Comparing Blues And Gospel

Blues and Gospel are two of the founding styles of music created in the United States. It was in the late 19th and early 20th century when these two forms of music became known. They both express emotion and tribulations that people have been through. There is no type of music similar to these two genres. They both have a religious origin, and share the same rhythms and enunciation styles.

What do you feel when you hear the word “Blues”? Many people believe that the blues is all about sadness, depression, and feeling down. In fact, that is true. Blues music originated during the slavery years in North Mississippi. Its roots came from various forms of African American slave songs, such as work songs, spirituals, field hollers, love, hope, country string ballads, and many other things. In these songs, the people would express their pain by singing about what they’re feeling; singing about the hardness of their work, how poor they are, and how they will never see their family again. Many of the songs were spiritual and religious. The blues is often played by traveling solo musicians on acoustic guitars, harmonicas, pianos, and many other instruments. Blues music has a different timbre and sound than other styles of music. AAB which is called “12 Bar Blues” is the most common blues song form. It’s a lyrical pattern which the first sung line is repeated as the second one, then the third line is different.

(James)