Chicago Blues

Of the week 7 era

History
• Evolved from classic blues during great migration (African Americans
from south US to industrial North)
• Heavily influenced by Mississippi bluesmen who came to Chicago in
‘40s
• Started in Chicago and St. Louis, as street music and at rent parties
• Musicians would start out playing on the streets and work up to
playing blues clubs
Form & harmony
• Mainly based upon 12 bar blues
• All dominant 7ths
Instrumentation
• Electric guitar
• Harmonica (amplified)
• Bass (first upright, later electric)
• Drums
• Piano (depending on song/performer)
Standard patterns
• Blues shuffle in the drums
• For that swung triplet feel
• Standard blues basslines
• Sticking to the root, 3rd, 5th and 6th
Mannish Boy
Blues… but electric

Retains blues vocals and simple

harmony
Adds amplified sound
Repetitive sound centred around
vocals

Telecaster – working man’s guitar