Chord Progressions:
- 12-Bar Blues: The most common chord progression in blues is the 12-bar blues, which consists of a repeating sequence of chords played over 12 bars. The basic 12-bar blues progression is I-I-I-I, IV-IV-I-I, V-IV-I-I.
- Turnarounds: Blues often use turnarounds, which are short chord progressions that lead back to the tonic chord. A common turnaround in blues is the V-IV-I progression.
Lyrics:
- Call and Response: Blues often uses a call-and-response structure, where one person sings a line and the others respond with a chorus or repetition of the line.
- Narrative Lyrics: Blues lyrics often tell stories about personal experiences, hardships, and relationships. They often use figurative language, metaphors, and repetition for emphasis.
Vocal Techniques:
- Bending and Sliding Notes: Blues singers use techniques such as bending notes (slightly raising or lowering the pitch of a note) and sliding notes (smoothly moving between two notes).
- Vibrato and Growling: Vibrato (a slight oscillation in pitch) and growling (a vocal distortion created by tightening the vocal cords) are commonly used in blues singing.
- Falsetto: Blues singers may also use falsetto (singing in a higher register than their natural voice), especially for expressing emotional intensity.
Guitar Techniques:
- Slide Guitar: Blues guitarists often use slide guitars, where a slide is used to press the strings against the fretboard, creating a smooth, "crying" sound.
- Fingerstyle Guitar: Blues guitarists also use fingerstyle techniques, where they pluck the strings with their fingers instead of using a pick.
Instrumentation:
- Acoustic Guitar: The acoustic guitar is the most common instrument in blues music.
- Electric Guitar: Electric guitars are also used in blues, especially in later styles such as electric blues and blues rock.
- Harmonica: The harmonica, also known as the blues harp, is a common accompaniment in blues music.
- Drums: Drums provide rhythm and percussion in blues.
- Bass: The bass guitar or double bass is used to provide low-end support in blues bands.
These are some of the key stylistic elements that define blues music. It's important to note that blues has many sub-genres and variations, each with its own unique characteristics.