The Blues Scale

 

Depiction of the Blues Scale
by ArtByAdam

The blues scale, particularly associated with Robert Johnson and other blues musicians, is a modification of the minor pentatonic scale with the addition of a flattened fifth, often referred to as the "blue note." This note adds a distinct dissonance or "bluesy" feel to the scale.

Intervals of the Blues Scale

In the context of a minor blues scale, the intervals are as follows:

1. Root to Flat 3rd: Minor 3rd (one and a half steps)
2. Flat 3rd to 4th: Major 2nd (whole step)
3. 4th to Flat 5th (Blue Note): Minor 2nd (half step)
4. Flat 5th to 5th: Minor 2nd (half step)
5. 5th to Flat 7th: Major 2nd (whole step)
6. Flat 7th to Octave (Root): Minor 3rd (one and a half steps)
In the Key of C

For example, in the key of C, the notes of the C blues scale would be:
C (root), Eb (flat 3rd), F (4th), Gb (flat 5th/blue note), G (5th), Bb (flat 7th), C (octave/root).

Characteristic Sound

The addition of the blue note (flat 5th) to the minor pentatonic scale is what gives the blues scale its characteristic sound, full of emotional depth and expressiveness, often used to convey the struggles and emotional intensity inherent in blues music. Robert Johnson's mastery of this scale, along with his unique playing style, contributed significantly to his legendary status in blues music.

The Legend of Robert Johnson and the Crossroads

 

Depiction of Robert Johnson and the Devil

The legend of Robert Johnson, a highly influential American blues musician. According to the legend, Johnson acquired his extraordinary skills on the guitar through a Faustian bargain with the devil. The story goes like this:

Background: Robert Johnson was born in Mississippi in 1911 and was a relatively unknown blues singer and guitarist in his early years. His early performances did not indicate the extraordinary talent he would later be known for.

The Crossroads Deal: According to legend, Johnson was desperate to achieve musical greatness. He supposedly went to a crossroads near the Dockery Plantation at midnight, where he met a large black man (believed to be the devil). Johnson handed his guitar to the man, who tuned it and played a few songs before returning it. This exchange granted Johnson mastery over the instrument.

Sudden Mastery: After this supposed encounter, Johnson's musical skills dramatically improved. He returned to the blues scene with a new, advanced guitar technique that no one had heard before. His style was complex, featuring a combination of singing, guitar skills, and songwriting that had a significant influence on the future of blues and rock music.

Short Life and Mysterious Death: Johnson's life was short-lived; he died in 1938 at the age of 27 under mysterious circumstances, which further fueled the legend. Some say he was poisoned by a jealous husband, while others link his death to his alleged pact with the devil.

Legacy and Influence: Despite his brief career, Johnson's music had a lasting impact on later generations of musicians, including Eric Clapton and the Rolling Stones. His songs, like "Cross Road Blues" and "Hellhound on My Trail," are considered blues classics and reflect the mythic themes of his legend.

The legend of Robert Johnson at the crossroads is one of the most enduring tales in the history of blues music and has become a part of the wider mythology of the devil's bargains in popular culture. It's important to note, however, that this story is a myth and part of the folklore surrounding the early blues era.