Singing the Blues?

The Blues is one of the truly American art forms. It has its roots in the African American culture from the Mississippi delta in the late 1800’s (historian’s opinions vary from the 1860’s to the 1890’s). Regardless of the precise year that the music we call the Blues started, we know that by the 1920’s it was wildly popular around the country with Blues joints popping up all around the country and new recording stars popping up in unprecedented numbers.

The Blues, was (and is) different from most any other kind of music known in the western world and the contribution that the Blues have made to American music and lyrics cannot be overstated. It merged western music influences with the cultural influences that reflect the African American heritage from which it was born, giving us (among other things) the ‘blue’ notes, which are often described as bent pitches which don’t fit easily into the western tonal system. Truly, the contribution of the Blues in America is great.

Inherent in the Blues is an idea, however, that one can overcome sadness by listening to, singing, or otherwise performing the Blues. But the question that follows is, does the idea (or philosophy) hold up? Can you overcome major depression through listening to the Blues?

Without a doubt, singing (or listening to) the Blues can be a fun, even exhilarating experience, and probably, if the listener is simply tired or frustrated, this music style may well be able to help. However, a pair of studies conducted in 2003 suggests that depression and other such conditions can best be avoided by focusing on the things an individual has to be thankful for rather than their losses. In these studies they found that people who were actively keeping a journal of things that they had to be thankful for had fewer illnesses and a higher overall satisfaction with their lives.

The moral? Enjoy singing the Blues if you like, but beat the blues with thanksgiving!

It makes since doesn’t it? Gratitude looks out at the goodness around us, while ingratitude only looks at how it has been mistreated. How sad.

Duane Shinn is the author of over 500 music courses for adults including "Pro Secrets: Piano Playing Secrets Of The Pros”. http://www.piano-playing-by-ear.com He is also the author of the popular free 101-week online e-mail newsletter titled “Amazing Secrets Of Exciting Piano Chords & Sizzling Chord Progressions” at www.playpiano.com with over 61,400 current subscribers

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Keyboard Workshop was established in 1965 to help piano players of all levels enhance their piano playing ability though the use of chords, styles, rhythms, runs, fills and other strategies. So we've been around the block a couple times, and we know what works! We have taught hundreds of thousands of piano lessons on DVD's, CD's, videos, cassettes, music books, sheet music, chord charts, as well as free piano sheet music and free piano lessons online and instant chord finder from our sister-sites.

Duane is a graduate of Southern Oregon University in Ashland, Oregon with a BS & Masters Degree in Humanities (Music & English literature - a double major) and he is known as "the pianoman" -- the author of over 500 books, CD's and DVD's having to do with all aspects of piano playing. But degrees and education means nothing without the ability to teach so that the student can UNDERSTAND and then APPLY what he or she understands. Take one course and you'll immediately see for yourself why Duane's DVD and CD courses are "one of a kind" -- they actually get you UNDERSTANDING music and then show you -- clearly and plainly -- how to APPLY what you learn to your piano!

Duane has more fun teaching piano than should be legal, and that love of piano playing and music in general is contagious.

No formalities here -- lots of laughs and exciting insights into how to make the sounds you love -- whether that means pop piano or praise & gospel piano or blues piano or ragtime piano or new age piano or -- you name it.

He has worked with many doctors and professional people who otherwise wouldn't be able to attend a scheduled lesson in a studio, because they can do it on their own time. He also works with church pianists and music directors to help them hone their skills, as well as beginners that don't know Middle C from Tweedle Dee, and everyone in-between.

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