Comprehensive Study Notes on the History and Structure of the Blues
Definitions and Multifaceted Meanings of "The Blues"
When used in a musical context, the term ‘the blues’ serves as a polysemous descriptor referring to several distinct elements:
A Scale: A specific sequence of notes used in melody and improvisation.
A Note: Referring to the ‘blue note’ that gives the music its characteristic tension.
A Style: A descriptive term for a performance aesthetic (e.g., "she sings in a ‘bluesy’ style").
A Song Structure: Specifically the 12-bar blues form.
A Genre: A broad category of music within the American tradition.
The Blues Scale
Scale Construction: The blues scale is often compared to the major scale and follows this specific interval pattern:
Practical Use: Musicians utilize the blues scale to improvise over the common 12-bar blues chord progression.
Aural Tradition: The unique sound of this scale was not preserved through formal written notation but through an aural tradition, meaning it was passed down from generation to generation by ear.
The "Blue Note"
Technical Definition: A "blue note" is typically identified as the , , or of a major scale. These specific pitches are inherently part of the standard blues scale.
Performance Characteristics: In blues music, these notes are typically:
Performed slightly out of tune relative to standard Western temperament.
Often "smeared" or glided into.
Frequently emphasized by the performer.
Vocal Example: Koko Taylor’s performance of "Voodoo Woman" is cited as an example of blue note usage.
Historical Origins: The use of the blue note is traced back through a lineage of African American musical traditions:
Originating in field hollers and work songs.
Developing into ‘negro spirituals’ (as seen in documented performances from 1929).
Specific source recordings mentioned include a field holler recording and a 1966 recording of a work song from a Texas prison.
The 12-Bar Blues Structure
Musical Framework: A standard, 12-measure chord progression that serves as the "harmonic fingerprint" of blues music.
Accessibility: The structure is simple enough to be adopted by novice musicians.
Lyric Pattern: The repetitive cycle of the 12 bars establishes a familiar and predictable pattern for lyrics.
Chord Progression Sketch: The progression generally revolves around the primary chords:
(Tonic)
(Subdominant)
(Tonic)
Included within the measures are repeating patterns of tonic and subdominant changes leading back to the beginning of the cycle.
Genre-Crossing Examples: The 12-bar blues structure appears in various genres and eras:
Elvis Presley: "Blue Suede Shoes"
Johnny Cash: "Folsom Prison Blues"
Led Zeppelin: "The Girl I Love"
The Clash: "Should I Stay or Should I Go?"
Jack White: "Fly Farm Blues"
Genres and Sub-Categories of the Blues
The genre is broadly divided into four primary sub-categories:
Country Blues / Delta Blues
Classic Blues
Urban Blues / Chicago Blues
Rhythm & Blues
Country Blues and Delta Blues
Roots: The earliest known style of blues, categorized as rural music. It is the direct descendant of field hollers, work songs, and negro spirituals.
Instrumentation: Typically consists of a lone singer accompanied by a guitar.
Delta Blues: A specific sub-style of Country Blues originating from the Mississippi Delta region. It is the most influential style of Country Blues, and the terms are often used synonymously.
The Mississippi Delta Region: Geographically situated within the states of Illinois, Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi, and Louisiana.
Key Figures: Son House
Life: Circa 1902(?) – 1988.
Background: Born in Clarksdale, Mississippi.
Legal History: Spent a year in prison for murder, which was claimed to be in self-defense.
Legacy: A massive influence on Robert Johnson, Muddy Waters, and Jack White. He is credited as the originator of the "Robert Johnson Devil story."
Key Figures: Huddie Ledbetter (‘Lead Belly’)
Life: 1885 – 1949.
Background: Born on a plantation near Mooringsport, Louisiana; raised in Leigh, Texas. By age 14, he was performing in the Red Light district of Shreveport, Louisiana.
Musical Proficiency: A master of the 12-string guitar and a prolific songwriter.
Famous Compositions/Standards: "Good Night Irene," "Midnight Special," and "House of the Rising Sun."
Criminal Record:
1915: Imprisoned for ‘carrying a pistol’; escaped shortly after.
1918: Imprisoned for murder; pardoned in 1925 by the Governor of Louisiana.
1930: Imprisoned for attempted murder following a knife fight; pardoned in 1934 by a different Louisiana Governor. The pardon petition was notably written on the back of a recording of him singing "Good Night Irene."
1939: Imprisoned for assault (stabbing a man); released in 1941.
Toughness: Lead Belly once pulled a knife out of his own neck after being stabbed and nearly killed his assailant. He covered the resulting scar with a bandana for the rest of his life.
Widespread Influence: His songs have been covered by a massive list of artists, including Bob Dylan, The Beach Boys, The Animals, Hank Williams Jr., Creedence Clearwater Revival, Abba, Harry Belafonte, Muse, Van Morrison, Led Zeppelin, Nirvana, Tom Petty, Ry Cooder, Tom Waits, The Grateful Dead, Johnny Cash, Michelle Shocked, Rod Stewart, Nick Cave, The White Stripes, The Doors, Meat Loaf, Ministry, Bill Frisell, Gene Autry, and Dr. John.
Key Figures: Robert Johnson
Life: 1911 – 1938.
Title: Known as the ‘King of the Delta Blues.’
The Myth: A legend persists that Johnson sold his soul to the Devil at a crossroads in exchange for his extraordinary guitar skills. This myth was fueled by his rapid mastery of the instrument and his early death. Johnson himself often hinted at the truth of the story.
Death: Died under questionable circumstances, believed to have been poisoned.
Recordings: He only participated in two recording sessions:
1936: A hotel room in San Antonio, Texas.
1937: Dallas, Texas (produced two takes of each song).
Total output: 29 songs.
Posthumous Success: Johnson was not widely known during his life. His influence exploded after the 1961 Columbia Records release ‘King of the Delta Blues Singers’ (produced by John H. Hammond), which became a major influence on rock icons like Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton, The Rolling Stones, and Led Zeppelin.
"Cross Road Blues" by Robert Johnson (1936) Lyrics
I went down to the crossroads, fell down on my knees
I went down to the crossroad, fell down on my knees
Asked the Lord above "Have mercy, now save poor Bob if you please."
Mmmmm, standin’ at the crossroad, I tried to flag a ride
Standin’ at the crossroad, I tried to flag a ride
Didn’t nobody seem to know me, everybody pass me by.
Mmm the sun goin’ down, boy, dark gon’ catch me here
Oooo ooee eee, boy, dark gon’ catch me here
I haven’t got no lovin’ sweet woman that love and feel my care.
You can run, you can run, tell my friend-boy Willie Brown
You can run, you can run, tell my friend-boy Willie Brown
Lord, that I’m standin’ at the crossroad baby, I believe I’m sinkin’ down.
Classic Blues
Primary Performers: Dominated by female singers with powerful, gutsy vocal styles capable of competing with unamplified groups.
Instrumentation: Backed by Dixie-style jazz groups.
Venues: Primarily performed in cities or with touring Vaudeville groups.
Key Figures: "Ma" Rainey
Life: 1886 – 1939.
Title: "Mother of the Blues."
Style: Known for a moaning, energetic vocal style.
Collaborators: Recorded with Louis Armstrong, Joe Oliver, and Tommy Dorsey. She was close friends with Bessie Smith.
Key Work: "Trust No Man."
Key Figures: Bessie Smith
Life: 1894 – 1937.
Title: "Empress of the Blues."
Success: For a time, she was the highest-paid Black entertainer of her era.
Death and Legacy: Killed in a car accident. Though 10,000 mourners attended her funeral, she was buried in an unmarked grave until 1970, when singer Janis Joplin purchased a headstone.
Acting and Influence: Starred in the film ‘St. Louis Blues’ and the Broadway musical ‘Pansy’ (both 1929). She recorded with James P. Johnson, Fletcher Henderson, and top musicians of the 1930s Swing Era. She was a major influence on jazz singer Billie Holiday.
Urban Blues and Chicago Blues
Historical Context: Resulted from the post-WWI migration of Southern Blacks move to Northern cities like Chicago, Kansas City, St. Louis, and New York.
Musical Shifts: Band settings with amplified instruments. Chicago became the epicenter of this movement.
Musical Characteristics: A fusion of blues with electric guitar styles, boogie-woogie piano, and swing jazz.
Chess Records: The most significant recording studio for blues and R&B in the 1940s and 1950s. Artists included Muddy Waters, Willie Dixon, Chuck Berry, and Etta James. (Depicted in the 2008 film "Cadillac Records").
Key Figures: Muddy Waters
Life: 1915 – 1983.
Path: Born in Rolling Fork, Mississippi; moved to Chicago in the mid-1940s.
Significance: Perhaps the most influential Chicago Blues artist; his sound defined the genre.
Key Tracks: "Got My Mojo Working" (notably at Newport Jazz Fest 1960), "Hoochie Coochie Man" (1970), "Mannish Boy" (1971), "You Can't Lose What You Never Had" (1966).
Key Figures: Sonny Boy Williamson
Life: 1899 – 1965.
Background: Born in Tallahatchie County, Mississippi. Started as a Delta bluesman in Arkansas and Memphis before moving to Chicago in the early 1950s.
Specialization: Known for his blues harmonica playing.
Key Work: "I’m A Lonely Man."
Key Figures: B.B. King
Life: 1925 – 2015.
Background: Born in Berclair, Mississippi; moved to Memphis in 1946.
Guitar Style: Regarded as one of the greatest guitarists of all time. His style is described as silky, simple, and very lyrical. His guitar was famously named "Lucille."
Work Ethic: Known for extensive touring (played 342 shows in 1956 alone).
Collaborators: U2, Eric Clapton, and Dr. John.
Notable Performances: "The Thrill Is Gone"; played a Thanksgiving show at Sing Sing prison in 1972.
Rhythm & Blues (R&B)
Definitions: Represents African American popular music.
Billboard Nomenclature History:
Pre-1948: Referred to as "Race" music.
1948: Category named "Blues & Rhythm."
1958: Title changed to "Rhythm & Blues."
Political Context: The term "Race Records" reflected the segregation of the early 20th century. For some, the term was a symbol of ‘black pride’ and was preferred over ‘colored’ or ‘negro.’
Jump Blues: A specific sense of R&B synonymous with a jazz/blues hybrid. Characteristics include:
Fast, swinging blues.
Vocalist backed by a thinned-out jazz band.
Reduced reliance on the guitar.
Peak popularity in the 1940s (revived in the late 1990s).
Influence on Rock n Roll: Jump Blues heavily influenced early rock artists like Elvis Presley ("Good Rockin’ Tonight" - Roy Brown) and Bill Haley ("Shake, Rattle & Roll" – Big Joe Turner).
Key Figures: Louis Jordan
Life: 1908 – 1975.
Band: Louis Jordan and his "Tympany Five."
Significance: One of the most popular acts of the 1940s and a pioneer of "crossover" success (appealing to both Black and White audiences).
Key Tracks: "Caledonia," "Let the Good Times Roll."
Key Figures: Bo Diddley
Life: 1928 – 2008.
Background: Born in McComb, Mississippi; moved to Chicago in 1934.
Signature Style: Repetitive guitar strumming and the use of the "clave rhythm."
Gospel Music
Definition: A collision between the lyrics/melodies of Christian hymns and the stylistic traits of blues and spirituals.
Stylistic Characteristics:
Melismatic singing (stretching a syllable over many notes).
Call and response.
Clapping on beats 2 and 4 (syncopation) rather than 1 and 3.
Key Figures in Gospel
Thomas A. Dorsey (1899 – 1993): Known as the "Father of Black Gospel Music." He began as a blues musician for Ma Rainey before moving into full-choir gospel and founding his own publishing company.
Mahalia Jackson (1911 – 1972): "Queen of Gospel." Originally from New Orleans, she moved to Chicago at 18 and strictly refused to sing secular music. She was the first gospel singer at Carnegie Hall and sang at the March on Washington before MLK’s "I Have A Dream" speech.
Edwin Hawkins (b. 1943): Originator of contemporary gospel orchestrations using keyboards, bass, and drums. His Edwin Hawkins Singers were based in Oakland, California.
Country Music
Definition: A commercial form of American folk music, often described by the quote: "Country music is three chords and the truth."
Influences on Rock n Roll:
Steady, crisp beats.
"Boom-chick" rhythms and even eighth notes.
Triadic harmonies (3-note chords).
4 or 8-bar phrases (frequent 12-bar blues).
Emotional, honest lyrics placed in the front of the mix.
Twangy, sliding notes (typically not on the bass).
Key Figures in Country
Jimmie Rodgers (1897 – 1933): The "Father of Country Music," known as "The Blue Yodeler" and "The Singing Brakeman." He died at 35 from tuberculosis. Key song: "T for Texas."
Hank Williams Sr. (1923 – 1953): Famous for "Cold, Cold Heart," "Hey Good Lookin’," and "So Lonesome I Could Cry." He died mysteriously at 29 in the back of a Cadillac due to a combination of morphine, B-12, and beer. His last recorded song was "I’ll Never Get Out Of This World Alive."
Johnny Cash (1932 – 2003): "The Man in Black." Career began in the mid-1950s with hits like "Cry, Cry, Cry" and "Folsom Prison Blues." He famously collaborated with Bob Dylan on the 1969 album ‘Nashville Skyline’ and with producer Rick Rubin in 2003 for a cover of Nine Inch Nails’ "Hurt."