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BLUES

b-l-u-e-s

Noun
Beginner Level
5 Letters

Quick Definition

BLUES is a genre of music originating from African American communities, characterized by twelve-bar progressions and expressing melancholy or hardship. Also refers to feelings of sadness or depression.

Scrabble Points

7

Points in Scrabble

Base tile values • No multipliers applied

Definition & Meaning

BLUES (noun, plural) - A genre of music that originated in African American communities in the Southern United States around the end of the 19th century. Also refers to feelings of sadness, melancholy, or depression.

Primary Meanings:

  • • A musical genre characterized by twelve-bar progressions and blue notes
  • • Feelings of sadness, melancholy, or mild depression
  • • A specific musical scale using flattened third, fifth, and seventh notes
  • • Cultural expression of hardship and resilience

Etymology & Origin

BLUES derives from the English phrase "blue devils," referring to melancholy or depression. The term evolved from 17th-century usage of "blue" meaning sad or melancholy, possibly from the association of blue with coldness and sadness.

Etymology Timeline:

  • 1600s: "Blue" associated with melancholy in English
  • 1700s: "Blue devils" = depression or sadness
  • 1860s: "Blues" used for sad feelings
  • 1890s: Musical genre "blues" emerged in Deep South
  • 1900s: Blues became established musical term

Musical & Cultural Significance

Musical Characteristics

  • • Twelve-bar blues progression (I-IV-V chord pattern)
  • • Blue notes: flattened 3rd, 5th, and 7th scale degrees
  • • Call-and-response vocal patterns
  • • Common instruments: guitar, harmonica, piano, saxophone

Cultural Impact

  • • Foundation for jazz, rock, and R&B music
  • • Expression of African American experience and resilience
  • • Influenced countless musicians worldwide
  • • Recognized as uniquely American art form

Word Forms & Musical Terms

Musical Terms

  • • Blues scale
  • • Blues progression
  • • Blues riff
  • • Blues harp (harmonica)

Famous Blues Styles

  • • Delta blues
  • • Chicago blues
  • • Electric blues
  • • Country blues

Related Emotions

  • • Melancholy
  • • Sadness
  • • Longing
  • • Sorrow

Did You Know?

The blues originated in the Mississippi Delta region and spread throughout the United States

The twelve-bar blues progression (I-IV-V) is one of the most influential chord patterns in popular music

Blues music heavily influenced the development of jazz, rock and roll, and rhythm and blues

"Blue notes" are flattened notes that create the distinctive melancholy sound of blues music

The phrase "singing the blues" means expressing sadness or hardship through music

Usage Examples

"She's been singing the blues ever since her relationship ended."

Emotional Context

"The Chicago blues scene of the 1950s produced legendary musicians."

Musical Context

"He played a classic twelve-bar blues progression on his guitar."

Technical Context

Similar Words

Words by Point Value

Similar length and difficulty words

PUZZLE
26 pts
QUARTZ
24 pts
WIZARD
19 pts
FROZEN
18 pts
SPHINX
18 pts
GALAXY
17 pts
JUMPER
17 pts
EXOTIC
15 pts

Letter Analysis

Letter Distribution

B (3 pts)
1x
L (1 pts)
1x
U (1 pts)
1x
E (1 pts)
1x
S (1 pts)
1x

Total base points: 7 (Scrabble)

Vowels: 2 | Consonants: 3

Common Mistakes & Tips

Musical vs. Emotional Usage

"Blues" (musical genre) is always plural, while "blue" (color/emotion) can be singular. "I have the blues" (sad feelings) vs. "I play blues music."

Genre Capitalization

Music genres are typically not capitalized unless they derive from proper nouns. Write "blues music" not "Blues music."

Game Strategy

BLUES is a common 5-letter word worth 7 points, making it useful for board positioning and using the S for plurals.

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