There are many similarities between Blues and Rock and Roll. We can look at the similarities and the differences.
Blues and Rock and Roll are not the same. Early Rock and Roll songs depended on the Blues format.
There are many similarities between Blues and Rock and Roll but they have evolved in similar but different directions.
Most rock songs have more of an upbeat tempo while most blues songs are slower and less driving.
I have often said that Blues is music for the soul and Rock is music for the party.
Blues and Rock and Roll Are Not the Same.
The Blues and Rock and Roll are not the same although early Rock and Roll began with Blues formats that were reimagined into Rock songs.
There is some controversy as to what was the first Rock and Roll song.
On March 3, 1951, Ike Turner and the Kings of Rhythm, under the name of Jackie Brenston and the Delta Cats, recorded Rocket 88 at Sun Studios in Memphis, Tenn.
Many sources list this as the first Rock song.
Other possibilities for the first Rock and Roll song were:
- “That’s Alright Mama” by Arthur “Big Boy” Crudup (1946),
- “Good Rockin Tonight” Wynonie Harris (1948),
- “Rock This Joint” by Jimmy Preston and his Prestonpans (1949),
- “Saturday Night Fish Fry” by Louis Jordan & The Tympany Five (1949),
My choice would be Rocket 88.
This song is upbeat.
It has a lot of drive and uses distorted guitar sounds.
Early Blues Band
What Are the Characteristics of the Blues?
“The Blues ain’t nothin but a good man feeling bad”: Willie Brown
I have heard this quote attributed to several people.
Until I did my research, I thought the quote came from Woodie Guthrie.
I only found the quote attributed to Willie Brown. Although this could be Willie Brown in the movie “Crossroads.”
There are some specific qualities that make a tune a blues song.
- The song is more about the emotions the listener feels when they hear the song and not so much about the lyrics
- The most common form of blues is the 12 bar blues form although there are countless variations. Most commonly this would be 4 measures of the 1 chord, 2 measures of the 4 chord, then 2 measures of the 1 chord, 1 measure of the five chord, 1 measure of the 4 chord, 1 measure of the 1 chord, and 1 measure of the 5 chord. In the key of E, E is the 1 chord, A is the 4 chord and B is the 5 chords.
- Many Blues have two identical lines followed by a third line that completes the verse. This is called “call and response.
- Most blues songs use the blues scale. This would be a regular major or minor scale with a flatted 3rd, fifth, and seventh note.
Typical Rock & Roll Band from the 1950s
What Are the Characteristics of Rock and Roll?
Some of the most obvious characteristics of Rock and Roll are:
Rock and Roll offers a surging and forward-pushing energy.
Lots of electric instruments and drum kits.
A wide variety of subject matter
.Exciting rhythms
What Are the Similarities between the Blues and Rock and Roll?
A lot of the old blues songs were rearranged to sound more like Rock and Roll
Many of the early Rock songs used the blues chord progressions.
A lot of Rock songs sound bluesy but are not actually blues.
What Are the Differences between Blues and Rock and Roll?
Blues originated in the United States. Rock originated in the United States and The United Kingdom.
Blues music usually;ly employs more instruments than Rock
Rock depended on a lot of other genres such as jazz, country, fold, and blues,
Rock and Roll is more instrument driven and Blues is more focused on the vocal performance.
Conclusion:
While there are many similarities between Rock and Roll, they are not the same.
Rock owes a debt of gratitude to the blues but has evolved in many different ways.
Blues have also evolved and it is often necessary to pay close attention to the music to tell which is which but there is a definite difference.