Blues Piano Tutorial: Learn A Cool Right Hand Lick

Do you want to learn how to play blues piano? Well, you’ve come to the right place (video and blues piano tutorial below).

Over the next few weeks we’re going to be releasing several new blues piano tutorials and resources that will skyrocket your blues piano skills.

So, whether you’re a seasoned pianist, or you’re just getting started learning how to play blues piano, you’ll enjoy all the awesome resources we’ll be releasing in the next few weeks.

Learn From One Of My Best Piano Mentors

how to play blues piano

Blues Hall Of Fame Member Bruce Katz.

I’d like to introduce you to one of my piano mentors, 4 time Blues Music Award Nominee, Bruce Katz.

(Bruce will be teaching you a beautiful Chicago and New Orleans influenced blues piano lick down below.)

I first met Bruce 15 years ago while studying at the Berklee College of Music.

I remember listening to him and just being amazed how somebody could get so much soul out of 88 keys. It was awesome!

We quickly bonded when he found out how passionate I was about playing and teaching blues as well. We’ve been friends ever since.

Check Out Bruce’s Amazing Playing His Original Composition “Norton’s Boogie!

You’re Going To Learn From A Blues Piano Master

Bruce is one of those rare combinations that can play his tail off and also explain everything he’s doing.

  • For example, Bruce has gigged with The Allman Brothers Band, Chuck Berry, Bo Diddley, Delbert McClinton, David “Fathead” Newman (from Ray Charles’ band), and many others.
  • Not only was he was also inducted into The Blues Hall Of Fame in 2013 but he’s also played with some of the biggest names in blues & rock.
  • He’s played on dozens of great recordings as a sidesman including Ronnie Earl’s album “Grateful Heart Blues and Ballads” which won the Downbeat award for best blues album when it was released in ’95.
  • Plus, he taught blues piano at the Berklee College of Music for 15 years.

A great player and a skilled teacher. A rare combo of talents.

Blues Piano Tutorial Video

blues piano tutorial

Steve & Bruce in the studio while creating “The Breakthrough Blues Piano Method”

I want to always create the best jazz and blues piano resources in the world for you to learn from.

So, I’m excited to announce that Bruce and I have partnered together to create an amazing new blues piano program.

It’s called….

“The Breakthrough Blues Piano Method”

We’ll be talking more about this powerful course and all the amazing things you’ll learn in the coming weeks.

But to get you started learning right away, Bruce is going to quickly teach you how to play a classic blues piano lick. It’s a sweet blend of New Orleans and Chicago style blues.

Learn Bruce’s first lick here:

UpdateThe Breakthrough Blues Piano Method has been released. You can grab a copy by click right here.

You’ll hear this lick being used in tons of songs.

You can use it over lots of different styles of blues and even in your jazz tunes as well.

So, it’s definitely great lick to know.

All The Cool Things To Explore Inside Blues Piano

Blues piano is a very rich style of music.

Like all rich styles of music there are lots of cool stylistic elements that you’ll want to practice to get that rich soulful sound into your own playing.

For example, you can spend time exploring:

  • New blues licks
  • Groove and rhythmic feels (Chicago grooves, New Orleans, funk, jazz blues, swing blues, jump blues etc.),
  • Variations on blues chord progressions (Cool moves you can throw into the 12 bar blues)
  • Blues piano chords and voicings
  • Different turnarounds
  • Chromatic chord shifts
  • Tremolos and grace notes
  • Blues Piano comping voicings
  • Blues chord substitutions
  • Blues block chords
  • McCoy Tyner blues chords
  • Gospel influenced blues
  • Jazz tinged blues (think Ray Charles, Gene Harris, Oscar Peterson)
  • Blues & bebop style improvisation
  • And so much more….

Improvisation is of course a big part of blues piano playing.

You’ll want to have a catalog of great blues licks and ideas to pool from.

So, the video tutorial above should get you started.

How To Play Blues Piano Like A Pro

If you’re not sure how to get all these different blues stylistic elements into your playing don’t worry!

We’ll teach you how to play all of them like a pro.

And to celebrate the launch of the “The Breakthrough Blues Piano Method” DVD we’ll be releasing several short action packed free blues piano tutorials over the coming weeks.

Stay tuned. In the meantime, enjoy today’s blues piano tutorial.

By the way, If you have any questions about this tutorial, the new DVD, or anything else… feel free to leave a comment below.

We read every comment and are happy to help.

Steve Nixon