Blues Singing
Although Blues is based on African American music, it has influenced almost every style of music since the beginning of the 20th century. Call and Response is central to the blues. Listen to the following song and notice how the guitar plays a response after each vocal phrase.
Blues is often sung with a rougher, more "gutsy" sound than most other styles. This often involves growling sounds made from the throat, along with various slides and bends between notes. Be careful when using these sounds and keep the throat relaxed, otherwise you may risk vocal damage if you do it regularly. If you intend to sing a lot of Blues, it is recommended that you consult a singing teacher.
Many people think of the Blues as "sad", but in reality it expresses every mood and emotion in life. The Blues is essentially storytelling music. The following song tells a story of the Blues itself. Listen to the recording and notice how the singer interacts with the musicians during the 12 bar introduction, setting up the mood of the song before the first verse. This call and response continues throughout the song. Notice also how the singer uses the basic melody as a framework and sings variations on it. This kind of improvisation is common in Blues and is also central to Jazz. There are more verses on the recording. Write out the lyrics and then sing along with the recording. This is a great way to pick up new influences and techniques. The more you do it, the easier it gets.
Learning any musical style well involves lots of listening. To get a good feel for the blues style, listen to singers like B.B. King, Bobby Bland, John Lee Hooker, Lightnin’ Hopkins, Bessie Smith` and Koko Taylor. There are many other great Blues singers as well.
For recordings by Peter Gelling, visit: www.bentnotes.com
