SHEET MUSIC & ACCESSORIES

Why I Adore Blues Bands and Blues Guitar

It is hilarious. I never realized it until I got a bit older. But I have always loved blues music.

And I guess the reason I never realized it is usually because I never had the name to put on the music I loved.

You see back in the 1960's when I was truly getting into rock and roll they didn't have all the labels that we applied to music today. Back then the Rolling Stones or Led Zeppelin would play all types of music. It was just "Stones Music" or "Zeppelin Music". Those great bands mixed blues with rock and roll and their own musical ideas and feelings. It was only later when I needed to dig into their music more that I began to realize they were listening to old blues musicians for their songs.

Dang, many of the words of Led Zeppelin songs were thieved from old blues songs. Why their big hit "Whole Lotta Love" pretty much takes the lyrics from Willie Dixon song "You Need Love". Purloining blues words was not unusual in those days.

But I'm getting off track.

I started to play guitar back in the latter 60's. Back then I was playing all sorts of music on my guitar. I played Grateful Dead songs, Beatle songs, Rolling Stones songs, and even folk rock songs. Each one of them had songs that pulled influences from the blues. At last I changed into a full-time blues guitarist and had my personal blues bands.

Take The Loving Spoonful. At best they could be represented as a people band. Their hits included Summer In The City, Do You Believe In Magic, and Daydream. But one of my fave songs was a blues tune called Sportin Life that was on their first album. It was an old normal tune and the writer isn't known. But I continue to play that blues number to this day. Its an element of my usual blues stock.

Just goes to show that back in the 60's the bands would play all sorts of music and the blues was a typical thread in several bands playlist. It took the Blues Brothers to turn the world on to the whole history and way of life of the blues. Thanks to Elwood and Jake for turning us on.

But again I get off the track.

What was it about the blues the made me love it? I have given that some thought and here's what I believe makes The Blues special.

It's Easy

The musical structure of the blues is simple. Usually a song is made of only 3 chords. Plus the chords are played in a very straightforward pattern, often made from 12 bars. For those that understand the principle of music the chords are the I, IV, and V of the chords of any given key. Those Roman Numerals are shorthand for the 1st chord, also known as the root or tonic chord. The 4th chord in the scale sometimes called the subdominant or "4" chord. And the 5th chord of the scale, often referred to as the dominant or "5" chord.

It's Emotional

Even though the basic scale utilized in blues is a standard pentatonic scale, most notes are often played "blue". By that it suggests some notes are raised a touch to create an engaging tension. This creates the distinctive feeling that all blues music brings. It adds stress and a "moaning" feeling to the song. This is hard to describe technically, and as in many emotional communications, words don't appear to do it justice. But anyone who has heard a blues melody knows what I am talking about.

There's A lot of Kinds

This blues harmonic structure can be applied to several different durm beats. The rhythms can be standard, or funky, or shuffles, or latin in feel. This "groove" defines whether the blues is from Memphis, West Coast, New Orleans, Kansas City, or Chicago... Or anyplace between.

But the reality is there's no way to describe why I love the blues. It's a mixture of many things. The tonality and the rhythms are a part of it but those by themselves can never describe why The Blues creates feeling in me. It's just a feeling.

And when you stop to think about it...

Are we able to really describe why you love a sunset, or being at the shore, or what makes an individual beautiful?

No we can't

We just know!

Rick Honeyboy Hart is a long-time blues guitar player and online marketing specialist. He likes studying about the history of the blues and teaches blues guitar and thinks about the times when he had his blues band Honeyboy.

Away In A Manger, Christmas trombone sheet music notes

Music Note Bio Picks $1.69 In 4 pearlized colors (black, yellow, blue, purple). Made of biodegradable plastic. Each pick is approx. 3 h x 1-1/2 w. Package of 12….

Pfeil & Holing Chocolate Transfer Sheet – Musical Score $3.50 Easily create decorative chocolate pieces using this chocolate transfer sheet. The edible design is transferred from the plastic backing to melted and tempered chocolate. When the plastic sheet is pulled away, the coloured design is left behind on the chocolate. The printed pieces can then be placed around or on top of cakes and other desserts. Size: 11 × 15Colour/Pattern: Gold musical score desi…

Harvey & Strait Sheet Music Large Buffet Napkins (Pack of 6) $37.99 These cloth napkins by Harvey & Strait are decorated with bars of sheet music. Great gift for the music lover! 100% cotton and machine washable. Comes in a pack of 6….

Let Them Talk $7.20 All products are BRAND NEW and factory sealed. Fast shipping and 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed….

Revelator $8.88 All products are BRAND NEW and factory sealed. Fast shipping and 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed….

Blessings $7.10 All products are BRAND NEW and factory sealed. Fast shipping and 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed….

How to Read Music: Basics of Reading and Understanding Music $35.00 How To Read Music covers the basics of reading and understanding music. Colorful animations and graphics make learning to read music simple, easy and fun. Clear and logical presentations build a solid foundation of musical knowledge for all age groups. Lesson One: Defines and explains the staff and how it is used. Lesson Two: Illustrates and explains the concept of pitch, and shows how the staff i…

Mighty Bright Duet2 L.E.D., Black $23.04 When the concert is rolling, or the show’s begun, the pressure’s on and you’ve got to play your best. Don’t trust your performance to some second-rate music stand light, turn to the name that more musicians trust: Mighty Bright. With a Mighty Bright Duet2 double-headed lamp clamped firmly to your stand, illuminating the score before you, you can play with confidence, knowing that every note will b…

Logitech Alert 750e Outdoor Master Security System with Night Vision $349.99 Keep an eye on things day and night, indoors or out with the Logitech Alert 750e 961-000337 Outdoor Master Security System. Set it up yourself, count on it when you need it. With the Logitech Alert 750e Master Security System you get everything you need, a smart, weatherproof, night-vision camera; powerful software; and free viewing online or on your mobile. Setup is simple, using your existing el…

MUSICAL NOTES…WALL STICKERS DECALS ART DECOR, BLACK $7.00 You will recieve a total of 20 4″ music notes. Wall sayings and designs are the latest trend in interior decorating and home decor. It is an easy and creative way to add personality and charm to Any Room! Vinyl Lettering is a creative way to transform any room into a stylish, unique space. By applying your favorite sayings directly to your walls you will create daily inspiration with a beautiful h…