Blues is translated from English as "longing" or "sadness". Blues is a musical form and genre of music that originated in the late nineteenth century in the African community of the United States of America.
What is the blues?
Blues is, along with genres of music such as early jazz or hip-hop, one of the most influential contributions to the global musical experience of African Americans. The term was first used by George Coleman in 1798 in a one-act farce. From that moment on, the phrase Blue Devils was often used in many literary works to convey the depressed mood of the hero. The blues was formed from several of its manifestations, such as a work song, rhythmic shouts that accompanied work in the field (holler), shouts in ritual African cults of religion, Christian chant (spirituals), short poetic stories (ballads) and shant.
The blues has had a significant impact on contemporary pop music, especially genres such as soul, rock and roll, jazz and pop. The predominant form of blues is considered to be twelve measures, the first four of which are played using tonic harmony, two - subdominants and tonics, two - dominants and tonics. This alternation is known throughout the world as the blues grid. The blues metric base is four by four. A characteristic feature of the blues is the use of blues modes, which include lowered steps, that is, blues notes. In many cases, musical compositions of the blues are built as a question-answer, which are expressed in lyrical content, built on the dialogue of various musical instruments. Blues is an improvisational form of the musical genre. In blues, only the main frame is used. It is played up by the basic instruments. The theme of the blues has long been considered the sensual social component of the life of African Americans, their difficulties and obstacles that arise on the path of life.
When did the blues begin?
Blues originated in the Southeastern United States on the cotton belt plantations. The origins of the blues originated in the distant days of the slave system in the American continents. At that time, labor began to be imported from Africa. Slaves worked on farmers' plantations and served as maintenance personnel. They did the dirtiest work. The complexities of life for African Americans resulted in creativity in ethnic genres. The biggest impetus for the emergence of the blues was the abolition of slavery in the United States in 1863. These are all the origins of modern blues. Blues became, as it were, the quintessence of Western cultural progress and African folk culture.
