什麼是節奏藍調

在美國由黑人藝人所發展的、幾種密切相關之音樂形式的通稱。來自歐洲音樂的影響，混合了爵士樂節奏與變調－－特別是切分音與降半音藍調和絃－－造成其多變的風格。從南方鄉村地區的藍調脫胎換骨，混合了勞動時抒發深隧情感的隨口吟唱，並受福音音樂極大影響。可區分爲三種主要形式。最早期被稱爲種族音樂（race），是一種「跳躍」（jump）團體的風格，強調熱烈的節拍、獨秀（特別是薩克斯風獨奏）以及咆哮吶喊式的藍調唱腔。第二種形式通常稱爲「芝加哥藍調」（Chicago blues），以沃特斯（M. Waters）之類的表演者爲代表，典型的表演方式是由一個小團體利用豐富的樂器表演。第三種主要形式以唱腔表現爲主，通常在小型管絃樂隊伴奏下表達出與福音音樂密切相關的和諧感。1950年代中期節奏藍調這個名詞被希望吸引黑人聽衆的音樂產業採用；加上種族藩籬漸漸消失，芝加哥藍調開始被視爲民俗傳統而非種族音樂，同時福音音樂也轉型爲廣受讚賞的靈魂樂。節奏藍調可說是搖滾樂的始祖。

rhythm and blues (R&B)

Any of several closely related musical styles developed in the U.S. by black artists. The various styles were based on a mingling of European influences with jazz rhythms and tonal inflections, particularly syncopation and the flatted blues chords. They grew out of the blues of the rural South, which blended work chants with songs of deep emotion, and were greatly influenced by gospel music. Three major forms were distinguishable. The earliest, called “race,” was the style of the “jump” band, which emphasized strong rhythm, solo work (especially by saxophones), and vocals in a shout-blues manner. A second form, often called “Chicago blues,” was exemplified by such performers as M. Waters and typically played by a small group with amplified instruments. The third major form was primarily vocal, featuring close, gospel-influenced harmonies often backed by an orchestra. In the mid-1950s the term rhythm and blues was adopted by the music industry for music intended for the black audience; with the gradual disappearance of racial barriers, the Chicago blues style began to seem less a vital form than a folk tradition, while the gospel style was transformed into the soul music of vast appeal. Rhythm and blues was the chief antecedent of rock music.