Can girls play blues music?

Well I recently went to a blues festival and saw this kid called krissy matthews who does blues and plays the guitar ... www.krissymatthews.com and my daughter loves the music.
she plays the guitar and has an eletric. I just wanted to know if girls can play.

Yes, Alice of course girls can play, and sing the blues.
Here are a few (very few) examples.
And I'm sure those who think themselves "doggonehandsome" are the cause of their blues.

no woman are the cause of the blues

of course they can...girls can do just about anything boys can...!!

Of course, if they learn how. But it's mighty hard to dress up and act like blues music- or any kind of music. No reason, they can't play it.

Definitely...why not?! If that is where her heart is, ladies can be as good or better than guys...at anything for that matter!

I hope this was intended to push people's buttons.

Even Cowgirls get the Blues.

Yes, girls can play the blues. They have emotional ups and downs, and learn how to express them. The physical differences may give them a slightly different method or intensity from time to time, but that's part of the fun of having differences among people. Otherwise, we'd only need one blues artist -- ever.

Sure, there are a number of women involved in the blues! Most of them are singers, but some of them play guitar, too. Like krissy matthews. Also, Shannon Curfman was popular a few years ago, she wails on the guitar.

don't keep any of this girl boy feelings, ok?? just do what you want and enjoy.

are you kidding! of course they can- but doggonehandsomeis right we are the cause of the blues- but women can still belt it out-
1.I Won't Cry Anymore - Big Maybelle
2. Ball and Chain - Big Mama Thornton
3. Trust in Me - Etta James
4. Trouble Trouble - Dinah Washington
5. Billie's Blues - Billie Holiday
6. Nobody Knows the Trouble I've Seen - Lena Horne
7. Chewin' Mama Blues - Dinah Washington
8. Lover Man - Billie Holiday
9. Masquerade Is Over - Carmen McRae
10. Stormy Weather - Lena Horne
Disc: 2
1. At Last - Etta James
2. Rich Man's Blues - Dinah Washington
3. I Cried for You - Big Maybelle
4. Love Me or Leave Me - Lena Horne
5. Something's Got a Hold on Me - Etta James
6. Mr. Magic - Carmen McRae
7. Trapped by a Thing Called Love - Denise LaSalle
8. Blues on My Weary Mind - Dinah Washington
9. Nobody's Business - Billie Holiday
10. I Got It Bad and That Ain't Good - Lena Horne

Of course they can. For starters, check out the essay below on the history of the blues. Most of the original popular stars were women.

Currently, Rory Block is one of several examples of successful women who play the blues. I've cited one of her albums below from Amazon.

And my favorite current performer, Lucinda Williams, got her start in the blues. In fact, her first album, Ramblin', consisted of nothing but covers of classic blues songs. I've also cited it below and would strongly recommend that you get this album for your daughter. Williams has gone many different ways since then, but she thought the blues was the place to start.

Since no one mentioned the obvious answer, I must ask: have you never heard Bonnie Raitt? Aside from her I must add my personal comment on Willie Mae "Big Mama" Thornton- I saw her in her prime and I swear she played so hard that reeds were flying out the back of her harp.
There is no gender or race that can't ride the blues train- tell her to jump on board, study the old masters, and practice, practice, practice!

I have to laugh at the earlier answer- "women are the cause of the blues." Indeed.

To your question.. Oh, HELL yes! Consider Bonnie Raitt- tremendous slide guitarist. Playing the blues is attitude and a 12 bar scale and is not gender specific.

Have your daughter listen to this girl (Krissy) and (if she's old enough) Susan Tedeschi and Lucinda Williams.. now there's attitude! There's tons of male blues guys she could imitate.. but a girl's blues.. that's unique.. and compelling.

She's a vocalist, but have her listen to Koko Taylor or Chaka Khan.. bad *** girl's blues!!

yes it can be done and has not as much in the history of blues it was more domminated by male singers but some of the early Mississippi delta blues players had there wives sing with them ,,a great female blues player was Elizabeth cotton she was a guitar payer and singer fron south Carolina a very fine player and singer ,she sang freight train an early classic ,,,she played her guitar stung up side down pretty cool , plus alot of the early woman jazz singer could be concidered blues ,,other woman in blues could be as lkisted
missippiie fred mcdowel
blind willie mctell
all played at some time with wives
but for hearl streight blues from 50 up not to manny women played blue ,but not unhear of so ,have your daughhter check out early delta blues and fingerstyle probly be a good place to start
hope this helps

I can and do, and I play very well. Get her to listen to the old stuff and see if she likes it. It has the true feeling that most modern blues is missing. Also, listen to Susan tedeschi.

No it is forbidden.

Just kidding, Many women have been blues singers, It is really the style I like, but the blues has many styles.

hell yes listen to Susan Tedeschi.. i saw her at the bay front blues fest in Minnesota.. tell your daughter to go for it if it`s in her she needs to let it out we need more female blues artists.....and hey ditdit or whatever.. most of them didn`t play guitar they just sang...

I beg to differ on women are the cause of the blues as I feel its the man...hmmmI have been playing the blues a looong time look up Gypsy&Crazymoon and Gypsy Piano Blues...
Look at Bessie Smith and Susan Tedeschi,Etta James,Koko Taylor,Deb Davies..and Janis Joplin even sang blues when she started in the bars and clubs

All of the first blues superstars were women.

W.C. Handy may have ahd the first published blues song with "St. Louis Blues" in 1905 ...

But it was Mamie Smith's "Crazy Blues" that was the first RECORDED blues song in 1920.

She was followed quickly by greats like:
Bessie Smith
Ma Rainey
Memphis Minnie (known as a singer, she is playing guitar but NOT singing on the 1935 Kansas Joe original "When the Levee Breaks" - HER big hit was "Me and My Chauffer Blues")
Billie Holiday
Sweat Peas Spivey
Trixie Smith
Dinah Washington
Betty Roche (Christina Agulerra even re-did her song "Trouble")
Albinia Jones
Sister Rosetta Tharpe
Bea Booze

And that only are a few before 1945!!!! I can't even GET to the many more to come after!

Sheesh......


Yes, women are welcome on the blues train! Get her an old, worn out stratocaster and some lessons!

The blues happens to everyone, not just old black guys from Memphis. I'm VERY WHITE! But I have a nasty jumpshot and I LOVE THE BLUES!

Of course,one can do anything if he/she has full interest and love towards the thing.

Particularly music is not related to gender,it comes out within you..

So my answer is"Yes"

Sure. Look at Bonnie Raitt or Debbie Davies. Blues guitarists.

One of these days, Alice...!

I would suggest that you listen to Bonnie Raitt or Susan Tedeschi if you want an answer. They kick Jonny Lang and Kenny Wayne Shepard's butts!

Definitely, we get just as sad as you men do. And honestly, i think women who do the blues are sometimes better than men who sing it. It just depends on who's singing it. Not all women can sing, period, and not all men can sing, period. It just depends on if you have a God-given talent. But I think women can do it just as men. We have the same rights, and I love either. It just depends on your preferences when it comes to things like that.

Absolutely......anyone that says no must come from another planet.

of course.... check out bonnie raitt

As others have mentioned, there have been many great female blues singers. But not many that play the instruments, although that has changed in recent times. Check out the Lara Price Band if you get a chance. Lara is the lead singer (and a fine one) and her lead guitarist is Laura Chavez, who is very good. And Lara takes a turn on both guitar & drums as part of her stage show.

http://www.laraprice.com/

Click on "new video" at left side of webpage.

There are lots of good women blues players and singers.

nope, only negros

Hi Alice,

Women playing in Blues instruments - I do not know! But - the Mother of Punk Rock: Nina Hagen, 70's Janis Joplin. WOW!

For me - Blues is a style and women know fashion. One Star singer once told - Women sound better because they have womb.

Bye!

duh

no. they cant.