What is “Blues” Music?
When you think about the idea of “blues”, it wouldn’t be surprising to think of sad or painful things. When it comes to the music genre, you’re not too far off. The grit and sound of blues have generally been associated with the feelings of melancholy or palpable emotion. Not to be confused with sad country music, this genre sparked a complete revolution for African-American history. The blues was believed to have started from the heart of the Deep South at around the 19th century. It was the culmination of the grand African-American musical traditions, worship songs, and other ballads.
It has since evolved into many styles and may offshoots. Here are some of them:
Country Blues
Chicago Blues
Gospel Blues
Twelve-Bar Blues
Jug Bands
R&B
New Orleans Blues
...and so many more
Each one has its own charm and appeal. Each one adds to the rich history and culture of Blues.
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What is the appeal of Blues?
This is like asking “What’s the appeal of air to our lungs”. Kidding aside, Blues has a way of breaking barriers between people and bringing about raw and frank emotion of the performer. The pain, frustration, and heartbreak are almost palpable and as real as the clothes on your back.
The way that the crooners belt their emotions and the way that guitarists stretch their chords are all ways that help the listener really sync with the performer. Blues has a way of expressing emotions that most people would prefer not to include in songs for the sake of sales.
Blues is a triumph for all Americans, especially the African-American community. The way they morphed their trials and hardships into beautiful and melancholic melodies is something that will be hard to replicate and recreate. Every Blues player has their own style of playing, making Blues a truly diverse genre of music. It is truly a wonder way to express the deepest set of emotions a human can possess.
What do we hope to accomplish?
We at Bay Area Blues Society aim to provide a much needed platform for artists both old and new. We make it our mission to reach out to communities and support the art of Blues no matter where it may be in the bay area. We aim to parlay our own personal knowledge of the histories and legends of the Blues world to empower future generations into chasing their own style and form in the world of blues.
Join us as we provide articles about past and future events. We also provide profile highlights to some of the greatest Blues performers the world has ever seen. If you feel like you are struggling to find your own sound, don’t let that defeat you. Blues isn’t just one form or sound. The best artists have taken the old music and carved out their own path.
If you believe you can help out, this is the page for you.
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Recent Posts
- 3 Affordable Ways to Soundproof a Room March 30, 2020
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- LOOKING BEHIND TO MOVE FORWARD: THE RICH HISTORY OF BLUES November 15, 2017
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