The BluesThe BluesThe BluesThe Blues

DefinitionDefinitionDefinitionDefinition

The Blues is defined as melancholic music of black American folk origin, typically in a twelve-bar sequence.

It developed in the rural southern U.S. toward the end of the 19th century, finding a wider audience in the 1940s as blacks migrated to the cities. This urban blues gave rise to rhythm and blues and rock and roll.

The blues form, is characterized by specific chord progressions, of which the twelve-bar blues chord progression is the most common.

Characteristics Characteristics

12 Bar Blues Example12 Bar Blues Example

C1

C or F1 or IV

C1

C717

FIV

FIV

C1

C717

GV

G or FV or IV

C1

C or GI or V

The term "the blues" refers to the "blue devils", meaning melancholy and sadness. Though the use of the phrase in African-American music may be older, it has been attested to since 1912, when Hart Wand's "Dallas Blues" became the first copyrighted blues composition. In lyrics, the phrase is often used to describe a depressed mood.

MoodMood

LyricsLyrics

The common structure of lyrics is AAB.

"Backwater rising, Southern peoples can't make no timeI said, backwater rising, Southern peoples can't make no timeAnd I can't get no hearing from that Memphis girl of mine."

Call and ResponseCall and Response

Blues music is also noted for its unique use of call and response. Call and response was highly prevalent in the field shouts during slavery, though its origins can be traced further back to West African music. In blues, call and response is characterized by a highly emotional, simple solo chant of a phrase that is then repeated back. The solo chant is sung and often repeated back on the guitar, giving the song an emotionally charged atmosphere that is heightened by the repetition of the lyrics.

The origins of the blues date back to around 1890. The history is very poorly documented, due in part to racial discrimination within American society, including academic circles, and to the low literacy rate of the rural African American community at the time

OriginOrigin

The content of the blues was inspired by the new freedom of former slaves. The content of the blues was inspired by the new freedom of former slaves.

The performers of the the early 1900s described where and The performers of the the early 1900s described where and when they heard the blues played. when they heard the blues played.

As artists spread their music, recordings and anthologies were made to As artists spread their music, recordings and anthologies were made to preserve their music.preserve their music.

So how did we become to know the origin of the blues?So how did we become to know the origin of the blues?

Genres of the BluesGenres of the BluesPre-WarPre-WarThere were many different genres of the blues before There were many different genres of the blues before WWI. WWI.

W. C. Handy combined ragtime, jazz, and cuban music to form his style of W. C. Handy combined ragtime, jazz, and cuban music to form his style of the blues.the blues.

Other artists used regional influence, songs and chants from Africa, and began Other artists used regional influence, songs and chants from Africa, and began incorporating the slide into their music. incorporating the slide into their music.

What is a slide?What is a slide?

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““St. Louis Blues” by W. C. HandySt. Louis Blues” by W. C. Handy

Slide Guitar Slide Guitar

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Guitar Rag by Slyvester Weaver

By the 1920s, there was a rise in female singers. These ladies would By the 1920s, there was a rise in female singers. These ladies would project their powerful voice and bend the pitch to show expression. project their powerful voice and bend the pitch to show expression.

Their popularity was crucial in spreading the blues in the region.Their popularity was crucial in spreading the blues in the region.

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Another popular style before the war was called Boogie-woogie. Another popular style before the war was called Boogie-woogie.

Boogie-woogie is a style of piano-based blues that became very popular in the late 1930s and early 1940s. Whilst the blues traditionally depicts a variety of emotions, boogie-woogie is mainly associated with dancing. It's believed boogie-woogie gave birth to the earliest versions of uptempo music.

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Big BandsBig Bands

These were territory bands that used blues influence (ex. form, shouting, call These were territory bands that used blues influence (ex. form, shouting, call and response, etc.) in their bands or orchestras which included saxophones, and response, etc.) in their bands or orchestras which included saxophones,

trombones, piano, trumpets, and drumset. trombones, piano, trumpets, and drumset.

A New DirectionA New Direction

After WW2, the blues genre underwent many changes such After WW2, the blues genre underwent many changes such as the electrification of instruments, the blues shuffle, a as the electrification of instruments, the blues shuffle, a

heavier blues beat, and the new term: Rhythm and Blues.heavier blues beat, and the new term: Rhythm and Blues.

The new electrical direction of the Blues became popular in The new electrical direction of the Blues became popular in the major cities of the U.S.the major cities of the U.S.

The new innovations brought forth even more new styles of blues.The new innovations brought forth even more new styles of blues.Many artists used different elements from the blues to form hybrid blues Many artists used different elements from the blues to form hybrid blues

forms such as cajun, rock, british, and other influences.forms such as cajun, rock, british, and other influences.

Older bluesOlder bluesOlder bluesOlder blues

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1959 and beyond1959 and beyond1959 and beyond1959 and beyond

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The KingThe King

What can be said about B.B. King?What can be said about B.B. King?

He single handedly introduced the blues to white AmericaHe single handedly introduced the blues to white America

He was the first blues artist to achieve widespread He was the first blues artist to achieve widespread popularity with the rock audience. popularity with the rock audience.

He is the most well known purveyor of blues music.He is the most well known purveyor of blues music.

B.B. first came to fame by recording other known B.B. first came to fame by recording other known blues songs such as “Three O’ Clock Blues.” blues songs such as “Three O’ Clock Blues.”

In the 60s, B.B. gained wide spread fame by In the 60s, B.B. gained wide spread fame by touring and producing original Blues tracks.touring and producing original Blues tracks.

He would soon be heard by Eric Clapton and Mike Bloomfield He would soon be heard by Eric Clapton and Mike Bloomfield who helped spread the word about B.B. to rock audiences.who helped spread the word about B.B. to rock audiences.

His first top 20 pop hit was “The Thrill Is Gone” (1969).His first top 20 pop hit was “The Thrill Is Gone” (1969).

Characteristics of Music:Characteristics of Music:

His music is considered very soulful and expressive.His music is considered very soulful and expressive.

His music reflects his kindness and gentle sense of humor.His music reflects his kindness and gentle sense of humor.

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ImpactImpact

Blues musical styles, forms (12-bar blues), melodies, and the blues scale have influenced many other genres of music, such as rock and roll, jazz, and popular music.