Turnarounds

[San]

Hey all,

I'm constantly trying to improve my blues playing and it seems to me that turnarounds are an area in which I'm particularly weak. Sure I can pull something together that sounds OK but nothing really great or especially bluesey.

What's the secret to these phrases? Is there a formula to be followed? Does anyone have any favorites that they can share? I'm looking for things that can be adapted to use in any key.

Thanks in advance for the wisdom!

San.

[RandyO]

Hey San,
Here's a link to a cool website. It's packed with good ideas.

http://www.angelfire.com/fl4/moneychords/turnarounds.html

[RandyO]

San,
I remembered a book that has some cool stuff too. It's a great reference
and includes 22 sample 12 bar blues progressions, fom basic to complex.

http://www.wholenote.com/store/product.asp?sku=HL.00000010&nav=m

[San]

Thanks Randy - you the man!! :dude:

San.

[Tom Gross]

Two cool ideas.

First, from Matt Smith - "ton O' Turnarounds" :
Take any triad, such as the D form across the bottom three strings or the A form across the 5-4-3 strings. Move the 2 notes that are not the rooot up 3 frets, then move them back down 1 fret at a time. You can pick the notes, play em as chords, whatever.
e,g. in E:

------7------6----5-----4--
---------5-----5----5---5--
----7------6-----5------4--

A form in B as chords:

------------------------
----7----6---5---4-----
----4----4---4---4-----
----7----6---5---4-----

The above works with any triad.

Way cool contrary motion turnaround (shown in A):

---5-5--3-3-----------------
--------------7-7--6-6--5---
-----------------------------
-----------------------------
--------3-3--5-5--6-6--7----
---5-5----------------------

[RandyO]

San,
You might dig this discussion from TGP.

http://63.151.115.106/board/showthread.php?threadid=37702

[Marty Gilman]

I teach theory and could probably help.

1. Use some #9 chords
example: In C: E-7 A7#9 D-7 G7#9

2. Use blues notes as melody notes in chords

3. The voicings are almost as important as which chord you play.

4. Chord substitutions (tri-tone) are "fresh"
use Db7 in place of G7

5. Vary the chordprogression by jumping 1/2 steps and down 5ths. Mix it up.

That should keep you busy for a while.

-Marty