Blues Vs. Jazz
The difference between these two genres (Blues Vs. Jazz) Is that they have unique traits that make them different. They are kind of similar in some ways.
Blues music usually has only one guitar player who also covers vocals. Jazz, on the other hand, involves rich dynamics. They have a difference with not just the number of musicians but also the lyrics.
Tone
Blue’s music is very sharp. It’s Slow and sad. Whereas, Jazz music usually is smooth, swinging, and swaying.
The Origin
Blues music is derived from Bluegrass, R&B, Jazz, and Rock. Jazz, on the other hand, comes from Funk, Calypso, Swing, and Soul. It’s essential for people to know, Blues came around much before Jazz. Blues can be considered just an element of jazz music. The place of origin for Jazz is from New Orleans, and Blues originated in Mississippi.
Culture
The Southern United States is the place Blues and Jazz both originate from. The late 19th century is the time Blues came in. Jazz came later in the 20th century.
Instruments
Blues music instruments are Bass, piano, guitar, harmonica, sometimes fiddle, vocals, trumpet, drums, saxophone, and trombone, However, few jazz instruments are Guitar, piano, clarinet, drums, trumpet, bass, saxophone, and Tuba Jazz is mostly always instrumental, but Blues has lyrics.
Origin of Styles
The roots of Blues come from spiritual music and African American folk. The origins of Jazz come from a combination. It is of the Europeans traditions and African too.
Artists
Famous Blues artists are Big Bill Bronzy, Gus Cannon, Eric Clapton, Sonny Boy Williamson, Ma Rainey, John Lee Hooker, and B.B. King. Famous Jazz musicians – Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, Duke Ellington, Charles Mingus, Miles Davis, and Herbie Hancock.
A joke is said – the Blue Guitar player plays only three chords for thousands of people, whereas the jazz guitar player plays a thousand chords for just three people.
Jazz has a broad style; it is difficult to define. It is the General foundation of syncopated rhythms, improvisation, and group interaction. This improvisation element of Jazz is based on the musicians’ mood as well, and sometimes even the audience’s response to the music. The performers try to make a unique tone for the instruments, known as voice. Progression of chords in blues exist, such as the 12-bar is played to lyrics, it is usually a narrative or story of the woes of life, It can range between anything between mistreatment, lost love, and poverty. Blues music most probably all the time a guitar-based one, it is characterized by its structure. This structure is often simple. It is in terms of repeated lyrics and chord progressions. Blues has a thing in music called the ‘blue’ notes, and these are notes played a little low, as in a slightly lowered pitch. This gives the piece a very distinctive sound.
Both the music styles may have influenced each other over time but they stand very different and has their hold in the world of music. You can be a fan of both.
