Exploring The Birth Of Blues Music

By Scott Gibson


Throughout history, a number of different musical genres have come and gone. Currently, one of the most overlooked when it comes to purchasing or downloading artists is that of Blues music. While this is the case, the genre is still alive and well when it comes to performing live at a number of historic and neighborhood venues.

The history of the genre is lesser known than many others. For, there is no detailed information as to the timeline related to the origin of the genre. Still, as the style evolved over time, most relate the style back to the African Continent.

The beginning of the genre included music with styles which closely resemble that of modern blues. As such, it is believed that the musical styles of today originated at the time the first songs came onto the music scene. For, it is strongly believed that the genre originated by black workers whom created and sang songs with technical themes and emotional lyrics based on real and fictional experiences.

Being an ever changing genre, the styles have evolved and changed over time. As musicians tend to add elements of individuality when playing solo or with a group, the change is one that is ongoing. As most participate in a number of open jam sessions, the instrumentals between the lyrics is often considered jamming or call and response created by those playing drums, guitars and keyboards.

Modern day styles associated with the genre are believed to have been born out of the slave trade. For, as with many hymnals, it was the simple solo songs which slaves sang in the fields while working from which a number of songs have been passed down through generations. Often known as call and response, the style was later accepted as a natural part of the genres known as blues or rhythm and blues. Whereas, the songs often held a great deal of emotion due to the environment in which most were born during that time.

An original string instrument during that time was the Akonting, while similar to the banjo, the predecessor dates back to a period long before the genre became better known. While banjos have somewhat moved over to the bluegrass genre, slide and pedal guitars are now somewhat front and center when it comes to the blues. Still, having been born out of a style once known as Field and Hollar, the genre has gone through several changes since being recognized in the early 1900s.

Whether due to style or history, the genre has now become so popular as to have a number of non-profit organizations supporting not only the genre but the musicians whom are a part of it as well. As a result, most of thee organizations provide contests and jams for players as well as lovers of the genre.

In many cases, there are local societies which host contests, then send the winning musician or musicians on to the semi-finals or finals. When it comes to the finals, there is often a large award ceremony. In fact, one of the biggest are the American Blues Awards held in Memphis on an annual basis. During this event, there is a banquet, silent auction and banquet along with contest winners and other artists providing entertainment.




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