Green Belt: Level 4 Guitar Lessons

Blues Tunes Need Lyrics

Blues tunes without lyrics are not really blues tunes. Think of B.B. King, Eric Clapton, Johnny Winter, Robert Cray, Robert Johnson, Bonnie Raitt, Stevie Ray Vaughan. They are all singer players. The best thing about the predictability of the 12-bar blues structure, is that it is a comfortable framework for both the performer and the listener to tell or listen to a story. Everyone has the blues from time to time, so why not play and sing about how you felt when your old dog died, or your car wouldn't start when you needed it most, or your no good, lyin', cheatin', two-timin' flame decided to burn elsewhere.

Lest we become guitar players who never venture to utter a syllable of song, the green belt study and practice gets us out of this rut, develops our abilities to multi-task, and play with emotion. The best part is you don't have to have a great voice to sing the blues (although it helps).

The Form Follows the Lyrics

Lyrics are so important to the blues, that they often are written first, then the form is fitted to the lyrics, whether 12-bar or 8-bar. Also, the subject being sung about often determines the chord selection.

Some Lame Lyric Examples: (You can do better!)

Here's a common source of the blues for too many of us:

I went downtown to look for a job
Yeah, I went downtown lookin' for a job
Well, I looked and hunted the whole day long
And now I sit on this corner and sob...

Ain't no work in this little town
No, there ain't no work in this little town
Well, from dawn till dusk I look
And you ask why I frown...

Another example of a love gone wrong: (Remember that singing your feelings is more therapeutic than landing in jail!)

I called her up, but she won't answer the phone
I called her up, but she won't answer the phone
I walked by and saw the light on
But she won't answer the phone...

How about something a little more upbeat: (The blues form doesn't always need to be about bad things, you know)

I got my paycheck today, and there was a little extra
I'm goin' out tonight, and it's you I'm sitting next ta
I'll pick you up at eight, don't be late,
Come on, come on baby, baby don't make me wait,
Come on little darlin', help me spend that little extra...

Exercises:

Sing and play the blues. We repeat, sing and play the blues. Develop your sense of timing, point and counterpoint harmonic fills, and learn to judge whether 7th chords, 9th chords or straight triads give the best overall color to the lyrics.

Take the lame lyrics above, and add the music. Through trial and error, pick the form, rhythm patterns and the chord progressions that work best to your ear.

Write some lyrics of your own. Tell your own story and embellish it to make it as sad, ironic, funny, or outrageous as you possibly can.