I mean, the same thing has happened to the blues, albeit without university degrees, at least in cities like Portland without any significant historical connection to the Mississippi Delta or the Great Migration.
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Thanks. And Epilogue: a few years ago my wife got a girl in a blues band to call me about a gig and after initial chit-chat, she grows serious and asks, "So...are you ready to play the Blues?" in a tone suggesting that there was just one seat left on the Argo and would I like to join Jason on an epic adventure for the golden fleece. I wanted to shout into the phone: "Only if you put Gene Autry songs and "Chattanooga Choo Choo" on the set list like many of the old Blues guys did. Really, why are you white enthusiasts of the Blues so weird?!"
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Cultural appropriation is a time-honored tradition in music.
Well, this is timely of you....
My short answer for you is, I don't know. However, I am in the process of applying for my GI Bill extension so that I can work on a degree in music.
What schools are you finding with jazz programs? I'm in Bay Village, not far from you.
- Oct 6, 2009
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Check with the University of Mississippi to see if they have a online course. They also put out a magazine called Living Blues. They take the blues quite seriously there.
I used to play the blues a lot but for some reason it always made me really sad.
Yep. Whenever I hear someone say "_______ stole _______'s music." I go, "Hmmm...I'm hearing lots of traditional diatonic harmony and V-I cadences. Where'dya appropiate that from?"
Hey Boog, great to know you're a local. I know that BGSU has a nice jazz program, and if you do a Google search on the subject there are a lot of schools that do.
Here is your First Semester assignment. Get these under your belt, then we'll go on to Second Semester. And heed the words of Sonny Boy Williamson: "Those limey boys want to play the blues so bad! And they do! They do!"
This has the makings of the greatest thread ever.
Snark ... Hard knocks University recommends ... a good Elton John and Ringo reference ...
For me it's like this:
I've got the 'I'm too old to be a Millennial and feel like a Gen X'er who don't like computers or the State he got himself stuck in because he got GOT by not one but TWO ex-wives and now has to work an unsatisfying job that leaves almost no room for playing the bass and now he has to vent his frustrations in a hopefully-humorous fashion on a bass forum cause he done got tired of Twitter/Instascam/Faceyspace but maybe one day he'll get back on that igig-train and play some good ol fat notes behind the 1-4-5 with occasional b6 turn arounds and b2's because otherwise why else have these awesome Sadowsky and Alleva Coppolo basses' blues.
Snark ... Hard knocks University recommends ... a good Elton John and Ringo reference ...
For me it's like this:
I've got the 'I'm too old to be a Millennial and feel like a Gen X'er who don't like computers or the State he got himself stuck in because he got GOT by not one but TWO ex-wives and now has to work an unsatisfying job that leaves almost no room for playing the bass and now he has to vent his frustrations in a hopefully-humorous fashion on a bass forum cause he done got tired of Twitter/Instascam/Faceyspace but maybe one day he'll get back on that igig-train and play some good ol fat notes behind the 1-4-5 with occasional b6 turn arounds and b2's because otherwise why else have these awesome Sadowsky and Alleva Coppolo basses' blues.
Duly noted, and just in case I might miss it, I'll bring my fretless so I can just slide into whatever note the gee-tar is playing.
Thank you all very much for the replies. I was shocked when I saw four pages of them!!!
A few thoughts.
Just because you have lived the blues and "get" the blues doesn't mean that you can't also look for a pre-structured learning environment to work in to find out as much as possible on the subject. Those things aren't mutually exclusive. An approved course of study implies that a lot of areas may be found that self-directed learning might not cover. My desired end is the knowledge, not the paper degree itself. A degree program would simply provide a framework.
Some people are just life-long learners that enjoy doing things that support it, I'm one of them, it's my 'other' hobby. I've got the time now, and the resources, I like learning and applying new things, why would I not want to pursue something that I have so much interest in if it were available? Having it in an on-line environment would be even better.
Again, thanks for all your insight!
A few thoughts.
Just because you have lived the blues and "get" the blues doesn't mean that you can't also look for a pre-structured learning environment to work in to find out as much as possible on the subject. Those things aren't mutually exclusive. An approved course of study implies that a lot of areas may be found that self-directed learning might not cover. My desired end is the knowledge, not the paper degree itself. A degree program would simply provide a framework.
Some people are just life-long learners that enjoy doing things that support it, I'm one of them, it's my 'other' hobby. I've got the time now, and the resources, I like learning and applying new things, why would I not want to pursue something that I have so much interest in if it were available? Having it in an on-line environment would be even better.
Again, thanks for all your insight!
No need to drag Elvis into this
So by not having any classes to take or material to study, the op has begun his journey into the blues?
Once you have a basic understanding of structure and transitioning you have to use it.
Like learning to swim from a text book. 'How to make your lines more interesting and exciting' (when appropriate) always a goal, Some general teachable stuff there.
Like learning to swim from a text book. 'How to make your lines more interesting and exciting' (when appropriate) always a goal, Some general teachable stuff there.
I thought I knew a lot about the blues from listening to recordings, playing guitar and reading books like Deep Blues by Robert Palmer.
I then signed up with Keith Wyatt at Artistworks who has an encyclopedic knowledge of blues from 50s Chicago forward. Transformed my playing and introduced me to so many key recordings that I hadn’t given the time of day to listening to, as well as so many lesser known players.
The book by Palmer is a great read not just for the music but sets the scene against the socioeconomic backdrop of the times. Highly recommended.
I then signed up with Keith Wyatt at Artistworks who has an encyclopedic knowledge of blues from 50s Chicago forward. Transformed my playing and introduced me to so many key recordings that I hadn’t given the time of day to listening to, as well as so many lesser known players.
The book by Palmer is a great read not just for the music but sets the scene against the socioeconomic backdrop of the times. Highly recommended.
