Learn Easy Blues Piano Riffs with Tom Donald

In this tutorial, Tom Donald shows you how to play simple but effective blues piano riffs and licks that can elevate your 12-bar blues on the piano. Whether you’re a beginner or more experienced, these techniques are accessible and fun to practice. Here’s what you’ll learn:

• Mastering the 12-bar blues in G with a boogie-woogie left-hand bass
• Improvising using the blues scale and the Mixolydian scale, understanding why flattening the 7th is essential
• Playing simple, yet effective 2 and 3-note blues riffs
• Why hand coordination can sometimes be more important than your improvisation skills

Understanding the 12-Bar Blues Form

The 12-bar blues is one of the most iconic and foundational structures in music. It consists of 12 measures, usually following a specific chord progression using the I, IV, and V chords in a key. In this lesson, Tom starts in G major, where the chords used are G (I), C (IV), and D (V).

The left-hand boogie-woogie bass pattern, often based on a walking bassline, provides the rhythmic drive, while your right hand has the freedom to improvise and explore. Here’s a typical 12-bar structure in G:

| G  | G  | G  | G  |
| C  | C  | G  | G  |
| D  | C  | G  | D  |

Blues Scales: Mixing Major and Minor

One of the most fascinating aspects of blues piano is the blending of major and minor elements. A common misconception is that you need to stick strictly to the blues scale, but in reality, the Mixolydian scale, with its flattened 7th, provides a rich palette for improvisation.

Using the Mixolydian Mode

The Mixolydian mode is essentially a major scale with the 7th degree flattened. For example, in G major, the scale becomes:

G, A, B, C, D, E, F, G

The flattened 7th, F, adds that bluesy tension. You can improvise over this scale using simple two or three-note phrases, adding rhythmic variation to create interesting melodies.

Developing Your Left-Hand Bass Patterns

In this lesson, Tom emphasizes the importance of a solid left-hand boogie-woogie bass. Starting with the root and fifth intervals (G and D), you can build a walking bassline by adding the sixth (E) and flattened seventh (F). Practice this slowly until it’s smooth, then move it across the 12-bar structure.

Left-hand bass pattern in G:
G - D - E - F - G - F - E - D

This pattern creates the foundation for your right-hand improvisation.

Right-Hand Riffs and Licks: 2-Note and 3-Note Phrases

Now that your left hand is in place, it’s time to focus on the right-hand melodies. Tom breaks it down into manageable chunks:

Trick 1: Simple 2-Note Riffs

Start with just two notes: G and B-flat. This creates a minor third interval, a classic blues sound. By adding rhythm and syncopation, you can create endless variations. Even though it’s simple, it can sound incredibly effective when played with the right timing.

Trick 2: 3-Note Triplet Phrases

Next, add triplet rhythms to your playing. Use three notes: B-flat, B-natural, and D. This combination of major and minor thirds (B-flat and B-natural) adds a distinctive bluesy flavor. You can loop these notes in a triplet rhythm for a smooth, rolling feel.

Pro Tip: Practice this with a metronome, slowly increasing the speed until you feel comfortable coordinating it with your left hand.

Coordination Between Hands

One of the most challenging aspects of blues piano is coordinating the left-hand bass with the right-hand improvisation. Tom emphasizes the importance of practicing hand independence. Begin by mastering each hand separately, then slowly combine them.

A useful technique is to start with a simple pattern in the left hand, like the one mentioned earlier, and improvise with short, repetitive riffs in the right hand. As you become more comfortable, increase the complexity of your right-hand phrases.

Advanced Techniques: Adding Speed and Complexity

Trick 3: Speedy Rock and Roll Licks

For those ready to take their playing to the next level, Tom introduces a fast-paced, rock and roll-inspired lick. Start with a D and G at the higher end of the keyboard, then incorporate C-sharp to create a sharp, edgy sound. The triplet rhythm here keeps the energy high.

This technique requires dexterity and speed, so it’s worth practicing slowly and gradually increasing your tempo. Once mastered, it can be the highlight of your performance, adding a dynamic contrast to your slower blues phrases.

Compose Your Own Blues

Now that you have several tools at your disposal—left-hand basslines, right-hand riffs, and coordination techniques—it’s time to experiment and create your own blues compositions. Start by alternating between the 2-note and 3-note riffs, mix in the triplet patterns, and adjust the dynamics to create variation.

Diagram: Common Blues Chord Progressions

For a better understanding of the chord progressions used in blues, here’s a quick diagram that shows how the I, IV, and V chords relate to each other:

Key of G Major
I (G): G - B - D
IV (C): C - E - G
V (D): D - F# - A

Final Thoughts

Blues piano is about expression, groove, and freedom. The techniques shared here are just the starting point. Once you’re comfortable with the fundamentals, experiment with rhythms, scales, and phrasing to develop your unique sound.

Make sure to watch the video for additional insights from Tom and explore more on our YouTube channel for more lessons and tips on improvisation, theory, and advanced techniques.