Tune Req: Talking Blues Questions

Subject: Tune Req: Talking Blues Question
From: GUEST,SirCoughsalot
Date: 27 Dec 11 - 09:03 PM

I know pretty much all talking blues songs have the same tune (if you could call it a tune), but do they have the same chord progression too? I've listened to a couple different ones and that would seem to be the case. The reason I'm asking is because I'm writing a talking blues, but I've already written one, and I don't want them to sound too similar. Can anybody help?

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Talking Blues Question
From: GUEST,999
Date: 27 Dec 11 - 09:35 PM

Is your talking blues in 4/4, 3/4, 2/4, 8/8, 5/4 ?
Is it 12 bar, 16 bar ?
Do you finger pick it or flat pick it ?

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Talking Blues Question
From: Bobert
Date: 27 Dec 11 - 09:36 PM

Talkin' blues can be done 1-4-5 (pick a key) or 4-1 4-1 5-4-1 or 1-1-1-4-1 or any variation... There aren't that many shuffles in major keys... You pick...

LOL...

B~

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Talking Blues Question
From: GUEST,SirCoughsalot
Date: 27 Dec 11 - 09:56 PM

Here is my original talking blues if that helps. It's 4/4 and I use a flatpick, 999.

Bobert, thanks.

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Talking Blues Question
From: Bobert
Date: 27 Dec 11 - 10:04 PM

Yep, you got it...

999 was talkin' about meter and I was in keys...

No matter, you got a 1-4-5 --- 4/4 goin' there...

B~

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Talking Blues Question
From: GUEST,SirCoughsalot
Date: 27 Dec 11 - 10:07 PM

I'm gonna try to make my new talking blues different from the first one.

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Talking Blues Question
From: Mark Ross
Date: 27 Dec 11 - 10:31 PM

It couldb e a 1-6-2-5, It doesn't really matter. The 1-4-5 is more common though.

Mark Ross

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Talking Blues Question
From: GUEST,999
Date: 27 Dec 11 - 11:51 PM

Hi, Mark. Hope X-mas was good.

#####################################

SC, if you're of a mind to, look on Youtube for

talking blues lesson

There are more than a few videos that may help you make some decisions. The reason--imo--Dylan was so good at talkin' blues was his sense of timing, something you did well on your FB Talkin' Blues. One thing I'd suggest is don't worry about one sounding like another, at least not now. Hell, most TBs sound alike musically. It's the lyrics and riffs that makes certain ones stand out. Keep in mind that usually they are topical, so they often have a short shelf-life. Yer doin' good, man. Keep it up.

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Talking Blues Question
From: Charley Noble
Date: 28 Dec 11 - 07:35 AM

Another thing about talking blues is the verses may be of uneven length, with ad libs at the end of the basic verse. This can add extra interest. Here's how this old talking rent blues ends:

...There's just one thing to bear in mind,
Gotta keep your vigilance all the time;
Outta town slumlords got no respect,
They pass on expenses and keep you in debt;
All of which, I guess, just goes to show
The biggest robberies are made with a fountain pen, y' know...

But out in New York City, here's what we find,
And out in Boston, here's what we find,
And out in San Francisco, here's what we find,
And out in Detroit City, here's what we find:
That if you don't let red-baiting break you up,
If you don't let stool pigeons break you up,
If you don't let legal harassment break you up,
And if you work like Hell and stand united,
You'll win – what I mean is take it easy,
But take it!

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Talking Blues Question
From: Cool Beans
Date: 28 Dec 11 - 10:03 AM

So long, New York. Hello, East Orange.

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Talking Blues Question
From: PHJim
Date: 28 Dec 11 - 10:33 AM

We normally hear this chord pattern,(although it could be in any key) with the rhyming verses over these chords and a vamp on the G while the comments are added at the end.
G |C |D |   |G |C |D |   |G |   |C |   |D |   |G |...
It is usually flat picked with a lot of runs between chords.
Since this is the way Chris Bouchillon, the "Original Talking Blues Man" played it, most talking blues follow this pattern, but there can be variations. I guess any song that is spoken against an instrumental background could be called a talking blues. What about Carson Robison's Life Gets Teejus, Don't It, sung by everyone from June Carter to Doc Watson to Walter Brennon. Most folkies finger-pick this one with an instrumental break.

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Talking Blues Question
From: GUEST,SirCoughsalot
Date: 30 Dec 11 - 01:00 AM

I just ended up not worrying about it sounding alike, and this is what I ended up with.

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Talking Blues Question
From: Joe Offer
Date: 27 May 13 - 02:31 AM

I love talking blues, but I don't play guitar. I wondered if anybody had had any luck doing talking blues a cappella.
I was thinking of doing "Life Gets Teejus," punctuated with a kazoo.

-Joe-

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Talking Blues Questions
From: Roger the Skiffler
Date: 27 May 13 - 05:17 AM

Well, Joe, that's one I do- with or without kazoo!

RtS

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Talking Blues Questions
From: PHJim
Date: 27 May 13 - 06:52 AM

SirCoughsalot. although you said that you didn't worry about it sounding alike, your talking blues did follow the standard talking blues pattern that most folks use.
I did really enjoy the original words though and it was well played.

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Talking Blues Questions
From: Joe Offer
Date: 28 May 13 - 03:33 AM

OK, but what about doing talking blues a cappella?

I suppose one could answer, "Well, Joe, that's what they call a 'recitation'"; but I'm looking to preserve the musicality of Talking Blues and not use an instrument. Have any of you made it work?

-Joe-