Jam tracks tips

1. B Minor Blues

Here we have a blues progression in B minor. Chords are Bm (Im), Em (IVm), G (bVI) and F# (V). For scales, I’d suggest starting with B minor Pentatonic (B-D-E-F#-A) as well as the B Minor scale (B-C#-D-E-F#-G-A). For the F# chords you can also use B Harmonic minor (B-C#-D-E-F#G-A#), emphasising the A# in the process, which leads nicely back to the B minor chord following it.

2. Bossa (Cm)

This is a bossa style backing track for a II-V-I progression in C Minor. If you want to conquer the classic tune Blue Bossa or just get some more jazz in your system, learning how to play on a II-V-I progression is a great place to start. Chords are Cm9-Cm9Dm7b5-G7(#5). Use C Minor scale (C-D-Eb-F-G-Ab-Bb) on Cm9 and Dm7b5 chords and then C Harmonic minor (C-D-Eb-F-G-Ab-B) over the G7 chord.

3. Groovin’ On Phrygian Mode

This track consists of a specifically Phrygian-based two-chord vamp, moving between Bm and C. B Phrygian mode (B-C-D-E-F#-G-A) stems from the G Major scale – and being Phrygian, you will probably notice a ‘Spanishey’ vibe happening. You can also use B minor Pentatonic and B minor Blues scale for some cool colouring!

4. Mixolydian b6 Jam

Here we have a bit of an exotic sound happening. The progression is based around E and A Minor chords and the harmony is drawn from E Mixolydian b6 mode – aka the Hindu scale. The notes are E-F#-G#-A-B-C and D. The DNA of Mixolydian b6 is 1-2-3-4-5-b6-b7, in relation to the standard Major scale. It’s basically the 5th mode of the Melodic minor scale, so in this case A Melodic minor. Experiment with tension and release. As a rule of thumb, you can land”on any note of an E Major arpeggio (E-G#-B) every four bars and expect a sense of resolution. Happy jamming!