Blues Music Theory
What’s the difference between jazz and blues as according to music theory?
Politically, blues reacts in the same manner as folk in the sense that it tends to represent the economic and social frustrations of the lower-class. In my opinion, blues is more representative of the working-class and destitute in contrast to mostly conformist melodies of jazz. Now that we know the differences in a political sense, I want to know how jazz differs from the blues as according to music theory.
I wouldn’t call Jazz melodies ‘conformist’ in the political in any way. In fact, the birth of the jazz age was heralded with as much “what’s wrong with these kids today” sort of attitude as the birth of Rock and Roll.
Now, from a theory standpoint, the two are sometimes difficult to seperate as they are not mutually exclusive. Both are commonly played in swing time, both make extensive use of polytonality, and both often share forms.
Early jazz is based on vi ii V I progressions but usually with a lot of secondary dominants making it more like V/ii V/V V I. Early blues does this also, but more commonly as part of a 12-bar form.
While we are on the subject, 12 bar form is the staple for blues, but NOT the only form by far! In fact, early blues was a lot more open than modern blues and you would see 12-bar 8-bar, 16-bar, formless progressions, and many other ideas. Some regidly with domintant 7th chords throughout, some with substitutions and secondary dominants.
Also interesting to note that the 12 bar form is common in jazz as well. One of the major differeneces is that even though they are both played in swing time (similar to 12/8 as an expression of unequal 8ths in 4/4) blues falls more on the down beat and jazz not so much.
Melodically, jazz improvisation tries to steer away from the tonic and even away from triad chord tones where blues tends to use the tonic and ‘blue’ notes.
There are so many details that it is difficult to express them all.
The really short answer is that blues comes from the heart and jazz from the head.
Basic Jazz Music Theory: Scales in C : Blues Musical Scales with Root of C: Part 1
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101 Blues Patterns for Bass Guitar $18.78 Used – This collection showcases a variety of bass patterns that can be applied to blues recordings and performances, even by the novice. Included among the 101 patterns are ten standard blues turn-arounds and ten standard blues endings that can be used in literally thousands of songs. In addition, the book provides several pages of valuable music theory and other information on blues progressions. In notation and tablature. The companion CD is in split-track play-along format with each bass pla |
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101 Blues Patterns for Bass Guitar $18.78 New – This collection showcases a variety of bass patterns that can be applied to blues recordings and performances, even by the novice. Included among the 101 patterns are ten standard blues turn-arounds and ten standard blues endings that can be used in literally thousands of songs. In addition, the book provides several pages of valuable music theory and other information on blues progressions. In notation and tablature. The companion CD is in split-track play-along format with each bass play |
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2 Good To Go – House Of Blues CD $12.35 Born the fifth child of nine in a very musical family, I attended Wichita State University in 1987 and 1988 to study music theory and saxophone. I produce my own unique style of future jazz, acid … |
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21st Century Guitar Method 3 $1.11 Used – Beginning where Guitar Method 2 left off, Guitar Method 3 provides a more in-depth exploration of guitar playing techniques. Topics covered include movable major and minor scale fingerings, barre chords, pick and fingerstyle technique and music theory. Features songs in all styles including rock, blues, bluegrass, folk and classical. |
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21st Century Guitar Method 3 $5.39 New – Beginning where Guitar Method 2 left off, Guitar Method 3 provides a more in-depth exploration of guitar playing techniques. Topics covered include movable major and minor scale fingerings, barre chords, pick and fingerstyle technique and music theory. Features songs in all styles including rock, blues, bluegrass, folk and classical. |
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21st Century Guitar Rock Shop 1: Book & Cassette $38.82 New – A complete, stand-alone method for rock guitar which builds musicianship and encourages creativity. It has the same attributes as the core method, and the two correlate. Covers rock and blues riffs, power chords, lead scales, and classic rhythm and lead guitar patterns as played by the greats. In standard notation and tablature. With a play-along recording. Book 1 includes power chords, eighth note rhythms, the blues form, minor pentatonic scales, rhythm riffs, music theory, boogie pattern |
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21st Century Guitar Rock Shop 1: Book & Cassette $0.99 Used – A complete, stand-alone method for rock guitar which builds musicianship and encourages creativity. It has the same attributes as the core method, and the two correlate. Covers rock and blues riffs, power chords, lead scales, and classic rhythm and lead guitar patterns as played by the greats. In standard notation and tablature. With a play-along recording. Book 1 includes power chords, eighth note rhythms, the blues form, minor pentatonic scales, rhythm riffs, music theory, boogie patter |
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21st Century Guitar Rock Shop 1: Book & Cassette $138.02 New – A complete, stand-alone method for rock guitar which builds musicianship and encourages creativity. It has the same attributes as the core method, and the two correlate. Covers rock and blues riffs, power chords, lead scales, and classic rhythm and lead guitar patterns as played by the greats. In standard notation and tablature. With a play-along recording. Book 1 includes power chords, eighth note rhythms, the blues form, minor pentatonic scales, rhythm riffs, music theory, boogie pattern |
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21st Century Guitar Rock Shop 1: Book & Cassette $38.82 New – A complete, stand-alone method for rock guitar which builds musicianship and encourages creativity. It has the same attributes as the core method, and the two correlate. Covers rock and blues riffs, power chords, lead scales, and classic rhythm and lead guitar patterns as played by the greats. In standard notation and tablature. With a play-along recording. Book 1 includes power chords, eighth note rhythms, the blues form, minor pentatonic scales, rhythm riffs, music theory, boogie pattern |
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21st Century Guitar Rock Shop 1: Book & Cassette $38.82 New – A complete, stand-alone method for rock guitar which builds musicianship and encourages creativity. It has the same attributes as the core method, and the two correlate. Covers rock and blues riffs, power chords, lead scales, and classic rhythm and lead guitar patterns as played by the greats. In standard notation and tablature. With a play-along recording. Book 1 includes power chords, eighth note rhythms, the blues form, minor pentatonic scales, rhythm riffs, music theory, boogie pattern |
