Blues Workout

Learn to improvise freely and melodically over the blues. Learn the progressions by heart, so you can easily jam with others

€ 95 One-off payment

Does this sound familiar?

  • You want to go beyond the blues scale but don’t know how to start
  • You improvise, but lose your way when the chord progression changes
  • You want to understand the blues more deeply and expand your musical vocabulary
  • You want to improvise in total freedom, but lack the structure to get there

 

You too can improvise freely and melodically over the blues — and play classic progressions from memory, so you can easily jam with other musicians. What you need is a practice routine that gives you enough time to study the music step by step, in a structured and creative way.

That’s exactly what the Blues Workout offers.

Please note: This course programme is intended for students who are already working with the Improvise for Real method, either through my own workshops or via the IFR platform.

Not familiar with it yet? Start with my introduction workshop. If you are not yet familiar with the IFR method or any of our introductory courses, clear guidance is provided on how to proceed.

What you’ll be able to do after the Blues Workout

  • You improvise freely over blues chord progressions, going far beyond the blues scale. You know how to build your solo and tell your own musical story.
  • You can easily recognise common blues progressions and learn new repertoire more quickly. This gives you more confidence when playing.
  • You develop your instrumental technique through targeted exercises, including chord studies, chromatic passing notes and chord extensions.
  • You fill the gaps in your theoretical knowledge, as the connection between the IFR method and music theory is made throughout.
  • You have an ever-growing repertoire to play at jam sessions, concerts or with your musical friends.
  • You stay motivated because you follow a programme that genuinely moves you forward.
 

€ 95 One-off payment

What's covered in the programme

The Blues Workout covers the major blues, the minor blues, and the jazz minor blues — starting with the chords of Freddie Freeloader and working all the way through to the minor blues of Unchain My Heart and the jazz minor blues of Equinox. You’ll also compose your own blues, explore how to feed your imagination with solos from the great masters, and discover classic repertoire examples along the way.

With the help of play-along videos and jam tracks, you’ll practise your melodic improvisation on blues chords step by step — until you can confidently play classic blues progressions from memory.

 

WHAT'S IN THE PROGRAMME?

Inspiring, step-by-step lessons

Learn to improvise over blues chord progressions in a structured and creative way. Discover how to vary endlessly on these chords — far beyond the limits of the blues scale.

 

Useful practice videos

Practise the lesson assignments together with Jelske using play-along videos. You’ll sing and play melodic lines together, taking turns improvising over the accompanying jam track — one of the students’ favourite ways to learn.

 

Creative assignments

Develop your own musical voice. Compose your own blues using blues poetry, jam along with blues repertoire, and learn how to feed your imagination with solos from the great masters.

 

Technical assignments in context

Strengthen your instrumental technique with targeted exercises related to the repertoire — such as chord studies, chromatic passing notes and chord extensions — all of which you can apply directly in your solos.

 

Music theory in context

Work on chord analysis exercises to translate the IFR approach into regular chord symbols. Additional music theory is explained throughout the course.

I have more flow in my playing

I was always in a hurry to become good, which made me rush while playing. Thanks to this programme, I’ve become more courageous as a musician and have found more flow in my playing. It has completely changed the way I practise.
Amanda Jones
clarinet

Suddenly, I see the bigger picture

I always felt I was just winging it when I improvised. But now I understand that playing the chords is not the same as truly improvising. Suddenly, I see the bigger picture, I’m amazed.
Rob Jacobs
saxophone

An exciting practice routine

I’ve been improvising for years but had grown frustrated with chord/scale formulas. Jelske’s tools helped me create a practice routine that feels exciting, meditative, intuitive and enjoyable.
Theo Primas
saxophone and flute

Blues
Workout

€ 95

Jazz + Blues Workout

€ 390

€ 340