[Harp-L] Re: The Name "Blues"

[Winslow Yerxa <winslowyerxa@xxxxxxxxx>]

The word "blues" (sometimes "blue devils") for feeling depressed has been in the English language since at least the 16th century; Elizabeth I is known to have used the term in writing. This usage has been written about in books about the blues.

Winslow

Winslow Yerxa
President, SPAH, the Society for the Preservation and Advancement of the Harmonica
Producer, the Spring 2014 Harmonica Collective
Author, Harmonica For Dummies, ISBN 978-0-470-33729-5
            Harmonica Basics For Dummies, ASIN B005KIYPFS
            Blues Harmonica For Dummies, ISBN 978-1-1182-5269-7
Resident Expert, bluesharmonica.com
Instructor, Jazzschool for Music Study and Performance


________________________________
From: Harmonicology [Neil Ashby] <harmonicology@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: harp-l <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx> 
Cc: Winslow Yerxa <winslowyerxa@xxxxxxxxx> 
Sent: Tuesday, June 3, 2014 6:48 AM
Subject: The Name "Blues"


I was wondering about the origination of the name "Blues" for that style of music. Would there be any suggestions on Harp-L?

My theory is that some long time ago then the inquiry was made pertaining to the music being produced and the musician responded somehow like "Ah jus' BLEWS into the harp and dat sound comes out".

Thus the name "blues" would be the corrupted spelling of "blews".

Any other ideas?

/Neil (" http://thebuskingproject.com/busker/2025/ ")