How to Become a Blues Musician

Blues music has been a staple in American culture since its arrival on the music scene in the early 20th century. Blues musicians possess the soul of the music, and they carry with them a charisma and knowledge that goes far beyond just playing a few notes. Follow some basic steps to become a blues musician and capture some of the enigmatic soul that personifies this American genre.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Begin by deciding what instrument you would like to pursue your blues career playing. Listen to various forms of blues to get an idea for the various instruments that typically make up a blues act.

2. Look into getting some training in blues by first getting a solid foundation in basic music theory. Learn to play the piano, even if you choose to play another instrument for your blues career. This training will help you to understand general music pedagogy a bit better.

3. Get a tutor or mentor to help you learn the basics of blues music. Educate yourself on the history of blues and the various stories behind your favorite blues songs to get a better understanding of the content that makes this music so emotionally evocative.

4. Play in a band or ensemble to acquaint yourself with playing with other musicians. You will learn how to blend and mix styles and musical personalities. Also, play in public arenas where you can accustom yourself to playing for an audience.

5. Develop a repertoire of music that you can play that will establish a following of fans. Market yourself or your band in a way that capitalizes on your specific talents and play from the heart.

Tips & Warnings

• Master the basic blues chords. Then write your own licks and solos to familiar blues songs once you have perfected basic theory.
• Learn and integrate the 12 bar blues progression into your practice sessions, since it is an integral part of blues playing.

Resources

• Go the Blues Foundation official website for further reading.
• Explore this great database of blues musicians.