- Singers often bend notes to create a sense of tension and release, adding an emotional quality to the performance.
- The flattened third, fifth, or seventh notes of the scale are the most frequently bent pitches in blues vocals.
Call and response:
- A common technique in blues performances involving a lead vocalist and a chorus or backup singers.
- The lead singer sings a line or phrase, and the chorus responds with the same or similar phrasing, creating a dynamic interplay.
Improvisation:
- Blues singers frequently improvise lyrics and melodies during performances, demonstrating their spontaneity and creativity.
- Improvisation allows singers to express personal experiences and emotions, making each performance unique.
Melisma:
- The use of multiple notes to sing a single syllable, often used to add embellishment and expressiveness to the vocals.
- Melisma is a characteristic feature of blues singing and adds rhythmic complexity to the performance.
Growling:
- A vocal technique involving a harsh, guttural sound produced by tightening the vocal cords and forcing air through them.
- Growling adds intensity and emotion to the vocals and is often used to express pain or frustration.
Vibrato:
- A vocal technique involving a slight, regular variation in pitch while sustaining a note.
- Vibrato adds depth and expressiveness to the vocals and is commonly used in blues singing.