7.2 The Blues
4 min read•august 15, 2024
The blues, a cornerstone of American music, emerged from African American experiences in the late 19th century. It's characterized by specific structures, , and emotional expression, laying the foundation for jazz and other genres.
Blues musicians pioneered techniques like call-and-response and improvisation, which became crucial in jazz. The form and provided a framework for jazz musicians to build upon, influencing the development of various jazz styles.
Defining the Blues
Musical Structure and Elements
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- Blues genre emerged in late 19th century as African American folk music characterized by specific musical structures, harmonies, and emotional expression
- 12-bar blues form consists of three four-bar phrases following harmonic progression I-I-I-I, IV-IV-I-I, V-IV-I-I
- Blue notes create distinctive sound by flattening or bending pitches in relation to major scale (particularly third, fifth, and seventh scale degrees)
- Blues scale incorporates six notes including root, flatted third, fourth, flatted fifth, fifth, and flatted seventh
- Call-and-response patterns feature alternating phrases between vocals and instruments or between different instruments
- Lyrics often follow AAB pattern with first line repeated and contrasting third line reflecting emotional and narrative content
Vocal and Instrumental Techniques
- Vocal techniques emphasize emotional delivery and personal expression (growling, shouting, melismas)
- Guitar techniques include slide guitar, fingerpicking, and use of bottleneck for pitch bending
- Harmonica often used for melodic lines and solos, employing techniques like cross harp and overblowing
- Piano styles range from boogie-woogie to more introspective approaches (stride piano, barrel house)
- Rhythm section typically includes drums and bass, providing steady groove and rhythmic foundation
- Improvisation central to blues performance, allowing musicians to express individual style and emotion
The Blues: A Musical Foundation
Historical Origins and Cultural Context
- Blues emerged from African American work songs, field hollers, and spirituals in post-Civil War era
- Reflected experiences and struggles of African Americans in Southern United States
- Served as means of cultural expression and preservation, addressing themes of hardship, love, and social injustice
- Migration of African Americans from rural South to urban areas in early 20th century facilitated spread and evolution of blues music
- Regional styles developed including (Mississippi Delta) and (urban electrified sound)
Influence on American Music
- Blues significantly influenced development of jazz, providing harmonic and structural foundation for early styles (New Orleans jazz, swing)
- Elements incorporated into various genres including rock and roll (Chuck Berry, Rolling Stones), R&B (Ray Charles, Etta James), and country music (Hank Williams, Johnny Cash)
- Emphasis on individual expression and emotional authenticity impacted popular music performance styles and songwriting techniques
- 12-bar blues progression became standard in rock and pop music (Elvis Presley's "Hound Dog", The Beatles' "Can't Buy Me Love")
- Blue notes and pentatonic scales widely adopted in guitar-based rock music (Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton)
- Call-and-response patterns influenced development of verse-chorus song structures in popular music
Influential Blues Musicians
Early Pioneers and Classic Blues Era
- popularized blues through compositions and publications ("St. Louis Blues", "Memphis Blues")
- , "Mother of the Blues", established blues as commercial genre and influenced later vocalists
- , "Empress of the Blues", set standards for vocal performance and helped popularize classic female blues
- pioneered Texas blues style and influenced later country blues performers
- , considered "Father of the Delta Blues", influenced development of Mississippi Delta blues style
Delta and Chicago Blues Innovators
- influenced later generations with innovative guitar techniques and haunting vocal style ("Cross Road Blues", "Sweet Home Chicago")
- played crucial role in electrifying blues and developing Chicago blues style ("Hoochie Coochie Man", "Mannish Boy")
- brought intense, gritty vocal style to Chicago blues and influenced rock musicians ("Smokestack Lightnin'", "Spoonful")
- 's distinctive guitar style and emotive singing brought blues to mainstream audiences ("The Thrill Is Gone", "Every Day I Have the Blues")
- wrote numerous blues standards and shaped sound of Chicago blues as bassist, songwriter, and producer ("Hoochie Coochie Man", "Little Red Rooster")
Blues vs Jazz: Improvisation
Foundational Elements
- Blues emphasis on individual expression and emotional delivery laid groundwork for jazz improvisation
- 12-bar blues form provides consistent harmonic structure serving as foundation for jazz improvisation
- Blue notes and blues scale fundamental elements in jazz improvisation, creating tension and resolution in solos
- Call-and-response patterns influenced development of trading solos and collective improvisation in jazz ensembles
Jazz Adaptations and Extensions
- Jazz musicians use blues-based harmonic progressions as basis for more complex chord substitutions and extensions ("Blues for Alice" by Charlie Parker)
- Concept of "playing the changes" in jazz improvisation evolved from practice of embellishing and varying blues melodies over standard chord progression
- Modal jazz incorporated elements of blues scales and harmonies into new improvisational frameworks (Miles Davis' "Kind of Blue")
- Bebop musicians expanded blues vocabulary with complex harmonic substitutions and rhythmic innovations (Charlie Parker's "Blues for Alice")
- Free jazz retained blues influence while abandoning traditional harmonic structures (Ornette Coleman's "Free Jazz")
- Contemporary jazz continues to incorporate blues elements in diverse ways (Robert Glasper's blend of jazz, R&B, and hip-hop)
Key Terms to Review (24)
12-bar blues: The 12-bar blues is a musical structure that follows a specific chord progression, typically consisting of three chords, over twelve measures. This format is foundational in blues music and has influenced many other genres, providing a framework for improvisation and expression through both melody and lyrics.
B.B. King: B.B. King was a legendary American blues guitarist, singer, and songwriter, known for his expressive singing and unique guitar playing style. He significantly shaped the blues genre, influencing countless musicians with his distinct sound characterized by fluid guitar solos and heartfelt lyrics. His music embodies the essence of the blues, blending elements of rhythm and emotion that resonate deeply with audiences.
Bessie Smith: Bessie Smith was an iconic American blues singer, known as the 'Empress of the Blues,' who rose to fame in the 1920s and is regarded as one of the greatest vocalists of her time. Her powerful voice and emotional delivery played a significant role in popularizing the blues genre, making it accessible to a wider audience and influencing countless artists in various musical styles.
Blind Lemon Jefferson: Blind Lemon Jefferson was a pioneering African American blues musician, known for his unique vocal style and guitar playing. His music played a significant role in shaping the Texas blues genre and laid the groundwork for future artists in the blues and rock music scenes. Jefferson's emotive performances often reflected themes of hardship and love, connecting deeply with audiences.
Blue notes: Blue notes are notes played at a slightly lower pitch than those of the major scale, creating a distinctively expressive sound often associated with the blues genre. These notes typically include the flattened third, flattened fifth, and flattened seventh degrees of the scale, adding emotional depth and tension to music. Blue notes are fundamental in defining the character of various styles such as blues, soul, funk, and R&B, where their expressive qualities evoke feelings of sadness, longing, and nostalgia.
Blues revival: The blues revival refers to a resurgence of interest in blues music during the 1960s, particularly among white audiences and musicians. This movement brought the genre back into the spotlight, leading to a new wave of appreciation for its roots, artists, and cultural significance, while also influencing the development of rock music and other genres.
Blues scale: The blues scale is a six-note scale that is commonly used in blues music, characterized by its distinctive sound created by the addition of a 'blue note,' which is a flattened third or fifth degree of the scale. This scale allows musicians to express deep emotions and improvisational flair, making it a crucial element in the development of various genres, including jazz and rock. The blues scale's unique intervals provide a framework for both melodic and harmonic exploration in music.
Call and response: Call and response is a musical form where one voice or instrument (the call) is answered by another voice or instrument (the response). This technique fosters interaction, creating a conversational dynamic in music, and it plays a vital role in various genres, enhancing the emotional depth and communal aspect of performance.
Charley Patton: Charley Patton was a pivotal American Delta blues musician, often regarded as the 'father of the Delta blues.' His music blended deep emotional expression with complex guitar techniques, influencing countless musicians and shaping the genre's development.
Chess Records: Chess Records is a record label that played a pivotal role in the development and popularization of blues music during the 20th century. Established in 1950, it became one of the most significant labels in the blues genre, promoting numerous influential artists who shaped the sound and direction of blues music. The label's focus on recording and distributing blues music helped bridge the gap between traditional African American music and the burgeoning rock and roll movement.
Chicago Blues: Chicago Blues is a genre of music that emerged in the 1940s, characterized by its electric instrumentation and urban themes. It developed from earlier forms of blues in the Mississippi Delta and became popular in the Chicago music scene, reflecting the struggles and experiences of African Americans during the Great Migration.
Delta blues: Delta blues is a style of blues music that originated in the Mississippi Delta region in the early 20th century, characterized by its soulful melodies, expressive lyrics, and often acoustic instrumentation. This genre is deeply rooted in African American history and culture, often reflecting themes of hardship, love, and resilience through its storytelling and emotive sound.
Great migration: The great migration refers to the mass movement of African Americans from the rural Southern United States to urban areas in the North and West during the early to mid-20th century. This movement was driven by various factors, including the search for better economic opportunities, escaping Jim Crow laws, and seeking a more promising future. It significantly influenced music styles, especially the blues and early popular songs, as these cultural shifts brought new sounds and artists into urban centers.
Howlin' Wolf: Howlin' Wolf was an influential American blues singer and guitarist known for his powerful voice and charismatic stage presence. He played a pivotal role in the development of Chicago blues, blending traditional Delta blues with urban influences, which helped shape the sound of modern blues music. His raw, emotive style and electric guitar work left a lasting impact on subsequent generations of musicians.
Jim Crow Era: The Jim Crow Era refers to a period of racial segregation and discrimination in the United States from the late 19th century to the mid-20th century. This era was marked by laws and practices that enforced racial inequality, particularly in the Southern states, impacting various aspects of life, including education, transportation, and public facilities. The oppressive environment created during this time profoundly influenced cultural expressions, notably in music genres like the blues.
Ma Rainey: Ma Rainey, often referred to as the 'Mother of the Blues', was a pioneering African American singer and songwriter who significantly influenced the development of the blues genre in the early 20th century. Known for her powerful voice and emotive delivery, she brought authenticity to her performances, often drawing from personal experiences and the hardships of life. Her work helped to elevate the blues from a regional folk music to a more recognized and celebrated art form.
Montreux Jazz Festival: The Montreux Jazz Festival is an annual music festival held in Montreux, Switzerland, showcasing a diverse range of music genres, with a strong emphasis on jazz. Established in 1967, it has become one of the most prestigious and influential music festivals globally, drawing top artists from various genres and connecting the rich traditions of jazz with contemporary styles, including blues and rock.
Muddy Waters: Muddy Waters was an influential American blues musician, often considered the father of modern Chicago blues. His music, characterized by its deep emotional expression and electric guitar style, helped to shape the sound of blues in the 20th century and laid the groundwork for rock and roll. Waters' work encapsulated the struggle and resilience present in the blues tradition, connecting it to broader cultural movements.
Resilience: Resilience refers to the ability to recover quickly from difficulties or setbacks, demonstrating strength in the face of adversity. This concept is crucial in understanding how individuals and communities overcome challenges and maintain their identity, especially within cultural contexts like music. In many genres, including blues, resilience manifests through storytelling, emotional expression, and the ability to adapt and thrive despite hardship.
Robert Johnson: Robert Johnson was an influential American blues musician and songwriter, whose work is considered foundational to the development of the blues genre. His unique guitar playing and haunting vocals, coupled with his mastery of storytelling in his lyrics, have left a lasting impact on music and culture. Often regarded as a key figure in the Delta blues style, Johnson's songs have been covered by numerous artists across various genres.
Suffering: Suffering refers to the emotional and physical pain that individuals experience, often tied to hardship, loss, or adversity. In the context of music, particularly within certain genres, suffering becomes a powerful theme that resonates deeply with audiences, allowing artists to express their struggles and connect with listeners on an emotional level.
Sun Records: Sun Records is a legendary recording label founded in 1952 by Sam Phillips in Memphis, Tennessee, known for its crucial role in the development of rock and roll and the promotion of blues music. The label became famous for discovering and recording iconic artists, helping to shape the sound of popular music during the 1950s and beyond, while also serving as a bridge between the blues and the emerging rock genre.
W.C. Handy: W.C. Handy, known as the 'Father of the Blues,' was an influential American composer and musician who played a pivotal role in popularizing blues music in the early 20th century. He is recognized for his ability to blend African American folk traditions with formal music styles, resulting in compositions that helped to establish the blues as a legitimate genre within American music.
Willie Dixon: Willie Dixon was a pivotal American blues musician, songwriter, and producer, renowned for his significant contributions to the development of the Chicago blues style. He wrote and composed numerous influential songs that became staples in the genre, helping to shape the sound and direction of blues music during the mid-20th century. Dixon's work not only showcased the emotional depth of blues but also paved the way for future rock and blues artists.