Ever wonder what it is about music that makes it sound, “bluesy?”
Obviously some music is a 12 bar blues form, so it’s technically, “a blues,” but there is a LOT of music that sounds blues-y even though it’s not technically, “a blues.”
So in this video, we’ll look at what “bluesy” really means.
23 replies to "What Makes Blues…. Blues?"
Thank you Griff!
I read every email and practice when I can and I have to say thanks, I suck a little less each time because of you! Johnny
Could you explain this using TAB’s so it is easier to see. That would be helpful
What about the flatted 5th? I believe that’s “up for grabs” in that scale as well.
Very cool explanation Griff. Thanks.
Griff
Many thanks for the lesson.
Barry
Thanks Griff. Appreciate the explanation. I’m slowly learning music theory and this was a helpful video.
Love the guitar too! Appreciate you mixing up the guitars in your lessons to give us a feel for the different sounds that are possible
Nicely done, that explains the blues “sound”, but when I ask myself “Is this song a blues tune?”, I’m looking at it differently. As a radio guy, I want to know if a tune would fit on my blues show, and I’m kind of a purist. So things like the chord progression matters (12 and 8-bar forms are good, most others not so much but where do I draw the line?) and your discussion doesn’t address that. If it’s all about the flatted 3rd then I could play a record of a mariachi band jamming Cielito Lindo with the trumpet playing the minor pentatonic scale for a solo and it would fit with Muddy Waters and Robben Ford. Maybe it comes down to the notes of the melody.
I have a similar problem. I run a blues jam and people play out of genre claiming that “it I IV V its a blues” For example Saltyy Dog. I had to gong someone who started playing Send me dead flowers: by the Stones
Hey Griff great lesson. Like the way you teach! You make it easy to understand, not real complicated. Appreciate it 🎸🎼
Great presentation.. makes feel sad as I cannot duplicate your sound. I am still learning.. even at my advanced age. I hope to be an “accomplished” player before I die.
I ishall leran the Bluesy Blues in my soul and HEART of my bonus in my body
Hey Griff, Great lesson and it sounds like to had a bit of a cold so thank you for the effort to share this tip with us. Get well and have a rest that works too.
Thanks
Michael-Sydney-Australia Jan 28,2020
Hi Griff, love the lesson.
I know the blues is all about minors and seventh chords but knowing how to use them is a different matter. Not being well up on theory I do struggle a bit and that’s where your lessons are priceless.
I do need to learn music theory and understand how chords are made up.
Cheers
I love this kind of thing, it really helps embed theory ideas into my head.
One ask. Can you play the scales and notes a little more slowly when first introducing the ideas, saying what the note names are and their position in the scale. e.g. this is A C it’s the third note, Sometimes you go a little too fast for my 60 year old ears 🙂 (I know… I’m pretty young compared to some around these parts! 🙂
That my guitar guru was very good theory to understand, many thanks. Lawrence
So this is a lesson in why playing the minor pentatonic over a major chord sounds bluesy? Or am I misinterpreting that?
Clash of the THIRDS. b3 against 3. Not complicated.
Thanks Griff. Keep the theory coming.
Still not understanding the theory, but that was a really cool piece you played. I’ll listen to it all again.
Hi Griff, I’m an intermediate guitar player and I’d like to purchase a looper for personal use but don’t have any idea what to look for. Can you give me some guidance? Thanks. Stan
Hi Stan. Check out Boss RC-3 loop station. Got some great features.
What???
Never look at it that way , makes a lot of sense !