To Thread - Forum Home

The Mudcat Café TM
https://mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=142353
16 messages

Tune Req: Talking Blues Questions

27 Dec 11 - 09:03 PM (#3280820)
Subject: Tune Req: Talking Blues Question
From: GUEST,SirCoughsalot

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?


27 Dec 11 - 09:35 PM (#3280825)
Subject: RE: Tune Req: Talking Blues Question
From: GUEST,999

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 ?


27 Dec 11 - 09:36 PM (#3280827)
Subject: RE: Tune Req: Talking Blues Question
From: Bobert

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~


27 Dec 11 - 09:56 PM (#3280831)
Subject: RE: Tune Req: Talking Blues Question
From: GUEST,SirCoughsalot

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

Bobert, thanks.


27 Dec 11 - 10:04 PM (#3280834)
Subject: RE: Tune Req: Talking Blues Question
From: Bobert

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~


27 Dec 11 - 10:07 PM (#3280835)
Subject: RE: Tune Req: Talking Blues Question
From: GUEST,SirCoughsalot

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


27 Dec 11 - 10:31 PM (#3280839)
Subject: RE: Tune Req: Talking Blues Question
From: Mark Ross

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

Mark Ross


27 Dec 11 - 11:51 PM (#3280858)
Subject: RE: Tune Req: Talking Blues Question
From: GUEST,999

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.


28 Dec 11 - 07:35 AM (#3280962)
Subject: RE: Tune Req: Talking Blues Question
From: Charley Noble

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


28 Dec 11 - 10:03 AM (#3281000)
Subject: RE: Tune Req: Talking Blues Question
From: Cool Beans

So long, New York. Hello, East Orange.


28 Dec 11 - 10:33 AM (#3281014)
Subject: RE: Tune Req: Talking Blues Question
From: PHJim

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.


30 Dec 11 - 01:00 AM (#3281808)
Subject: RE: Tune Req: Talking Blues Question
From: GUEST,SirCoughsalot

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


27 May 13 - 02:31 AM (#3519552)
Subject: RE: Tune Req: Talking Blues Question
From: Joe Offer

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-


27 May 13 - 05:17 AM (#3519579)
Subject: RE: Tune Req: Talking Blues Questions
From: Roger the Skiffler

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

RtS


27 May 13 - 06:52 AM (#3519599)
Subject: RE: Tune Req: Talking Blues Questions
From: PHJim

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.


28 May 13 - 03:33 AM (#3519918)
Subject: RE: Tune Req: Talking Blues Questions
From: Joe Offer

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-