At 16, I was immersed in British rock from the late 60s and early 70s. I followed The Yardbirds and the trajectory of Jimmy Page, who I share a birthday with and I think you know something about. 😂
A few years later, a producer friend in Manchester commented, “You play the blues really well.” I was shocked, “I’m a man of rock!” But digging deeper revealed the origins of all those great bands and their inspiration.
Without the 12 bar, contemporary music wouldn’t exist.
Interesting isn't it, that being around those musicians led you to play the blues without having really delved into its background. Rock music was totally a blues-born music.
The amazing thing is the blues is always evolving - for example with different chord voicings and using more jazz chords- as well as changing the structure (2-5-1 progressions).
It's evolved often, but always within the same structure - when be-bop took over in the mid-1940s the number of chords the guitar or piano might play during those 12 bars could sometimes go up to nearly 20. Mainly these days, for modern pop it's more a feel to be borrowed from rather than entered into completely.
Yes, the blues is truly remarkable.
At 16, I was immersed in British rock from the late 60s and early 70s. I followed The Yardbirds and the trajectory of Jimmy Page, who I share a birthday with and I think you know something about. 😂
A few years later, a producer friend in Manchester commented, “You play the blues really well.” I was shocked, “I’m a man of rock!” But digging deeper revealed the origins of all those great bands and their inspiration.
Without the 12 bar, contemporary music wouldn’t exist.
Thanks again for a great read!
Interesting isn't it, that being around those musicians led you to play the blues without having really delved into its background. Rock music was totally a blues-born music.
Indeed!!
Excellent analysis as always.
The amazing thing is the blues is always evolving - for example with different chord voicings and using more jazz chords- as well as changing the structure (2-5-1 progressions).
Thankyou for this great read!
It's evolved often, but always within the same structure - when be-bop took over in the mid-1940s the number of chords the guitar or piano might play during those 12 bars could sometimes go up to nearly 20. Mainly these days, for modern pop it's more a feel to be borrowed from rather than entered into completely.
that's such an interesting article yet again. Thank you Simon :-)
Thank you Daniel, glad you enjoyed it.