Blue Bossa is one of the most popular jazz standards for beginning and intermediate guitarists. Written by Kenny Dorham, this Latin jazz tune in C minor features a straightforward 16-bar form with a key change to Db major in the bridge. It is an ideal vehicle for learning ii-V-I progressions in both major and minor keys. At Fretprints, we cover Blue Bossa from every angle — harmonic analysis, comping, exercises, pentatonic soloing, and melodic structures.
Comping and Voicings
Learn to comp through Blue Bossa with shell voicings and smooth voice leading across the minor and major key centers.
Exercises
Build your technique on Blue Bossa with interactive Soundslice exercises you can loop and slow down. These cover chord tones, pentatonics, and melodic patterns through the changes.
Improvisation
Develop your soloing vocabulary over Blue Bossa. These lessons explore pentatonic approaches, chord scales, melodic structures, and different ways to navigate the ii-V changes in minor and major.
Livestream Lessons
Dive deeper with archived livestream sessions focused on Blue Bossa, covering pentatonic soloing, ii-V progressions, and real-time practice strategies.
- Soloing with Pentatonics — March 5, 2026
- Soloing on ii-V Progressions — March 3, 2026
- Blue Bossa Improv — May 6, 2025
Get Started
New to Fretprints? Start your free trial to access all Blue Bossa lessons including interactive Soundslice exercises you can loop, slow down, and practice at your own pace.