5 Popular Myths About Blues Music ( debunked)

This article is a collaborative effort, crafted and edited by a team of dedicated professionals.

Contributors: Andranick Tanguiane, Fred Lerdahl,

Contents

Although the blues is one of America’s most popular genres of music, there are still many myths about the style. Check out this blog to learn about 5 popular myths about blues music – and why they’re not true!

The Blues is depressing

One of the most popular myths about the blues is that it is depressing. While it is true that the blues can be sad, it is also happy, funny, and sensual. The blues is about real life and the human experience. It is a way to express what you are feeling, whether it is happiness or sadness.

The Blues is only about heartbreak, poverty and hard times

The Blues is often thought of as sad music about hard times. But the genre is much more than that. While the Blues can be about heartbreak, poverty and other difficult life experiences, it can also be upbeat and celebrate good times. The best Blues songs make you feel both the good and the bad times that life has to offer.

The Blues is only for black people

This is probably the most common myth about the blues. While it’s true that the blues started out as music sung by black people in the American South, it has long since been adopted by people of all races and cultures.

The blues is now enjoyed by people all over the world, and there are many great white blues musicians such as Eric Clapton, Stevie Ray Vaughan, and B.B. King.

The only way to play the Blues is on a guitar

In its early years, the blues was often played on banjos, harmonicas, and other stringed instruments. The Blues didn’t become synonymous with the guitar until the 1950s when Chicago Blues artists like Muddy Waters and Howlin’ Wolf popularized the sound. Even today, there are many different instruments used to play the blues including piano, harmonica, saxophone, and drums.

The Blues is a dead genre

One of the most popular myths about the blues is that it’s a dead genre. While it’s true that the golden age of blues is long gone, the genre is far from dead. In fact, it’s currently undergoing a resurgence in popularity, thanks in part to younger generations of musicians who are eager to keep the blues alive.

The modern blues scene is vibrant and thriving, with new artists emerging all the time. If you think the blues is a dead genre, you’re clearly not paying attention!

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