Blues Etude #2: “Tinsel Town Boogie” uses the famous boogie-woogie bass line that was used in “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy.” This World War II anthem was first heard in the Abbot and Costello movie Buck Privates (1941). Since then, the song's bass line has become synonymous with boogie-woogie. In the tune's lyric, there is mention of “eight to the bar.” Eight to a bar was a common phrase used in the 1940s to describe the driving eighth note rhythms played in the bass or left hand in boogie-woogie music.

FIGURE 15-2: Blues Etude #2: “Tinsel Town Boogie”

TRACK 68

True to form, the bass line in this etude uses eighth notes or “eight to the bar.” Like “Blues for Dr. John,” this piece requires significant independence between your hands. Once again, it is recommended that you practice slowly one hand at a time. Also, be careful of and consistent with the fingering in the left hand. The fingering in the left hand is the same on the I, IV, and V chords; it is written for you in the first measure. The right hand emulates horn riffs, which was a common way to conceive of soloing during the boogie era.

As you will notice, this etude is really a written improvisation. The right hand uses the blues scale throughout, and the ending employs a fancy C13 chord, which gives the tune extra tension and climax. Practice this piece with a metronome to ensure steady time (see Chapter 17). Most of all, remember that it is more important to play correctly and accurately than it is to play blazingly fast.