Parrothead Blues – EP017

Helpful Tips

Learn to play 2 blues solos over a Jimmy Buffet inspired backing track. While these solos are bluesy in nature, their tonal quality is happier than traditional Blues. Likewise, the chord progression we’re using follows the 12 bar blues, but again, sounds happier than traditional Blues. So why is this?

The solos are largely based out of the major pentatonic scale. The formula for this scale is: 1, 2, 3, 5, 6.

The chord progression uses major triads. The formula for a major triad is: 1, 3, 5.

This keeps everything diatonic to the key. By omitting 2 scale degrees which perpetuate the Blues, we’re left with a sound that can be described as bright or happy. These 2 scale degrees are the flat third (b3) in the case of the major pentatonic, and the flat seventh (b7) in the case of the chords.

P.S. Click HERE to learn more about scales, soloing, and music theory in general.