Blasphemous blues question: Light-hearted blues songs recommendations?

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9lives
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Joined: Thu Feb 08, 2024 1:02 pm

Blasphemous blues question: Light-hearted blues songs recommendations?

Post by 9lives »

Hi from Winnipeg! Since this is my first real post, here’s a bit about me before I give my blasphemous blues question.

I’m a perpetual newbie on guitar. I’m going to be 61 soon and have mucked around on primarily acoustic dreadnought body guitars, learning little bits here and there for 40 years. I sing a bit and play a bit, but not lots—and that may continue to be my general habit. In any case, I do enjoy the little I do. I have also learned enough setup stuff to be able to do minor tweaks, and understand what is going on with the action.

Last summer, I finally traded my mid-90s Guild dreadnought for a new Taylor Academy 12e nylon string. This move has been very helpful. It’s a nylon string experience, but it is a radiused neck with a nut that is similar to my dreadnoughts—1.75” I think. I got it set up quite low, and it is very comfortable. I got the idea to try it when I found I was spending more time with an old Sigma classical guitar—but I’m not disciplined player and have no formal training, and the flat-neck, wide-nut classical style is not up my alley. The Taylor Acad. 12 nylon is a nice hybrid for me. In any case, I am playing more as a result—and I’d like to add a bit more blues learning—I think!

Here is my blasphemous blues question: Can anyone direct me to a few ‘light-hearted’ blues tunes that I might spend some time with? What I mean is—one or two or a few songs that aren’t too dark in tone or lyric. So maybe with more of a major tone feel rather than a minor feel, and maybe not too dirty or tragic? (Has my account registration been withdrawn yet? :-)

If I give examples of what I am after, it would be Sonny & Brownie’s You Bring Out the Boogie In Me, or Doc Watson’s Deep River Blues. I know fun and funny isn’t generally associated with blues as a whole, but if you can spare a couple of 'light-hearted' blues ideas for an old nerd, I will keep learning.

By the way, I am loving 12bar's light-hearted writing in the learning sections of this site. :snacks: :peace:

Cheers!

Drew (9lives…I needed an easy registration name and I like cats).
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12bar
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Re: Blasphemous blues question: Light-hearted blues songs recommendations?

Post by 12bar »

"Blues is a good man feeling bad", so there are not many really happy blues songs out there. But there are a lot of songs in a major key, which may be what you are searching for, like Sweet Home Chicago. :bb:

You may also look at BB King, who preferred major scales on most of his songs like Rock Me Babe or his version of Let the Good Times Roll.
9lives
Posts: 4
Joined: Thu Feb 08, 2024 1:02 pm

Re: Blasphemous blues question: Light-hearted blues songs recommendations?

Post by 9lives »

Awesome! Yes, I believe that's what I mean-- the major vs. minor sound (I'm not skilled with the theory language). I will check out those songs. Those will be enough to keep me going right now. Thanks again :away: :wave:
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