No one can say for certain exactly when the modern blues form originated. Let the musicologists and barstool prophets hash it out.
We’re not concerned here with highbrow discourse on the chronology of chromatic scales. No siree. But if you’d like to have a better idea of when to come in with that blistering harp solo next time you’re at the blues jam in your brother-in-law’s basement, perhaps this might be of use.
The basic blues form, like the title says, uses three chords.
For example, if we use the key of E, the three chords are E, A and B.
The basic rhythm is also very simple: 12 bars of 4/4 time (four beats per bar), divided thusly:
[ E ] [ E ] [ E ] [ E ] - [ A ] [ A ] - [ E ] [ E ] - [ B ] [ B ] - [ E ] [E ]
Let’s see it in use, with the lyrics from “Johnny B. Goode” by Chuck Berry.
[ E ] [ E ] [ E ]
Deep down in Louisiana close to New Orleans, way back up in the woods among the
[E]
evergreens,
[ A] [ A ]
There stood a log cabin made of earth and wood,
[ E ] [ E ]
Where lived a country boy named Johnny B. Goode.
[ B ] [ B ]
Who never ever learned to read or write so well,
[ E ] [ E ]
But he could play a guitar just like ringing a bell.
Let’s check out the man in motion. No bouncing ball, but you know the drill.
Here’s another example of the blues form taken uptown and funky by James Brown. I'm sure you know the words.
Did you follow that? Let’s slow it down for one more example. We just heard from the godfather of soul, so let’s listen to the king of the delta blues, Robert Johnson.
“I got a kind-hearted woman, do anything in this world for me.
I got a kind-hearted woman, do anything in this world for me.
But these evil-hearted women,
Man, they will not let me be.”
So the next time you turn on the radio, it won’t be long before you hear some version of the blues form in rock, jazz, hip-hop or soul.
Related Links:
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The Devil and Robert Johnson
It’s the best-known story from the blues’ murky past, and it has found its way into popular culture time and again.
Learning to jam
Is there a town anywhere that does not have a blues bar with an open stage jam on Saturday afternoon?