Web hosting Custom Email SiteBuilder

Strange Tuning

It is my theory that many blues players began experimenting with writing songs in other than standard keys because they were so poor that the frets on their instruments were usually well worn and the notes sounded clearer on keys like F, F#, or Bb. What do you think ? The alternate tunings may have come from being sobreitarily challenged in some cases. Tuning to vocal and instrumental capabilities probably played a part as well. I know these things from experience (booze and blues) and from observation of jazz musicians since I was about 9. I think the speculation is interesting, since I think it has driven innovation. In other words lack of resources has probably been beneficial, at least in the early days. Take Muddy Waters using a rudimentary pickup in Chicago on his acoustic to play over the din of gin and sin. This isn't to take away from the genius of the founders of blues. I think it is just an additional factor musicians in the rural south had to deal with.