Instruments Used in Blues Music

The acoustic guitar is one of the most commonly used instruments in blues music. Acoustic guitars were widely available during the early days of blues in the 1920s, which made them accessible to poor farmers or labors who would shape the sound of blues. These instruments were lightweight, easy to play and could provide simple accompaniments for blues singers. The only known images of legendary bluesman Robert Johnson show him holding a well-worn acoustic guitar.

The harmonica was an inexpensive and portable instrument, which made it particularly attractive to blues musicians. Unlike a guitar or piano, the harmonica didn't require the players to learn complex chords or fingerings, rather they just needed a good understanding of the harmonica's tone structure and a good set of lungs. Harmonicas were also available in various keys, which made it easily adaptable to nearly any song or vocal range.

Although the piano is also used in blues music, its size and availability kept it from becoming popular among early blues musicians. As blues music moved from the fields and farms into the mainstream, the piano found its place alongside the acoustic guitar and other popular blues instruments. Its wide tonal range and ability to provide both bass and melody simultaneously eventually carved a place for the piano in modern blues music. Louisiana-born Professor Longhair is one of the better known blues piano players.

In the 1940s, the growing popularity of electric guitars made its mark on blues music with the introduction of Chicago blues, which heavily featured the electric guitar sound. This style of blues is now the most common sound associated with the blues music genre, with acoustic blues often referred to as Mississippi or Delta blues. Chicago-style blues guitarists typically favor the Fender Stratocaster or Gibson ES-335 for their bright, twangy sound and playability.

The resonator guitar, commonly referred to as the Dobro, was introduced in 1927 and quickly became popular among blues musicians for its ability to project sound above other instruments. The resonator guitar was basically an acoustic guitar made of metal or wood with a sound cone that helped focus and amplify the sound. It is also popular among blues slide guitar players for its high string action and the ability to be played like an acoustic guitar or laid flat like a steel guitar.