Blue Bossa Tutorial Part 2
In this tutorial we will build upon what we learnt in Blue Bossa Part 1 and add all of these individual elements together to create a full Bossa Nova arrangement.
It’s difficult to maintain the 3 elements of Bossa Nova which are a steady bass line, syncopated rootless chord voicings, and finally the melody on top.
The bass line ties up your left hand in the lower register of the piano. You can’t use the sustain pedal as this will blur the rhythm from the bass line.
This leaves your right hand to play roles of melody and the rootless voicings. One way you can approach this is to hold down long notes with your 4^th^ finger or pinky finger and then fill in with the left hand voicings.
We also introduce topics we have explored in our study of jazz piano, such as passing chords and chromaticism.
Related Lessons
We examine the components of both the right and left hand and explore the interplay between the drums, the bass lines...
When starting out playing Bossa Nova standards, it’s a good idea to separate and isolate the different elements tha...
Practice Tips
- Practice each of the three elements of Bossa Nova—steady bass line, syncopated rootless chord voicings, and melody on top—individually before combining them.
- Don't feel compelled to play all of these elements concurrently throughout the performance.
- Instead, you can imply these various elements and allow for more space.
- Remember, you need not fill every space; both bass lines and comping rhythms are optional if desired.
hi sir.
I really enjoyed the basso nova lessons ( i am a classical pianist) however, it would be very helpful if the notes were notated in a sheet music to visualise better where the synpocated accompniments/ grooves sit.
thank you !
Tim
Hi Tim 👋
Thanks for the comment and I’m glad you are enjoying the lessons.
My arrangements in this course have not been notated as I don’t play a set arrangement, but rather show different variations and ways that the song can be played.
However, you can find full PDF notation in Jovino’s Bossa Nova courses here:
Brazilian Grooves Course:
https://www.pianogroove.com/bossa-nova-lessons/brazilian-grooves-course/
Brazilian Grooves Vol II:
https://www.pianogroove.com/bossa-nova-lessons/brazilian-vamps-grooves/
For example please see the Downloads on the “Girl From Ipanema” lesson which show the Bossa Nova groove isolated from the melody for the introduction using an Fmaj9 and Gb9(#11) vamp:
https://www.pianogroove.com/bossa-nova-lessons/the-girl-from-ipanema-tutorial/
I have also attached a screenshot of that section.
Jovino is the specialist with this style of music and so I would certainly recommend to study his lessons to absorb the rhythmic elements of the style. You can use the PDF notation as attached to follow along.
Bossa Nova is not a style that I specialise in and so in this course I’m focusing more on the harmonic ingredients and considerations. To learn the authentic Bossa Nova comping patterns, please check out Jovino’s lessons.
Check out the lesson and courses referenced above and let me know if I can help further.
Best,
Hayden