One of the secrets to sounding like a seasoned blues player is knowing how to start and finish a tune smoothly. In musician lingo, we call these “tops and tails” – the beginnings and endings of a song. Mastering just a few classic blues endings can make a huge difference in how polished and professional you sound.
In this lesson, we’re going to break down three must-know blues endings that every serious player should have in their toolbox. When you hear these endings at a jam session, you’ll instantly recognize them—and better yet, you’ll know exactly how to play them!
We’ll be working in the key of F, using a 12-bar blues form as our foundation. Each example includes sheet music and an audio clip to help you lock in the feel. But don’t stop there—practice these in different keys so you can use them anywhere, anytime!
🔹 Blues Ending #1: The Walkup
This is one of the most classic blues endings out there—if you’re a blues player, you need to know it!
Here’s how it works:
- You walk up to the V chord (in this case, a C7sus4).
- Then, instead of a traditional V to I resolution (C7 to F), we use a tritone substitution (Gb7 to F).
This little trick adds a slick, sophisticated touch to your ending while still keeping that raw blues feel.
🔹 Blues Ending #2: The Walkdown
If the Walkup is #1, this Walkdown ending is a close second in popularity. The concept is nearly the same—but instead of moving up to the V chord, we walk down to it.
Once we hit the V chord (C7), we use the same tritone substitution (Gb7 to F) to resolve back to the I chord. This version keeps things smooth and laid-back while still giving you that authentic blues sound.
🎵 Pro Tip: In this example, we’re using a regular C7 instead of C7sus4—but feel free to switch between the two depending on the vibe you want!
🔹 Blues Ending #3: The Walkdown (or Walkup) + Right-Hand Blues Scale Run
Want to add a little flash to your blues playing? This ending combines the Walkdown bass line from Ending #2 with a fast right-hand blues scale run.
Here’s what happens:
- The left hand plays the same Walkdown bass line as before.
- The right hand rips through a descending blues scale in 8th-note triplets.
- We start on F and resolve to A natural in the second measure—but you can tweak the starting note and resolution to fit your style!
🎵 Try This: You can also pair the Walkup bass line with this right-hand blues scale run for a cool variation!
🎯 Final Thoughts
These three endings are essential tools for any blues pianist, whether you’re jamming with friends or playing on stage. Make sure to practice them in multiple keys so you can pull them out in any situation.
🔹 The Walkup – A must-know classic that moves up to the V chord.
🔹 The Walkdown – A smooth alternative that walks down to the V chord.
🔹 The Blues Scale Run – A flashy variation with a right-hand blues scale.
The more you practice, the more natural these will feel—and soon, you’ll be ending your blues tunes with confidence and style.
🎹 Now go practice, have fun, and keep the blues alive! 🎶
