Ethan Teaches You Music Podcast Western tonal theory can not explain the blues
Sep 8, 2025
The podcast dives into the intricacies of blues music, exploring how traditional Western tonal theory fails to capture its essence. It highlights unique chord progressions and the importance of the dominant seventh chord. Listeners learn about expressive harmonica techniques that define the genre's sound. The discussion critiques conventional music education while emphasizing the need for more inclusive frameworks. Eye-opening examples from iconic artists like John Lee Hooker and Ray Charles reveal the deep historical roots and innovative nature of the blues.
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Tonal Theory Fails For Common Blues Loop
- Ethan Hein argues Western tonal theory cannot explain the 1-7 to 4-7 blues loop used in many genres.
- He shows A7–D7 in The Beatles' "The End" defies tonal expectations where A7 would imply D as tonic.
The Beatles' Groove Example
- Hein plays The Beatles' "The End" guitar groove as the episode's central example.
- He identifies the repeated A7 and D7 loop as the entire harmony under the solos.
Melody Ignores Chord-Scale Clashes
- Beatles guitars play A minor pentatonic over both A7 and D7, creating clashes like C against C#.
- These clashes are common blues practice and contradict strict chord-scale expectations.
