# Blues — Genre

> Foundation of American popular music. 12-bar form, blues scale, expressive vocals.

## Defining elements

- 12-bar blues progression (I-I-I-I-IV-IV-I-I-V-IV-I-I)
- Blues scale (with flatted 3rd, 5th, 7th)
- 4/4 time
- Slow to mid tempo (60-120 BPM)
- Call-and-response between vocal and guitar
- Storytelling lyrics

## Sub-types

- **Delta blues** — acoustic, raw (Robert Johnson, Son House)
- **Chicago blues** — electric (Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf)
- **Texas blues** — guitar-led (Stevie Ray Vaughan)
- **British blues** — UK revival (Eric Clapton, John Mayall)
- **Modern blues** — contemporary (Joe Bonamassa, Gary Clark Jr.)

## Typical instrumentation

Lead electric guitar + rhythm guitar + bass + drums + vocal + harmonica + piano (sometimes)

## Production characteristics

- Live band feel essential
- Tube amp guitar warmth
- Vintage feel
- Less production polish
- Vocal raw

## Lyrics direction

- Hard times, struggle
- Love (often gone wrong)
- Travel, road
- "Woke up this morning" trope
- Specific personal experiences
- Repeated AAB structure (line A, line A, line B)

## For Suno

```
[Style: classic Chicago blues, 90 BPM, A major, 12-bar blues progression, 
electric guitar with tube amp warmth + bass + drums + harmonica + male 
baritone vocal with grit, vintage live band feel]
```

## Examples

- B.B. King, Muddy Waters, Robert Johnson, Howlin' Wolf
- Modern: Stevie Ray Vaughan, Joe Bonamassa, Gary Clark Jr.

## Avoid

- Synthetic production
- Auto-tune
- Fast tempo
- Major key without blues notes
- Polished modern feel