Selkirk College Music

Presents

Blues Scale Phrases for

Alto Sax

"The Blues" is at the heart of most contemporary improvisers vocabulary. Much like scales and arpeggios,
licks or phrases can serve as the foundation for soloing.
Ive chosen to present 8 typical blues phrases, shown from bar 3-17. The phrases are then used as the
springboard for additional ideas throughout the remaining pages.

This is how I would approach your own practicing; practice each phrase slowly until it feels comfortable
then try to integrate the phrase into longer phrases of your own. In this way you can build condence.
The provided phrase becomes a springboard for your own creativity.

The Selkirk College Music Program has been preparing students for the commercial entertainment
industry for over 25 years. Using a diverse cross section of musical styles, Selkirk allows
students to explore the best that each genre has to offer from jazz to rock, classical and world music.
Written and performed by Don Macdonald

Selkirk College Music

Presents
Blues Scale Phrases for Alto Sax
Written by Don Macdonald

q = 150
Eight 1 bar phrases - each 1 bar phrase becomes the starting point for an improv

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Extra Stu
Borrowing from E blues scale for G7 chords
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