What instruments are commonly used in blues music?

The most popular instruments used in blues are:

• brass instruments – often heard playing with mutes.
• saxophone.
• acoustic and electric guitar.
• Dixieland drum kit.
• double bass – a walking bass line is a common harmonic device in which the bass will play notes of the chord and notes leading to the next chord.

What unusual instruments were used for early blues?

Performers such as Frank Stokes, Sleepy John Estes, Robert Wilkins, Joe McCoy, Casey Bill Weldon and Memphis Minnie used a variety of unusual instruments such as washboard, fiddle, kazoo or mandolin. Memphis Minnie was famous for her virtuoso guitar style.

What was the first style of blues music called?

The first blues recordings were made in the 1920s by Black women such as Mamie Smith, Ma Rainey, Ida Cox, and Bessie Smith. These performers were primarily stage singers backed by jazz bands; their style is known as classic blues.

What instrument was almost always used to play the blues?

Originally all instruments were acoustic as there was no electricity in the late 19th century. Later bass guitar, piano and electric guitar were used. Notice blues instruments are mostly portable and inexpensive.

Who are famous blues musicians?

Pre-1940 blues

Name	Birth year	Primary style
Papa Charlie Jackson	1890*	Country blues
Skip James	1902	Delta blues
Blind Lemon Jefferson	1893	Country blues
Blind Willie Johnson	1897	Gospel blues

85 

Is Blues Music happy or sad?

Why The Blues Isn’t Just a Sad Emotion There are celebratory songs. Traditionally blues music has captured a wide range of emotions. Whole subgenres of the blues, like jump blues, evoke a feeling that is upbeat, cheerful, positive and even happy.

Who was the first blues musician ever?

It’s impossible to trace a first blues singer, but the first recorded blues musician, within the genre which today is recognized as blues, was probably Sylvester “Curly” Weaver, when he recorded Guitar Blues and Guitar Rag in 1923.

Is Blues and Jazz the same?

Blues is derived from Bluegrass, Jazz, R&B, and Rock. Jazz comes from Calypso, Funk, Soul, and Swing. It’s important to know that Blues was around before Jazz; thus, Blues can be considered an element of Jazz music. Jazz is from New Orleans, while Blues is from Mississippi.

Who is known as the father of the blues?

Today’s blog celebrates the career of W.C. Handy. Born in Florence, Alabama on November 16, 1873, William Christopher Handy became interested in music at an early age.

Why is the Blues called the devil’s music?

Not sure much the Blues but it’s reinvention through early rock and roll Like Elvis and Chuck Barry etc… People referred to this as the Devil’s Music because it was widely believed, at the time, that it caused teens of the day to indulge in sinful activities like premarital sex and drugs.

How do you define blues music?

Blues is an African-American music that traverses a wide range of emotions and musical styles. “Feeling blue” is expressed in songs whose verses lament injustice or express longing for a better life and lost loves, jobs, and money. But blues is also a raucous dance music that celebrates pleasure and success.

What are the main features of blues music?

What is blues music?

• Blues is both a musical form and a musical genre.
• The main features of blues include: specific chord progressions, a walking bass, call and response, dissonant harmonies, syncopation, melisma and flattened ‘blue’ notes.

What 3 lines structure do blues use?

The lyrics of a 12-bar blues song often follow what’s known as an AAB pattern. “A” refers to the first and second four-bar verse, and “B” is the third four-bar verse. In a 12-bar blues, the first and second lines are repeated, and the third line is a response to them—often with a twist.

What scale is used in blues music?

The blues scale is a six-note progression that sounds right at home in blues, rock, and country music. This scale is essentially the pentatonic scale plus one chromatic note, often called the blue note.

Is the violin used in blues?

” Blues fiddle ” is a generic term for bowed, stringed instruments played on the arm or shoulder that are used to play blues music. Since no blues artists played violas, the term is synonymous with violin, and blues players referred to their instruments as ” fiddle ” and ” violin “.