General Music Chat

I'm an 18 year old who's been playing reggae, rocksteady etc. and I've just recently got into the blues. I got the idea that I want to bring some blues ideas into my other music and I know blues is sevenths on the the V (and in some cases on the I and IV), and uses swung notes and the pentatonic scale, but is there anything else I would need to learn or know in my mind to play the blues?

I, VI, II, V, I

then you can ditch the pentatonic, and write blue tunes all day long

I, VI, II, V, I

then you can ditch the pentatonic, and write blue tunes all day long

That and the twelve bar and the eight bar and the x-amount bar blues, right?

I, VI, II, V, I

then you can ditch the pentatonic, and write blue tunes all day long

That and the twelve bar and the eight bar and the x-amount bar blues, right?

you can put it in any bar config you want

Oh Didn't know that. What is the most common progression?

I just gave you the progression

I, VI, II, V, I

Oh, I meant in in terms of bars but thanks! I'll be sure to use that!

well at that point I would be writing it for you
and I already have 4 unfinished pieces I'm working on

The Blues is a bit like Backgammon. It takes a few minutes to learn and a lifetime to master. From my perspective it is less about technique and more about having a deep, emotional conversation with your audience. The best Blues players are the ones who know how to use the space between the notes. Listen to the greats: BB King, SRV, early Peter Green, Buddy Guy, Muddy Waters, Bo Diddley and many others. You'll get the idea.

Thank you! And I'll be sure to listen to them! I'm already a fan of Muddy Waters. And yeah I'd prefer writing stuff myself, you seem busy enough anyways JCP.

or you could go a little farther back and get a less typical guitar perspective.
http://youtu.be/EIgVCU19pjg

I've never heard that before! Very good song!

well before the 60's there was the blues.
http://youtu.be/gvhq3V8ZhTA

Well, I never really looked that far back! I'm gonna have to look more into that time period now.

there is a lot more blues before the 60's than ever came after it