Improvisation in an ensemble (part 1) 3.3 and 3.4

We played as ensembles last week (19th Feb).  

We had a free choice what we would do and we discussed this and went for Bb blues.  I was playing alongside Kieran who is brilliant on the clarinet.  It was interesting.  We both play melody instruments and so we had backing tracks.  We tried playing the tune a few times and then followed with question and answer taking four bars each at a time.  Finally we did a longer duet.  

I found it really helpful to play with someone else.  You can't help but bounce off their riffs and rhythms.  

Kieran is very comfortable with the clarinet and blues and tends to play quite fast riifs . This is great as I try to answer with something similar (and probably faster than I would play).  

All this playing the blues means I have been trying to listen more to it again.  What a guy Muddy Water is.  And American blueswoman Bonnie Raitt is one of my long time favourites.  

Anyway our tune is based on Tenor Madness so I have been listening to that too.  Most of the recordings are faster than I have been playing them.  I have been practising the tune.  There is a tricky section that doesn't go on the fiddle well.  I am also  concentrating on trying not to start on the root and I feel I have the hang of this now It is quite tantalising as i get more comfortable. 

We have two more weeks to go and will be performing to each other. 

Practising scales as usual for the Bb blues as well as those for Cantaloupe Island and Watermelon man.