A swinging blues-inspired piano solo by Australian composer Justin James, combining traditional boogie-woogie vocabulary, rhythmic groove and contemporary piano writing through a driving 4x4 bass and expressive right-hand blues melodies.

🎧 Listen to audio sample

Quick Information

Level: Intermediate

Category: Solo Piano

Type: Original Composition – Blues Character Piece

Genre: Contemporary Classical / Blues

Style: Boogie Blues / Swing Piano Study

Mood: Playful • Swinging • Energetic • Confident

Time Signature: 4/4

Tempo: Piu Vivo. Swing Swang or Swung.

BPM: ♩ = 130

Instrumentation: Solo Piano

Duration: 2:46

Focus: Blues vocabulary, hand independence, groove development, rhythmic accuracy, tactile sensitivity and melodic phrasing

Format: Digital PDF Download (Solo Piano Score) + MP3 Audio Reference Recording

About this Composition

Good Time Charlie piano sheet music by Justin James is a blues-inspired contemporary piano solo that draws upon the rich language of boogie-woogie while incorporating modern rhythmic and melodic ideas.

Built around a driving 4x4 bass pattern, the piece explores groove, pulse and stylistic fluency through a combination of energetic left-hand accompaniment and expressive right-hand blues melodies. The result is a work that feels equally at home in a recital setting, educational environment or informal performance.

Drawing inspiration from traditional blues and boogie piano styles, the composition introduces pianists to essential elements of groove-based playing while encouraging a deeper understanding of rhythmic continuity, phrase structure and musical form. The left hand provides a steady foundation, allowing the right hand to explore melodic and rhythmic ideas with increasing confidence and freedom.

Although accessible to intermediate players, Good Time Charlie develops a broad range of valuable pianistic skills including tactile sensitivity, rhythmic precision, coordination and stylistic awareness. The groove-driven nature of the music encourages performers to think beyond individual notes and focus on maintaining pulse, character and momentum.

For pianists seeking contemporary blues repertoire with educational value and performance appeal, Good Time Charlie offers an enjoyable combination of technique, musicality and fun.

A Note from Justin

Good Time Charlie uses musical utterings from the great boogie blues language, infused into a 4x4 padded piano bass.

This piece is ideal for performance and sounds pretty cool.

It is also designed to improve tactile sensitivity, rhythmic accuracy, hand independence and a deeper dive understanding of musical form.

The right-hand solo combines rhythm with melody conception for continuity.

Your blues right hand may never have sounded better.

Ideal For

Blues piano study, recital repertoire, examination programs, groove development, contemporary piano students and performers seeking accessible blues-inspired music.

Technical Focus

Hand independence, rhythmic accuracy, blues vocabulary, groove consistency, tactile sensitivity, left-hand accompaniment and melodic phrasing.

Performance Use

A groove-driven contemporary piano solo combining traditional boogie-blues influences with modern pianistic textures, expressive melodic writing and authentic swing feel.