volume 2
Blue Train Coltrane, John Cm Volume 1
Blues for Alice Parker, Charlie F, alternate changes known as “Bird Blues” Volume 1
Blues In The Closet Pettiford, Oscar Ab Volume 2
Bluesette Thielemans, Toots Bb, 24 bar 3/4 blues “Bird” blues (variation) Volume 1
C-Jam Blues Ellington, Duke C, only two melody notes Volume 2
Footprints Shorter, Wayne Cm, 3/4, 24 bars Volume 1
Freddie Freeloader Davis, Miles Bb, variation on the final chord Volume 1
Mr. P.C Coltrane, John Gm Volume 1
Now’s The Time Parker, Charlie F Volume 3 Charlie Parker
Sandu Brown, Clifford Eb Volume 2
Solar Davis, Miles Cm Volume 1
St. Louis Blues Dixieland G Volume 2
Stolen Moments Nelson, Oliver Cm,16 Bar Form with solos over regular 12 bar minor blues Volume 1
Straight No Chaser Monk, Thelonious F Volume 1
Tenor Madness Rollins, Sonny Bb Volume 2
Watermelon Man Hancock, Herbie F/C, 16 Bar Blues Volume 1
West Coast Blues Montgomery, Wes Bb,6/4 blues Volume 1
Work Song Adderley, Cannonball Fm, 16 bars Volume 2

If there are gaps in any of the criteria that was listed above then you’ll want to dive in and get up to speed on each of these well known examples of jazz blues and its variations.

If you have already mastered these then you’ll want to swing over to the big list of 400 (and growing) blues songs that you should learn or at least give a listen!