Here I show you the chords and the theme of old style new orleans jazz blues : St. Louis Blues. At the end I give you some improvisation tips.

Here you can download the files associated to this tutorial :

 

HP, great starter tune for us new jazz players. I think I figured out "part C" of the song where you improvise over the 2-5-1 in C. You mention the Mixolydian mode can be used over this progression. I gave it a try and it does work however, if you could provide some riffs, standard notation and/or tabs it will help me understand what notes to play and at what point. I'm getting my arms this but need some guidance.

TY

Yes this tune is great to start a bit with jazz guitar because the main part is a blues in G, but you have to play it with the mixolydian mode and to start I would work out something which is near to the theme.

1 hour ago, Richiie said:

I think I figured out "part C" of the song where you improvise over the 2-5-1 in C.

which part do you exactly mean ? The last line of the C part ? As far as I know the A and the C part are only there for the melody and only the B part which is a blues is used for improvisation. But I can do some licks on II V I - they will soon come in the basic jazz improvisation course. Today I added something on a II V I in a minor key.

Correct, I meant the B section, my error. I'm looking forward to the basic jazz improvisation course. I have the melody down, now working on the improv.

Ok - quickly wrote something easy which you can use as a solo over the B section - or any similar blues.

View this attachment :

Solo St. Louis Blues.pdf