Learning the Blues with Wynton Marsalis | After School Sessions for the Benedetti Foundation

Summary

The video script is a comprehensive tutorial on the blues, a musical genre characterized by its emotive melodies and rhythmic shuffle pattern. It explores the blues' simple yet complex nature, starting with basic scales and progressing to the 12-bar form. The instructor emphasizes the importance of listening to blues songs and imitating melodies to truly grasp the genre's essence. They also discuss the blues' role as a form of emotional expression, using the metaphor of a train to explain its rhythm and the significance of its three-chord structure. The script concludes with advice on creating melodies through imitation and the use of vocal sounds on instruments to convey the blues' emotional depth.

Takeaways

• 🎶 The blues is a musical form that is both simple and complex, characterized by a specific scale and rhythm.
• 🚂 The shuffle rhythm, which is foundational to the blues, is likened to the sound of a train and combines elements of marches and waltzes.
• 🎵 The blues scale is a simplified scale that captures the essence of the blues, sounding like someone moaning or crying.
• 🎶 Learning the blues involves listening to and imitating blues songs, which is more valuable than just playing scales.
• 🎵 W.C. Handy, known as the father of the blues, is a good starting point for learning blues melodies.
• 📜 The traditional blues form is based on a 12-bar structure, which is symmetrical and travels through three chords: one, four, and five.
• 🎼 The progression of chords in the blues follows a pattern: one to four, back to one, then to five, down to four, and finally back to one.
• 🎤 The lyrics of the blues often follow a pattern of three stanzas, with the first two stating a problem and the third resolving it.
• 🎷 Blues playing involves creating melodies through imitation and experimenting with different vocal sounds on instruments.
• 🎶 The blues is not just a musical form but also a feeling and a system of melodies that can help people cope with difficult times.

Q & A

What is the blues described as in the script?

The blues is described as a favorite form of music that is simple and complex, often sounding like somebody moaning and crying.

What is the significance of the train sound in learning the blues?

The train sound is significant in learning the blues because it introduces the shuffle rhythm, which is foundational to the blues.

How does the script suggest practicing the shuffle rhythm?

The script suggests practicing the shuffle rhythm by counting 'one two three one two three' to mimic the rhythmic pattern of a train.

What is the role of the melody in the blues as described in the script?

The melody in the blues is likened to a train whistle, providing the song part of the music, while the shuffle rhythm represents the dance part.

What is the traditional form of the blues mentioned in the script?

The traditional form of the blues is a 12-bar form, which is both complex and simple, and is counted in sets of four bars.

Which three chords are fundamental to the blues according to the script?

The three fundamental chords of the blues are the one chord, the four chord, and the five chord.

How does the script recommend learning melodies for the blues?

The script recommends learning melodies for the blues by listening to blues songs and imitating the melodies.

Who is suggested as a starting point for learning the blues?

W.C. Handy, known as the father of the blues, is suggested as a starting point for learning the blues.

What is the significance of the 12-bar form in the blues?

The 12-bar form in the blues is significant as it provides a symmetrical structure that travels through three chords, creating a sense of movement and resolution.

How does the script describe the process of creating melodies through imitation?

The script describes creating melodies through imitation by playing a phrase and then singing or playing along, encouraging listeners to imitate the played phrase.

What is the role of call and response in the blues as explained in the script?

Call and response in the blues is described as a democratic form where the singer calls out and then responds to their own call, leaving more room for response than for the initial call.