What is 'The Blues'?

[treddingjr]

I was reading and posting in 'Who are today's greatest blues artists?' and this entered my mind; What is the blues?

In my mind, I know what it is but as I read the posts about the blues and blues artists, I see the wide wide variety of what people consider the blues.

Is it a I-IV-V 12 bar progression? A certain artist? A certain song? Too big to be pinned down?

B. B. King said once there's the sad blues, the happy blues, the angry blues, etc.

On my way to work this morning my iPod chose John Mayer's 'Gravity' which made me decide to post this. Pop leanings aside, it's a blues. So is 'Crossroads' in its amped up version on Wheels of Fire as much as it is on King of the Delta Blues Singers in the original version by Robert Johnson.

I'd like to read what everyone else thinks

[M.T. Pockets]

The Blues is what you play when your woman runs off with your best friend.
It's cheaper than drinking a bottle of tequila and killing them both in a drunken rage. On the other hand, if you're happy they're gone, you can play them happy blues BB talks about.

[Gavin Morse]

Bored.com - How To Sing The Blues

[Anchorman]

'I've got the blues' means 'I've got BLUE BALLS'

It's about sexual frustration.

[LJGriggs]

"The Blues" is music from the soul. It's music that comes from your bad times to help you get through them. It's music from your good times to celebrate living through the bad times. It's music for in-between times because the bad times are surely coming, but the good times will hopefully follow. It's the wailing, mournful sound of desparation and the ringing, joyful noise of redemption.
In other words, it just is what it is...

[tarddoggy]

Originally Posted by LJGriggs

"The Blues" is music from the soul. It's music that comes from your bad times to help you get through them. It's music from your good times to celebrate living through the bad times. It's music for in-between times because the bad times are surely coming, but the good times will hopefully follow. It's the wailing, mournful sound of desparation and the ringing, joyful noise of redemption.
In other words, it just is what it is...

[armann]

Originally Posted by LJGriggs

"The Blues" is music from the soul. It's music that comes from your bad times to help you get through them. It's music from your good times to celebrate living through the bad times. It's music for in-between times because the bad times are surely coming, but the good times will hopefully follow. It's the wailing, mournful sound of desparation and the ringing, joyful noise of redemption.
In other words, it just is what it is...

Nice, your a poet...

[jomo]

Originally Posted by Anchorman

'I've got the blues' means 'I've got BLUE BALLS'

It's about sexual frustration.

NOT TRUE! If that were the case, I'd be rich and famous!

[toneguy86]

Originally Posted by treddingjr

I was reading and posting in 'Who are today's greatest blues artists?' and this entered my mind; What is the blues?

In my mind, I know what it is but as I read the posts about the blues and blues artists, I see the wide wide variety of what people consider the blues.

Is it a I-IV-V 12 bar progression? A certain artist? A certain song? Too big to be pinned down?

B. B. King said once there's the sad blues, the happy blues, the angry blues, etc.

On my way to work this morning my iPod chose John Mayer's 'Gravity' which made me decide to post this. Pop leanings aside, it's a blues. So is 'Crossroads' in its amped up version on Wheels of Fire as much as it is on King of the Delta Blues Singers in the original version by Robert Johnson.

I'd like to read what everyone else thinks

This is a great question, and I think the answer may depend on a number of things. What I do know is that it is not about a I,IV,V progression and 12 bars. Lots of blues songs aren't structured that way. As others have said, it is about a certain, from the gut feel and tends to lean heavily on certain sounds--for instance a minor 3rd used frequently against major chords with a flated 7th sound. In a strict theory sense, since that dominant 7th sound is incorporated into the I, II, IV and V (and most other chords you may use) you can do some things harmonically that you wouldn't ordinarily be able to do and technically, every time you change chords you are in a different key. A minor pentatonic works against these major chords because that mode uses all the sounds common to the 3 keys you are playing in (If you are playing a song with I, IV and V chords played with a flated 7th voicing or some substitution thereof). Confused? I was for a long time. Then I actually started trying to figure out the whys and hows and learn about modes and chord progressions form a Jazz standpoint. It made a bit more sense then.

In the blues world, there are bands refered to as "stone blues bands." IOW, these are bands that stick to a strict blues formula--shuffles, slow blues, 6/8 blues of various kinds, rhumbas, etc. Many songs tend to be 8 or 12 bar songs and rarely do bands like this move closer to a pop or rock type feel or progression. THEN there are bands that are more rock/blues. They may use some of the same approaches harmonically, but have a harder edge and more variety to things that they do-harmonically and rhythmically. Is this blues? Well if you talk to some of the guys in the stone blues bands they would say No! I don't rule it out or dismiss it. I know guys that do.

Good conversation. Interested in hearing other's views.

Mark

[M.T. Pockets]

There's a song I love off of BB King's "King Size" album. Don't know if it ever made it to CD, but it's called "Walking in the Sun".

Here's some of the lyrics I remember

I'VE BEEN LOSING LONG ENOUGH TO KNOW
WHEN I FINALLY HAVE WON
CAUSE EVEN A BLIND MAN KNOWS
WHEN HE'S WALKING IN THE SON


Blues is about every emotion known to man.
Nothing to do with chord changes or how many bars in a verse, chorus, or turnaround.

The blues is about using your instrument to cry your heart out when you're sad and scream GOT MY MOJO WORKIN' when you're happy.

Blues is like that supreme court judge that said he couldn't define pornography but he recognized it when he saw it.

You can't pigeon hole the blues into any one person's description, but I sure enough recognize it when I hear it.

[toneguy86]

Originally Posted by M.T. Pockets

There's a song I love off of BB King's "King Size" album. Don't know if it ever made it to CD, but it's called "Walking in the Sun".

Here's some of the lyrics I remember

I'VE BEEN LOSING LONG ENOUGH TO KNOW
WHEN I FINALLY HAVE WON
CAUSE EVEN A BLIND MAN KNOWS
WHEN HE'S WALKING IN THE SON


Blues is about every emotion known to man.
Nothing to do with chord changes or how many bars in a verse, chorus, or turnaround.

The blues is about using your instrument to cry your heart out when you're sad and scream GOT MY MOJO WORKIN' when you're happy.

Blues is like that supreme court judge that said he couldn't define pornography but he recognized it when he saw it.

You can't pigeon hole the blues into any one person's description, but I sure enough recognize it when I hear it.

I don't disagree with any of that. The problem is that if it's all about the emotion of the moment, then EVERYTHING could be the blues. Is that true? I know there are a ton of heartfelt country songs and maybe a thrash metal song or two with some serious emotion and feelling. I don't think I would ever include them in blues show if I was a programmer or include it on my set list with my blues band.

Fact is there are some technical definitions. I think it's important to recognize them and understand them--especially if you play the music.

Mark

[mojofilter]

THE BLUES...it's a state of mind! a "down, and out feeling"

[ReverendJWblues]

The Blues is just a feeling.

[M.T. Pockets]

Now, if we're talking about feelings instead of music, "THE BLUES" is that feeling you have when you feel like even your dog don't love you and the only reason you don't hang yourself is because you don't want to waste a good rope.

[LongBeach]

It is a feeling, something that comes from within, but, what isnt?

You figure thrash/metal players get there inspiration from the same place.
County music, well, usually has something to do with beer! & your old lady, or your dog, one of the 2 ran away & your gonna get drunk no matter what. Or, your truck broke down. But, it's still the same difference.

I believe it's how its played, and really nothing to do with any particular cords.

[toneguy86]

Originally Posted by LongBeach

It is a feeling, something that comes from within, but, what isnt?

You figure thrash/metal players get there inspiration from the same place.
County music, well, usually has something to do with beer! & your old lady, or your dog, one of the 2 ran away & your gonna get drunk no matter what. Or, your truck broke down. But, it's still the same difference.

I believe it's how its played, and really nothing to do with any particular cords.

I guess that's the point...how what is played? I'm going to push on this, not because I have any definitive answer, but because it is a question that comes up a lot. There is a blues show on a local community station where one host throws in all kinds of things that drive many blues cats nuts. Over the last year I have heard Sinnaed O'Conner, Bob Marley, Led Zeppelin and a host of other things that may or may not fall into the "blues" category. It causes people to ask the question we are trying to address here frequently.

Personally, as a blues guy who has logged many road miles and countless gigs in blues bands (well...maybe they were and maybe they weren't ), I know that when I take off my blues hat (so to speak) and step into a rock gig, etc., I have to start thinking differently and playing differently. I certainly bring some of what I do in blues world into that world, but it is really different. Some of it I can explain in terms of technical music stuff (not many flated 7th chords or other chord substitutions and rock usually does not "swing" in the same way as a good blues shuffle, etc.), but some of it I simply can't explain...and maybe that's the point of the discussion here. There are poetic type explainations...not sure that helps much. I get that part guys (and gyns). That is what drew me to the music. I have all of those nice sayings on the walls of my office, I have even been referred to as a "blues nazi," (IOW play it right or go home ya'll ). There is a right way to play the blues and, as stated before, you can play blues songs, but not really play the blues. All of us who play the music know what it is...some of it I can even teach...some I can't...what is the real essence that makes the difference?

Mark

[LongBeach]

Maybe the "unexplainable" definition to Blues is what makes it so attractive to player's that can actually capture "it".

I am FAR from a blue-zy player, havent really picked-up that particular feeling - yet!

[Blues Power]

What is the blues!!! i'll tell you what is the blues. See the blues are 5 lousey notes with sometimes 2 extra ones added. A simple 5 note scale played over a simple 3 chord progression that after $10,000 worth of gear, 30 fun sucking Bloddy mind boggling miserable doggoone years I still cant F***ing grasp

thats what the blues are

[LongBeach]

Originally Posted by Blues Power

What is the blues!!! i'll tell you what is the blues. See the blues are 5 lousey notes with sometimes 2 extra ones added. A simple 5 note scale played over a simple 3 chord progression that after $10,000 worth of gear, 30 fun sucking Bloddy mind boggling miserable doggoone years I still cant F***ing grasp

thats what the blues are

Come on BluesPower, tell us what you really think

[Rico]

Originally Posted by Blues Power

What is the blues!!! i'll tell you what is the blues. See the blues are 5 lousey notes with sometimes 2 extra ones added. A simple 5 note scale played over a simple 3 chord progression that after $10,000 worth of gear, 30 fun sucking Bloddy mind boggling miserable doggoone years I still cant F***ing grasp

thats what the blues are

You might not be able to "F***ing grasp"
MAN YOU GOT THE BLUES.!

[Cross Roads]

Originally Posted by Blues Power

What is the blues!!! i'll tell you what is the blues. See the blues are 5 lousey notes with sometimes 2 extra ones added. A simple 5 note scale played over a simple 3 chord progression that after $10,000 worth of gear, 30 fun sucking Bloddy mind boggling miserable doggoone years I still cant F***ing grasp

thats what the blues are

BEST POST EVER!

[ReverendJWblues]

Originally Posted by Blues Power

What is the blues!!! i'll tell you what is the blues. See the blues are 5 lousey notes with sometimes 2 extra ones added. A simple 5 note scale played over a simple 3 chord progression that after $10,000 worth of gear, 30 fun sucking Bloddy mind boggling miserable doggoone years I still cant F***ing grasp

thats what the blues are

Youve only spent $10,000 and 30yrs?
Hell brother your just getting started.

No matter how you feel or how sad you are, it AIN'T the Major Scale! There are several blues scales and the most basic is the pentatonic. But using a full 8 notes, the 3rd, and 7th are flatted, in a typical major BLUES scale compared to the standard major scale.

Most rock guitarist seem to play a mixture of the Major scale and a modal scale. They often play a A major chord while in the Key of G for example (normally it would be a A minor chord) or they will play the same pattern on an F chord that they would play on a C chord in the key of C, but then they are actually playing in the key of F while ON the F chord, effectively flatting the B note.
A piano player would not take these liberties, because music theory is easier to learn on piano. Guitarists often learn in a much more mechanical technique. Normally there will be only 3 major chords in a major key, but often rock guitarists will have four or five different major chords in a song.

Blues guitarist do much the same, they will often play the same pattern in on the root, and then move that exact pattern to the 4th and the 5th as well, and then they use notes not actually in the key they are in, but sounds just fine in the CHORD they are in.

Take your major scale pattern, and move the second postion pattern to the first position, and you have the blues scale.

[Blues Power]

Originally Posted by ReverendJWblues

Youve only spent $10,000 and 30yrs?
Hell brother your just getting started.

hell NO!. I cant imagine another 30 of this struggle. Say a Prayer for me Rev. I about to jump off a bridge. Throwing off all my gear first then me lol

Ill play Mannish Boy all the way down until I hear a plop

[geochem1st]

The blues to me, simply put, is just the heaviest music on the planet.
Let me explain my take on the blues. With all due respect and love towards B.B.King, I would have to disagree with him... there are no "happy" blues.

It is the music that allows us to express and empathise with, the most unfathomable depths of human pain, suffering, depression,fear ... and the Supernatural. I am deeply drawn to the dark side of the blues. (Yes, I do have issues... but I am making progress on them, really!)

For a start,just look at some of the titles: "The Sky is Crying", how much pain must there be for the heavens themselves to open up with a deluge of tears! "In My Time of Dying", what will you be feeling at the moment of death? Oh my Jesus!, "Hellhound on My Trail", "Me and the Devil Blues".. be afraid...be very afraid. The list goes on.

As noted in earlier posts, the framework is loose, just a few chords... maybe just one droning chord like with John Lee Hooker, and 5 or so notes. But the sparseness opens up a world of creativity to capture the human condition. I believe a good solo tries to capture human vocal expression, the tone, cadence, and phrasing. But we live in an analog world, human vocals are analog, human emotions are analog... the simple scale alone can not capture that so we develop techniques to capture the space "between" the notes, where the emotion and nuance live. Tremelo, bending, slide, feedback, etc.,... even in our "tone" choice ..."the woman tone". What a great descriptive phrase! What better way to describe the sound of the most emotional of human sounds! And it too is analog, we know that cold components can't capture it, we need the "warmth" of analog tubes to recreate it.

A good solo will indeed sound like voice... but I believe that the greatest blues solo's at some point mirror the most primal, rawest wail of ultimate despair and pain. The sound of a mother kneeling over her drowned child screaming in anguish (the opening harmonica wail in "When the Levees Break"), or one of my favorites in "Machine Gun" when Jimi lets loose with just one endless, wavering single note - echoing the death wail screaming of people being ripped apart... with the right tone and mastery it vibrates deep within our souls and will indeed make your hair stand on end.

Yes, I'm drawn to the darkside of the blues, the deep and dirty low down, the angry blues. To me the only blues.
Sorry for the long post.