Blues Music Flashcards
Blues
An American style of music that fused former slave culture, European influence, and the regional history of the Mississippi delta. The blues was heavily influenced by slave work song traditions.
12-bar blues form
This form has several characteristics and implications:
- It is usually only 12 bars long, in simple quadruple meter
- This form uses only 3 chords in its vocabulary.
- The lyrics are usually in 3 stanzas, and the rhyme/organization is : A A B
- To the right is a diagram of the blues form:
Guitar
A stringed instrument usually played by plucking the strings with the fingers or a small pick. Guitars can be acoustic or electric. It is a very prominent instrument in the blues.
Blue note
The purposeful bending, or sliding of a note downward in pitch. It is meant to be expressive, and is a characteristic sound in many blues styles.
Chord progression
A series of chords that is repeated. It is the harmonic structure of a song, and provides the framework for the melody to ride on top of. In blues the chord progressions are often very simple and repetitive.
Delta Blues
The oldest style of blues. The origins are with African-American slaves and former slaves. This style of the blues is characterized by the 12-bar form, AAB lyric style, guitar and vocal delivery. It’s rural origins and regional styles cause many to think of this style a a kind of folk music. This style of blues is also called “Country Blues.”
Classic Blues
This style of Blues is what most people encountered in the 1920s and 30s. It is based off of the concepts and characteristics of the Delta Blues. However, Classic Blues usually had a more professional delivery - professional singers, a back-up band, less improvisation, and more organization. This was a city and show-business adaptation of the Delta Blues style.
Chicago Blues
A modernization of the Delta and Classic Blues styles. This style of blues is characterized by the use of electric guitar and harmonica. Many consider this style of blues to be the father of modern rock-and-roll.
Contemporary Blues
Difficult to define, contemporary blues is an acknowledgement that blues music is still around, and still evolving today. Although many modern blues musicians play in styles from the past, there are Blues artists that continue to change characteristics and styles within the Blues genre.
Robert Johnson
(1911-1938) perhaps the most famous bluesman in the history of this music style. Mr. Johnson played Delta Blues, with his freewheeling guitar and vocals. His recordings had a huge impact on guitarists in many modern styles. The story of how he “sold his soul to the devil” is legendary.
Bessie Smith
(1894 - 1937) the “Empress of the Blues.” Ms. Smith was one of the superstars of Classic Blues style. Her powerful voice and personality had a big impact on popular culture and the prominence of blues in pop culture.
Muddy Waters
(1913-1983) considered by many to be the father of the Chicago Blues style. He was a singer and guitarist. His style of music had a profound influence on many blues and rock musicians.
Keb’ Mo’ (real name, Kevin Moore)
(1951 - ) a contemporary Blues musician. He has won numerous awards, recorded numerous albums. He is respected for his authenticity to old style Delta Blues.
Improvisation
When musicians make up melodies and harmonies in real time. Not playing scripted written music, but making-up music in the moment. In blues, sometimes lyrics were even improvised.
Double entendre
When a word or phrase has more than one meaning. In the blues, sometimes the surface words were symbols for other meanings: struggles against prejudice, social issues, etc.
