But, Doesn’t The Minor 3rd Clash With The Major 3rd?

Published February 21, 2024 | By Brian Turner

Yes, the minor third of the minor blues scale does indeed clash with the major third of a major chord, and this clash is a significant aspect of what gives the blues its distinctive sound. This interval clash creates a tension that is characteristic of the blues genre and is often used expressively by musicians to evoke certain emotions or feelings. Here are a few key points about this clash and its musical impact:

Tension and Release

Expressive Tension: The clash between the minor third of the scale and the major third of the chord creates a tension that is central to the blues aesthetic. This tension is not seen as undesirable; instead, it’s used expressively. Blues and jazz musicians often play into this tension deliberately to evoke a sense of longing, sorrow, or emotional depth.

Blue Note

Blue Note as a Passing Tone: The minor third can be treated as a “blue note,” which musicians often use as a passing tone or bend slightly towards the major third, especially in guitar and vocal performances. This bending or sliding between the minor and major third blurs the lines between the two, softening the clash and adding to the expressive quality of the music.

Historical and Cultural Context

Blues Tradition: The blending of major and minor intervals within a predominantly major harmonic context is a hallmark of the blues and has influenced many other genres, including rock, jazz, and R&B. The emotional expressiveness of the blues comes partly from this interplay between the scales and underlying chords.

Musical Expectations

Listener Expectations: Over time, listeners have become accustomed to the sound of the minor third over major chords within the context of blues and related genres. This familiarity makes the clash less jarring and more an expected, even appreciated, part of the music’s emotional language.

Creative Use

Artistic Expression: Musicians often use this clash creatively, playing with the tension it creates to build and release emotion within a piece. The “wrongness” of the interval becomes a powerful tool for expression.

In essence, while the minor third of the minor blues scale does clash with the major third of a major chord, this clash is integral to the expressive power of the blues. It’s a prime example of how music can bend “rules” to achieve a deeper emotional impact, demonstrating the importance of context, tradition, and expectation in how we perceive and appreciate music.

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