Praised as "suave, soulful, ebullient" (Tom Waits) and "a meticulous researcher, a graceful writer, and a committed contrarian" (New York Times Book Review), Elijah Wald is one of the leading popular music critics of his generation. In The Blues, Wald surveys a genre at the heart of American culture. It is not an easy thing to pin down. As Howlin' Wolf once described it, "When you ain't got no money and can't pay your house rent and can't buy you no food, you've damn sure got the blues." It has been defined by lyrical structure, or as a progression of chords, or as a set of practices reflecting West African "tonal and rhythmic approaches," using a five-note "blues scale." Wald sees blues less as a style than as a broad musical tradition within a constantly evolving pop culture. He traces its roots in work and praise songs, and shows how it was transformed by such professional performers as W. C. Handy, who first popularized the blues a century ago. He follows its evolution from Ma Rainey and Bessie Smith through Bob Dylan and Jimi Hendrix; identifies the impact of rural field recordings of Blind Lemon Jefferson, Charley Patton and others; explores the role of blues in the development of both country music and jazz; and looks at the popular rhythm and blues trends of the 1940s and 1950s, from the uptown West Coast style of T-Bone Walker to the "down home" Chicago sound of Muddy Waters. Wald brings the story up to the present, touching on the effects of blues on American poetry, and its connection to modern styles such as rap. As with all of Oxford's Very Short Introductions, The Blues tells you--with insight, clarity, and wit--everything you need to know to understand this quintessentially American musical genre.

(Guitar Educational). Boogie woogie music is one of the greatest influences on the blues, swing jazz and rock 'n' roll. The style is usually identified more with the piano than the guitar; however, boogie woogie actually seems to have originated with guitar players during the latter half of the 19th century in the rough "barrel houses" of the turpentine and lumber camps of the American South. Now with this book and video pack, trace the history of boogie woogie guitar with blues historian Dave Rubin and learn how to play the essential patterns that influenced generations of musicians. Features video lessons with demonstrations of every music example in the book!

This 64 page book is dedicated to all the great Blues and Boogie-Woogie pianists who Andrew has had the privilege of listening to over the last 40 years. His first recollection of being inspired to learn Blues piano was in 1968 when he heard the Blues piano solo by Nicky Hopkins on the song Blues Deluxe from Jeff Beck’s first album Truth Just as that piano solo inspired him, in turn he hopes these songs inspire you in the same way. The song Boogie with Nicky is dedicated to Nicky Hopkins. He hopes that you have the same enjoyment learning and playing these songs as he did creating them. There are nine songs in this book which Andrew composed ranging from the slow Blues of H.R. Blues to the up-tempo Boogie-Woogie of Holly and Ben’s Boogie as well as the Ragtime feel of Raggedy Blues. Beside learning from this book it is important to listen to the masters of Blues and Boogie-Woogie piano styles, a discography on page 2 will get you started.

(Easy Piano Songbook). Blues fans can get started playing their favorite tunes with this collection of 50 songs in easy piano format with lyrics. Songs include: Ain't No Sunshine * All Blues * Basin Street Blues * Cross Road Blues (Crossroads) * Every Day I Have the Blues * Fever * I Got It Bad and That Ain't Good * Is You Is, or Is You Ain't (Ma' Baby) * Kansas City * Night Train * Pride and Joy * Route 66 * St. Louis Blues * Stormy Weather (Keeps Rainin' All the Time) * Sweet Home Chicago * The Thrill Is Gone * and more.

(Guitar Method). A thorough presentation of rhythms commonly found in contemporary music, including 68 harmonized melodies and 42 rhythm exercises. This highly respected and popular book is also an excellent source for duets, sight-reading and chord studies.

(Keyboard Instruction). This book with audio will give you a complete rock piano workout in both modern and classic styles! You'll develop your rhythmic feel, dexterity, hand coordination, and voicing skills as you work through the fun, authentic examples. These pieces will help you use your rock piano technique in a musical, stylistically effective way. Each audio music sample is recorded at several tempos, so you can choose the one that's right for you as you play along with the rock rhythm section.