One of the best beginner jazz standards. The tune is built from a couple simple chord progressions. In this course, we'll learn the form, and get ideas from Chick Corea and McCoy Tyner.

Blue Bossa

• Courses
• Blue Bossa

• Jazz
• Standards
• New
• Latin

Course Lessons

• Resources
• Form
• Minor 2 5 1
• Chick Corea
• McCoy Tyner

Blue Bossa is one of the best first jazz standards because the harmony is built around just two progressions.

If you can play a minor 2–5–1 in C minor and a major 2–5–1 in D♭ major, you already have the foundation for the tune.

In this course, we’ll walk through the 16-bar form, make sense of the chord movement, and apply practical 2–5–1 patterns directly to the tune. We’ll also listen to recordings by Chick Corea and McCoy Tyner to hear how these players create accompaniment and groove.

By the end, you’ll understand the form, hear the progressions more clearly, and have a practical way to turn your 2–5–1 exercises into real music.

Course Objectives #

• Understand the 16-bar form of Blue Bossa
• Learn how the tune is built from minor and major 2–5–1 progressions
• Apply 2–5–1 exercise patterns directly to a jazz standard
• Study Chick Corea’s left-hand accompaniment ideas
• Learn from McCoy Tyner’s intro to develop a stronger Cuban/Latin sound
• Practice smooth chord voice leading through the tune

Related Courses #

• The classic 2 5 1 exercise Circle Challenge Day 18
• Blues Fundamentals I
• Circle Challenge Day 8
• Circle Challenge Day 9
• Circle Challenge Day 10
• Circle of 5ths Challenge

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