BookatlasPiano Rabbit Hole: Improvisation Theory & Practice
5670 / 18210 · Workshop 40 — “The Sidewinder”: Hard Bop Groove, Dominant-Blues Harmony, Riff Layering, and How to Make a Vamp Feel Like a Full Arrangement← prev⊞ allnext →

40.1Start with the groove skeleton

Let’s use a conceptual C7-centered vamp.

C7:

C E G B♭

C E G B♭

But do not begin with the chord.

Begin with bass.

Try a simple practice cell:

C – G – B♭ – C

C – G – B♭ – C

with a syncopated rhythm.

For example:

C on beat 1

G on 2&

B♭ on 3

C on 4&.

Loop.

No RH.