An Introduction to Blues

Music is a wonderful thing. It is it's own form of communicating feelings and emotions. Music can inspire, encourage and bring people together. Jazz Blues music is no different. Blues music originated in the 'Deep South' of America in 'African-American' communities. Blues has influenced almost all modern music including rock and roll, country, jazz and mainstream popular music. W.C. Handy best described blues in this one famous quote;

'The Blues... it's 12-bar, bent-note melody is the anthem of a race, bonding itself together with cries of shared self victimization. Bad luck and trouble are always present in the Blues, and always the result of others, pressing upon unfortunate and down trodden poor souls, yearning to be free from life's' troubles. Relentless rhythms repeat the chants of sorrow, and the pity of a lost soul many times over. This is the Blues.'

Blues isn't the happiest of music genres. It tends to focus on rhythm quite a lot and the lyrics often talk about the troubles of the composer. However there is some upbeat styles of blues. One example of a blues artists with this style is B.B King. In my blog, I will look at the different styles of certain artists, blues rhythms, famous pieces and more. If you have an interest in blues, I am sure you will find my blog interesting.

Jazz is usually quite upbeat and can contain very difficult rhythms and notation. Jazz was born in New Orleans around 100 years ago. Many great jazz artists have come from New Orleans since then, for example, Professor Longhair.


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