“Sooner or Later” was composed over a D minor blues. My approach to minor blues—and to the blues in general—can vary widely. In this case, I took a sparse approach to the chord changes and had a specific groove in mind for the rhythm section. Those two elements were enough to establish the initial theme. Once that foundation was in place, the rest of the melody unfolded quickly. My focus on phrasing—particularly through slurs and bends—was aimed at creating a line that feels distinctly guitar-oriented. As with most successful melodies, the use of repetition, space, and well-placed resolution points is essential.
