The Blues

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The blues is a general term used to characterize the style of music. There are several different sub groups under this term. Classic blues is the oldest form of the blues. This style first occurred in the 1920’s. The Delta blues was a type of Classic blues that came out of the Mississippi Delta, which would be played on homemade instruments (Cajun Blues, 2013). In the 1960’s country blues emerged in places such as Memphis, TN, where blues music and country music collided (Cajun Blues, 2013). The electric blues, which became popular first in Texas, came about when musicians gained access to electronic instruments and amplifiers (Cajun Blues, 2013). The Chicago blues gained their name by the Delta musicians moving northward to Chicago and taking their blues with them. Performers such as Muddy Waters made this style popular. Chicago blues was well known for the energy that came along with it (Blue Guitar, n.d.). The Kansas City blues were also called the jump blues. They had a big beat and were often accompanied by a big band with horns and arrangements (Blue Guitar, n.d.). The New Orleans blues is a mixture of blues, funk, and second line grooves that border on rhumbas (Blue Guitar, n.d.). No matter the style of preference a blues song is still a blues song and can be recognized instantly by its uniqueness.

The blues takes on many shapes, forms, and styles. Yet, the one thing that remains the same is the blues brings about uniqueness to ear that no other music can. From the slave work songs and spirituals in the 19th century to today’s rhythm and blues, this genre is still just as strong as ever. The blues is identified by its special 12 bar format and a distinction in the way the lyrics are sung. The blues is an oral and musical tradition that has been, and will continue to be, passed down from generation to generation. B.B. King is quoted to say “The Blues? It’s the mother of American music. That’s what it is- the source”.

References

Hodge, D. (2016). Standard twelve bar blues (and the “quick change” blues). Retrieved August 29, 2016, from http://www.guitarnoise.com/guide/standard-twelve-bar-blues/

Kopp, E. (2005, August 16). A brief history of the blues. Retrieved August 29, 2016, from https://www.allaboutjazz.com/a-brief-history-of-the-blues-by-ed-kopp.php

Pouska, A. (n.d.). About the blues. Retrieved August 29, 2016, from http://www.studybass.com/lessons/blues-bass/about-the-blues/

Pradhyumnan, A. (2014, December 25). How do I distinguish among different music genres like rock, jazz, blues, pop, etc.? Retrieved August 29, 2016, from https://www.quora.com/How-do-I-distinguish-among-different-music-genres-like-rock-jazz-blues-pop-etc

Starr, L., & Waterman, C. A. (2014). American popular music: From minstrelsy to MP3 (4th ed.). New York, NY: Oxford University Press.

The different types of blues music. (2013, October 18). Retrieved August 29, 2016, from http://cajunbluesblog.com/the-different-types-of-blues-music/

Types of Blues. (n.d.). Retrieved August 29, 2016, from http://www.bluesguitarinsider.com/blues-guitar-history/types-of-blues

What is "the Blues"? A Brief discussion of the definition of blues music. (2001). Retrieved August 29, 2016, from http://www.mojohand.com/blues-definition.htm