Country Blues

Question 1

Give key aspects of Delta Blues

Answer 1

• originated from the Mississippi Delta
• predominantly acoustic guitar + harmonica
• raw, emotive, and often melancholic vocal style
• frequent use of slide guitar (bottleneck) + open tunings
• generally slow + heavy emphasis on rhythm + steady, driving beat
• lyrics reflects hardships + struggles of life(poverty, love, betrayal)
• Robert Johnson, Charley Patton, Muddy Waters

Question 2

Give key aspects of Piedmont Blues

Answer 2

• originated from the Piedmont region of eastern US (Virginia to Georgia to Florida)
• acoustic guitar, banjo + harmonica
• complex fingerpicking patterns ( resemble ragtime piano styles)
• mellow + lyrical vocal style (clearer + more melodic compared to Delta blues)
• lively + syncopated - ragtime or country feel
• diverse lyrical themes - light-hearted + humorous to reflective + serious
• Blind Boy Fuller, Brownie McGhee, Sonny Terry

Question 3

Give key aspects of Texas Blues

Answer 3

• originated from Texas
• electric + acoustic guitar, piano, and harmonica.
• emphasis on lead guitar work (flashy + intricate solos - Texas blues guitarists known for virtuosic skill)
• powerful + assertive vocal style (tendency to blend blues with elements of jazz + swing)
• varied rhythm, slow ballads to up-tempo, danceable numbers
• broad lyrical themes (e.g. love, hardship, resilience, good times)
• T-Bone Walker, Lightnin’ Hopkins, Stevie Ray Vaughan,

Question 4

Give key aspects of Memphis Blues

Answer 4

• originated from Memphis, Tennessee (major hub for blues musicians)
• electric guitar, piano, harmonica, full band arrangements (including brass sections)
• electric guitar with smooth, polished sound
• pioneering use of amplified instruments
• varied vocal style (influences from rural + urban settings)
• vocals range from soulful + melodic to gritty + raw
• diverse rhythmic structure
• strong, danceable rhythms
  -incorporating elements of early rock and roll + R&B
• large range of lyrical themes - personal + emotional experiences to commercial, upbeat
• B.B. King, Howlin’ Wolf, Rufus Thomas