No

by Sam Collins

Created on: June 28, 2009

The Blues is alive all over the world and because of the flexible nature of the style will never be a doomed musical genre. The Blues is listened to and enjoyed by a wide audience group who appreciates the feel of the music.

Everyone has the Blues now and then. That is not a bad thing because you appreciate not having the Blues once they have left your system.

Playing and Singing the Blues is about feeling so bad that you are starting to feel good. Can anyone listen to a Blues tune and not tap your foot to the pulse of the music?

I believe that there is a Blues influence in many styles of music and that is one of the reasons the Blues will always be with us. All of the old Rock heroes that we of the Baby Boomer age grew up with were all influenced heavily by the Blues.

Rock and Roll was born from the Blues and Country Western is very close with the Blues.... just twang it up a little.

Have you heard Blue Bossa? OK, it is classified as a Jazz tune but the changes are Blues all the way. Jazz styling came from the Blues.

BB, Albert and Freddy King will always be known as Bluesmen who brought Blues awareness to a new level.

Eric, Stevie and Duane helped an entire generation discover the Blues.

Johnny Lang and Derek Trucks are two young Bluesmen who have helped to keep the Blues alive.

Big Mama Thorton and Billie Holiday opened the Blues recording doors for women and continue to be an influence on young women Blues Artists.

Bonnie Rait brought the Blues to us from the female point of view and Susan Tedeshi is definitely a Blues woman carrying on the tradition.

As long as there is a guitar or piano around the house Blues music will be played. Most beginning players start with easy Blues changes to learn their instruments.

I play the Blues because I love the freedom the style gives me to express myself. I also love the improvisation and the chance to play in the cracks of the music.

Go ahead and cut off the top of a wine bottle to make your slide... or use the kitchen knife... or your cigarette lighter.

Now all you have to do is slide across a string or two and you are playing the Blues.

Stomp your foot and establish a good throbbing beat.... keep it going. Start singing about how misunderstood you are.

With a little creativity before you know it you will have written your first Blues Song.... you could be one of the people to help keep this valuable musical genre alive.


All this writing about the Blues makes me want to play my guitar. I think I will stop now and play the Blues for awhile.

Learn more about this author, Sam Collins.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.