One way is structure. The Blues is based on a three-chord pattern: I-IV-V (1-4-5), and usually through a progression of eight or twelve measures/bars. This framework can be heard in the popular music throughout the 20th Century.
The Blues has also influenced popular music in form, usually taking the form AAB and call-and-response. Many cultures from around the world use call-and-response, as well as in West Africa. In the United States, it was first heard in church music and field hollers, which also had an influence on the Blues. A preacher or a lead field hand would call out a verse, and then the congregation or laborers would repeat the verse back. A strict interpretation would be:
I, A, Call
I, A, Repeat/Response
IV, A, Call
IV, A, Repeat/Response
V, B, Response
Another way is the the use of “blue” notes. Typically, they are described as flatted thirds, fifths, and sevenths (from the major scale), but they really are lowered by semitone. Semitones are not found in Western music, but are prevalent in West African music (an influence of Blues music) so Blues musicians found other means of achieving them: by use of the human voice, bending the sound pitch of a harmonica, bending the strings of a guitar, or by use of a slide on the neck of a guitar. Blue notes are so widely used, and are part of the popular music language, they sound perfectly normal, and usually go unnoticed.
Up until the 1950s, featured instruments were usually piano, saxophone, or clarinet. The guitar was a band instrument, rather than a solo instrument; however, with the popularity of musicians like Chuck Berry and Elvis Presley, and electric Blues musicians like Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, and BB King, the guitar became the driving force behind popular music.
I’ll post this for now, and probably come back to it later….
Up until the first half of the 20th Century, music was segregated the same as the country. Records made by African Americans were called “race” records, and played only on radio stations also defined by race. Even big bands of the Pre-war Era were not integrated, and white was marketed to the general population, while race records and black bands were marketed only for the black market; however, that did not stop many whites from getting the records. That might seem like a strange statement now, but back then, a white kid from Brooklyn would have to go to Harlem in uptown Manhattan to purchase black music or see black bands perform. This was actually the case of my father.
The real crossover began with Sam Phillips who had a record label in Memphis called Sun Records. The short story is that Sam was a big blues fan, and wanted to find a white singer that sounded black–meaning, someone who could sing and perform in a blues style, yet be white and appealing to whites. He found that exact performer in Elvis. This opened the door for a flood of music, black and white. Many black artists were sought-after by record labels, and white record-buyers, too. They were looking for music by Chuck Berry, Little Richard, and Bo Diddley, but the music was still classified by race, just as it was in the decades prior to the 1950s.
Record companies started recording hit black music but covered by white performers. They knew that kids were buying the black music, but wanted to cash in on the larger, mainstream market. However, to paraphrase Little Richard, the white kids had Pat Boone’s versions of “Tutti Frutti” and “Long Tall Sally” out in the open, but his records under the bed…. until mom and dad went out.
But by the close of the 1950s, popular music was once again changing, and many black musicians found themselves without contracts, ripped off, and very broke. At the beginning of the 60s, many blues, rock n roll, and r&b artists began playing in Europe, and influenced all of the early British Invasion bands, to include The Beatles, The Animals, The Rolling Stones, Them, The Yardbirds, The Pretty Things, etc.
Obviously sound is a huge part of the film industry, but how did people initially react and how did our society take it? How is the present media landscape related to or effected by the time when Al Jolson was first singing on screen?
Perhaps it’s just me but there is something about when I listen to jazz at midnight/late at night I really get a kick from but I don’t know how to explain it. Anyone else experience that or is it just me?
I just started learning guitar and I need some songs to play. BTW, is canon in D by Pachelbel easy to play on guitar?
My teacher put some powder on his hands for friction to rub a metal rod, and it made a high pitched sound. Can someone explain scientifically how he did it?
But first, an announcement: I am now a top contributor. Worship me.
But really, I bet it’s gone it forty-eight hours. I can’t commit to the badge.
Anyway, The Stones are bluesy, and so are The Allman Brothers, but AC/DC? Guns N’ Roses? I don’t see it. Any ideas?
MQ: How would you rank the worst album of your favorite band? Assuming you’ve heard it of course.
Oh my god, Yahoo suggested rock and pop. This has never happened to me before.
Umm I have the the phone the Motorola Clutch i465. I was wondering can I or is it even 2 record sound or music with my phone. I already know I could download a song but I want to know can I record one. Even if I can’t let me know so I won’t be hopelessly searching. Thank you for any and all answers.
Last week I saw some guy on youtube play the blues scale on the electric guitar and the man had this Eric Clapton-like sound.
I was listening to some classical music, and it sounds overall different than modern orchestral music. John William’s music sounds more similar to classical music. Why is this?
ok i’ve been searching and searching for music that is relaxing to hear and fun to play, such as classical music. But i have a hard time playing the bass clef and chords are what i have been playing for about 8 years now. i would really appreciate it if you had some sites or names of songs! Thanks so much!
Follow US on Twitter 
