Cheryl
July 18, 2012 in Bebop, Blues, Jazz Originals, Jazz Standards
“Cheryl” is a 12 bar blues written by Charlie “Bird” Parker.
This tune is a great example of the bebop language being fused with the blues.
I’m a big fan of Charlie Parker melodies so I find this blues very enjoyable to play. I like to mention this about playing blues tunes as it pertains to jazz: Use the melody to interpret how you speak with your solo. It’s cool to play your “blues stuff” for lack of a better term, but always be mindful of the story the melody is telling. In this case “Bird” is the one speaking. I’m not saying you have to play bebop or Parker, play what you want to express, but at least be mindful of the story being told rather than automatically reaching for your “blues licks”! I find inexperienced players tend to do this.
This tune is played in the key of C.
Purchase Cheryl Mp3′s
Cheryl Chord Charts
Cheryl C Instruments
Cheryl Play-Along
Videos to learn the melody/changes to Cheryl
From a jam session in Brooklyn, NY