Blues

Question 1

Example track of rural blues + MF

Answer 1

‘Matchbox Blues’ - “blind” lemon Jefferson (1927)

Single performer, singing and accompanying on guitar
Swung quavers
Lyrics reflect sad/melancholy topics
AAB lyric format
12 bar blues (primary chords in sequence, EU chords from liturgical music, negro spirituals)
Fillins - improv on blues scale in melody line (flattened 3rd, 5th and 7th) from traditional African sonorities (field hollers, spirituals, Congo square)

Question 2

What is urban blues?

Answer 2

Rural blues of Louisiana into town of NO. City v close to rural culture of the delta

Question 3

Example track of urban blues + MF

Answer 3

‘Empty bed Blues’ - Bessie smith (mother of blues) (1928)

12 bar blues based
Accent on back beats
AAB lyric structure, falling melody, about the ‘blues’ of love and life, repeated verses with different lyrics
Fillins on blues scale in response to vocals
Relaxed swing
Regular instr for accomp, improv throughout, piano, voice, trombone

Question 4

What is rural blues?

Answer 4

(Country)
Originated from field hollers (songs developed in plantations by slaves to accompany work, C+R, blues scale) and ballads (popular songs in southern rural states, AAB lyric format)
Rural parts of Louisiana late 1800s