James Booker Piano Lesson – “True”
“True” is a tune composed by Paul Gayton and in this lesson Jon breaks down the famous rendition played by the great James Booker at the Montreux Jazz Festival.
8 Bar Blues With Sophisticated Changes
The tune “True” follows the 8 bar blues form and for this James Booker lesson we will highlight all of the sophisticated chord substitutions that he uses. An interesting point is that the chords used in this song are almost identical to a song recorded in Cuba by a singer called Benny Moré.
This arrangement features some interesting altered chord voicings such as the D7#5 chord and also more standard extended voicings such G13 chord with the colourful 13th in the melody.
Using The Major IV Chord
One of the unusual features of “True” is that we have a major IV chord. We are playing the tune in the key of G and so the IV chord is C. In a normal 8 bar blues the IV chord would be C7, but here we have a C major 7th which adds a different flavour:
Also notice that the IV chord is preceded with a major 251 progression (D-7 to G13) which adds some more interesting harmony into the basic progression. Throughout the tune these changes are decorated with the G blues scale in the right hand.
James Booker Style Blues Turnarounds
This arrangement features lots of rich and lush passing chords and interesting chord substitutions. Below we have an interesting variation of the 3625 turnaround back to the tonic chord G:
The right hand octaves strengthen the melody and the blues licks add a sophisticated soulful sound to the beautiful chords in the harmony. Download the full PDF transcription and chord chart below.
Lesson Downloads
-
James Booker “True” – Full Transcription File Type: pdf -
James Booker “True” – Chord Chart File Type: pdf
Related Lessons
With New Orleans music it’s easy to concentrate on the rhythmic aspects but the way we structure our chord progressions is also important.
Elsewhere in the world, the blues is generally heard in the 12 bar format. Here in New Orleans it is most often played in the 8 bar form.
You will immediately notice that this tune does not follow the standard 12 bar blues form that we have covered earlier in this course.
Practice Tips
-
Notice the effect of the major IV chord instead of a IV7 chord and the richer harmony with the 25 approach to the IV.
-
Over the D7#5, trill the whole chord voicing with the root doubled at the top and bottom of the right hand.
-
Create inner melodic decoration by playing right hand octaves with graces notes and blues scale fragments in the inside of the voicing.
This song reminds me of a short piano interlude in the middle of a medley on Dr. John’s Trippin’ Live album. It starts around the 3:36 minute mark of the track. I’m definitely hearing the #11 in both. I’ll try to post a more detailed comparison shortly.
This is amazing. Thank you Jon!
I’m glad you enjoyed the lesson Geoffrey!
More lessons will be added to this course shortly.
Cheers,
Hayden