Down Home Blues

Here's Fats in slow blues mode: lush 3-note-chord left-hand tenths, delicate trills and ornaments, contrasting dynamics, bluesy clusters, the odd boogie bass and his signature brilliantly executed almost un-notatable cascading runs. Tip: when attempting these runs, don't be too literal in how I've attempted to notate them, but get an idea of the 4-note pentatonic groups he's using and execute them in a sort of 3 against the 4/4 of the pulse, if that makes sense! There is a pattern when you break it down.

There are obvious stylistic similarities to his other slow performances such as Numb' Fumblin' and E-Flat Blues.

Listening to the original recording is essential to get a sense of his incredibly delicate touch and indefinable swing

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